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What is a neck gaiter and do you need one?
What’s the best neck gaiter for cold weather? Most of people use a scarf to cover up the neck during the winter. However, it doesn’t work for all people. If you have an active lifestyle and don’t stop being outdoors when the temperature drops you probably have noticed how clumsy a scarf can be. That’s why so many choose a buff / neck gaiter for their winter adventures instead.
Here are some of the best neck gaiters for winter.
Click here to see our favorite on Amazon now!
Table of Contents
Best Neck Gaiter for Cold Weather
Planning a winter trip to the mountains?
An UV or UPF neck gaiter is a very smart idea. The sun can get harsh up there. Below is a list of warm and comfortable neck gaiters that will let you enjoy winter days to the fullest, even when it’s Arctic outside.
1. Original Turtle Fur Fleece Heavyweight Neck Warmer (click for more details)
Seamless, two layer UV neck gaiter for winter.
Overall, the best neck gaiter for cold weather, our favorite.
Made out of double layer thick fleece it’s exceptionally warm and soft. It also has UPF50+ sun protection. The gaiter is 9.6″ wide and 9.6″ tall and can cover face, ears and nose. With a simple turtle logo it has a very minimalist look. Machine washing and tumble drying on low allowed.
With every purchase you support a company that also runs social projects and donate winter garments to those in need.
MATERIAL: 100% Acrylic Fleece
COLORS: 7 colors
Read more: Best Neck Gaiter For Hot Weather
2. Merino.tech Merino Wool Neck Gaiter (click for more details)
Extra long Merino wool neck gaiter for winter activities.
Overall, the best Merino wool neck gaiter, our favorite.
It’s 9.5″ wide and 25″ long and has a 4-way stretch therefore it’s very easy to transform it. You can wear it in 16 different ways. The gaiter is made out of super fine Merino wool that is ultra soft and doesn’t itch. Since it’s a natural fiber, it adapts to changing temperatures really well, is antibacterial, anti-odor and breathable. Machine washable and tumble dryable, but we would suggest washing it by hand for longevity. We would recommend the same with most of Merino wool clothing.
This wool neck gaiter comes with a lifetime warranty.
MATERIAL: 100% superfine 18.5-micron Merino wool
COLORS: 10 colors
3. TRAILSIDE SUPPLY CO.Balaclava (click for more details)
Ski neck gaiter with fleece lining for extra warmth.
This winter neck gaiter has a breathable mesh fabric on the outside and warm fleece lining on the inside. It’s moisture wicking, soft and comfy. There are 7 ways to wear it – as a full face mask, hat and balaclava to name a few. Special cut makes it longer in the front to offer greater wind and cold protection. Great for wearing under a helmet.
For autumn weather you can check the option without the thermal lining.
MATERIAL: 96% Polyester, 4% Spandex
COLORS: 4 neutral colors
4. Tough Headwear Winter Fleece Neck Gaiter (click for more details)
Cheap reversible two layer winter neck gaiter.
One side of it is made out of Polar fleece that locks heat. The other side is made out of microfiber that is good for moisture wicking. It can easily cover your head, ears and neck. The neck gaiter is very lightweight. Plus, you can also wear this cold weather neck warmer under a helmet and it won’t feel bulky.
There are many color and print options to choose from. Since the gaiter is wearable on both sides it gives you even more styling options.
MATERIAL: Polar fleece and microfiber
COLORS: 14 colors and print designs
5. NovForth Winter Neck Warmer (click for more details)
Cold weather neck gaiter with a fur like lining.
The fur-like fleece lining feels super soft and comfortable, and it also offers outstanding heat retention properties. The outer layer is made out of cotton. Both layers together block wind, are sweat absorbing and dry quickly. This warm neck gaiter is machine washable in medium temperature, but needs to be air dried.
It’s stretchy and long enough to cover your mouth as well.
MATERIAL: Cotton on the outside, fleece lining
COLORS: Black, grey, navy
6. Tough Headwear Winter Fleece Neck Gaiter (click for more details)
Double layer Butter fleece neck gaiter for winter.
Made out of a double layer fleece that truly is as soft as butter, it insulates body temperature really well and offers great warmth and cold protection. It offers 4-way stretch which allows you to wear it in at least three different styles – face mask, ear-warming neck gaiter headband, and neck tube. It also wicks away moisture which means that you won’t sweat as much as when using a regular scarf.
Although it feels super light, it’s also very warm and protects against the wind very well. Overall, very good value for the price.
MATERIAL: Polar fleece
COLORS: 5 colors
How to Find the Best Neck Gaiter For Yourself?
How to find the best thermal neck gaiter for your needs?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking it’s mostly about these 4 simple things.
1. Coverage
Neck gaiter’s most important task is to protect neck from cold.
It’s a neck cover for winter. Wearing it as a neck tube is also the most popular way to use it. However, some neck gaiters can be worn in multiple different ways to also cover your head, ears, mouth and nose. If you are looking for something to cover your neck against cold, a shorter gaiter will do the job just great.
But if you want a neck gaiter that could be worn in many other ways, look for a more stretchy and longer garment.
2. Material
Natural fiber or Polar fleece, which is better?
Cold weather requires warm materials. If you need the warmest neck gaiter, try a Polar fleece neck gaiter. They are great for that. Especially if there are more than just one layer. A Merino neck gaiter is also a great choice. It may be a little pricier, but there is no other fabric that is so soft, durable and has many more qualities that make a hiking trip pleasurable e.g., odor elimination.
Speaking of sweat management, you definitely need a breathable neck gaiter. Otherwise, you’ll be sweating a lot. It makes you feel uncomfortable enough in summer, but during winter time excessive moisture means extra frostiness.
3. Versatility
A winter gaiter can be more than just a sock for your neck.
A neck gaiter that can be worn in many ways like a headband or hat, or offer full coverage as a balaclava, can come in handy in a lot of situations. Especially if you are hitting the road, and heading out in the nature more than once in a while. And a two sided gaiter gives different style options so that you don’t get bored by the same look.
Another good idea is to have a lightweight neck gaiter that you can fold and keep in the pocket of your jacket when you don’t need it. You certainly won’t be able to do that with a regular scarf.
4. Care
It’s very easy to overlook washing requirements before purchasing.
But it will make your life so much easier if your new neck gaiter doesn’t ask for extra special care. Washing clothes while traveling can be tricky at the best times. As it is with many winter wear not all gaiters are machine washable or tumble dryable. But even if you wash them by hand it’s still more convenient if the fabric dries quickly or doesn’t get smelly easily.
For example, Merino wool is antibacterial and anti-odor which means that you won’t need to wash it as frequently as others and therefore the fabric also won’t wear off as quickly.
What is your experience with hiking neck gaiters? Do you use one also during the winter? What’s the best neck gaiter for cold weather you have tried so far?
Featured photo by Sinitta Leunen from Pexels
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