Funny Ski Mask Review: What You Get for $19.99 (and What You Don't)
No hype, no "game changer." Here's what the $19.99 funny ski mask actually is, what's good about it, what isn't, who should skip it, and whether all three for $44.99 is the better buy.
The scorecard
| What we looked at | Our take |
|---|---|
| Warmth | Same job as a plain balaclava: thin windproof stretch knit that holds warmth without turning into a sauna. |
| Fit under a helmet / goggles | Yes. The print is in the fabric, so nothing is thicker than the plain black one. |
| Breathability / fog | Breathes well; most people report far less fogging than neoprene or fleece. Breathe out through the mask, not up into the lens. |
| The print | Photo-real, edge to edge, stretches without cracking. Wash cold, air dry. |
| Eye opening | A regular open ski-mask slot: nothing in front of your eyes. Can sit a touch high on some faces until you tug it down. |
| Sizing | One stretch size, adults and teens. Snug rather than loose on a very big head. |
| Value | $19.99 a face (reg. $49.99). All three $44.99 — $14.98 less than three singles. |
Free U.S. shipping · 30-day money-back · Ships from the U.S.
What it is
A stretch-fabric balaclava with an attached neck gaiter, printed edge to edge with a photo-real old man's face. Three designs: Mustache (the distinguished one), Smoker (the grumpy one, cigarette included), Toothless Smile (the happy one). The eyes are a wide open slot with a hemmed edge, so the wearer's own eyes look out of a stranger's face — that's the part that gets the double take, and it's also why goggles and sunglasses go straight over it.
What's good
It's gear first. This is the thing that separates it from the beard hat and the latex mask: it does the balaclava's job — wind, warmth, breathes — and happens to be ridiculous. The print holds up. Because the face is printed into the knit, there's nothing to peel or crack; it stretches with the fabric and washes cold. Two ways to wear it. Hood up when it's cold, pulled down to a gaiter when it isn't. The price. $19.99 sits under every Secret Santa cap, and the three-pack math is real: three singles are $59.97, all three are $44.99.
What's not
One size. It pulls on over most heads, but a very big head gets snug, not loose. The eye slot placement. On some faces it sits a touch high until you tug it down; after that you forget it. The print is the print. Three faces, no custom version, no other designs. The Smoker's cigarette. It's part of the character; for a kid, a workplace or a grandma, pick Mustache or Toothless Smile. It's not protective equipment. It's a novelty outdoor mask: the view is what it is in any ski mask, and it's not for anywhere face coverings aren't allowed.
Who it's for (and who should skip it)
For: skiers and snowboarders who want the lift line to lose it; riders who want a real under-helmet balaclava that happens to be funny; hunters, ice fishermen and trail runners; and anyone shopping for a man who already owns every useful thing. Skip it if: you need a technical fit in multiple sizes, you want a blank black balaclava, or the idea of strangers filming you at a red light sounds like a bad time.
One or three?
If it's for you alone, one at $19.99 is the honest answer. If there's a crew, a trip, brothers or a gift exchange anywhere in your winter, the three-pack is the better buy: one of each face for $44.99, the third one effectively $5.01, and the photo of the three grandpas becomes the group-chat icon by lunch.
Get All 3 — $44.99 (save $14.98) → Just One — $19.99 →
Mustache
Smoker
Toothless SmilePick the face on the next page · Free U.S. shipping · 30-day money-back
Verdict: a real balaclava that happens to be funny, for less than a beard hat. Buy three if there's a crew.
What buyers say
Great mask, sits a touch high until you tug it. Print is sharper than I expected and it fits under my helmet and goggles. The eye opening sits a touch high on me until I tug it down, then you forget it's there. Strangers waved all day.
Hollis K. — Toothless Smile · SnowboarderBreathes well on the bike — size runs snug. Cold-morning commutes, breathes better than my neoprene one and doesn't fog my glasses. One-size stretch is snug on my big head — still fits. Every red light is a show.
Kyle F. — Smoker · Winter cyclingWarm enough for the deer stand. Four hours in a stand at 18 degrees and my face was fine. Pulled it down as a gaiter walking out. My brother-in-law nearly fell out of his stand laughing.
Beau T. — Mustache · Hunting campReviews reflect individual customer experiences. Individual results vary.
Winter batch. When the three faces sell out, they're gone until next season. In stock while you're reading this means it ships.
The price, plainly
One — $19.99 (reg. $49.99) · Mustache, Smoker or Toothless Smile.
All three — $44.99 ★ MOST POPULAR ★ One of each · save $14.98 · the third face for $5.01.
FREE U.S. shipping · 30-day money-back if it doesn't get a laugh · Ships from the U.S.
Pick My Face →Real windproof balaclava · One stretch size · Wash cold, air dry
Quick questions
Will the print crack or peel?
No. The face is printed into the fabric rather than stuck on, so it stretches with the mask. Wash cold and air-dry to keep it sharp.
Does it fog glasses?
The fabric breathes, so most people get far less fogging than with neoprene or fleece. Breathe out through the mask rather than up into your lenses.
What size is it?
One stretch size for adults and teens. Pulls on over most heads; snug rather than loose on a very big one.
Shipping and returns?
Ships from our U.S. warehouse, free U.S. shipping, tracking by email. 30 days from delivery to send it back for a refund of the purchase price; damaged on arrival gets a no-questions replacement.
Winter batch · Free U.S. shipping · 30-day money-back