• Front view of gray Outdoor Vitals down insulated ultralight balaclava.
  • Front view of Outdoor Vitals down insulated ultralight balaclava with cinched face opening.
  • Side view of Outdoor Vitals down insulated balaclava with face opening.
  • Back view of Outdoor Vitals down insulated ultralight balaclava.
  • Rear view of Outdoor Vitals down insulated ultralight balaclava.
  • Compressed Outdoor Vitals down insulated ultralight balaclava in stuff sack.
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Ultralight Down Balaclava / Hood

Reliable Warmth For Sleeping Comfortably In The Backcountry

$59.97
Membership Pricing: $53.97
  • Water & condensation resistant fabrics & insulation ensure dependable warmth
  • Ultralight weight of just 3 oz
  • Full coverage with cinchable face closure
Description

The OV Ultralight Down Balaclava is designed to keep your head, neck, and shoulders warm in cold conditions without adding bulk to your pack. At just 3 oz, it uses ExpeDRY™ down insulation to trap heat efficiently while maintaining performance in damp conditions, making it ideal for backcountry sleep systems and cold-weather camping. The extended coverage design eliminates cold gaps and provides consistent warmth where it matters most.

Built for comfort and versatility, it replaces the need to sleep in your jacket or rely on a basic beanie. The adjustable face opening and flexible fit allow you to control airflow and coverage, while the ultralight construction keeps your pack weight low. For backpackers looking to improve warmth without adding bulk, this is one of the most efficient upgrades you can carry.
Specs
  • Exterior Fabric: DWR treated 10D Ripstop Nylon
  • Interior Fabric: DWR treated 10D Ripstop Nylon
  • Insulation Type: Down
  • Fill: ExpeDRY™ Down
  • Fill Power: 800
  • Sizes: One Size Fits All
  • Stuff Sack: 6.75 x 4.5 inches (uncompressed)
  • Warranty: Outdoor Vitals Performance Promise
Key Features

ExpeDRY™ Down Insulation will keep you warm even in damp conditions, it will dry quickly and stay lofted day after day of use

DWR treated 10 Denier Ripstop Nylon keeps the balaclava ultralight, yet comfortable and durable

Fitted elastic band will give the balaclava the ability to move with your head instead of blocking vision or getting twisted while you sleep

No back adjustment toggle means that you'll stay comfortable without a piece of plastic digging into the back of your head while you lay down

Front cinch cord allows you to adjust and customize how much of your face you want to keep covered and warm

The full length of the balaclava gives your neck and shoulders coverage so you don't get any cold spots while using it with a topquilt

The curved shoulder contour beneath the balaclava helps eliminate uncomfortable bunching and any additional opportunities for cold spots

Baffled design keeps down distributed well without cold spots from sewing lines

Why A Balaclava Changes Your Sleep System

Built For Moisture & Condensation

What Makes This Balaclava More Comfortable?

Why A Balaclava Changes Your Sleep System

Your head and neck are major heat loss zones, especially when using quilts or hoodless sleep systems. A dedicated insulated balaclava allows you to retain warmth without needing to sleep in your jacket or pull your quilt over your face.

The OV Down Balaclava uses high-loft insulation to trap heat efficiently around your head, neck, and shoulders—areas that lose heat quickly. This makes a noticeable difference in cold conditions.

For many users, it extends the effective temperature range of their sleep system.

Why A Balaclava Changes Your Sleep System

Front view of Outdoor Vitals down insulated ultralight balaclava with cinched face opening.

Your head and neck are major heat loss zones, especially when using quilts or hoodless sleep systems. A dedicated insulated balaclava allows you to retain warmth without needing to sleep in your jacket or pull your quilt over your face.

The OV Down Balaclava uses high-loft insulation to trap heat efficiently around your head, neck, and shoulders—areas that lose heat quickly. This makes a noticeable difference in cold conditions.

For many users, it extends the effective temperature range of their sleep system.

Built For Moisture & Condensation

The OV Down Balaclava utilizes ExpeDRY™ nano-gold treated down that retains loft and dries quickly. This allows it to perform better than other down balaclavas - especially when you cinch it down around your nose and are breathing into it all night.

Paired with a DWR-treated shell, this balaclava will continue to provide warmth night after night.

Built For Moisture & Condensation

The OV Down Balaclava utilizes ExpeDRY™ nano-gold treated down that retains loft and dries quickly. This allows it to perform better than other down balaclavas - especially when you cinch it down around your nose and are breathing into it all night.

Paired with a DWR-treated shell, this balaclava will continue to provide warmth night after night.

What Makes This Balaclava More Comfortable?

While many balaclavas use a back cinch toggle to stay in place, the OV Down Balaclava uses an optimally placed elastic band that softly adheres to your head. There are no uncomfortable adjustments digging into any part of your head while you sleep.

What Makes This Balaclava More Comfortable?

Back view of Outdoor Vitals down insulated ultralight balaclava.

While many balaclavas use a back cinch toggle to stay in place, the OV Down Balaclava uses an optimally placed elastic band that softly adheres to your head. There are no uncomfortable adjustments digging into any part of your head while you sleep.

Key Features

Water & Condensation Resistant

ExpeDRY™ down utilizes cutting edge science to keep you warm even in damp conditions! This gold-treated down dries so quickly that it outperforms even DWR-treated down insulations.

Ultralight Weight

800 fill power ExpeDRY™ down insulation fills the 3 oz balaclava with best in class weight to warmth ratios. The 10D nylon liner & shell are both comfortable & ultralight weight. 

Water & Condensation Resistant

ExpeDRY™ down utilizes cutting edge science to keep you warm even in damp conditions! This gold-treated down dries so quickly that it outperforms even DWR-treated down insulations.

Ultralight Weight

800 fill power ExpeDRY™ down insulation fills the 3 oz balaclava with best in class weight to warmth ratios. The 10D nylon liner & shell are both comfortable & ultralight weight. 

More Comfortable

Enjoy enhanced comfort with the elastic band replacing a back cinch toggle. The Down Balaclava has no uncomfortable adjustments digging into your head.

Full Coverage Warmth

The balaclava length ensures that your neck is fully covered with a specialized cut to fit around your shoulders. The front cinch cord allows you to customize the facial opening size to your preferences.

Side view of Outdoor Vitals down insulated balaclava with face opening.

More Comfortable

Enjoy enhanced comfort with the elastic band replacing a back cinch toggle. The Down Balaclava has no uncomfortable adjustments digging into your head.

Full Coverage Warmth

The balaclava length ensures that your neck is fully covered with a specialized cut to fit around your shoulders. The front cinch cord allows you to customize the facial opening size to your preferences.

Front view of gray Outdoor Vitals down insulated ultralight balaclava.

Ideal For

  • backpacking in cold conditions
  • thru hiking
  • camping
  • hunting
  • quilt users

Testimonials

OV Media Mentions

Frequently Asked Questions

Product, Shipping, & Warranty Info

Full Description
The Down Balaclava / Hood is your key to adaptable warmth & comfort in cold climates.
  • Water & Condensation Resistant: ExpeDRY™ down utilizes cutting edge science to keep you warm even in damp conditions! This gold-treated down dries so quickly that it outperforms even DWR-treated down insulations.
  • Ultralight Weight: 800 fill power ExpeDRY™ down insulation fills the 3 oz balaclava with best in class weight to warmth ratios. The 10D nylon liner & shell are both comfortable & ultralight weight. 
  • More Comfortable: Enjoy enhanced comfort with the elastic band replacing a back cinch toggle. The Down Balaclava has no uncomfortable adjustments digging into your head.
  • Full Coverage Warmth: The balaclava length ensures that your neck is fully covered with a specialized cut to fit around your shoulders. The front cinch cord allows you to customize the facial opening size to your preferences.
  • One Size Fits All 

Gear up for your next cold-weather adventure with the Outdoor Vitals Down Balaclava Hood.
Product Care

Your Down Balaclava is a high performance piece of gear. It needs some extra attention to keep it performing at the highest level.

Please read through the care instructions below to ensure that you care for it properly:

Before Washing

  • Never wash your down product in a washing machine that has an agitator.
  • If you cannot follow the prior instructions you should hand wash your down product using the detergent and drying process described below.


The Wash & Dry Process

  1. Use a mild detergent like Dreft (for babies) or Nikwax (for technical gear).
  2. Choose Low Spin or Delicate wash.
  3. Choose Cold Wash & Cold Rinse.
  4. Hang dry until the balaclava is completely dry.
  5. Then loft and redistribute your down insulation in the dryer by running it for 10 minutes on low or no heat with 3 dryer balls.


Long Term Storage

  • Do not store down product compressed long term. Long term compression weakens the insulation's ability to loft and therefore insulate.
  • We recommend hanging it in your closet or putting it in a pillow case for storage between uses.


For more information on caring for your gear please visit https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/care-guide-faq
How long does shipping take?

Orders for in-stock items will begin processing 1-2 days after your online purchase is completed. Please note that business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays in the United States. Once processed, Priority shipping generally takes 1-3 days to arrive. Note that USPS Priority shipping is a time estimate and not guaranteed. You will receive an email notification once your package leaves our warehouse.

If you place an order that includes a backordered or pre-sale item, we will hold the entire order until the pre-sale item is in stock. If you would like to receive the in-stock items sooner and split your order into two shipments, please place two separate orders or pay an additional shipping fee to have the order divided into two shipments.
Do you ship to addresses outside the US?

Some countries may be excluded from our shipping options due to extremely high shipping costs, unsafe conditions for US carriers, or unreliable delivery services. To check if we can ship to your country, please go to the Checkout page and enter your shipping address.

Customers have the option to prepay duties and taxes for certain countries. If these fees are not prepaid, customers may be responsible for them upon delivery, depending on the import laws and regulations of their respective countries. We recommend checking with your local customs office to see if these apply in your area. APC Economy Shipping

Please note that the situation regarding duties and taxes is constantly changing. We are working to stay updated on the varying shipping costs as they evolve. Also, Live Ultralight Members and Peak tier members do no get free shipping to international addresses.
What is your returns/exchange policy?

Shop with Confidence: OV's Simple Returns Policy

  • Free First Exchange:* Enjoy your first exchange at no extra cost with each order (USA only).
  • 60-Day Return Window:** You have 60 days to return items; this is extended to 90 days for purchases made in November and December.
  • Easy Return Shipping:* We provide return labels or QR codes for your convenience (USA & Canada only). 

For more information, please visit our Warranty/Returns page. 

https://outdoor-vitals.loopreturns.com/#/

*Please note: Clearance items are final sales and are not eligible for returns or exchanges. Items such as soft flasks (included with our Skyline Fastpack) cannot be returned due to sanitary reasons. If you choose to return your fastpack, a $15 charge per bottle or flask will be deducted from your refund, unless the bottles or flasks are returned with their original packaging still intact.
Do you have a product warranty?

Our gear is made with the goal in mind of balancing ultralight weight, performance, comfort and durability. We believe in the “Live Ultralight” mantra so we focus on ultralight weight and performance while maintaining durability thresholds established for each product.

Our warranty covers manufacturing & workmanship defects for the Expected Lifespan of our products. Expected Product Lifespan is determined by OV Gear Specialists using the following criteria:

  • Product design intent & materials specifications
  • Intended use of the product
  • The specific issue encountered with the product
  • The age of the product (based on Manufacture date)

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