Review of the ExChanger Mask Head Cover from Polar Wrap

This is a review of the ExChanger Mask full head cover from PolarWrap. According to the FAQ section of this product here, the product's Heat Exchange Module "operates by capturing the heat and water vapor normally lost with each exhaled breath and uses this to warm and humidify each inhaled breath." I was provided this head cover for review by PolarWrap, but was under no obligation to recommend it. My observations are my own.

Test One of the ExChanger Mask Head Cover

Upon putting on the "one size fits all" product, I noticed a more padded area that covered the lower bridge of my nose plus my mouth area while the the bottom half fit snugly inside my layered clothing. The way the Exchanger Mask works is that when I exhale, air leaves my mouth and is "directed from the mouthport through the chambers of the Heat Exchange Module", according to the product box description. This water vapor and air are stored here until I breathe in some more cold air through the chambers, which combines with the air and water vapor to create warm air coming back into my mouth.

My first test of the ExChanger Mask head cover came on an blustery, cloudy, and drizzly autumn day in Wyoming, where temperatures hovered just above 50 degrees, but wind chills made the air feel colder. Upon putting the black head cover on my head, I noticed that the feel on my skin was comfortable (it's made up of 92 % Polypropylene and 8 % Spandex).

It took me about a half hour of wearing the ExChanger Mask the first time before my nose got used to being that snug. One should realize that noses aren't created the same, so you may have to move that area around a bit. As for the Heat Exchange Module, I made sure my mouth was positioned directly in front of the mouthpiece (made of copper mesh), which measures out to be 1 ¾" wide and 7/8" high. During my time outside, which included an hour of huffing and puffing as I ran, I easily breathed through the mouthpiece of the head cover, and it only took around ten minutes to create a sense of being heated up, not only around my face, but in my chest area, too. My face felt shielded from the inclement weather throughout.

Tests Two through Four of the ExChanger Mask Head Cover

On a cold November evening in darkness at about 25 degrees air temperature with a light wind, I took a 50 minute walk wearing this product. My face didn't feel any of the autumn chill, and about 12 minutes into my walk, I did begin to feel a bit more heat around my upper chest. Next, I did a run on an evening in December with the temperature of about 24 degrees with some light winds. Again, as in the previous tests, my face didn't feel any of the nightly chill as I inhaled and exhaled with the ExChanger Mask, but with the colder temperatures, it did take about 15 minutes for me to feel some heat around my upper chest. With each wear, I have gotten more used to the "cushioned" feel around my nose and mouth. There is this sense as I inhale and exhale, that I don't feel any cold going in or out.

My final test for the ExChanger Mask took place on December 30, when the very bitter cold finally arrived in my city. The afternoon temperature I began my hour run with was at 5 degrees but fell to 2 degrees with wind chills hitting minus 18 degrees. This head cover did its job, keeping my face very warm as I ran into gusty winds (especially around my nose and mouth thanks to the padded Heat Exchange Module).

I do recommend this head cover because for me personally, I want a mask that keeps my face warm in the fierce Wyoming weather, especially the winds. It's done that job effectively. The FAQ section here also states that the ExChanger Mask "will provide more heat for your body and allow your body to circulate blood to your extremities, such as your hands and feet. The use of the ExChanger Mask will actually keep your hands and feet warm longer." For instance, as I ran in the single digit air temperatures, my thickly-gloved hands and fingers stayed warm (whereas such cold temperatures have eventually caused my fingers to feel the chill in the past).

You can currently buy the ExChanger Mask head cover in the color black for the current price of $49.95 at this link here. For more information, go to PolarWrap's website here.