Although folk had been wearing similar headgear before, the Balaclava got its name during the Crimean War in 1854 when British troops were struggling to keep warm and well equipped. It seems that they were relying on ‘resupply’ from friends and relatives back home, the ‘supplies’ included hand-knitted headgear which became known as Balaclavas.

Our good friend and military historian, Robert Bennet, tells us that Balaclavas became popular with the military subsequent to the Battle, often preferred to a cold helmet!

Doesn’t look like mountaineers were using them much until the 1950s, when they became pretty much the fashion of the mountains. A company called Jaeger were making them from the early 1900s, using their ‘exclusive’ wool technique.

One of the two we have here in the collection is a ‘Cathedral’ brand which we know little about, the other is unbranded and possible hand-knitted – many were. Both are made from lovely soft, cosy wool – the only true balaclava.