The 6 Best Neck Gaiters in 2023 - Neck Buffs for Running

These versatile fabric tubes keep you comfortable in all kinds of weather.

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It’s tough to argue that there’s a simpler, more versatile accessory than neck gaiters. Whether you’re trudging through arctic winds or baking under the summer sun, a neck gaiter can offer an added touch of protection for an area that’s easy to leave vulnerable to the elements. Depending on which kind of neck buff you’re wearing, these stretchy fabric tubes can help block the wintry breeze and trap in heat, or they can wick away unwanted sweat and provide some extra UV protection.

The best part about neck gaiters? Most only weigh a few ounces, making them lightweight enough to easily stash away if you decide you don’t need it anymore (but we doubt that’ll happen, since you can also use your buff as a headband, a du-rag, a balaclava, or even a face covering in a pinch).

They’re the ultimate running accessory—you’ll rarely regret bringing one along, and you’ll certainly be grateful when the weather turns sour. There are thousands of options for gaiters out there, though, so we’ve compiled some of our favorites to keep your search short and sweet.

Despite their seemingly universal appearance, neck gaiters tend to fall into three distinct categories based on their weight and heat-trapping abilities. There are thick cold weather gaiters that trap most of your body heat, middleweight gaiters that are a bit thinner and work better in the spring and fall, and ultra-light gaiters that wick away sweat and stave off sunburn instead of warming you up.

If you’re looking to keep your arsenal to just one neck buff, it’s best to stick to something that sits in the middle, but you’ll also appreciate more season-specific options as the temps approach extremes in either direction.

Most neck gaiters come as a simple fabric tube, but there are some with contoured fits, bandana-like shapes, and drawstrings to help keep your gaiter in place. These added features do tend to detract from the overall versatility of standard gaiters, though, which is worth keeping in mind if you also want to use your gaiter like a headband or balaclava.

For the sake of comfort, especially on longer runs where you’re covering your mouth and nose, it’s a good idea to look for materials that can wick away moisture and won’t get too damp—after all, you’re not just sweating, but also expelling water into the gaiter with each breath.

Polyester is the most popular material for wicking moisture, but you’ll also find plenty of merino wool options that additionally help to contain odors, provide a more natural stretch, and often offer a broader range of temperature regulation.

As runners and cyclists, we’ve spent plenty of time running and riding while wearing neck gaiters. We know which brands and fabrics stay put while you’re wearing them, which ones stay dry, and which ones make a difference for your comfort when the weather gets nasty. These picks are steeped in our personal experience, but we also cross-referenced our choices with customer reviews. Read on to see which neck buffs are up to snuff.

Building atop the simplistic framework of a standard neck gaiter, Buff’s take on the fabric tube can shape-shift into more than 12 different configurations, including a headband, balaclava, or even a simple bandana. The fabric is extra thin to help you stay comfortable when it’s folded over or bunched up, and its recycled microfiber makeup also offers superb UV protection on sunny days.

Unlike many of the other gaiters on this list that are designed with the wind chills of fall, winter, and spring in mind, this neck buff from Outdoor Research is best suited for the hotter days when you need something to keep the sweat and sun at bay. Weighing in at well below an ounce and sporting a meshy, moisture-wicking polyester fabric, this could be the first scarf you want to bring on your summer run.

Unlike most other neck gaiters that are cut and sewn to the shape of a straight tube, this gaiter from Icebreaker actually tapers inwards toward the middle, providing a slimmer fit that hugs your face and neck more securely.

It’s made of 100 percent merino wool for a phenomenal balance of moisture wicking and heat trapping, and its curvy profile keeps the fabric from piling up in one spot and leaving one section of your neck gasping for air.

This lightweight gaiter is great for the first chilly days of fall. It’s made with a Merino and nylon blend, which makes it breathable, moisture wicking, and incredibly durable. It has an extra-long design that allows it to easily cover your face or bunch cozily around your neck, helping to trap heat and keep you warm. It also comes in five colors, including some with funky patterns like cactuses.

For super cold days, you might want to opt for something heavy that traps in more heat, like this polar fleece gaiter. It has a drawstring, which helps keep it in place on your neck or around your face, and it’s made from a specialized polyester that’s designed to wick away sweat instead of trapping moisture like some other fleeces can.

Such a thick gaiter can start feeling tough to breathe through as you pant more intensely through your intervals, but fret not: It’s still super easy to tug off your chin for some fresh air.

One of the key complaints runners might have with a standard neck gaiter is the uneven bunching of fabric on the back of their neck versus the front. The solution: Serius’s Snowdana, which tapers like a bandana to give you more coverage where you need it and less where you don’t.

This version comes with a fleece lining 0n the inside to trap more warmth in on wintry days, but there’s also a moisture-wicking Sundana version of this gaiter that offers better comfort at higher temps.

Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner's World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.

Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.

Paige Triola is a freelance writer based in Boulder, Colorado, who covers a range of topics in the athletic and outdoor recreation sphere. She spends much of her time cruising the trails on foot or by bike, testing out the newest gear designed for playing outside. Paige has written articles and product roundups for a variety of publications including Runner’s World, Bicycling Magazine, Gear Junkie, and Trail Runner Magazine.

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