Winter Headgear

Contrary to urban tales, you don't lose most of your body heat through your head.  That said, it is still important to cover your head and neck, especially when not moving or sleeping.

Recommendation:

• One of the Following Combinations:

  • Buff and Beanie

    • A very popular and comfortable headgear system

    • Most popular combo

  • Balaclava 

    • Simple one piece system

    • Good option for younger Scouts

  • Wool Beanie and Scarf

    • Very versatile system used by military

    • Scarf can be worn SO many ways

    • Excellent option for those who know how to use a scarf

Head and Neck Clothing

• • An uncovered head does get cold

  • You should have something that will cover your head and something to cover your neck and face

Beanie Hat 

• • This is a very popular, comfortable and practical way of insulating your head

  • This is a great piece of gear for 4-seasons

  • Wool or Synthetic

    • Merino wool is generally preferred

  • Examples:

    • Amazon

      • SO Many designs

      • Many for under $10

    • Military Wool Watch Cap: NSN 8405-01-006-1074

      • Works great for real world use

    • Smartwool

      • So many styles

      • Merino is great

      • These hate Velcro

    • Beanie Hat with Light 

      • Built in beanie lights aren't usually great for illuminating trails

      • Having a subpar light is better than not having a light

Balaclava

• • Named after a Russian village in the Crimean War

  • Covers neck, face and head

    • Can be worn head neck gaiter to cover different parts of head and/or neck

  • Simple and easy to use

    • Good option for younger Scouts

  • These can be made from thin, medium or very thick fabric

  • A really thick balaclava may be just too hot to wear during the day, limiting its utility

  • A really thick balaclava is really nice on very windy days in subfreezing temperatures when you are exposed and static

    • We generally avoid this type of scenario

Scarf

• • Generally used to cover neck

  • Very Versatile

    • This is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing and is under utilized

    • So many different ways of wearing these

      • Can cover just the neck

      • Can cover neck and face under eyes

      • Can be used to cover just the head like a beanie

      • Can be doubled or quadrupled up to be worn as thicker hat

      • Can be used to cover head, face and neck - Shemagh/Tactical style

      • Can also be used to cover chest of torso warmth

      • 2 Scarves will cover even more of your body

    • Seal out drafts

      • Wrap around neck 2-3 times to fill gap between chin and upper jacket opening

      • Pull up hood and wrap scarf around neck over hood to seal off neck opening

      • Use it to seal jacket at waist by wrapping it like a belt - this prevents wind from blowing threw jacket

    • Other uses

      • Shoulder sling

      • Hand warmers

      • Leggings

      • Place bottle with hot water in scarf tube style and place in jacket or sleeping bag for warmth

      • Fill with fabric or other soft material to make pillow

      • Fill with gear or supplies and tie off end

        • Wear around waist like fanny pack

        • Wear slung over shoulder

        • Tie to or hand from pack

    • Often used as a fashion accessory 

      • Usually not an important feature for Scouts

      • If worn for fashion, do a little research - there are several preferred ways of wearing a scarf

  • Military Wool Scarf: NSN 8440-00-160-6843

    • These and replica military scarves are tubular

      • A Wool Tubular Scarf is Preferred

      • Tubular shape allow for a LOT of versatility

    • The issued military scarves leave the ends open

      • This preferred

      • It allows for a few more uses

    • Replica scarves often sew the ends closed

      • You can open the ends and rehem (or leave raggedy)

      • You can also just use them as is and double it up when you want a tube

        • Tubular scarves with closed ends honestly work fine if you know how to use them

  • Patu 

    • Aka Afghan

    • Blanket Shawl used in Afghanistan

    • Very warm 

    • Not as practical for Scout or Backpacking use

Shemagh

• • Very Versatile piece of Clothing

    • So many ways cowboys, Scouts of Old and people in Southwest and Southcentral Asia have used this

  • Generally Cotton - so not perfect for winter use as an insulation layer

    • You can find wool ones or make your own

      • Works like oversized scarf or mini blanket

    • Cotton is ideal for many uses

      • Wiping face

      • Cleaning lenses and optics

      • Use to sponge up water

      • The preferred fabric for wound dressings

      • Washing body parts

        • For hygiene

        • To remove contaminant (spilled white gas

        • For wound care

      • Works fine as an insulation layer on dry days as long as your have a non-cotton backup layer

      • Cotton is often used as a insulation layer in dry environments such as the desert and arctic 

    • It is really nice to have one cotton item

      • If you have one cotton item, a shemagh is probably your best choice