Altura Neckwarmer II

The Altura Neckwarmer II is a simple but effective piece of kit, providing some windproofing and warmth in colder temperatures. Worn bandana style in temperatures down to around -5°C, it kept the cold sting off my face when descending, which is pretty impressive.

It's made from 100% polyester and has a simple construction: a single seam and a hem at each end. These aren't flatlock stitched, but I had no problems with chafing.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Its 470mm length means it's fairly flexible in how it can be worn: on the neck scrunched or folded as a scarf, covering the bottom of your face, with the back tucked under a casquette and the front covering your ears... I tried all these and it gave good extra protection, even in dire conditions.

There's a decent amount of hold in the material itself so it doesn't really sag after being in place for a while, something I have found with other neckwarmers.

When using it over the mouth you certainly notice the condensation forming when you breathe into it for around 20 minutes, but it never got to the point where it became irritating. It didn't really smell, either, even after using it every day for a week without washing – which is always a bonus!

> The best clothing to keep you warm in winter

I like the black and fluorescent yellow of our test model – it's always nice to add a bit of visibility in low light conditions – but it also comes in black/grey if you want to go for the more 'stealth' look. It's worth noting that allthough it's fluorescent yellow, it doesn't have any reflective material on it, so it won't light up under car headlights.

It's well priced, comfy and relatively windproof – more so if you fold it for particularly cold conditions. It would be good to have some reflective elements included, but for six quid, it can be forgiven.

Verdict

Warm, cheap and versatile