Perhaps if I’d had this I would be (hopefully) coming off a four week cough from riding in 26º weather a few times (plus consistent rides lately in the 40’s). Stupid Winter.
The ColdAvenger from Talus Outdoor is a ventilator that “creates a ‘micro-climate’ by mixing inhaled cold air with exhaled warm moisture to achieve a balance of warmth and humidity to protect the airways from the damaging cold. The simple design does all this while allowing totally free-breathing and keeping moisture off the face. The ColdAvenger’s patent-pending ventilation technology keeps temperatures inside the mask 40Ëš- 60ËšF higher than outside air.
It’s designed by a physician with U.S. and Canadian (eh?) military inspiration, and there’s lots of sciency stuff on their website about impaired lung function, altered immune response and skin reaction to very cold air, but we all know how much it sucks to swallow ice in gas form. For $50 – $80, you can breathe easy (and go Snake Eyes on your night rides).
Jump for pics…
It’s available in Balaclava form for $80…
or standard wraparound versions ($50 to $60, depending on material and if you want it good for 20º or below 20º). When fitted around your face, they offer some neck protection, too:
