When you’re spending hours at the slopes on days when it’s incredibly cold, it’s important that every part of your body feels comfortable and warm. One area of the body that’s vital to keep warm while skiing or snowboarding is your neck.
Air resistance can be tough on your skin, especially when it comes to your neck. This is the reason why you need to have a neck warmer while skiing. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best neck warmer for skiing!
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Best Neck Warmer For Skiing Reviews
Neck warmers are suitable for people of all genders and ages, and they come in different styles and sizes, so you can be sure that you’ll find one that suits your needs.
Luckily, there are a variety of neck warmers for skiing, and today, we want to help you in your shopping decision by going through the best neck warmers currently available on the market.
1. Best Overall: Original Turtle Fur Fleece – The Turtle’s Neck, Heavyweight Neck Warmer
When you take into consideration the comfort that this neck warmer offers, it doesn’t come as a surprise it’s in first place. This neck warmer provides you with comfort and warmth and was invented by Turtle Fur in 1982. This fleece neck warmer is the number one selling neck warmer in the world, which is why we picked it as our best overall choice. It’s perfect for shoveling, snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, taking a stroll, or walking the dog.
There are many colors you can choose from, including black, navy, ballerina, blaze, carbon, crocus, dark teal, positively pink, red, and white. You can easily take care of the neck warmer by machine washing it with lukewarm water.
Pros
- Easily washable
- Comes in many different colors
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- No notable drawbacks
2. Best Budget: Neck Gaiter Warmer Windproof Mask Fleece
You’ll be surprised to find out that this neck warmer is so versatile for such a low price. The neck warmer offers fantastic value for the price you pay. It’s definitely worth your money, and it can be used as a neck warmer, beanie, or face mask.
The fabric is windproof and thermal, super soft, and very comfortable on the skin. The material that it’s made from is durable and the sewing is impeccable.
You can wear this on its own or under a helmet, and you can use it as is or fold it into a double layer. The neck warmer can be used for several purposes and can be worn as a half balaclava, bandana, or mask. It’s good for outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, fishing, motorcycling, hiking, bicycling, snowboarding, and skiing.
Pros
- Very versatile
- Windproof
- Made out of soft material
Cons
- Customers have complained that the neck warmer is too tight
3. Best Runner Up: AXBXCX Cold Weather Ski Mask – Neck Gaiter Warmer for Winter Outdoor Sport
The comfort level is pretty close to The Turtle’s Neck heavyweight neck warmer that came in first place, which is why this neck warmer is the best runner-up on the list.
This neck warmer is made out of 100% polyester. It’s extra long and provides coverage for the mouth, nose, face, and neck while still being very breathable. The material that it’s made out of is soft and keeps your face and neck comfortable and warm. It’s wind-proof and provides protection from snow, cold, dust, and solar UV.
It’s a perfect mask during the winter when you go mountain climbing, hiking, hunting, ice fishing, biking, running, cycling, motorcycling, snowboarding, and skiing. It’s suitable for anyone that wants to spend a significant amount of time outdoors in cold temperatures.
Besides being extremely comfortable and lightweight, it’s also very versatile and can be used as a helmet liner, tube scarf, headband, skull cap, beanie, face masks, or neck warmer.
You won’t feel any type of discomfort while wearing the neck warmer due to the fact it’s made out of fabric that’s very elastic. The size of the neck warmer also suits most people.
Pros
- It’s wind-proof and weather resistant
- Can be used for various winter activities, and is ideal for skiing
- Doesn’t cause discomfort
Cons
- Some customers have complained that the neck warmer is too tight.
4. Best Under $10: Neck Warmer – Winter Dual-Layered Fleece Neck Gaiter & Ski Tube Scarf
One of the most affordable options you will find is the neck warmer by OutdoorEssentials, and yet it offers full protection against harsh conditions. The Neck Warmer – Winter Dual-Layered Fleece Neck Gaiter & Ski Tube Scarf is more comfortable than a face mask, yet sportier than a scarf. You can pull it up in order to protect your nose and mouth, or you can wear it around your neck.
This super soft fleece knit neck warmer provides warmth and comfort during snowboarding, running, skiing, and other activities during the winter. You’ll be protected from the freezing cold thanks to the superior thermal retention that this neck warmer has.
You’ll easily go through cold winter days with this cozy and thick neck warmer with double layers. When the temperature drops, you’ll be able to keep warm, no matter how long you’ll be hitting the slopes. It can also be a great gift if you know someone who spends their winters skiing!
Pros
- Double-layered neck warmer
- Offers superior thermal retention
- A versatile neck warmer for protecting you from wind chill and snow while skiing
Cons
- Customers have complained that the fabric is too short to keep their neck warm and go over their nose at the same time
5. Alternative 1: LAPASA 100% Merino Neck Gaiter Unisex Midweight Merino Wool Face Cover Scarf Skiing Neck Warmer M81
This neck warmer is made out of 100% natural Australian merino wool, and the material it’s made out of is very breathable. This is something that not all the other models have, which is why the LAPASA neck warmer is the bonus alternative on this list.
The material is skin-friendly, comfortable, soft, and provides incredible warmth. It’s a lot lighter when compared to knitted or fleece neck warmers, and yet it provides better warmth than the previously mentioned materials.
In order to keep it in proper shape, you need to cold wash the merino wool, and then flat dry it. However, the nature of the Merino wool ensures that even after prolonged use, the neck warmer is going to stay fresh thanks to its superior breathability.
It can be worn as a wrist, hair, or headband, a liner, scarf, or mask, and you can do a lot more with it than just protect your neck.
This product has been tested for harmful substances and has been awarded the Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, which is a globally standardized and independent certification and testing system for finished, semi-finished, and raw textile products.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Breathable material
- Skin-friendly
Cons
- No notable drawbacks
Difference Between Neck Gaiters and Neck Warmers
The circular piece of fabric comes with several different names which include buffs, neck warmers, and neck gaiters. There isn’t a difference between neck gaiters and neck warmers, except for the fact that neck gaiters are technically meant for warm and cold weather, while neck warmers are meant for cold weather only.
However, both protect your face and your neck when used for snowboarding, skiing, and other snow sports. These two terms are often used interchangeably because of their meaning.
What to Look For in a Neck Warmer
There are a few things you should consider when getting a neck warmer.
Functionality
When it comes to neck warmers, they should have three functions, and those are preventing excess exposure to the sun when you’re high up in the mountains, protecting your skin from wet conditions on the outside and from moisture from sweat, and lastly, keeping the lower part of your face and your neck warm.
When you’re shopping for a neck warmer, you need to check if the item you’re buying does all of these three functions.
Material
When participating in winter sports, there are generally three types of materials that are used for face coverings and neck warmers, and these include Merino wool, acrylic, and fleece polyester. Make sure that you don’t get fabrics that absorb moisture such as cotton, because that can be tricky on the slopes and you can easily get sick.
The best neck warmers for skiing should be warm, moisture-wicking, lightweight, and breathable.
Even though all of these materials work well, we generally recommend staying away from wool products because they have some ethical issues that are worth considering, they’re less durable in the long run, and they’re usually a bit more expensive. People who have sensitive skin might also experience an unpleasant reaction to a neck warmer made out of wool.
However, we’re not denying the fact that acrylic and polyester also have an impact on the environment. There isn’t a perfect solution with any of these fabrics, but currently, they’re the best ones that are available to us.
Weight
Buying the thickest neck warmer doesn’t mean that it will be a good one. While you’re skiing, some days won’t be so cold. Even if it is cold, you’ll still want to wear something that isn’t so heavy if you’re outside the whole day.
Fleece and merino wool come in different weights, from heavyweight fabrics to lightweight and thin materials. The fabric is less breathable if it’s heavy, so when choosing a neck warmer for yourself, it’s critical that you strike a balance. A neck warmer that’s suitable for skiing will be breathable and warm and made out of midweight fabric.
Versatility
When skiing, it can be completely sunny one day, and then heavy snow the next. Choosing a neck warmer that’s versatile is critical since it can be a difficult task to change your neck warmer during the day. All neck warmers should be able to sit on the lower portion of the face and the neck.
However, there are lighter neck warmers that are also able to transform as a balaclava, ski mask, hat, scrunchie, and so on.
Comfort
One of the most important things when choosing a neck warmer is that it feels non-suffocating and comfortable and that it fits your face well, because you’ll be wearing it around your neck the whole day, plus you’ll be doing it in cold temperatures that can be very uncomfortable. Before you make your final decision, we recommend that you first try on a few of them since not all of the models will fit all faces.
Style
Even though the pattern and the color of the neck warmer don’t have any influence on the gear’s performance, it still is a very important factor for many people and it heavily impacts their decision. You feel good when you look good, and it’s definitely a big advantage if the ski gear you’re wearing goes well with your neck warmer.
Price
Typically, a good-quality neck warmer won’t be too big of an investment. When it comes to neck warmers, the prices are usually under $20. If you buy the neck warmer in the off-season, then chances are you will save even more money.
Usually, stores want to make room for new things and are looking to get rid of their winter inventory, which means that they drop the prices on the winter products like neck warmers and face masks.
Final Thoughts
A neck warmer is an absolutely essential item for snowboarding and skiing, no matter which product you choose to purchase. If your neck and face are warm, you will have a much more comfortable and pleasant experience out in the snow, and you will also get protection from the painful effects of windburn.
Even though all of the neck warmers we’ve reviewed are an amazing choice for snowboarding and skiing, there is one product that is definitely ahead of its competition, and that is the Original Turtle Fur Fleece – The Turtle’s Neck, Heavyweight Neck Warmer.
This is our pick for the best neck warmer for skiing because it’s a great investment for people who love skiing and snowboarding and plan to spend a huge portion of the winter on the slopes.