The Weatherneck Bandana

The Weatherneck bandana solves the problem of what to do mid-ride with your neck/face covering when things warm up. It's a sporty snood on steroids.

Fundamentally, it's a quick-release 'Buff', the brand name now eponymous with sports-orientated neck coverings. Except the Weatherneck doesn't go over your head to make a balaclava – this is neck-only.

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The issues with Buffs or the plethora of similar thin-fabric neck tubes is what to do when things warm up. Removing one while riding and wearing helmet/glasses/casquette is not recommended – the opportunity to come a cropper is obvious. But if the sun's now out after a frosty or dark start, you're nice and warm and the peloton is cracking along nicely, do you really want to pull over just to un-neck?

The reality is you'll probably just suffer on with an increasingly sweaty neck until the next natural break in proceedings – by which time the fabric is loaded with moisture and you're probably unzipped to the navel to keep cool. What if you could have removed it in a second, one-handed, and stuffed it into a pocket?

The trick with the Weatherneck is that it's held together at the back with four very strong, small magnets. To get the size right for your body and clothing you make a loop in one side, and the magnets then snap into place over this, so effectively it's infinitely adjustable. You can wear it over or under your jacket, pulled up to or over the nose, or under the chin.

There's another trick – if you're wearing it over your mouth, there's a strip of meshed fabric down the front to aid breathing and reduce moisture build-up, while holding the rest of it together. It works – even on hard climbs I didn't feel my breathing was restricted.

Why magnets? Velcro would not have offered the adjustability, would have snagged on clothing, been scratchy and would have worn out quickly. Also, a one-handed pull down from the front instead of peeling open would have been near-impossible with Velcro.

The FAQ says the magnets are good for 400 years, and should not be worn by people with pacemakers. It shouldn't be machine-washed either, because of the magnets sticking to the drum and accelerating fabric wear, so handwash only. Luckily that's no harder than rinsing a flannel.

> Check out our guide to choosing the right clothing for spring

As with all great ideas, it just works. Put on, adjust, ride. Get warm, one-handed pull, and stuff into pocket. That's it. You do need to stop to put it back on should needs dictate mid-ride, but even then, unlike other neck/face-warming options, you won't have to remove glasses or headgear.

The Weatherneck is made in the US and ships for $29 or about £20 including postage. And if you're ordering 30 or more, you can get a custom print to your design.

Verdict

An innovative, practical way to regulate neck covering and temperature, with one-handed on-bike removal