I’ve had facemasks freeze stiff as a board while skiing, snowmobiling and working outside in subzero temperatures, so I was intrigued when I saw Psolar’s QXtec Core Heater face masks at the Outdoor Retailers Show in January. I finally had a chance to test the mask, so I headed up into the mountains to test it out. Unfortunately spring is in the air, and the days of temperatures in the teens are gone; however, I was still able to find a noticeable difference between my old mask and the Psolar mask with the temperature at 34 degrees.

QXtec Core Heater Technology

The QXtec Core Heater looks like a small version of an automotive air filter. It slides into a small mesh pouch inside the Balaclava so you can remove it for cleaning or replacement. The device utilizes a desiccant coated plastic module that captures the heat and vapor that is typically wasted while breathing. This technology keeps the plastic warm, so when you inhale, you’re breathing in warm air and when you exhale, the vapors don’t freeze or condense on the face mask. It also has a pleasant smell when you inhale.

The Balaclava itself is made from Polartec Powerstretch fleece fabric so it gives a soft, snug fit while providing a wind resistant layer. The portion of the mask that covers your face is Polartec’s Aqua Shell fleece, which is a neoprene lined fabric that is windproof and waterproof and will comfortably stretch to fit the contours of your face. The mask is machine washable, but be sure to remove the QXtec Core Heater before putting it in the wash.

Psolar with QXtec Core Heater vs. Old School Knit Balaclava

I tested the Psolar BX Balaclava against my knit Balaclava. I strenuously hiked for 15 minutes with each Balaclava on my face. The air temperature was slightly above freezing. By the end of the first 15 minutes, my knit balaclava was soaking wet around the nose and mouth area. The temperate was too warm for the mask to freeze, but when the wind blew, I felt the cold, damp cotton on my face.

Next I put on the Psolar Balaclava. Within 5 minutes, I had to pull the hood portion of the Balaclava off my head because I was so warm. After 15 minutes of breathing hard there was only a slight dampness around the nose area of the Psolar Balaclava. The Heat Exchanger was warm to touch, but I didn’t feel any condensation on it.

PROS
The BX Balaclava retails for around $42. This is twice as much as a standard Balaclava sells for, but you don’t have to worry about your mask getting soaked and freezing. It’s definitely worth the price to have the heat exchanger technology. Psolar offers a number of other facemasks and Balaclavas that incorporate the QXtec Heat Exchanger, so you can get a mask to fit your outdoor pursuit. I like the BX Balaclava model because it’s very versatile. It fits tight enough that you can wear it under a helmet, and you can pull the hood down if you just want to wear it as a face mask.

CONS
The Heat Exchanger doesn’t work very well if you breathe out of your nose. As you can see from the picture above, the air exchanger is rimmed with a solid material, so you need to exhale out of your mouth to push the air through the heat exchanger. I also fogged up my glasses when I exhaled out of my nose. Psolar offers an anti-fog Vapor Shield to prevent this. I just learned to exhale out of my mouth and it worked fine.

For more Information, Reviews and Sales visit the Psolar Website

THEE FACE MASK FOR WINTER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

If you’ve used the any of the Psolar face masks, please share your experiences in the comments below.