I prefer a scarf to a balaclava because balaclavas fog and ice up my glasses and the fabric gets soggy from my breath. My favorite scarf is silk wool blend and is large enough to go around my neck several times and even over my head. I can pull it over my nose when I like or easily push it aside. Because it's loosely knit with holes has a higher R value than a thin balaclava. Yeah it's pretty, It also works,