Recommend a good wool headband, hat, neck gaiter, or...?
01-12-12 | 01:38 PM
#1
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From: Seattle, WA
Recommend a good wool headband, hat, neck gaiter, or...?
I asked in the Road Forum, and got some good suggestions, but none of them ultimately panned out for me. One of them was pretty close, but no dice.
Over the weekend I lost my merino neck gaiter on a hike to Annette Lake. I've been folding it in half, and using it as a wide headband. When it's cold I can pull it down over my ears, and when I start to get warm, I can pull it up a little and expose them, but still keep my head warm. Since the back is open, exposing my head, it vents very well and it's hard to overheat. Plus, being wool, it wicks sweat away from my brow when I climb hills, and the thing keeps me warm even in a downpour.
When I bought mine, a few years ago, they cost $25. Now they're $40. And that means it's a really good time to see what else works for people.
So, what merino wool thing do you use to keep your head and ears warm (but not too warm) while you ride?
Over the weekend I lost my merino neck gaiter on a hike to Annette Lake. I've been folding it in half, and using it as a wide headband. When it's cold I can pull it down over my ears, and when I start to get warm, I can pull it up a little and expose them, but still keep my head warm. Since the back is open, exposing my head, it vents very well and it's hard to overheat. Plus, being wool, it wicks sweat away from my brow when I climb hills, and the thing keeps me warm even in a downpour.
When I bought mine, a few years ago, they cost $25. Now they're $40. And that means it's a really good time to see what else works for people.
So, what merino wool thing do you use to keep your head and ears warm (but not too warm) while you ride?
01-12-12 | 01:58 PM
#2
commuter and barbarian
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Potomac, MT, USA
I have a balaclava that is merino wool. It is pretty versatile. If you fold it, you can wear in on your head like a hat (with or without ventilation, depending on how you have it on), covering your ears or not. Of course you can also pull it down and wear it as it was designed, and either put it over your mouth and nose or just mouth or just chin or not up over any of those. You can also pull if down from off your head and just wear it around your neck, scarf like.
Mine is pretty thin but I think you can get them in heavier weights. I usually add a hat over it when it gets cold enough that the balaclava is not enough.
Mine is pretty thin but I think you can get them in heavier weights. I usually add a hat over it when it gets cold enough that the balaclava is not enough.
01-12-12 | 02:04 PM
#3
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross Check
I just bought a Pace Sportswear Cap about two weeks ago to replace a synthetic skullcap I had been wearing and I love it. Reversible, ear flaps fold up, fits under a helmet, and 100% merino. Only problem is that the flaps tend to ride up past my lobes after a few minutes, but I'm still really happy with the purchase.
01-12-12 | 02:06 PM
#4
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01-12-12 | 02:26 PM
#6
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From: Seattle, WA
Thanks for the suggestions so far!
I've never been able to make a 'clava work for me, always found them too hot, but I haven't tried the kind of stuff you've managed to do with one. How do you wear it around your neck, but not face? Doesn't the top get in the way? I guess folding it up, like a hat, would be pretty easy, though. I've got a balaclava at home, and will have to give this a try ( 
) although I'm sure mine is way too warm for cycling.
That might do the trick! Plus, I can probably try one on before I make up my mind.
EDIT: The REI one is 1/10 oz heavier than the Arc'teryx one I lost. That means it should be about equally warm. The one I lost was perfect in that regard, so the REI one probably is, too. This might be the one.
I have a balaclava that is merino wool. It is pretty versatile. If you fold it, you can wear in on your head like a hat (with or without ventilation, depending on how you have it on), covering your ears or not. Of course you can also pull it down and wear it as it was designed, and either put it over your mouth and nose or just mouth or just chin or not up over any of those. You can also pull if down from off your head and just wear it around your neck, scarf like.
) although I'm sure mine is way too warm for cycling.EDIT: The REI one is 1/10 oz heavier than the Arc'teryx one I lost. That means it should be about equally warm. The one I lost was perfect in that regard, so the REI one probably is, too. This might be the one.
Last edited by Seattle Forrest; 01-12-12 at 02:34 PM.
01-12-12 | 02:39 PM
#7
ride for a change
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
Over the years I have amassed a collection of stuff for every eventuality. The smartwool neck gaitor is one of the best things I own, it's $25. If I lost it I would immediately replace it without a second thought.
01-12-12 | 04:32 PM
#10
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From: Seattle, WA
Good wool, poor execution
Smartwool makes decent stuff, no doubt. However, I'll have to really rant on this one. First the pros: I agree with others, wool is the way to go when it comes to anything you'd put close to your mouth. The anti-stink property is not something synthetics can beat. Icebreaker and Ibex also make neck gaiters, and their fabric is just as good if not better. Now the cons: the execution is extremely poor on this piece. Who in the right mind of an apparel designer would put a huge label on a neck gaitor?!?! Consider putting a label that's either printed on, or that's small, inconspicuous, flat, etc. But Smartwool has managed to put something quite big, double layered at that, on the inside, double stitched to the seam. You have the choice of either put it against your neck which is quite uncomfortable, or wear it inside out which makes you look...not very smart, or take a knife to cut it out. I went with the last option, and of course in doing so, while trying to get a clean cut on the label, undid the seam that holds the gaitor together. So now I have a gapping hole on the inside of the gaitor. Also, has Smartwool ever heard of flat seams?! They've managed to have the thickest seams they can put on a extremely simple piece of accessory. Unbelievable, and not recommended.
Smartwool makes decent stuff, no doubt. However, I'll have to really rant on this one. First the pros: I agree with others, wool is the way to go when it comes to anything you'd put close to your mouth. The anti-stink property is not something synthetics can beat. Icebreaker and Ibex also make neck gaiters, and their fabric is just as good if not better. Now the cons: the execution is extremely poor on this piece. Who in the right mind of an apparel designer would put a huge label on a neck gaitor?!?! Consider putting a label that's either printed on, or that's small, inconspicuous, flat, etc. But Smartwool has managed to put something quite big, double layered at that, on the inside, double stitched to the seam. You have the choice of either put it against your neck which is quite uncomfortable, or wear it inside out which makes you look...not very smart, or take a knife to cut it out. I went with the last option, and of course in doing so, while trying to get a clean cut on the label, undid the seam that holds the gaitor together. So now I have a gapping hole on the inside of the gaitor. Also, has Smartwool ever heard of flat seams?! They've managed to have the thickest seams they can put on a extremely simple piece of accessory. Unbelievable, and not recommended.
It's not that bad. It's not that good, but it's not that bad
I was pretty excited about this neck gaiter. Generally, I love Smart Wool. However, it was a bit of a disappointment. It wasn't exactly "warm." I would have rather had a scarf. Instead, it blocked the wind pretty well. However, the biggest disapointment was that it became very loose around my mouth and nose (when I had it pulled up over while hiking) and even looser when I pulled it back down around my neck. A little more warmth and a little more elasticity would have moved this 3 to a 5.
I was pretty excited about this neck gaiter. Generally, I love Smart Wool. However, it was a bit of a disappointment. It wasn't exactly "warm." I would have rather had a scarf. Instead, it blocked the wind pretty well. However, the biggest disapointment was that it became very loose around my mouth and nose (when I had it pulled up over while hiking) and even looser when I pulled it back down around my neck. A little more warmth and a little more elasticity would have moved this 3 to a 5.
01-12-12 | 04:34 PM
#11
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So far the REI one seems like the best thing, partly because it's available locally, but I might do this instead. I've seen Minus 33 base layers selling pretty cheap sometimes, and I've been wondering about quality. Maybe this is a good test. Or, maybe it's wise for me to get a backup in case I lose the next one...Thanks!
01-12-12 | 05:30 PM
#12
commuter and barbarian
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Potomac, MT, USA
Thanks for the suggestions so far!
I've never been able to make a 'clava work for me, always found them too hot, but I haven't tried the kind of stuff you've managed to do with one. How do you wear it around your neck, but not face? Doesn't the top get in the way? I guess folding it up, like a hat, would be pretty easy, though. I've got a balaclava at home, and will have to give this a try ( ) although I'm sure mine is way too warm for cycling.
I've never been able to make a 'clava work for me, always found them too hot, but I haven't tried the kind of stuff you've managed to do with one. How do you wear it around your neck, but not face? Doesn't the top get in the way? I guess folding it up, like a hat, would be pretty easy, though. I've got a balaclava at home, and will have to give this a try (
) although I'm sure mine is way too warm for cycling.The top doesn't get in my way. I always put mine on and then put a jacket on so no cold air gets down my neck. Once the jacket is on, pull off the "hood" and it just hangs in back. It's light so I never notice it and so it doesn't bother me there, but it's ready to pull back up over my head if need be.
Sounds like you could play with the one you've got and decide if it will work without spending $.
Good luck!
Last edited by scroca; 01-12-12 at 05:53 PM.
01-12-12 | 07:47 PM
#13
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01-12-12 | 08:33 PM
#14
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I have both. The regular synthetic ones keep me warm even in the coldest temps thus far - 20s F. It would have to get colder for me to use the wool.
01-12-12 | 08:53 PM
#15
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I have a synthetic Buff as well but I just use that as a sort of scarf. It doesn't really work well enough for me over my face/ears. I have various fleece-lined synthetic things for that - a cap, a balaclava, and one that does everything below your eyes. They all get too warm after a while though.
01-12-12 | 08:57 PM
#16
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01-12-12 | 09:21 PM
#17
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From: Austin, TX
Just got one of these gaiters for Christmas from Ibex...
https://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Zing/Neck-Gaiter_2
Incredible quality as you would expect - and priced at only $25.
https://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Zing/Neck-Gaiter_2
Incredible quality as you would expect - and priced at only $25.
01-12-12 | 10:50 PM
#18
ride for a change
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
Nevertheless I do not know if you will like the smartwool one. There may be better ones for you. All I know is that I dig mine, but it's the only one I've ever had because it works really well and I have yet to lose it. I'm a daily year round commuter, and a cold weather lifer. I use this stuff every day and have for many many years.
I like Ibex too. Theirs might be great. I have Ibex LS and a SS lightweight base layers that are just absolutely fantastic. Top notch stuff.
Last edited by modernjess; 01-12-12 at 10:53 PM.
01-12-12 | 11:48 PM
#19
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From: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
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no merino, no "smart"wool, just plain old polar fleece. i don't know where they came from. i think my sister took pity on me and sent me one, and i think if i remember correctly, inheriting the other one.
love these things. i wear one cycling, of course, and when motorcyling (both at the same time occasionally) and while horseback riding. i also wear it at home when i turn down the thermostat. i must look like an idiot, literally, with it not around my neck like it was designed to be worn but like a stocking cap with a huge hole in the top.
as a matter of fact i'm wearing it like that right now.
love these things. i wear one cycling, of course, and when motorcyling (both at the same time occasionally) and while horseback riding. i also wear it at home when i turn down the thermostat. i must look like an idiot, literally, with it not around my neck like it was designed to be worn but like a stocking cap with a huge hole in the top.
as a matter of fact i'm wearing it like that right now.
01-13-12 | 02:01 PM
#20
wannabe
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: San Diego
I love this cap between 30 and 50F. Fits under a helmet nicely if you're a helmet wearer.
https://www.boure.com/8456.html
https://www.boure.com/8456.html
01-13-12 | 05:51 PM
#22
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From: England
The "Buff" is an ancient piece of headgear. British soldiers have been using them for decades, maybe since 1970s and we used to call them "headovers".
The light fleecy headover is pretty good but the NZ merino one is really good.
The light fleecy headover is pretty good but the NZ merino one is really good.
01-14-12 | 12:12 PM
#23
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From: Brooklyn
I have been using a merino buff for the past two seasons and it has been great. Extremely versatile and well made. I bought a minus 33 recently and prefer the buff. I now use the minus 33 as a hat for when i run.
01-14-12 | 01:23 PM
#24
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I've had a wool Kucharik cycling cap since the beginning of time. It works perfectly and covers my ears. There's no way to wear a helmet with it, if that matters to you.
https://www.kucharikclothing.com/-c-4...omni5bej580s05
https://www.kucharikclothing.com/-c-4...omni5bej580s05
01-14-12 | 02:09 PM
#25
SE Wis
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
I'm a Smartwool and Icebreaker fan but I currently use a REI polyester one I pulled out of a year end lost and found purge.
https://us.icebreaker.com/Quantum-Hea...ns-accessories
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/dal...women~p~2545h/
https://us.icebreaker.com/Quantum-Hea...ns-accessories
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/dal...women~p~2545h/