The 10 Best Neck Gaiters

Editor's Notes

August 17, 2020:

Gaiters are traditionally an item of protective clothing worn below the knee, that cover the lower leg and bootstraps, and are made of canvas, leather or synthetic material to guard against the elements. Neck gaiters follow a similar concept but are worn as a tubular scarf and, while they protect against cold weather, wind, and ultraviolet light, they are breathable and hence not especially water-resistant.

If you engage in sports or recreational activities where you are exposed to the sun's rays for long periods of time, then the back of the neck and face are particularly vulnerable and are often neglected, while the rest of the body remains covered. A neck gaiter is particularly useful in this instance as it doesn't just cover the neck, but also has extra material that can be pulled up around the jawline, chin, and lower face.

Of the items in this ranking, some are clearly more suitable for colder climes, and these include the Infini2 Outdoor Sports, Jjyee Ice Silk, and BlackStrap Tube. Others are better suited to keeping harmful UV rays off the face and neck and these include the Vagasi Multifunctional, Coolibar La Plata, KastKing Sol Armis, Bassdash Sports, and the Huk Men's. Of these, the latter three are marketed for sports fishing and angling, where one might spend long hours in a boat or on the riverbank.

Despite their intended usage, all of these gaiters are beneficial for blocking out sunlight when engaging in winter sports, where UV indexes are particularly high, and some, such as the StyleV Dustproof and Buff Unisex are intended for use all-year-round, with the latter being made from 100 percent merino wool, which is both warm in winter and cool in summer, as well as being breathable and ecologically-friendly.