I'm a bald black guy who runs. Would this scare you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the style. If you wear one that covers your face and leaves openings for just your eyes, yeah, that would set me on high alert (but not because you're black, I'd feel the same way about a white man wearing one). If you wear one with a complete open face, I wouldn't think twice about it.

+1

Honestly, almost every woman is on at least "medium alert" when running solo and they encounter an unidentified man. After time, you might be someone people recognize as "balaclava man" but if it's not a dude I regularly see on the trail during my runs, I will always be a little nervous and guarded. And if people can't see your face, they can't recognize you as the familiar guy they see running every Friday morning.

It genuinely has nothing to do with you being black - and everything to do with you being a man. Because the fact remains is that while 99% of men aren't going to attack a woman running, the person who does, will be male, and not female. So we're going to be cautious about strange dudes. And many of us have known someone who was assaulted.

+1

[Anonymous]

I am a female runner who runs alone on some pretty desolate trails in Md and DC.

I also worked at a running store for years and I also ski.

So I know from balaclavas! (AND empty trails. AND the ever-present, low-grade fear of being assaulted ….)

which brings me to this obvious response:

you don't need a balaclava. end of story. You need a runner-specific skull cap. Here is an excellent, 100% wind-proof one one for a bald guy, even a bald guy in Canada:

https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/windwall-beanie-nf0a3fh2?from=subCat&variationId=7AX&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=Shopping&utm_term=NF0A3FH2LMWLXL1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3vfgBRB9EiwAkfpd3BOBbgXVcc3hGFvVHpMN165ZDNTdW7p9ksJrGELm4qbGENkgazg_8RoCqZUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#hero=0


I concur w/ all the PPs who said that being attired in obvious running clothes - which tend to be bright — would mitigate any internalized "fear of a ( black) man running behind me" issues. The hat in the link above is dorky green for that reason.

If your neck gets cold, wear a quarter-zip runner's turtle neck — not a bank heist balaclava.

[Anonymous]

I'd worry about your safety from police. "We got a call about a suspicious man on the trail..."

[Anonymous]

I remember a few years back I was running on a trail at Lake Needwood. Thankfully in a group. A guy came bolting out of the woods running towards the path with a balaclava. He was just a unner who had stopped to pee I would imagine. But I think if I had been alone, I would of had a heart attack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not scary in running clothes. Scary in street clothes. Race irrelevant.

Agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you dress on running gear? If anyone running up behind me looked like they were exercising, I'd be more relaxed but someone was wearing regular street clothes jogged up behind me, I'd panic a bit. I'm an assault survivor and I have no qualms about crossing the street or whatever if my fight or flight kicks in.

I'm a guy who runs so not your target audience, but that's my reaction too. For a quick look, if I see someone wearing a florescent yellow or orange shirt, I figure they are far less likely to be a threat, because that's not going to help sneak up on someone or escape from the police. I also tend to wear bright clothes like that just to be visible to cars, so it's a win-win.

Make sure you wear high visibility running clothes in bright colors, and get a runners backlava (which is not ski style and breathes way better) and I think it would be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be nervous encountering any person in a balaclava in a park, especially a man. I don't think your race would be a factor though who knows how much racism a person has internalized without realizing it.

This is OP. I feel like this answers my question. Wearing the balaclava will have unintended consequences.

As a man, I recognize the privilege I have to not worry about many things women deal with. I won't add to that already long list.

I really appreciate your thoughtful and honest response.

OP, how about a compromise of a brightly colored hat covering your ears and then a neck gaitor. You can pull the gaitor up over your mouth as needed. But frankly if you were wearing an open faced orange balaclava, as a woman you would not strike as nefarious. The bright color would draw attention to you which is the opposite of what a criminal wants.

[Anonymous]

Female runner here. The reality is that runners are jumpy. If you wear a runner's balaclava and not a bank robber's balaclava, it will be fine. And presumably you wear running gear, right? Just make eye contact with runners as you approach them, and this is important-- when you pass them cut a WIDE path. Don't pass them closely. That is what makes me like, gear up to fight.

[Anonymous]

Balaclavas are the crime commiting outfit so yeah

[Anonymous]

I think the only people who don't look threatening in balaclavas are short, tiny women. So unless you get a female running partner, you in a balaclava will be seen as threatening to many women and possibly some men.

[Anonymous]

Do people really use the term "balaclava" around here? How about "hat" or "knit cap"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a female runner who runs alone on some pretty desolate trails in Md and DC.

I also worked at a running store for years and I also ski.

So I know from balaclavas! (AND empty trails. AND the ever-present, low-grade fear of being assaulted ….)

which brings me to this obvious response:

you don't need a balaclava. end of story. You need a runner-specific skull cap. Here is an excellent, 100% wind-proof one one for a bald guy, even a bald guy in Canada:

https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/windwall-beanie-nf0a3fh2?from=subCat&variationId=7AX&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=Shopp


ing&utm_term=NF0A3FH2LMWLXL1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3vfgBRB9EiwAkfpd3BOBbgXVcc3hGFvVHpMN165ZDNTdW7p9ksJrGELm4qbGENkgazg_8RoCqZUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#hero=0


I concur w/ all the PPs who said that being attired in obvious running clothes - which tend to be bright — would mitigate any internalized "fear of a ( black) man running behind me" issues. The hat in the link above is dorky green for that reason.

If your neck gets cold, wear a quarter-zip runner's turtle neck — not a bank heist balaclava.

yes, I agree, this is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would probably be frightened if I encountered a man in a balaclava, especially if I were alone. Race wouldn’t matter.

This. I would wear something with an open face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people really use the term "balaclava" around here? How about "hat" or "knit cap"?

Because one is a knit hat and the other (balaclava) is full facecovered except for a few holes for eyes and breathing.

I would wear some sort of knit running cap and neck scarf OP. Any woman is going to be scared of any man running with most of his face covered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my middle age, I've become even more sensitive to cold - to the point of regularly wearing a hat while lounging at home - I've long conceded in the thermostat war with DW.

I run a lot and the winter months are especially hard on bald men (at least they are on me). I mostly run at a nearby park where there are other runners/walkers, but some areas of the park are pretty isolated. A friend recommended I wear a balaclava to help retain my body's heat.

I like the idea, but I am sensitive to the sometimes nefarious use of balaclavas. I don't recall seeing other runners wearing them (but I can't say I've paid attention to it, either) and I would hate to scare people away from enjoying the park. Would someone wearing a balaclava on a trail bother you, or am I overthinking this?

Thanks!

Paint a big friendly smile on balaclava and you will be fine .

Jokes aside, I am a woman and my instincts tell me exactly what the guy (even in balaclava) is up to - exercising in the park or meaning harm (to me). Wear what you want, I mean.
There are creams/ointments that people who work in cold climates use on their faces to fend off effects of a cold air. They are not warming or anything, just create a protective film on a face. Not sure what they called, just an idea.