Different ways of wearing a balaclava

A balaclava with holes only for the mouth and eyes

A balaclava ( /ˌbæləˈklɑːvə/), also known as a balaclava helmet or ski mask, is a form of cloth headgear that covers the whole head, exposing only part of the face. Often only the eyes or eyes and mouth are left exposed. The name "balaclava" comes from the town of Balaklava, near Sevastopol in Crimea, Ukraine.^[1]

History[link]

During the Crimean War, knitted balaclavas were sent over to the British troops to help protect them from the bitter cold weather. However, according to Richard Rutt in his History of Handknitting, the name "balaclava helmet" did not first appear in print during the Crimean War, but only much later, in 1881.^[2]

This type of headgear was also known in the 19th century as an Uhlan cap or a Templar cap.^[2]

In modern American English, when made for those serving in the armed forces, they are usually known as "helmet liners".^[3] They are traditionally knitted from wool, and can be rolled up into a hat to cover just the crown of the head, or folded right down as a collar around the neck.

Materials used[link]

Modern balaclavas can be made from a number of materials, such as silk, cotton, polypropylene, neoprene, wool, acrylic, woollen or polar fleece.

Health and safety uses[link]

Modern balaclavas are used in outdoor winter sports activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, running or winter bicycling to help protect the face from the cold wind and maintain warmth.

Motorcyclists also wear one under their safety helmets for similar reasons; balaclavas also help to keep the inner lining of the helmet clean.

Most commonly firefighters will wear a fire resistant balaclava, otherwise known as a Nomex Hood, when responding to a fire call along with their SCBA and Bunker Gear. This balaclava covers the head and neck, with an open face; typically covered by the mask portion of the SCBA. This is used to help minimize the risk of potentially fatal burns to the upper back, neck, scalp and face.

Racing drivers must^[4] wear balaclavas made of fire-retardant material underneath their crash helmets in order to improve protection in case of a fire following an accident, and commonly cover the nose and mouth to reduce inhalation of smoke and fumes. Dragster-racing drivers usually wear balaclavas which have just two separate eye holes because of the increased fire risk.^{[citation needed]}

Military and police uses[link]

In the Indian subcontinent, balaclavas are commonly referred to as monkey caps, due to their typical earth tone colours, and the fact that they blot out most human facial features. Monkey caps sometimes have a small, decorative, woollen pom-pon on top. They are commonly worn by troops on Himalayan duty for protection from the cold.^[5]

The United States Marine Corps has recently begun issuing balaclavas with hinged face guards as part of the Flame Resistant Organizational Gear program.^[6][7]

Balaklava became a part of standard OMON (special police task force) uniform as early as during Perestroyka years of late 1980es. The original intent was to protect the identity of the officers to avoid intimidation from organized crime. Due to increased problems with organized crime of the 90es, TV shots of armed men in black balaklavas became a staple of sorts. As the organized crime went down, however, balaklavas became an instrument of intimidation as much as identity protection, as they don't allow to see the facial expression of the enforcement officer or identify him conclusively. Armed Russian police commonly conduct raids and searches of white-collar premises (typically in Moscow) while wearing balaclavas. Such raids have therefore come to be known in Russia as "maski shows", an allusion to popular comic TV show of the 1990s.^[8]

Controversy and concealment[link]

British Police in Kent confiscated the War on Terror board game partly due to the inclusion of a balaclava. Police said it "could be used to conceal someone's identity or could be used in the course of a criminal act".^[9]

A balaclava may also be used for concealment purposes, in the course of illegal activities by criminals, and occupationally by SWAT and Special Forces personnel. It may also be used by irregular military forces or paramilitary organizations to conceal their identities.

See also[link]

Fashion portal

• Mask
• Anti-flash gear

References[link]

Notes

External links[link]

• Media related to Balaclavas at Wikimedia Commons