The 12 Best Cycling Neck Gaiters in 2020
When it comes to staying warm on a late fall bike ride, there’s nothing more effective or versatile than a neck gaiter you can pull over your nose and breath in your warm air. Too hot? Simply pull it down and you’re good to go.
Because of that flexibility and comfort, it’s no wonder neck gaiters have become so popular.
The only problem is that there are a lot of options on the market today.
So, how do you pick the right neck gaiter?
We’ve done the research and have a collection of great options to choose from.
Here are the 12 best neck gaiters for cycling this winter.
Castelli Pro Thermal Head Thingy
Talk about the ultimate cold-weather head warmer. The Castelli Pro Thermal Head Thingy (great name, right?) is a great cycling cap, bandana, face mask and neck warmer that’s not only super warm, but also really comfortable.
The comfort is thanks to the company’s thermoflex fabric, which provides just enough stretch to stay around your face, but comes down when you give it a tug.
More importantly, this neck gaiter is compatible with pretty much all helmet types.
In terms of price, this Castelli neck gaiter falls right in the middle of the pack. It comes in red, black or blue.
Endura BaaBaa Merino Tech Multitube
Neck gaiters can keep us warm, but some that are made with synthetic materials can start to stink a bit after a good sweat. If that sounds concerning to you, we recommend checking out the Endura BaaBaa Merino Tech Multitube.
Merino wool is a premium material that’s naturally antibacterial, which means you can get several wears out of it before it requires a cleaning.
And yes, we know you’re thinking that this could be itchy when we say this is made of wool, but Merino wool almost has a silky component to it. This gaiter feels really good on the face.
Because it’s made with Merino wool, it’s a little pricier, but you do have six great color options.
Pearl Izumi Wool Neck Gaiter
At first glance, the Pearl Izumi Wool Neck Gaiter may not look like much of a product, but upon further examination, it’s actually pretty high quality.
As a result, it is one of the more expensive neck gaiters on the market today.
The warmth-to-weight ratio on this gaiter is really good thanks to the super-fine 18.5-micron Merino wool it uses on the exterior. You’ll have polyester against your skin on the inside.
A nice little bonus which isn’t found on all neck gaiters is the BioViz reflective elements, which helps immensely in low-light situations, like those early-morning rides.
Sugoi Mid Zero Thermal Tube
The best feature of the Sugoi Mid Zero Thermal Tube is its ability to wick away moisture quickly, which is pretty important when you start working up a sweat on a cold day.
This neck gaiter also adds a layer of sun protection. The company promises UPF 50 sun protection, and that can certainly come in handy for riders in areas where the sun shines year-round.
In terms of comfort, Sugoi lined the inside of this neck gaiter with fleece. The exterior is a synthetic material which helps with moisture management.
Sugoi’s neck gaiter falls on the higher end of the pricing spectrum and only comes in one color: black.
Minus33 Merino Wool Neck Gaiter
The Minus33 Merino Wool Neck Gaiter checks a lot of boxes for what cyclists are looking for in this piece of cycling gear: It’s quite soft, extremely warm and it’s not too bulky.
Some users of this neck gaiter have reported the inside can get a little damp after wearing it for a full day, which isn’t totally out of the ordinary, especially in extremely cold temperatures that cause your nose to run a bit more.
If you’re looking for a warmer alternative to a scarf at a budget price, the Minus33 Merino Wool Neck Gaiter is a great option.
dhb Merino Neck Tube
Made using ultra-fine Merino wool, the dhb Merino Neck Tube has a luxurious, soft feel to it and it does a pretty good job at keeping you warm on those cold rides.
Cyclists reported it working well for rides in sub-freezing temperatures. Many of those riders continued to wear it for other outdoor activities off the bike when the temperatures dip low.
While the comfort is something to boast about, we are really impressed by how lightweight this dhb neck gaiter really is. When around your neck, it’s easy to forget it’s even there.
You can pick from black or grey. This neck gaiter falls on the lower end of the price spectrum.
GripGrab Merino Neck Warmer
Whether you’re wearing it to keep the chill off your neck or your entire face, the GripGrab Merino Neck Warmer is a really nice looking neck gaiter that you could even wear on a night out and not feel like you’re wearing a piece of cycling gear.
This neck gaiter is made 100% of Merino wool, which feels very warm and luxurious. It also allows you to cut down on the number of times you need to wash this piece because Merino is antibacterial.
This neck gaiter comes in three colors. We really like the navy blue option.
Föhn Merino Neck Tube
Think of the Föhn Merino Neck Tube as a base layer for your entire head.
This neck gaiter offers top-notch thermal regulation across a range of temperatures. So, if you’re biking in 40-degree weather and have this wrapped around your head, you don’t have to worry about overheating. And, of course, you can always pull it off your face and just keep it around your neck.
When temperatures drop below freezing, rest assured the warmth of Merino wool will provide the comfort to keep pounding out the miles.
The Föhn Merino Neck Tube comes in black or khaki and is one of the more affordable options on our list.
Sportful Thermal Neck Warmer
You can’t miss the Sportful Thermal Neck Warmer in a crowd.
The company went all-in on bright, reflective colors that stand out. You have colors to pick from, including blue atomic and yellow fluo. You can also get a standard black, which still features a reflective element.
Made of 80% polyester and 20% elastane, also known as Spandex, you won’t have any worries about this gaiter falling off your face.
You might have some concerns, though, about it being too snug. For larger cyclists with big necks, this might not be for you as it could feel like it’s strangling you.
Assos Winter Neck Protecto
One of the more premium neck gaiters on our list when it comes to price, the Assos Winter Neck Protector not only does a good job of keeping your face warm, but the fabric comes down far enough to ensure your neck and upper chest stay toasty as well.
We really like the blend of materials that Assos used in this product. It’s made up of 28% wool, 27% polypropylene 26% polyester, 14% spandex and 5% nylon. The formula results in a super-warm and comfortable neck gaiter with the perfect amount of stretch and minimal smell after a good sweat.
If you need a neck gaiter to help cut out wind, this is the one to buy, but beware it costs more than the competition.
Gore Wear Neckwarmer
It’s warm and comfortable, but we like how you can take the Gore Wear Neckwarmer off and scrunch it up to fit into a jersey pocket, which is perfect if you’re riding to a local coffee shop on a cold day.
This is also a versatile neckwarmer. If it’s not covering your face or neck (or both), you can wear it as a headband just over your ears.
If you’re cool with a giant Gore logo on the front, the light-grey design is actually pretty nice.
Fox Racing Polartec Neck Gaiter
The Fox Racing Polartec Neck Gaiter uses a great Polartec fabric that does an incredible job of keeping your face insulated.
This mid-priced neck gaiter is easy to move from just the neck to the entire face when you’re riding on a flat part of the trail or road, and then hit a big downhill.
You’ll likely notice the wind protection is great when it comes to Fox Racing products, including this neck gaiter.
It comes in black or day glow yellow, which can’t be missed on the roads in low-light situations.
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