How To Wear A Neck Gaiter

6 Useful Ways To Style It

Neck gaiters are simple tubes of fabric with a huge range of possible uses. This guide explains everything you need to know about these versatile and functional garments: how to use neck gaiters, how to wear neck gaiters, and how to clean neck gaiters.

The six easiest and most useful ways to wear a neck gaiter are:

  1. Neckerchief
  2. Face covering
  3. Beanie
  4. Hair wrap
  5. Headband
  6. Hairband

We’ll get into the details below on how you can wear your neck gaiter in each of these ways — along with some surprising uses for first aid and outdoor preparedness!

Neck Gaiter styles for all seasons and weather

What is a neck gaiter typically used for?

Neck gaiters typically come in two varieties: for warm weather and for cold weather. Our lightweight neck gaiters can keep you cool and protected when it’s hot outside or during exercise, while our insulated neck gaiters can keep you warm on cold days - or year round in colder climates. So how do you use a neck gaiter?

Womens neck gaiter in hair

Warm weather neck gaiter uses:

Lightweight neck gaiters are perfect for keeping you comfortable, even on the hottest days. Wear your neck gaiter on your head to protect your hair from dust, sweat, insects, even your own bike helmet! It’s also fantastic for protecting against sunburned scalps, since it’s lighter than a hat or ball cap.

Wear it around your neck to guard against sunburn and soak up sweat. (On an extra hot day, dip your neck gaiter in cold water first to keep yourself cool and refreshed in the process!) Wear your neck gaiter over your face to avoid breathing in dust and pollen, keep bugs out of your mouth, and even serve as a makeshift temporary face mask.

A neck gaiter is great for any of these summer activities:

  • Hiking
  • Road cycling
  • Mountain biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing and boating
  • Running and any outdoor exercise
man snowboarding wearing goggles and vintage ski patch print neck gaiter

Cold weather neck gaiter uses:

Insulated and fleece-lined neck gaiters provide extra warmth in cold weather. Wear a neck gaiter on your head to keep your ears toasty (or just to keep hat hair at bay!). Wear it around your neck to provide more warmth than a looser-fitting scarf or wear it up around your face to protect your chin, cheeks, and nose from frigid winter winds. We've even got double layer neck gaiters now to keep you extra toasty outside.

A cold weather neck gaiter is perfect for any of these activities:

  • Skiing and snowboarding
  • Winter hiking and camping
  • Working outdoors
  • Cold offices and work facilities

Depending on how hot you get while skiing or snowboarding, a lightweight neck gaiter in our single or double layer style can sometimes be all you need to stay warm and comfortable on the slopes - especially if used as a full face covering.

Neck gaiter for mountain biking

How do you wear a neck gaiter?

The ultimate multi-use accessory, neck gaiters can be worn any number of ways. It’s fun to experiment with new styles and uses. Pinterest and YouTube have tons of ideas for stylish and functional ways to wear your neck gaiter, and this article from Divergent Travelers shows 16 different ways to wear them. To get you started, here are six of our favorite and most useful ways to wear a neck gaiter.

neckerchief / neck warmer

To wear your neck gaiter as a scarf or neckerchief, just pull the tube of fabric over your head, letting it fall loosely around your neck. It’s a simple way to stay warm and stylish. On cold days, keep a neck gaiter made from a warmer fabric pulled up higher towards your chin to act as a neck warmer.

Give yourself some extra protection from the sun by pulling the neck gaiter up onto the back of your head and over your chin.

face covering

To wear your neck gaiter as a face mask, pull the tube of fabric over your head, resting the top just below your eyes and pulling the bottom down to cover your neck and throat. Our breathable fabrics will comfortably protect your face from dust and inclement weather.

Wearing it this way helps protect against wind chill while skiing, snowboarding, or cycling.

beanie

To wear your neck gaiter as a beanie, start by turning it inside out. Pull it over your head like a hat. Remember, you want the pattern against your head, and the reverse side of the fabric facing out. Give the center of the tube a couple of twists to keep it in place, then pull the open end down over your head, covering the inside-out section.

hair wrap / foulard

A foulard is just a patterned scarf that can be worn in the hair. To get this fun, boho-inspired look with a neck gaiter, start by pulling it on like an ordinary headband, but pull open the back of the tube so that it drapes loosely like a scarf. This basic technique can serve as the foundation for lots of different styles!

headband

The headband style is fantastic for keeping hair in place or soaking up sweat. For a more polished look, you can fold your neck gaiter first by reaching inside the tube and bringing one edge down to meet the other, wrong sides together. For a more casual effect, just scrunch it up. Once you’ve got your desired width, just pull the neck gaiter on like a crown.

hairband

Whether you have short or long hair, this style is perfect for keeping it out of your face. It’s also a great antidote to bad hair days. Start by putting your neck gaiter on like a scarf, as described above. Then just pull the tube up until it covers your hair. This style can also be folded or scrunched to different widths depending on your hair and preference.

first aid & outdoor preparedness

A neck gaiter isn’t just a fun accessory. In a pinch, it could even save your life! Popular Science suggests some innovative uses for a neck gaiter if you’re ever caught in the wilderness without the right supplies. Here are a few of our favorites — but we hope you never have to use them!

  • Tend a wound with your neck gaiter. In an emergency, you can wet your neck gaiter to clean a wound, use it to staunch the flow of blood, or turn it into a makeshift bandage. It’s no substitute for a sterile gauze pad, but it’s better than nothing.
  • Turn your neck gaiter into an arm sling. For kids, a single neck gaiter can be looped around the head and injured arm. Adults will need to tie two of them together, looping one around the head and the other around the injured arm.
  • Add a stick to turn your neck gaiter into a makeshift tourniquet. For a bad cut, put your neck gaiter on the injured limb, pulling it just above the wound. Pull the stick through the tube, then turn it in place to tighten.
  • Use your neck gaiter as a strap, shock cord, or guy line. Tie a neck gaiter to a bag or backpack to make a temporary strap. Use it in place of a bungee or shock cord to attach a tent or sleeping bag to the outside of your backpack. Pull it through a tent loop and stake it down to replace a broken guy line.

How do you clean a neck gaiter?

Neck gaiters see a lot of action! They are exposed to the outdoor elements and perspiration by nature of their function. Cleaning your neck gaiter is simple will keep it looking and smelling nice before you wear it. Hand washing or machine washing on a gentle cycle with cold water works best. Use a mild detergent of your choice but avoid using any bleach. If washing by hand, gently scrub the material and rinse thoroughly. Once cleaned, allow the neck gaiter to air dry by laying it flat or hanging it up. (Using a dryer may cause unnecessary wear over time.) Regular cleaning will keep your neck gaiter fresh, effective, and ready for your next adventure!

Neck gaiters are the ultimate blend of versatility, functionality, and style. From keeping you cool in the summer sun to shielding you from winter winds. Whether you’re using them as a face covering for outdoor activities, a headband to keep your hair in check, or even for emergency first aid, the possibilities are endless. Plus, their compact size makes them the perfect travel companion for any adventure.

Ready to experience the endless uses of a neck gaiter for yourself? Explore our neck gaiter collection or start your custom neck gaiter design project today!

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