Neck Gaiters for Every Outdoor Adventure

Appalachian Gear Company hasn’t been around all that long, but they’ve already made quite a splash–so much so that their products are often out of stock. They use alpaca wool in their products–a fiber I’ve found to insulate well for the weight. It holds odor even less than merino wool in my anecdotal experience, but I found it slightly less comfortable (i.e., scratchier).  So, if you are sensitive to that sort of thing, buyer beware.

Something else to note:  in my testing of Appalachian Gear Company’s 100% alpaca products, I’ve found that they stretch out and lose their shape just slightly over time. This property actually makes their sweaters more comfortable, but it’s possible that this neck gaiter won’t stay on your face very well after long-term use.

This model has a slight bandana-like cut (a little triangular at the front) and is relatively thick compared to other gaiters in our guide. It’s wider at the bottom than the top and sports a double-layer knit construction. The design allows you to tuck it in under jackets and sweaters if you want to.

All of which is to say, I recommend Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Fleece Neck Gaiter for cold weather use only. It’s a great gaiter for skiing, especially when you need something to pull up over your to fend off the chill while sitting on the lift. Read the in-depth review here.

When I want warmth without weight, I look no further than Buff’s ThermoNet collection. This family of neck gaiters uses PrimaLoft yarn to insulate without being bulky, making it ideal for layering without feeling like I’m drowning in cold-weather gear.

The fabric is silky and smooth in a way I can only find in synthetics, and as a bonus, it features 70% recycled material. It performed admirably wicking moisture away from my skin during winter running and snowshoeing expeditions. I’d recommend Buff ThermoNet Neck Gaiter for people with wool sensitivities that still want some winter warmth. But keep in mind synthetics are going to hold odor more than wool. Read the in-depth review here.

This is the neck gaiter that took the category from “useful” to “essential” for me. Let me tell you why. The 100% merino wool construction is soft, comfortable, warm, and doesn’t hold odors. It dries quickly and insulates when wet. The cut is long for extra comfort when I want to pull it up over my ears, and the fabric weight is dialed-in perfectly for four-season use.

Lightweight Merino Wool Neck Gaiter has been my constant companion on adventures of all types all over the world, and it’s never let me down. In my extensive experience, this neck gaiter only has two downsides. The 100% merino construction tends to stretch out over time, meaning it is less likely to stay up over my face when I need it (this limits its utility as a mask). The second downside is that it comes in somewhat more muted colors than many other neck gaiters on the market.

For more top-quality products to keep you warm, check out our selection of the best scarves for men.

Neck gaiters are about more than just insulating in the cold. They also perform admirably at keeping desert dust out of my nose and desert sun off my head and neck. When I’m headed for sunny and hot climates, I look for a lightweight gaiter with wicking properties, like the Outdoor Research ActiveIce Ubertube.

I haven’t personally tested this product, but I’ve heard good things from other gear testers, and Outdoor Research has a well-deserved reputation for useful, functional accessories. The ActiveIce Ubertube comes in light-reflective colors, boasts a UPF rating of 50+, weighs just 1.3 oz, and is made of 92% polyester and 8% spandex. I’d expect it to perform as advertised in terms of moisture-wicking and sun protection with those specs.

Our guide to the top balaclavas offers more excellent products for winter outdoor enthusiasts. Don’t miss them.

The OG neck gaiter. Buff changed the category by offering a lightweight, synthetic, virtually seamless neck gaiter that was long enough to use in a dozen ways. The outdoor world has never been the same – to the extent that people use the word “Buff” to refer to neck gaiters like people use the word “Kleenex” to refer to tissue paper.

The fabric is stretchy and made of 95% polyester and 5% elastane (and is 100% recycled). In my experience, it dries quickly and is actually pretty odor-free for a synthetic fabric. It’s light enough for summer use but insulates well enough for spring and fall adventures. And best of all, Buff Original Multifunctional Neck Gaiter comes in dozens of colors and patterns. I like this Appalachian Trail-inspired version!

Look cool and stay warm on the slopes with some of these amazing ski masks from our list.

I like Smartwool Merino 150 Neck Gaiter because it combines the positive properties of natural fabric (insulation, anti-microbial, low-odor retention) with the durability and stretch of nylon. The blend is 87% merino and 14% nylon and weighs 1.7 ounces. If you are keeping track, that puts it squarely between the summer-weight and winter-specific gaiters on this list, making it a great all-around choice for anyone wanting to keep his gear closet minimal.

I haven’t personally tested this product, but I’m attracted to the UPF 20+ rating, and I’ve had a great experience with other Smartwool offerings. If I wanted a little more warmth, I could always go up to their 250 model, which offers more weight and warmth. If you run even on cold days, be sure to make this product a part of your winter running gear.

This warm, classically styled neck gaiter caught my eye because of its 100% acrylic construction, double-layer design, and 3.2 oz weight. I’d imagine it is warm, soft, durable, and comfortable with those specs, though I haven’t personally tested it. This design from Turtlefur has been around since the ‘80s, so it must be successful!

I’d recommend Turtlefur Fleece Neck Warmer for winter-specific activities with low heat-output (i.e., downhill skiing, snowmobiling, etc.). Feel free to combine it with the most popular winter jackets that will keep you warm and cozy.

Sometimes you need a warm neck without the expense of performance fabrics or name-brand gear. If that’s you, consider this option from Amazon. It’s affordable and comes in a two-pack.

The 92% polyester, 8% Spandex blend is sure to be stretchy and comfortable and is machine-washable to boot. TICONN 2-Pack Neck Gaiter comes in a range of colors and boasts of its moisture-wicking properties, though I haven’t tested it to find out.

You may also be interested in some of the best-selling heated gloves from our list; take a moment to check them out.

Mask funk. It’s a real thing, as you (hopefully) realize by now. I haven’t tested this  Copper Fit Guardwell Neck Gaiter, but the copper-infused polyester construction caught my attention. I don’t know if this material will shed odor and bacterial growth as well as wool will, but the anti-microbial properties of copper are well known, so maybe it works.

The good news is this neck gaiter is priced affordably enough that someone won’t lose out big time if they don’t like the product (and it comes in a two-pack to boot). On top of that, these neck gaiters come with ear loops and nose clips, so they are likely to slide off someone’s face less than neck gaiters without these features.

For more trusted products that will keep you warm and protected, check out our guide on the best-rated fleece jackets.

A neck gaiter that is inexpensive, made in the USA by a small business, and comes in cool designs? Sign me up.

I haven’t used this High Tail Designs Hiking Gaiter, but I’m told by other gear testers that the lightweight ring spun polyester knit is stretchy and feels less constrictive as a headband than competing neck gaiters. It’s probably an ideal summer-weight or shoulder-season gaiter. My first thought would be to go with the topo map design, but the bodacious space-themed prints are pretty cool. At this price, maybe I’d get more than one!