A History of the Balaclava (A very useful item of winter walking gear)

Winter has come early this year, and I am packing my rucksack with the extra gear needed to

protect me from the icy weather that has arrived with it. Walking in the hills in winter brings

with it the necessity to carry additional equipment over and above what we require during the

summer months.

During the winter months gear such as gloves, torch, gaiters and a plastic Bivi bag become

essential items of equipment for trips into the hills. One item of winter gear that I have

carried with me since boyhood is a Balaclava. When I was a child throughout a Bradford

winter, the boys could be seen making their way to school looking very much like modern

day Ninjas, with woollen Balaclavas pulled down over

their head and tucked in at the neck.

The history of the Balaclava is associated with the

appalling conditions met by British troops during the

Crimean War. During the siege of Sevastopol, in terrible

winter of 1854/55 the troops were held up in the little port

of Balaclava, sited 8 miles south of Sevastopol. The

condition of the road which linked Balaclava to the

besieged city, made it impossible to transport supplies

held in the port of Balaclava to Sevastopol. The British

troops, who were running short of food and supplies, soon

began to suffer from Starvation and frostbite. Reports

from the battlefield began to reach Britain; in particular

articles in the Times detailed the British commissariat's

failure to provide winter clothing for the troops. The

resulting public outcry stirred the commissariat to send

out protective clothing in the form of a hood which

covered the top of the head and also the ears and neck. These hoods subsequently became

known as Balaclavas.

Balaclavas are an essential item of winter clothing and are not just for bank robbers and the

SAS. More heat is lost through the top of the head than any other part of the body. They

come in many different shapes, sizes and materials. Some cover the whole face except the

eyes, while others have a hole for the mouth to breathe through. I prefer the type that leaves

only the eyes exposed, even though your breath can escape upwards and fog your glasses if

you use them.

In the sixties the only available balaclavas, were made from wool which after a while made

your head and neck itch unbearably, Joe Brown the famous rock climber was noted for

wearing one. Joe could often be seen around Llanberis wearing his balaclava rolled up on the

crown of his head complete with a pom-pom on the top. Nowadays balaclavas are made from

materials such as, wool, pile, polartec windstopper fleece and even silk. I believe that the best

fabric for balaclavas is fleece and my own balaclava is a Berghaus Power Stretch, I find it a

comfortable fit which I can use under my hood or under a helmet. It is manufactured from

Polyester and Nylon with some Lycra for stretchiness, and when wet absorbs very little

water.

A Balaclava is very versatile and can be rolled up into a compact hat to cover only the crown

of the head if desired, or it can be made to fit around the neck like a scarf or pulled beneath

the chin if you need to keep your mouth exposed. In cold wintery conditions I prefer to use

mine as a full face mask, only occasionally pulling it off my head to use as a neck gaiter, and

when conditions allow, I will roll it up to cover the top of my head only.

I would like to conclude with a reminder of additional equipment that you need to take with

you when walking in the hills in winter. A good pair of four season leather boots is very

important, gaiters, fleece jacket, fleece or warm trousers, thermal top and a pair of good

quality walking socks. Waterproof jacket and trousers and a flask of hot drink and a bivi bag,

head torch with spare bulb and battery. This is not intended to be a complete list, but only to

serve as a reminder.

Mick Melvin (2010)