Ergodyne N-Ferno 6970 Balaclava with Detachable Heat Exchanger Face Mask, Winter Ski Mask, Black

I bought this to wear while riding my bike in the winter. If the temperature is 20 F or above I wear a regular balaclava but when the temperature drops below 20 F, I wanted something warmer. The heat exchanger works wonders. I used this today when the air temperature was -9 F (-28 F with the wind chill index). I wore ski goggles over the top of the N-Ferno 6970 and I tucked the neck of the balaclava into my ski jacket. With this combination of gear, I did not have any exposed skin and I could both see and breath just fine. While riding my bike I was exerting a lot of energy and breathing heavy at times (going up inclines). The heat exchanger warmed and humidified the air so my lungs never felt like they were getting blasted with cold air (the weather advisory on the radio was warning people to not breath deeply and to minimize talking if they had to be outside today). The ONLY thing I didn't like was that some of the moisture from my breath was condensing and dripping from the mask. That is a really minor problem and I don't think there is any way to avoid it. I would HIGHLY recommend this mask to anyone who rides or works outside in extreme cold.

Fine with my glasses. you can bend the nose area for a better seal. I found that the key is to pull the balaclava portion over my nose, not leave it under the chin, then attach the exchanger, which by the way, can attach to other balaclavas. My glasses did not fog up. I also tried it with my Over-The-Glasses ski goggles and it worked fine. Typically, my regular glasses fog up before the OTG goggles do, but they never did with the N-Ferno.. I tested the N-Ferno 6970 Extreme Balaclava in 23 degree weather with 40-45 mph winds with no hat. In those conditions, my head got a bit cold, but my face and ears were toasty. I would wear it with a ski hat or helmet in the future. Overall, it is the best "heat-moisture" exchanger balaclava I have used, and I have a couple other types in my outdoor clothing arsenal.

It fits well and is very warm. I'm not a big fan of velcro through. It's starting to give. Maybe put an adjustable strap on it to go around your head? I would also like to easily add some kind of N95 to keep out viruses in the cold.

A little tight on my adult male 3.5%-neanderthal head. The nose-pincher at the top of the mask is weak, similar to the cheap metal strip used in disposable dust masks. This part is needed to keep breath from escaping up to the eyes, so glasses usually fog up within 15 minutes unless there's a good wind. With ski goggles that drops to 5 minutes. Frustrating. The vent in the front has what resembles a plastic brillo pad. After a half hour or more it gets pretty wet and should be aired out well. It doesn't get smelly. Thermally it's great: -10F in a steady wind for an hour with a hood and second hat and goggles, didn't even feel like I was outside, no problems other than going fog-blind. The build quality is so-so. One of the stitches around the face popped when I took it off on the 4th use. Dabbed it with hot glue so it is not unraveling. I was in need of serious heavy-use face protection and this is great in concept but it's too cheap for heavy-use.

I had my first Ergodyne N-Ferno 6970 Balaclava for several years now. I bought this second mask of this type 2.5 years ago (now it is 07/08/23). Keeps your face toasty in even the coldest and windiest conditions. Been outside in -15ºF w/windchill down to -30ºF (and lower) for 30 minutes or more. Face kept warm. The breather filter keeps your breath warmed up on inhale so your lungs are not hit with a blast of freezing temps. My only minor issue is that the mask tends to fit a bit tight in certain areas around the nose. It's not much of a problem (a little tightness). Aside from that, it is well worth the extra cost of not freezing your face/nose. And if it is a bit warmer out, you can remove the breath filter for when you don't need so much protection from less frigid temps. Must have for cold temps!!

I work outdoors for electrical utilities during MN winters (commonly -20* or worse + windchill for those who don’t know). As I’m writing this, it’s mid-November 2025 in central MN, and I’ve been on the hunt for a solid balaclava that does its best to prevent my prescription glasses from fogging before the bitter cold hits. This is NOT it. The stitching on the balaclava was coming undone straight out of the package (had barely used it at all except to test its functionality), there were finger-size holes forming at either corner of the face attachment (where the face attachment meets velcro to secure it to sides of balaclava). The fitment was terrible (specifically on the bridge of my nose), and in my 68*-70* home, my glasses were fogging up with each breath (didn’t even bother going outside with this on - was already annoyed). I tried to use nose clamp but it didn’t help & made it even more uncomfortable. The only place I could pinch it enough to not let air out was at the tip of my nose, which made breathing hard and uncomfortable too. Another issue I had was the small fleece flap just above the heat exchanger pushing up under my eyes, or pushing against my lower eyelashes into my eyes when adjusting it to find the best fitment. Another point is that it was hard to find the fleece flap (that normally gets tucked under your jacket to keep the wind out) due to the heat exchanger flap, but that was easily remedied by taking the flap off until you were ready for it. For this to work properly, I think there’d need to be either: A. A longer/stronger nose clip that can cover more area to really cinch the flap to your nose without adding so much pressure to one small spot/area. B. You need an obscenely long nose for this to work alright; my nose is maybe slightly smaller, but it isn’t dwarfed by any means & is pretty straight with maybe a tiny baby downwards curve towards the end. You’d need a beak so it would comfortably sit lower without blocking your nasal passages. The only positive thing I have to say is that the balaclava fleece was very soft, comfy & toasty. I’d wear the base balaclava (before the face flap) for warmth in milder/less severe conditions, and (obviously) not relying on the balaclava for eyewear fog mitigation or full-face protection from snow/sleet/windchill/cold. That’s about it. The concept behind this balaclava is pretty sweet ~ in practice, it flops, and until some revisions are made, I would advise you to look elsewhere (especially if foggy eyewear is a problem for you, and especially for the price this retails at).

Yes, I recommend this product !

Amazing balaclava! I was working out west in a northern project this past winter and the high winds plus cold temperatures made it a bit tough at times being outside in the elements. I tried many over the years and nothing did the job like this one. The removable mask is very convenient and definitely keeps your face warm. When wearing safety glasses and goggles I had no issues with them fogging up while working. My other balaclava would not offer me the same kindness. The material is very warm but breathable so I was never uncomfortable wearing this while working. If you did get a little warm you can easily pull off one side to let a blast of cold air hit you in the face to cool you down. Bottom line.. Buy it, you won't regret it.

I brought this for my husband who work nights outside. It is very well made and prevents the weather hitting him in the face and neck. Would recommend it

Item is exactly as stated. One size is meant to fit large headed men and small headed women - which it doesn't (latter is me). The nose doesn't have the mentioned foam piece, and sits uncomfortably sliding inexorably down my nose, unless I make it very tight, in which case I end up with a red wheal across my nose after use. However, it most definately keeps me warm, am able to breathe in coolish air, even when used in -32c and lower temperatures (am in southern Canada). Would love to see the face guard in a smaller size, so the nose piece fits more comfortably, but for what is available on the market at the moment, it more than does the job.

Good fit (5 stars)