The First Lite Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava is one of the best pieces of cold-weather headgear I’ve ever used. It features multi-layer construction with a softshell exterior that keeps even the most blistering winds at bay, while also providing some protection from light rain and snow.
First Lite did a great job analyzing what makes a good hunting facemask and hat, and engineered something that keeps you warm, quiet, comfortable, and concealed. I’m not blowing any smoke here – I bought it with my own money and after two seasons it has become one of my favorite gear pieces. Check out my video review below and be sure to subscribe to The New Hunters Guide YouTube Channel as well!
First Lite Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava
First Lite Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava
For those who often hunt in cold conditions, the Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava is the perfect way to keep your face warm and comfortable. Featuring a combination of softshell construction to keep you dry and Merino wool face mask/synthetic shearling liner to keep you comfortable, this is the only face mask you’ll need for outdoor pursuits.
Price: $50.00
• One size fits all
• Adjustable merino wool panels
• Shearling wool interior
• Softshell outer construction
• Weighs 5.7 oz.
To understand what makes this balaclava so good, we need to look at the limitations most heavy face masks have. They tend to bunch up around the neck, feel like uncomfortable leather on your skin, and make noise as they rub against your face, neck, and seemingly thin air. They also start to smell after time, make it hard to hear, and cover your mouth and nose permanently or leave them wide open and exposed. In short, First Lite fixed every one of these issues with the Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava. And they made it warm. Really warm.
First Lite Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava Material and Fit
First, let’s start with the interior. It is a thick soft shearling wool liner that traps heat and keeps your skin very comfortable. It also has a softshell exterior to keep the elements out and your heat in. Then it has a merino wool front panel that can be raised to cover your mouth and nose or lowered so you can call, snack, or hike. And what is more, it is comfortable in both positions, unlike just about everything else I’ve touched or tried. Oh and you can toss it right into the washer with the rest of your gear, time and time again, and it comes out no worse for wear.
Where this thing gets even better is in the details. It has merino panels around the ears that keep your ears warm, but also allow you to hear very well. Then they incorporated their 37.5 odor-reducing technology, which helps when hunting keen-nosed big game (and interacting with other humans).
The fit is great, and the available camo patterns can help tailor this to any hunting environment or game pursuit. I got mine in First Lite Fusion, which feels like the best all-purpose pattern for where I hunt to pursue deer, ducks, pheasants, crows, and more.
First Lite Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava | Potential Improvements
So what is the downside? Well, chiefly cost. At $50, it is not cheap. Occasionally you’ll find them on sale around major sales events and if you’re subscribed to the Hunting Gear Deals Daily Deal email, you’ll never miss a deal. However, even with the high price, I think it is well worth it.
The other downside would be that despite my glowing review, it is still not magic. I think it’s the best facemask I’ve had the opportunity to test out, plus it keeps your head pretty warm, as well. But when it’s really cold out, you will still need to add a beanie over the top of it to keep your head warm.
Last, it is water-resistant, but not waterproof. If you are hunting in sustained rain or snow, you will need to add a waterproof hat overtop.
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First Lite Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava Summary
All in all, I cannot recommend the First Lite Tundra Cold Weather Balaclava enough. Despite some potential improvements, it is my favorite face mask to date and has a lot of great features for outdoorsy people like myself.
Please check out The New Hunters Guide, the podcast helping new hunters get started and helping active hunters learn new things.
Ready to buy? First Lite is just a click away and if you subscribe to the Hunting Gear Deals Daily Deals email list, Also, check out Scheel’s for discounts on First Lite.
Thanks to George Konetes for submitting this review and be sure to check out his YouTube Channel. Hunting Gear Deals is funded by affiliate commissions. We may receive a small commission when you buy from our partners using the links provided. There is no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting us by using our links when making your purchases.
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AUTHOR BIO
George Konetes is a professor, pastor, digital media professional, husband, and father. He is also an avid lover of the outdoors. He also has his own podcast, The New Hunters Guide. The New Hunters Guide Podcast is designed to help new hunters get started and helping active hunters learn new things.
