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Don’t Get Caught in the Cold, Wear a Neck Gaiter

Whether you’re skiing, running, cycling or just out and about, keeping your neck (and face) warm is essential when temperatures drop.

neck warmer Tracksmith

By Will Porter and Hayley Helms

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When the year’s coldest temperatures arrive shortly, you’ll quickly realize just how exposed your neck and face are to the elements. Sure, there are jackets and turtlenecks for these situations, but often that just isn’t enough. This is where a neck gaiter (or neck warmer, or a handful of other names) comes in.

Products in the Guide

  • Foehn Keats Neck Warmer

    Best Upgrade

    Read more
  • Seirus Shield Snowdana

    Best Fleece-Lined Gaiter

    Read more
  • Patagonia Retro Pile Neck Gaiter

    Best Vintage Style

    Read more
  • Arc’teryx Motus Neck Gaiter

    Best For Skiing and Climbing

    Read more
  • Rapha Winter Collar

    Best For Cycling

    Read more
  • Tracksmith Brighton Neck Warmer

    Best For Running

    Read more

What Is a Neck Gaiter?

Think of a beanie for your neck or a scarf that won’t fall off — that is a neck gaiter. You may have become familiar with gaiters because of their prevalence throughout the pandemic as face coverings. They can work in a pinch to help reduce droplet spread (especially when consisting of multiple layers), but when it comes to wearing masks, especially indoors, an actual face mask is always the best option. We do, however, think gaiters and warmers are the perfect accessories for keeping warm on winter runs, spending long days on the slopes or just getting out and about in the winter when you don’t want the bulk of a scarf.

When Should You Wear a Neck Gaiter?

Wearing a neck gaiter doesn’t have to be relegated to wintertime warmth; there are plenty of activities where the humble neck gaiter shines. In the warmer part of the year, you can wear yours for sun protection fishing, hiking, cycling, camping and running. In the fall and winter, switch out your thin, breathable gaiter for an insulated option when you’re skiing, snowboarding, shoveling snow, running errands, winter camping and working outdoors.

How to Wear a Neck Gaiter

Believe it or not, there are actually upwards of 12 ways to wear your neck gaiter — not just around your neck. Here are some of the most useful methods we’ve come across:

  • Face Covering
  • Headband
  • Neck Warmer
  • Hair Wrap
  • Beanie

You can find all kinds of gaiters these days, from lightweight tubes of cotton that work as year-round sun and weather protection to running-specific merino neck warmers or retro deep-pile fleece gaiters. We rounded up 13 of our favorites for you to check out. Trust us, when things get chilly, you’ll be glad you have one.

Foehn may not be a household name like Patagonia or The North Face (yet), but we’re betting it won’t be long before the brand breaks into the mainstream, thanks to its high-quality and stylish wares. The Keats Neck Warmer is no exception: Foehn leaned on lightweight merino wool and 11 percent nylon to achieve the right balance of softness, stretch and temperature management. The result is a sleek and comfortable gaiter that can be worn running, climbing, hiking or wherever your outdoor activities take you.

The Snowdana originally started out as our favorite snowboarding gaiter, but after taking it for a few wintertime rides on our bike, we only want to wear it on two wheels. The fleece-lined, antimicrobial fabric wicks away moisture and boasts an UPF 50 rating. It’s warm, breathable and doesn’t slip down, even when we’re bombing hills or climbing ascents.

This retro-inspired gaiter from Patagonia is the perfect companion to that vintage fleece you picked out of your dad’s closet.

Ideal for skiing the backcountry or climbing in winter, this Arc’teryx gaiter keeps you warm and dry with a polyester blend that’s also Fair Trade Certified.

If you cycle in the winter, you know how biting the wind can be. This is where Rapha’s winter collar comes in. It covers your entire neck and gets wider to push down your neck under the top of your jersey.

This warmer from Tracksmith uses a merino wool mesh that keeps you warm and is easy to breathe through when you have it up over your nose on cold mornings on the road.

Smartwool knows warmth and this gaiter is the perfect weight for just about any activity you can think of, whether you’re just cruisin’ or getting in a vigorous workout.

Made for running, this neck warmer from Lululemon has a ventilated mouth and nose area so you don’t overheat.

Another retro-inspired fleece gaiter, this one from The North Face looks awesome and gives you that extra visibility you’re looking for on dark winter days.

Uniqlo Heattech is the option for affordable warmth in the winter. Its waffle outer layer will fit in with your best fits while the interior wool layer does the hard work.

Buff is more known for its summer-weight gaiters, but this one is ideal for adventures in the cold. Plus, it has enough material to be worn any number of ways.

This minimal warmer is what you need on hard runs in the cold — it is just enough protection to keep the wind and cold off your sensitive neck area.

Similar to Patagonia’s retro high-pile fleece gaiter, this one uses its micro-d fleece for a lower profile look that still packs the warmth.

Sure, this one is sold at Home Depot so it’s ideal for all kinds of winter jobs, but we all know Carhartt is a stalwart among the street style folks as well.

Columbia makes some of the best warm-weather gear out there and this fleece gaiter is no exception, using the brand’s exceptional Omni-heat tech to keep you warm.

Another basic fleece gaiter, Lands’ End’s version will keep you warm in a pinch or be great for storing as a backup (especially at just $10).

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