mind the gap: keep your neck warm on your ride

Even when you fully zip or button up, it’s easy for a chill to invade the gap between your jacket top and neck — especially if you ride a city bike with drop handlebars.

To seal in body heat and keep the cold at bay, I like the soft, cozy bands of fabric or knitware known variously as gaiters, snoods, cowl scarves — and neck warmers.

As shown in the gallery here, an array of fabric weights and design details delivers comfy warmth while adding a kick of color and texture to your city cycling look.

Click on images below to enlarge:

1. Burberry Check Print Snood, $325 – 100 percent wool in Burberry’s signature black and white print.

 

 

2. Turtle Fur Neck Gaiter, $17: Breathable, double-edged stretch polyester microfleece with a brushed surface that captures and retains body heat. Big warmth for a small investment.

3. Black Cherry Cowl Scarf, $25 – Double-edged, soft corduroy reverses from a playful cherry pattern to solid red. Available in Piprobin’s Etsy shop.

 

4. Fiery Primo Merino Button Cowl, $50 – Hand-knit of variegated red yarn in 100 percent merino wool with olive-colored buttons and buttonholes reinforced with a fluted, crocheted edge. Available in Dilettant’s Etsy shop.

5. Adidas by Stella McCartney Snood, $70 – Cable-knit of acrylic and wool with a polyester and cotton lining. The drawstring lends flexibility in venting and styling.

6. Polar Buff Reversible, $30 – Breathable, wicking and seam-free, this generous band of microfiber backed with microfleece can protect your face and nose in windy or dusty conditions, or you can pull it over your head as a hood beneath your helmet.