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review

Ana Nichoola Smuggler Neck Warmer

8
£18.50

VERDICT:

8
10
Looks cool and does an exceptional job of keeping you warm.
Weight: 
50g
Contact: 
www.ananichoola.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The aptly named Smuggler Neck Warmer from Ana Nichoola goes along with the company's recent range of female specific accessories and clothing for cold weather riding. Available in two colours, it coordinates nicely with the glove and armwarmer options, giving a more stylish twist to essential accessories.

First off, there's something appealing about a neck warmer that's a nice colour, has a good name and makes you look a bit like Dick Turpin's female alter-ego. The important thing is, though, that it's made from high quality super warm Thermo-Roubaix fabric, with a reassuringly fuzzy next-to-skin surface and that it is incredibly warm, especially for its meagre 50g weight. Shaped to cover the upper chest as well as being long enough to pull up right to the ears, the Smuggler gives a lot of cold weather flexibility. It's stretchy, soft, light and easily fits into a pocket, making it ideal for rides where you're unsure of the temperature or conditions when you head out.

In wear, it really is intensely warm, to the point where some might find it over warm, especially for hillier rides, given that it covers one of the major ventilation areas at the upper chest. That said, it's great for deep winter descents and long duration cold rides, and that same design feature means it's extra effective at keeping the heat in when needed. The fabric wicks moisture well, meaning that even if you are running a little warm while wearing it, there's no penalty to be paid in feeling damp and chilled afterwards. It's easy enough to put on and take off, although a helmet does have to be removed first.

£18.50 is pretty good value for something that's of an equivalent level of warmth and fabric quality as say, the Polar Buff, but more stylishly designed and somewhat cheaper. It should last years, too.

Verdict

Looks cool and does an exceptional job of keeping you warm.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Ana Nichoola Smuggler Neck Warmer

Size tested: Purple

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at female riders looking for more stylish technical riding kit.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Thermo-Roubaix fabric- stretchy- fuzzy on the inside, smooth on the outside.

Long neck for versatility

Lower at the front to protect upper chest area.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Really well made from good fabric.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

Does just what it's supposed to, keeps you warm! Some might find it over-effective.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Smooth outer fabric resists snagging and it's washable at 40

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

Light and packable. Super warm for its weight.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Soft and warm in wear and wicks moisture well.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Good quality, effective and should last so pretty good value.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well indeed.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Style, colours, fabric, performance

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely. And also as a gift.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Certainly.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Well designed, effective and stylish neck warmer for seriously cold rides.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

Add new comment

9 comments

Avatar
nbrus | 12 years ago
0 likes

Hi Barry,

Maybe I can get a job doing reviews?  19

In case you haven't noticed ... my comments ALWAYS relate to the item being reviewed.  13

Usually, I'm bored, and/or I don't agree with all of the points in the review, or I have something useful to add ... then I might post.

This IS my last post on road.cc, so you can relax now ... goodbye.  44

Avatar
Barry Fry-up | 12 years ago
0 likes

perhaps you could pen her a poem or something, you obviously like writing. or maybe sing her a song? i'm guessing you're quite fond of the sound of your own voice

Avatar
nbrus | 12 years ago
0 likes

Eureeka! ... I think I've found a solution to the current 'stalker' issue ... we can get Rob Simmonds to do the ladies kit reviews ... but he'd have to be willing to accept that there'll be a certain amount 'stalking' involved ...  26  4

No doubt there'll be a lot of volunteers for this new job, which provides a ready-made excuse for wearing women's cycling gear ... the question is, will they choose the 'Smuggler Neck Warmer' or the 'Polar Buff'? ... don't all rush at once.  1

Avatar
Barry Fry-up | 12 years ago
0 likes

Maybe send her some flowers or something. Less, yknow, stalky

Avatar
nbrus replied to Barry Fry-up | 12 years ago
0 likes
Barry Fry-up wrote:

Maybe send her some flowers or something. Less, yknow, stalky

Best you start packin ... there'll be no greasy fry-ups where you're go'in.  3  19

Avatar
nbrus | 12 years ago
0 likes

Well, no one else seems to be posting so I thought I'd leave a comment ... didn't want anyone to think these reviews go unread.  7

Actually, the *real* reason I posted in this thread was to lure out any silent stalkers ... looks like my plan worked.  19  4

Avatar
Barry Fry-up | 12 years ago
0 likes

bless, nbrus. still following leonie round like a lost puppy?  4

Avatar
Rob Simmonds replied to Barry Fry-up | 12 years ago
0 likes
Barry Fry-up wrote:

bless, nbrus. still following leonie round like a lost puppy?  4

I can just picture him swathed in bog roll and falling down the stairs in a cute way.  1

Avatar
nbrus | 12 years ago
0 likes

Seems ok, but nowhere near as versatile as a Polar Buff, which can be had for less if you shop around.  4

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