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Equipment like hats and gloves would possibly get extra consideration, however ignoring your neck safety in sizzling or chilly climate alike generally is a recipe for unhealthy solar publicity or bone-chilling drafts. The standard neck gaiter, in its many iterations, is a flexible resolution to this drawback. Comprised of a variety of wicking, insulating supplies from polyester to fleece to Merino, these easy tubes sit at (or proper beneath) the collar of your jacket or shirt, sealing the hole the place wind, solar, or snow can hit naked pores and skin and ship shivers down your backbone.
We examined quite a lot of neck gaiters, together with light-weight choices designed for warm-weather solar safety, dual-layer fleece gaiters made for the ski hill, and versatile choices that may be worn as a hat, masks, or balaclava. These are our top-rated neck gaiters for 2025.
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This versatile neck gaiter has all of it: it’s light-weight, moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, and the longest fashion we examined. This implies you possibly can put on it pulled up over your face, wrapped round your head like a balaclava, or doubled over as an ear hotter. The antimicrobial supplies additionally assist beat back odors, which is useful when now we have it pulled over our mouth for additional heat. We wore this throughout our each day 5-mile bike commutes and appreciated that it was additional lengthy for extra layering, however cosy sufficient that it didn’t fall down once we pulled it up over our face.
The Particulars: One dimension | 19 inches lengthy | Polyester and elastane
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This has been our go-to neck gaiter for snowboarding for the previous few years. It has the right mid-weight really feel — not too heavy, however heat sufficient for chilly days — and we use it throughout the peak of winter in addition to spring snowboarding because of the mid-weight cloth and breathable, moisture-wicking materials. We’ve worn this on each ski day for the previous few years and didn’t discover any actual put on and tear, and it doesn’t even appear too gross after a protracted day on the slopes. Turtle Fur makes use of their very own proprietary materials for an extremely mushy next-to-skin really feel that holds up effectively over prolonged seasons of use.
The Particulars: One dimension | Acrylic fleece
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We used this broad Merino neck gaiter throughout chilly hikes and snowy days in New York Metropolis. Made with 85 % Merino with added structural assist and stretch from polyester and elastane, this gaiter is mushy and heat and advantages from the odor resistance of pure fibers. This gaiter is double-layered and stitched again for extra sturdiness, and we love that the broader form permits it for use comfortably as a scarf or ear hotter with out stress factors. It additionally will get bonus factors for appears to be like — it doesn’t seem too athletic, which made us really feel comfy carrying it with nicer outerwear. Simply notice that in case you’re carrying it as a neck hotter, it’s going to really feel a bit on the unfastened aspect.
The Particulars: One dimension | Merino, nylon, and elastane
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We began testing this neck gaiter this previous winter, and have actually loved carrying it on the ski slopes in quite a lot of climate circumstances. It additionally works effectively as a cross-country ski accent because of the lighter supplies that work completely for high-output actions. The giater washes effectively on a mild spin cycle (we air-dried it to watch out) and it got here out mushy and smelling recent.
The material feels extra stretchy than others we tried, making it an awesome choice for working and winter biking as effectively. We additionally love the enjoyable patterns and materials, and it dries quick after getting damp. Lastly, this has UV safety, making it choice for warm-weather pursuits as effectively.
The Particulars: One dimension | 10 inches lengthy | Recycled polyester and elastane
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Whereas this gaiter is appropriate for retaining you heat within the chilly, we additionally love that it’s light-weight and breathable sufficient to maintain you cool whenever you begin to sweat. We’ve additionally submerged this Buff in rivers and streams earlier than placing it again on for a refreshing break from stifling warmth.
The polyester-elastane mix is mushy, but stretchy, and we had no hassle pulling this on overhead even when carrying glasses and hats. The gaiter additionally sports activities a seamless design with out tags, so there’s nothing to trigger chafing, scratches, or different irritantions, so you possibly can put on this for lengthy durations with out actually fascinated by its positioning.
The Particulars: One dimension | Polyester and elastane
How We Examined
We examined seven neck gaiters whereas climbing, snowboarding, and strolling via the snow to find out one of the best choices for any traveler. Upon receiving every gaiter, we analyzed its supplies, tag placement, design, and stretch. Earlier than heading exterior, we wore every gaiter round the home to make sure it was comfy and match effectively for our wants.
Heading out onto climbing trails, ski slopes, and sightseeing excursions, we placed on our neck gaiters to get the precise placement, making notice of any irritations or chafing. As we wore the gaiters, we took notice of any sweaty spots, uncomfortable drafts, and some other part that affected our consolation and assist. After carrying every neck gaiter, we washed and dried them following producer directions and famous in the event that they stretched out, shrunk, or appeared to lose any high quality.
Suggestions for Shopping for Neck Gaiters
Take into consideration seasonality
Neck gaiters can we worn 12 months spherical, however the supplies, safety, and insulation degree differ. When you’re aiming for a warm-weather neck gaiter, search for lighter supplies that wick sweat and breathe effectively. Bonus factors if they arrive with UPF solar safety, and our favourite fashions work effectively whenever you dunk them in chilly water and use them as a cooling unit round your neck. For cold-weather use like Nordic snowboarding, downhill snowboarding, or winter climbing, search for heavier Merino, gridded fleece, or thicker supplies that insulate and preserve the chilly away out of your neck and down your collar.
Get the precise match
Most gaiters have a reasonably commonplace match that should not be too tight that you simply really feel restricted or broad sufficient to let in drafts. Search for a neck gaiter that seals off most air gaps, however doesn’t really feel prefer it’s placing stress in your neck. Longer neck gaiters will be doubled over or scrunched down to supply additional protection with out letting air via. When you’re planning to put on this as an ear hotter or headband, we advocate a shorter fashion that received’t put an excessive amount of stress round your temples.
Search for versatility
Many gaiters, whether or not they’re tremendous lengthy or on the shorter aspect, can be utilized for quite a lot of functions. Longer gaiters will be tied up right into a beanie or wrapped across the backside of your face as a balaclava. We additionally love pulling them up over our nostril for windy elevate rides. Shorter gaiters can be utilized as headbands and ear heaters, then pulled down round your neck to maintain drafts out of your jacket collar.
Regularly Requested Questions
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What materials is greatest for a neck gaiter?
This will depend on whenever you wish to put on it. We admire wicking supplies that breathe effectively and resist odor buildup. This may be both artificial or pure fibers, it simply will depend on your preferences. Our favourite artificial gaiters are made with polyester and elastane blends for wicking and stretch, or lofted into polyester fleece for insulation. Our favourite pure fibers embody Merino wool and the much less widespread alpaca wool.
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Do cooling neck gaiters actually work?
Completely! These speciality ultralight gaiters are made with light-weight artificial and mesh supplies, and may help drop your physique temperature throughout sizzling hikes, seaside days, or yard work classes. Simply dunk it in chilly water and the evaporative cooling works by drawing sweat and warmth away out of your pores and skin because the water releases from the gaiter.
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What’s the distinction between a neck gaiter and a balaclava?
Whereas some lengthy neck gaiters will be twisted right into a face-covering like a balaclava, their major goal is defending your neck space. A neck gaiter is a protracted tube of fabric (typically multipurpose) and a balaclava appears to be like extra like a hood and can be utilized as a hat, neck hotter, and face masks all of sudden. They generally characteristic a hinged decrease portion you possibly can pull down underneath your chin and up over your nostril as effectively.
Why Belief Journey + Leisure
Maggie Slepian is a Montana-based author and editor with a decade {of professional} gear-testing expertise within the outside world. She is an avid backpacker, bikepacker, and skier, and wears a variety of attire and equipment each for technical use in addition to gear testing. To compile this record, she evaluated T+L’s testing insights and utilized her personal expertise with backcountry equipment and neck gaiters in all 4 seasons.
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