warming "under your chin / jaw"

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:24 am

I'm testing out a new helmet, and although I like it, I'm freezing.

My old full-face had a little netting mesh thing under my chin, to help block windflow. This new modular helmet has nothing there, and I guess most of them don't. So there's an inch or two of opening beneath the chin, letting wind in.

My neck is completely protected by my jacket. I'm warm and comfy. Everything else is fine: it's just that three inches in between the bottom of my chin and the top of my neck that is cold! The cheek pads are thick, so I'm alright on the sides.

It's not danger zone bad, but it is rather uncomfortable. I'd rather not use a scarf, and I don't think a full balaclava type thing is appropriate. In fact, I might be *too warm* with some options. I just have no idea how to protect those stupid two or three inches of exposed skin.

(and no, I can't grow a beard : P Well, I could, but my SO already hates my goatee. )

Anyone have this issue / overcome it / know the proper terminology so that I can google it?

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:35 am

Demonstrating both the area where wind gets in on the helmet, and where I'm cold.

note: that is not a picture of me. My neck is normal sized.

La · Post by La » Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:36 am

I used the chin skirt for a scorpion helmet on a Hjc helmet and it worked to keep air out. Now I just have a scorpion helmet with the chin skirt. I also use a cyclone buff with the windstopper stuff. It is great. I can adjust where I have the windstopper coverage and the non-windstopper part goes over my hair to diminish the helmet hair thing.

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:33 am

I just bought the Scorpion transformer modular helmet and I can totally appreciate what you are talking about there since it comes with the chin skirt.
My answer before this helmet (I had a 3/4 with full shield) was a merino wool buff, a tubular scarf that I'd wrap from my head down my neck, covering my chin and ears in the process.

http://www.planetbuff.com/?gclid=CI2_ys ... 4AodyQrLTw

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:56 am

There are all types of lower face-only protection. Motley Tube, neck gaitor etc.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 3:13 am

I have a 3/4 helmet and I use a neoprene back support belt with velcro. Its good to about 25 degrees. Fogging was an issue before I began using fog tech, it works but for only 2 days.

Being poor is a drag, but you use your mind to come up with stuff to get bye

.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 3:15 am

Tocsik wrote:There are all types of lower face-only protection. Motley Tube, neck gaitor etc.

Yep. It's sounds like you're going to need one, too, because you seriously do not want your neck (or just the area under your chin) to get frostbitten.

La · Post by La » Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:30 am

A frugal answer, once used by myself, is to cut a section of a leg of a no longer useful pair of fleece pants into a neck gaiter. Gotta scoot!

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:37 am

Something like this, maybe? There's also a version that's just a face mask, no fleece, but it didn't look like it would cover the area you need it to.

http://www.rei.com/product/725711/seiru ... ombo-scarf

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:39 am

Get a Smartwool Balaclava. It's thin like you wouldn't believe and stops the cold. When I don't need it, it fits in any pocket. And it doesn't make my helmets fit any differently.

I'm glad you're having better luck with that model than I had!

Another option is to look for a compatible chin skirt. Most fit by slipping the plastic mounting tabs between the helmet shell and the padding. If you find one that fits the chin bar's profile and length then you might have a really good solution. If you have any old helmets, try their fitment first. Have friends that ride? Ask them to test fit their chin skirt. After that, you might be stuck with guessing. If you go to a gear store and test fit their helmet skirts, order the replacement through them... don't be "that guy"; that is unless they're way over-priced.

Good luck!

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:14 pm

I wear a 3/4 with a full-face shield this time of year, which has the same cold-chin issue. Since I refuse to grow a neckbeard, I bought a fleecy thing that I assume was intended to be an oversized ear warmer. I wear it around my neck and over my mouth, a bit like a suburban cowboy.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:49 pm

TVB wrote:I wear a 3/4 with a full-face shield this time of year, which has the same cold-chin issue. I refuse to grow a neckbeard,

Likewise, I have one of these http://www.rangerjoes.com/Spec-Ops-Reco ... P1111.aspx I wear covering my ears, neck and chin. It doesn't affect the fit of my helmet.

smithrw · Post by **smithrw** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:59 pm

I just cut the top out of an old sock cap then use it as a gaitor. Keeps me nice and warm plus the price was right.

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 3:26 pm

smithrw wrote:I just cut the top out of an old sock cap then use it as a gaitor. Keeps me nice and warm plus the price was right.

Hey, that was my first solution, too!
But then, the edge that I had cut started to fray so I dropped the $15 or so on a face mask/neck warmer. I like the creative/cheap solutions I'm hearing.

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 3:31 pm

I have a neck gaiter to keep the cold off my throat but it does nothing for my chin. My full face has one of those mesh things like you're talking about and it works pretty well but is far from perfect. I think it would be pretty easy to put something thicker in there that would do a better job, at least as far back as it would extend.

Somewhere in the mess that is my house, I've got a neoprene thingie that covers from nose to throat. Never wore it while on a bike but the thing is TOO warm most of the time and would probably be overkill.

Unless your beard is much thicker than mine, I wouldn't count on it being that much help.

And, sorry if this offends anybody but beards that extend down the throat are gross.[/i]

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:50 pm

http://www.Motorcycle-Superstore.com/11 ... -Gear.aspx

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:03 pm

Southerner wrote:I have a neck gaiter to keep the cold off my throat but it does nothing for my chin. My full face has one of those mesh things like you're talking about and it works pretty well but is far from perfect. I think it would be pretty easy to put something thicker in there that would do a better job, at least as far back as it would extend.

I bought what was called a neck muff, which sounds like the gaiter others are talking about. Think balaclava with the head cut off.

My HJC came with the mesh thing covering the underchin area. But it made so much noise when I was riding that I threw it away. Then I made a tube of cloth filled with seat cushion batting. It's just long enough to wedge between the ends of the chin pads. Works like a champ.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:02 pm

You want one of these. Like a turtleneck with no sweater. They are available in acrylic, silk, whatever. Depends on your tolerance for various knit fabrics next to the skin of your neck. Everyone should have one of these for cold weather riding.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/11 ... armer.aspx

Meresankh · Post by **Meresankh** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:22 pm

I use a combination of a Buff and a Turtle Fur. Both are tubes of fabric, the Buff is microfiber, the Turtle fur is fleece. I put the Buff under the Turtle Fur. No gaps to let cold air in like with a scarf. Tuck one end down into the neck of your jacket, and pull the other end up over your chin and nose to where it's comfortable for you. Works great!

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:13 pm

Thanks all. Feel a bit silly that it seems there's a million options out there, but I appreciate all the recs. I'm in Los Angeles, so it doesn't get toooo cold here (or at least, serious cold patches only last a few days at a time). I'll start looking into some of them and try to figure out what might fit best. Some of the microfiber ones might be a slim, easy fit.

Also, chin skirt! Ah! If I go for one of these chin/neck cover things, I'll probably skip the skirt.