A 1970s US army survival guide used to claim that you lost up to 50% of your body’s heat from your head. As the surface area of your head is only 10% of your body (though your brain uses a lot of your blood supply) this is almost certainly not true.
However, not very much weight of insulation is needed to keep your head warm. Anyway a cold head will cause all sorts of problems – and misery.
I certainly find that if my head is cold the rest of me is cold as well – so I often/always wear a hat of some sort. When I am out in the wilds (in cold weather) I always have some sort of insulated head-wear – something from a light wool cap through a light wool balaclava, a buff or beanie to some serious head insulation for night time sub-zero conditions etc.
For winter walking I have one of Icebreaker’s wool caps (from 76 grams – some of which are no longer available). I like a peaked cap as the sun will dazzle you when you turn towards it. Many a productive shot (or photo) has been lost because of this.
Icebreaker wool cap
Icebreaker beanie
Sometimes I have an ultralight Icebreaker wool beanie (37 Grams) to wear under the cap but I have recently switched to an Icebreaker balaclava – 52 grams – (which is not that much heavier) but which provides just that much more warmth (and stays on better). I have also switched carrying my Buff (37 grams) plus beanie (37 grams) to just the balaclava – a small weight saving (22 grams)
Buff
The balaclava also provides just a bit more protection for the nose on those really cold nights in the sleeping bag as it can be pulled down over the nose leaving just the nostrils and mouth open/exposed.
I have an insulated Ray Jardine Bomber Hat (US$29.95 June 2024) which (my wife), Della sewed for me a quarter of a century ago. It weighs around an ounce and has been with me on every cold trip since. If you can sew I highly recommend you buy the kit and make one yourself.
Ray Jardine Bomber Hat
If you can’t/won’t sew you can buy pretty much a copy from Enlightened Equipment ie their Torrid Hat (US$70 – June 2024 and 27 grams).
If you are (now) sleeping in a quilt that doesn’t have an insulated hood you might want something warmer on a really cold night. Some places I go I have the Icebreaker balaclava, the Bomber hat and the sleeping bag hood.
Icebreaker balaclava
Now that I am (at least) trialing a quilt for cold weather sleeping – I’m not sure how that will play out, I will keep you posted) – I need something warmer for my head.
I long ago bought a down balaclava for Della’s hoodless Zpacks sleeping bag from Joe Valesko. It is an ultralight beauty (at 37 grams) , but at US$79.95 (June 2024) it might be beyond your means.
Zpacks balaclava
I bought a Chinese copy of it this week for around A$21.18 but I have now found it weighs 86 grams (however warm it may well be – and it certainly feels it), so you might want to spend the money at Zpacks.
Kamperbox A$21.18 balaclava
I may not stay with the quilt anyway as I have a Montbell sleeping bag we added extra down to so that it is probably good down to about -20C. The quilt could also be lighter than it is.
I may also find that the quilt just does not suit me on really cold nights though it is much easier to get into and out of when you get stiffer and older than a sleeping bag.
However the cheap down balaclava may find other uses. It is certainly well thought out and well made.
See Also:
Survival guide is not entirely wrong. If your head gets too cold, you will die. Your body works in smart ways. It will first restrict blood flow to your hands and feet, but not to your brain/head. This is the reason why covering your head makes you feel warmer everywhere. If your hands are cold, it is ofcourse wise to use gloves, but you might get warmer hands much faster and easier if you put more insulation over your head and neck.
I think you are probably right – anyway an ounce or so warming up your head is well worth carrying. Cheers, Steve.