I’ve never been one of those skiers or riders who can just bear the wind and cold on their face. I’ve worn neckies and Buffs, and tried hoods under my helmet, or jackets with hood helmets, too. Nothing worked as well as I wanted it to, so when I started seeing more fleece hoodies around the resorts, I was interested. And then, even better, I heard about Anon’s MFI Fleece Helmet Hood with an integrated magnetic facemask that connects to compatible goggles – it’s a whole, not-too-complicated system that gets your face and head fully covered. After wearing the hoodie and facemask almost every day as I hit up some of the windiest resorts in Colorado (like Keystone, Vail, and Breckinridge), I’m a big fan.
The System
The hood is made from a soft and stretchy fleece fabric that easily fit over my helmet but wasn’t too tight around the face or neck either. The hood has drawstrings and a fleece face panel that can be pulled up to your nose. Underneath the fleece face panel is another face panel made from a stretchy, lightweight fabric that magnetically attaches to compatible Anon goggles that have Magnetic Facemask Integration (MFI). The magnet in the balaclava is removable so that the entire hood can be machine washed. A vent in the balaclava near the mouth and nose areas helps prevent fogging. The entire hood and facemask system helps to protect from wind, sun, and bitter temperatures. The magnetic facemasks are also available without the attached hood.
Pros and Cons
I first wore the hoodie on a cold and windy day at Vail, complete with multiple chairlift trips in the exposed back bowls. The hood was up, the balaclava was connected to the goggles, and I was warm and relatively protected from the wind. Both the fleece and the balaclava are not made from windproof material but do help mitigate any freezing cold winds. I kept the entire system connected while on the chairlifts but preferred the magnetic face panel down when I was riding. It was extremely easy to snap together or pull off and stick under my chin when I didn’t need the mask connected to the goggles.
At first, I didn’t think that the hood would be my regular, everyday wear, but I’ve since worn it every day while in-bounds. If I get too hot, the hood is easy enough to slide off over my hood and the whole system keeps my neck warm and cozy like a regular neck warmer. The hoodie with the magnetic facemask is only compatible with Anon goggles, so if you aren’t a fan of Anon goggles, you’re out of luck.
Overall
If your face gets cold or you are often subjecting yourself to harsh, cold, and windy conditions, the Anon MFI Fleece Helmet Hood covers your entire head and face to protect you from nature’s crazy elements.
$69.95 for the MFI fleece helmet hood; $59.95 for the MFI midweight neck warmer; $39.95 for the MFI lightweight neck warmer; goggles not included.
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