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Headwear
Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter
2021 Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter

Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter

8
by Lara Dunn
Sun, Jan 24, 2021 19:45
0
£16.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Low weight but warm and breathable neck warmer that's versatile and inexpensive too
Warm
Superbly breathable
Good size/length
Inexpensive
Weight: 
60g
Contact: 
showerspass.co.uk
How we test

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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A tubular neck warmer is one of the most versatile pieces of kit that any rider can have, for year-round use, but that versatility (and price) varies hugely across the designs available. The Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter is one of the best value and most useful I've come across, balancing excellent stretch, good length and superbly moisture wicking fabric with a decent price.

Made from incredibly stretchy fabric, which is a mix of 34% polyester, 60% nylon and 6% elastane, the only seams the Neck Gaiter has are minimal ones at top and bottom, with no seam running down its length. Its dimensions are more generous than many, both in terms of length and width, and the fabric has a high level of solar protection too, with a UPF of 40+.

> Buy this online here

There are plenty of tubular scarves/Buffs/warmers on the market, with a huge variety of subtly different characteristics. Some are longer, others are warmer, some are made from merino, others from high tech fabrics. This one by Showers Pass, a company known for its kit for foul weather, is super-stretchy and soft to the touch. It manages to deliver good levels of warmth while being very breathable, and it dries quickly. This means it's great to wear over the nose without steaming up glasses too badly, and doesn't get soggy from breath.

The length is such that it covers that bit between jersey and opening of jacket while still having plenty spare for wearing over the nose at the same time (emergency face covering anyone?). Its stretchiness means it works well pulled up over the head too, to act as an under-helmet warmer, and isn't too bulky for that.

2021 Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter 2.jpg

The balance of warmth and breathability is great. It's not super-lightweight but nor is it particularly heavy and bulky, and it still rolls up easily into a jersey or jacket pocket, taking up less space than a pair of winter gloves.

Compared with similar scarves/warmers, it's very good value for money, particularly considering its performance and versatility. It's £14 less than the similarly technical Sportful W Neck Warmer at £30, and significantly less expensive than some merino ones, like the knitted Findra Women's Betty Neck Warmer, now £30.

It's a good bit cheaper than Showers Pass's own Merino Neck Gaiter at £23 too, which is also less versatile because of its shorter length.

> Winter cycling clothing – 49 of the warmest garments you can buy

The Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter is warm, breathable, fast-drying, super-stretchy and packs down nice and small. As something that can be worn as a scarf, face covering, head covering or hat, it's great – and great value.

Verdict

Low weight but warm and breathable neck warmer that's versatile and inexpensive too

road.cc test report

Make and model: Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter

Size tested: One Size

Tell us what the product is for

Showers Pass says, 'A PREMIUM MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ACCESSORY

'A cold wind always manages to find those patches of exposed skin. The SP Neck Gaiter provides a simple and versatile solution for staying warm and comfortable so you can focus on what's ahead.'

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

Showers Pass lists:

Tightly woven fabric increases body heat retention

Able to double fold for greater protection

Complete neck, head, and face coverage

UPF 40+ protection

Flat dimensions: 16.4 inches tall, 9.5 inches wide

Materials: 34% Polyester, 60% Nylon, 6% Elastane

Machine washable at 30

One size

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

No seam at all on the main bit of the tube, and pretty unobtrusive seams at top and bottom hem. Good quality soft, breathable stretchy fabric.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

Soft and comfortable to wear yet provides good warmth and doesn't get soggy.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

The fabric can catch on Velcro type fastenings quite easily, but it is fairly robust nonetheless.

Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10

Good levels of stretch and good length mean it should fit a variety of riders.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10

Very light for its levels of warmth.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

Very comfortable, soft, breathable and cosy.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Great value for money.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Washed well at 30 degrees.

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

A versatile and effective option to keep out draughts or for extra warmth.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Warm, superbly breathable, a good size/length, inexpensive.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's £14 less than the similarly technical Sportful W Neck Warmer at £30, and significantly less expensive than merino ones, like the British knitted Findra Women's Betty Neck Warmer at £30. It's also a good bit cheaper than Showers Pass's own Merino Neck Gaiter at £23.

Did you enjoy using the product? Very much. Quickly became a favourite piece of kit.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The SP Neck Gaiter is a cut above many, being soft, stretchy, breathable and effective, useful for a variety of purposes. It doesn't cost the earth either.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 77kg

I usually ride: Liv Invite  My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite

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

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

Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter 2021
Showers Pass SP Neck Gaiter
Showers Pass 2021
Showers Pass
Lara Dunn

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. 

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