All of the best neck gaiters to buy for 2021 – CNET [CNET]

Sarah Mitroff/CNET This neck gaiter won me over because it’s made with a supersoft fabric, comes in multiple sizes and blocks UV rays. The small/medium size is narrow, so it’s a great pick if you have a small head and face like me — I didn’t have any issues with it slipping down. It also comes in large/extra large for an average adult head. 

The soft bamboo fabric makes it comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Since the fabric is thin, you’ll want to fold it into a double layer to use as a face covering. However, it’s not the thinnest gaiter I tested and that’s a good thing — it feels substantial enough to keep you warm in cool weather and is also not too thick or stuffy to wear on hot days.

Sarah Mitroff/CNET

This might be the only gaiter I trust to slow the spread of germs. It has multiple layers of fabric, including a filter. The Biogaiter advertises that it uses “G95 filtration technology” that filters out “99.75% of all airborne particles size 0.1 micron and larger” in the entire gaiter. That level of protection is higher than an N95 respirator, which blocks up to 95% of particles 0.3 microns and larger.

That protection comes at a cost of style and comfort. There’s no way around it, the design on this gaiter is, well, ugly. It’s basically a cloth sack without a bottom and it tightens around your head using an elastic cord. In order to keep it from slipping down or riding up right into my eyes, I had to tighten it until it put pressure on my nose, which wasn’t comfortable.

I’m not going to write off this gaiter though, because everyone’s head is different and it filters the air, something none of the other gaiters I tested claimed to do.

If you’re seeking a neck gaiter that plausibly slows the spread of the coronavirus, and you’re willing to shell out $60, this is your best bet.

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The Buff Original gaiter is longer than the others I tested, which makes it versatile because you can wear it several different ways, including as a bandana or a headband. The fabric tube is seamless and tagless, and it’s light enough that it doesn’t feel uncomfortable on warm days. Though it’s thin, you can double up the Buff gaiter to give yourself more protection against the elements.

This lightweight neck gator also offers UV protection, with a UPF 50 rating. If you burn easily no matter how much sunscreen you put on, this is a good gaiter to wear in the sun as an extra layer of sun protection.

The Buff comes in a wider variety of prints and colors than most gaiters on this list, and comes in several different styles, including ones that repel insects, block wind and have extra insulation for cold weather.

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Smartwool has built a solid reputation for making wool clothes and accessories that are soft enough you’ll want to wear them. That’s the same for this neck gaiter.

It has two layers of soft merino wool to help protect your face and neck from cold weather, while also wicking away moisture — perfect for a winter sport like skiing or snowboarding. The tube is short, so you can’t wear it as many different ways as other buffs on this list. It’s also wider than most I tested, which meant I had a hard time keeping it from falling down, but it’ll fit just fine on someone with an average-size head.

Patagonia

While I haven’t gotten the chance to test this fleece gaiter, I am calling it out because it’s another good option for cold weather, especially when temperatures drop in the winter. Patagonia’s a dependable brand and I’m giving it props for using 100% recycled fleece fabric and using fair trade labor to make it.

Banana Republic

If, like me, you have a small head and face, you might struggle to keep some of the gaiters on this list from slipping down as you wear them. This Banana Republic gaiter has a similar design to the Biogaiter, with a drawstring that secures it around your head so it won’t move. 

It’s also made with a stretchy jersey fabric that I am going to bet is softer than the fabric on the Biogatier. It’s also only $15, which makes it cheaper than almost all of the other products on this list.

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In my research, I wanted to see if the inexpensive gaiters that are all over Amazon are actually a good deal and offer decent breathability. I found this highly rated two-pack for $9 (now $12) and what came in the mail is pretty much what I expected — cheap and unremarkable. 

The “moisture wicking” fabric is breathable, but thin, so it’s not all that protective against cold weather, dirt or spreading germs. If you’re set on buying a cheap face covering, get a mask instead.