Balaclava

A balaclava is a full head mask usually composed of warming materials like cotton or heavy cloth. It typically covers the entire head down to the base of the neck, often with two openings in the front for the wearers eyes. Balaclavas make many appearances in the Metal Gear universe, usually being worn by enemy soldiers, though there are exceptions to this rule. A more common name for balaclava is "ski-mask."

Origins Balaclava masks are named after the town that created them, specifically Balaklava in Ukraine. They were originally made in large numbers during the Crimean War to protect British soldiers from the nations bitter cold. The garb quickly grew popular among the british soldiers and eventually gained world wide appeal, especially in colder nations like Russia. Many military forces who specialized in winter combat made use of them and continue to do so to this day.

The Virtuous Mission/Operation Snake Eater Naked Snake had many encounters with GRU and Spetsnaz.Ocelot soldiers who wore modified balaclavas that were made of a thinner, leather-like material then the winter designed versions. These balaclava's were not designed to retain heat; the high temperature and humidity of the jungles and high plateaus of Tselinoyarsk made such a feature unnecessary. Instead, the masks were meant to ward off minor hazards such as insect bites and stings to the wearers face. The masks also protected the wearer from outstretched branches and thorn covered bushes, making traversing through the dense jungle foliage easier. The balaclava's used by the GRU soldiers differed from those worn by Ocelot operatives in that they were brown in color, with the Ocelot masks being black