Equipment like hats and gloves may get extra consideration, however ignoring your neck safety in scorching or chilly climate alike could be a recipe for unhealthy solar publicity or bone-chilling drafts. The common-or-garden neck gaiter, in its many iterations, is a flexible resolution to this downside. 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’ll be able to 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 thrust back odors, which is useful when we now have it pulled over our mouth for further heat. We wore this throughout our each day 5-mile bike commutes and appreciated that it was further lengthy for extra layering, however comfortable 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 in the course of 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 large 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 headscarf or ear hotter with out stress factors. It additionally will get bonus factors for seems to be — it doesn’t seem too athletic, which made us really feel snug sporting it with nicer outerwear. Simply be aware that for those who’re sporting 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 sporting it on the ski slopes in quite a lot of climate situations. 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 contemporary.
The material feels extra stretchy than others we tried, making it an incredible choice for operating 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 a very good 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 holding you heat within the chilly, we additionally love that it’s light-weight and breathable sufficient to maintain you cool if 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 sporting 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’ll be able to put on this for lengthy durations with out actually eager about its positioning.
The Particulars: One dimension | Polyester and elastane
How We Examined
We examined seven neck gaiters whereas mountaineering, snowboarding, and strolling by the snow to find out the perfect choices for any traveler. Upon receiving every gaiter, we analyzed its supplies, tag placement, design, and stretch. Earlier than heading outdoors, we wore every gaiter round the home to make sure it was snug and match effectively for our wants.
Heading out onto mountaineering trails, ski slopes, and sightseeing excursions, we placed on our neck gaiters to get the fitting placement, making be aware of any irritations or chafing. As we wore the gaiters, we took be aware of any sweaty spots, uncomfortable drafts, and every other element that affected our consolation and assist. After sporting 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 yr spherical, however the supplies, safety, and insulation degree fluctuate. For those who’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 if 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 mountaineering, search for heavier Merino, gridded fleece, or thicker supplies that insulate and hold the chilly away out of your neck and down your collar.
Get the fitting match
Most gaiters have a reasonably normal match that should not be too tight that you simply really feel restricted or large 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 might be doubled over or scrunched down to supply further protection with out letting air by. For those who’re planning to put on this as an ear hotter or headband, we suggest 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 might 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.
Steadily Requested Questions
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What materials is greatest for a neck gaiter?
This depends upon if you need 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 depends upon 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 might help drop your physique temperature throughout scorching hikes, seashore days, or yard work periods. 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 might 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 seems to be extra like a hood and can be utilized as a hat, neck hotter, and face masks unexpectedly. They generally characteristic a hinged decrease portion you’ll be able to pull down below 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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