Whether you call it a snood, neck scarf, tube scarf or tube neck scarf, a neck gaiter in its most basic form is tube shaped piece of fabric worn around the neck.
We have created this guide as a neck gaiter 101, to help tell you everything you need to know about gaiters: what material you should look out for, the uses of them, the benefits of wearing them and more!
What is a Neck Gaiter?
A neck gaiter is basically an open ended scarf that is worn mostly around the neck. They come with 4 key features, safety, comfort, protection and style.
- Safety - Many gaiters come with reflective sections which allow for enhanced visibility in low lighting situations.
- Comfort - Neck gaiters are made using fabrics that are sweat wicking. This means they're able to remove sweat and other moisture away from the skin, This in turn helps to reduce any uncomfortable rubbing and friction.
- Style - Away from the functionality, a neck gaiter is part of your outfit. It can be used to accessories the outfit, either by colour co-ordinating it or adding a pop of colour to a monochrome 'fit.
- Protection - There are a few different ways in which a neck gaiter can offer protection, including wind protection, cold protection and sun protection. Cold protection is especially important during snow sports. You can lose a lot of body heat from your neck due to the amount of blood vessels in the area.
What Material Should You Look For?
The most common type of fabric used is polyester. They're durable and easier to wash than natural fabrics. It's one of the more affordable options on the market. Another material that can often be used for neck gaiters is Merino wool/wool blend. Merino wool is used across ski wear accessories, most notably ski socks. The wool offers breathability as well as comfort and sweat wicking. It also has antibacterial properties. Fleece is also a very popular choice for neck gaiters, the raw material tends to be polyester or similar, however the texture lends to colder climate than the others.
Different Way to Wear Your Neck Gaiter
Since neck gaiters can be worn in different activities, there are also different ways in which you can wear one. The classic style is
