Southern California - cold gear neck protection

I went on a sunrise ride yesterday at 5:45 am, and the two things that were cold when I returned were my neck area and my butt. To keep my neck warm, I am considering buying one of these two items:

http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/coldgearhood.html

http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/under-armour-cold-gear-neck-gaiter-black.html

I already have a fleece Swix workout cap that keeps my ears toasty. So if anyone has experience with either of the above itmes, or can recommend something else that's better, I'd appreciate your input. -TJ

a simple neck gaiter will do wonders for keeping you warm. i used one thinner than that ua one when i would ride my motorcycle and it kept me nice and toasty in the winter.

You live in California and you are complaining about the cold.

Did it go below 50 degrees farenheit?

prolly 52-55* at sun rise, add in the wind chill factor of going 20+ I'm sure he was cold. I know I was this morning BURRRRR

Someone said using a ski neck turtle thing from a sporting good store, can't be more then 10 bucks

prolly 52-55* at sun rise, add in the wind chill factor of going 20+ I'm sure he was cold. I know I was this morning BURRRRR

Someone said using a ski neck turtle thing from a sporting good store, can't be more then 10 bucks

If it's colder than 45° I use a thin balaclava I purchased at the sporting goods store for about $15. It goes over the head, ears, nose and neck (and under the helmet) and it's still thin enough to breathe through.

As for Go_Fast's neck, my hands keep it plenty warm until he utters the safe word. Just sayin'.

If it's colder than 45° I use a thin balaclava I purchased at the sporting goods store for about $15. It goes over the head, ears, nose and neck (and under the helmet) and it's still thin enough to breathe through.

As for Go_Fast's neck, my hands keep it plenty warm until he utters the safe word. Just sayin'.

/threadjack

there's a safe word?!

your grip *ahem* is getting stronger. we may get to the safe word point soon...

//threadjack

I just wrap a towel around my neck and that works just fine. Those cold hoods are just asking the police to stop you...at least in some cities in So Cal.

http://www.crestock.com/images/judgeross/247-worst.jpg

It comes with a mechanism so it won't come off.

I went on a sunrise ride yesterday at 5:45 am, and the two things that were cold when I returned were my neck area and my butt. To keep my neck warm, I am considering buying one of these two items:

http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/coldgearhood.html

http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/under-armour-cold-gear-neck-gaiter-black.html

I already have a fleece Swix workout cap that keeps my ears toasty. So if anyone has experience with either of the above itmes, or can recommend something else that's better, I'd appreciate your input. -TJ

The cold gear hood looks to get a good idea. I currently use a skull cap along with PI headband to keep my ears warm. Never thought about keeping my throat warm. The only issue I have with my setup is that with the skull cap and headband, it get tight under the helmet. The coldgear hood might solve that problem.

The cold gear hood is slicker then it looks. There's a separate piece of fabric that makes up the bottom half of the face area, that can be raised and lowered as needed. It's also pretty thin, so it can double as a neck warmer only without too much excess.

At anything above 45 degrees, the full coverage hood is gonna be pretty toasty.

Consider Craft's gear. It's top notch, made for cyclists by folks who live in the cold, and can't be beat.

For example:


http://www.craft-usa.com/products/images_anc/199040_1999.jpg


http://www.craft-usa.com/

Plus, you get to look like a ninja,. How cool is that?

The only problem with full cover hoods is that is never stays cold in California for long. Last winter I was heading out in upper-30° temps, but it quickly rose into the 50°s as the sun came up. I found a lot of the super-cold weather stuff wasn't versatile enough... I had to take it off mid-ride and carry it the rest of the way.
The head covering I found was very stretchy. It covered most of my head and face when I needed it. If my nose was OK, I could stretch the opening and tuck it under my chin; or I could pull the opening over my head and wear it around my neck as a gaiter when the temps rose a bit.
Unfortunately, it was a generic item and I have no idea what the name brand is. All I remember is buying it at Sport Chalet for about $15.

The only problem with full cover hoods is that is never stays cold in California for long.

This is the key point for me. We do live in So Cal after all. I used to ride in the winter in Canada and understand the need for hoods, masks and the rest. I know my blood has thinned out over the years, but I have never needed a mask and face protection here in So Cal. I have started a few rides in some cold temps, but things usually warm up over time. If you have some neck protection, in most cases you are going to have to peel it off and carry it with you for the majority of the ride.

smartwool makes a great neck gaiter that you can get at rei for 20 bucks

Bandannas are about three bucks at the surplus store.

i recently bought a keffiyeh. $14 at army navy.

I use a Balaclava when it gets down into the 30-40's on night rides.. You just need a simple polypro balaclava for so cal, it is not cold enough to justify a thermal fleece lined one, that is for subzero temps. Just remember to take it off before you walk into a store..

I use the pearlizumi microsensor, just warm enough for 30+ degree temps..

Bandannas are about three bucks at the surplus store.

Out of the question. No thermal sensor modulating, ionic wicking vapor transferring, NASA-developed bling whatsover.

http://www.crestock.com/images/judgeross/247-worst.jpg

It comes with a mechanism so it won't come off.

It also doubles as reflective gear and self-defense weapon!!

I zip up my windbreaker all the way and that's good enough to keep my neck warm most of the time here. But I do have a really thin full face balaclava that I carry with me in the winter. I don't normally use it, but I did break it out when riding to work during the cold snap last year with early morning temperatures in the high 20s.

I have a really light balaclava. It's a liner type from REI, midweight MTS, basically about the same thickness as a tee shirt. When it warms a bit I can roll it up to just cover my ears. If I have to take it off it compresses to about the size of a hankie. IMHO anything much heavier than that is going to be too hot if the temp is actually above freezing.

I rode all last winter with just a Bergamo skullcap- it covers the ears and has wind-block fabric in the front panel. It's light and thin enough to fit very comfortably under my helmet. The neck got covered by whatever jersey/vest/jacket I was wearing.

It worked great until I lost it. I replaced it with a Craft winter hat.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/bergamo/winter05-cap.jpg



While I kinda looked like I worked for the Pope, I'm kinda sad I missed out on the ninja look... :(

Out of the question. No thermal sensor modulating, ionic wicking vapor transferring, NASA-developed bling whatsover.

Ah, yes. I keep forgetting who the majority crowd are around here.

i used to have really long hair to keep my neck warm, but it's gone now =(

Ah, yes. I keep forgetting who the majority crowd are around here.



Some things just work better than others. Wet cotton sucks as an insulator, doncha know.

But if you think WE'RE strange, you oughta hang around horse people. Now THOSE folks are weird!

http://www.chrisbrocious.com/assets/images/gene-autry-1.jpg

(He IS wearing a bandana, though...)

;)