Phunkshun Wear has been putting its unique spin on ski and snowboard face masks for more than 10 years. That includes making its sustainably minded tubes and balaclavas in America since day one.
It’s hard to have fun with a frozen face. That’s why you see all kinds of face coverings anywhere people are playing in the cold. But to achieve all-day performance, a face mask needs to keep your face dry too.
Phunkshun Wear‘s balaclavas and polyester tubes emphasize breathability to fight moisture buildup. The idea is that staying comfortable longer allows you to play outside longer and cram more fun into your day.
Shop Phunkshun Snow Wear
About Phunkshun Wear
Like many outdoor gear brands, Phunkshun Wear got its start trying to create something that wasn’t on the market. Founder Lanny Goldwasser was a snowboard instructor at the Copper Mountain Snowsports School and grew frustrated by face masks that couldn’t keep up with his full days on the slopes.
He and a friend made the first prototypes and began selling them to other instructors in the locker room. They were a hit. Demand grew at nearby resorts, and they quickly realized this was a full-time job.
The demand among instructors is one reason Phunkshun Wear is the official face mask of Steamboat, Winter Park, and Palisades Tahoe.
In 2011, they founded Phunkshun Wear in Silverthorne, Colo., and after 3 years moved its manufacturing to Denver.
The brand includes sustainable practices and philanthropic partnerships as part of its business model.
Its eco-conscious manufacturing practices include using fabric made from REPREVE recycled plastics. The brand estimates there are at least a few bottles’ worth of repurposed plastic in each of its products.
Phunkshun Wear Designs
The brand shapes its tubes and balaclavas to fit snugly against your face, under a helmet, and minimize the neckline so you can zip your jackets all the way up.
In most cases, these face masks use fabrics made from REPREVE recycled fiber, including a PFC-free Teflon Eco DWR, and are treated with the brand’s Anti-Phunk Odor Control. They should also provide sun protection rated at UPF 50-plus.
From there, it’s a matter of how much warmth you want and, of course, what print you want to sport on the slopes.
Kombu Convertible Balaclavas
The Kombu Convertible Balaclava brings ninja looks to full-face coverage with its convertible, hinged construction. That’s to make it easier to wear with the top down.
Its “single-ply” construction offers stretch and a brushed fabric feel against the skin while the rest is shaped for an ergonomic fit at the nose and coverage at the neckline. It includes Sorbtek fibers, which, according to the brand, wick moisture faster than traditional fibers.
Shop NowDendrite Single Tubes
Here’s your simple neck tube design made to stretch, wick, and warm. First off, the fabric uses Sorbtek fibers for enhanced moisture management. (Sorbtek’s maker says it wicks three times faster than untreated fabrics.) Additionally, the tube offers sun protection, odor control, and has a four-way-stretch fabric that should fit most faces.
Shop NowGoggle Covers
Goggles are expensive, so why not protect them from the elements the same way you protect your face? The goggle covers have a treated outer shell to shed snowflakes and, of course, add a layer of protection from incidental scratches when in transit or storage.
Shop NowTempest Thermal Tube — Adult & Youth
The Tempest Thermal Neck Tube offers a step up on the insulation front thanks to a Polartec Microfleece lining. It uses the same REPREVE recycled fiber and water-repellent treatments as the other masks.
Shava Plush
The Shava is a chunky neck tube made entirely from Polartec High Loft Fleece. It boasts the brand’s highest warmth-to-weight ratio because of that technology. Phunkshun Wear asserts that all that fleece will feel plush against your skin, trap warmth, and yet move moisture to the outside of the tube.
Shop NowMistral Double Balaclava — Adult & Youth
Phunkshun put a hood on its bestselling Mistral Double Tube and added Sorbtek-treated fabrics to help move moisture and regulate temperature. The outer shell has an eco-friendly treatment to repel water while the inside liner moves moisture away from your face. The neckline is shaped to prevent bunching under other layers.
The Mistral Double Tubes are also available in youth sizes.
Family Fun
As you’ve seen, Phunkshun has a wide variety of face coverings to provide breathable warmth during winter activities. These include youth sizes — because keeping kids warm is a big part of a successful family outing.
Check out the Phunkshun Wear website to see all of its face coverings (and goggle covers) in many more colors and designs.
This article is sponsored by Phunkshun Wear. Find out more about its face coverings and other gear online.
