Neck Warmers

Which type of neck warmer should you get?

A tube neck warmer, sometimes called a gaiter, is the most versatile option. It sits around your neck and pulls up over your chin and lower face when the wind picks up or you drop into a cold run. Most riders wear one all day and barely notice it until they need it.

Merino versions are the most comfortable for all-day wear: soft against skin, temperature-regulating, and they do not get as damp with breath condensation as synthetics do. That matters more than it sounds, because a wet neck warmer against your face on a cold day is worse than not wearing one at all.

When do you need a balaclava instead?

A full balaclava covers the head, neck and lower face, and it is the right call for genuinely cold days, early winter starts, or exposed lift-served freeride where you are sitting in wind for long stretches.

Airblaster makes the definitive snowboard balaclava and it has a cult following for good reason. If you ride Japan or a cold early season, it is worth owning one.

What about face masks?

Masks with filtration or windproof panels work well in heavy snowfall or strong wind. A waterproof face panel keeps driving snow off your lower face without the bulk of a full balaclava.

The best time to buy one is before you need it. Nobody has ever regretted having one in the bag on a day that turned.

Will it work with your helmet and goggles?

Check the stack before you commit to a thick one. The neck warmer should sit under the goggle strap rather than over it, and it should not push the goggle away from your face at the nose.

A neck warmer that lifts your goggles off your cheeks creates a gap, and that gap is the most common cause of goggles fogging. If your goggles fog every time you pull your neck warmer up, that is why.

Buying neck warmers in Australia

We carry neck warmers, balaclavas and face masks from Dakine, Buff, Airblaster, Rojo and more. Free shipping on orders over $90, with same and next-day dispatch from Melbourne.

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