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review
Headwear
Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar2023 Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar - 1.jpg

Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar

8
by Charlotte Broughton
Sat, Mar 16, 2024 15:45
6
£38.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Thick neck warmer that keeps the warmth in and cold out without becoming damp – even on the coldest winter days
Warm and soft
Tapered neck
Non-itchy
Not 100% merino wool
Weight: 
47g
Contact: 
intl.velocio.cc
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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The Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar is a high-quality neck warmer that works well in all sorts of conditions. During testing I used this when the temperature was either in single digits or below freezing, in the wet, the dry and even in snow – and I found it effective at keeping me warm, and when pulled up it prevented my nose from becoming painfully cold.

> Buy now: Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar for £35 from Velocio

Unlike some other neck warmers I've used, however, the Velocio didn't become horrible and damp on the inside when I pulled it over my face – even when I was pushing hard and breathing heavily during training. As well as keeping me warm the merino wool interior stayed dry and felt soft and comfortable against my skin. And as I have sensitive and acne-prone skin, which can easily be irritated, I was pleasantly surprised about this lack of irritation.

2023 Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar - 1.jpg

I washed the neck warmer with my other cycling kit and it came out well – no stretching and the deep-navy colour kept its darkness. I also found that it dried very quickly, which makes it handy for bikepacking and touring, when you might have limited drying time or space.

Velocio has gone for a very understated aesthetic for its warmer, sticking with a classy block colour and a modest Velocio logo. And if even the quite muted navy is too bright for you, it's also available in the near-black 'heather charcoal'.

Value

I appreciate that £38 might seem steep but given its luxurious feel compared with other high-end merino or merino-mix neck warmers, I don't feel the price is outrageous.

For instance, the Poc Thermal Neck Warmer is a little dearer at £40, though it impressed Ali when he tested it.

The Pearson Merino Neck Warmer is less expensive at £25, but Steve didn't feel its performance was significantly better than that of cheaper, non-merino warmers.

Conclusion

Expensive, yes, but this is a high-quality and extremely effective piece of winter wear that does everything you'd want a neck warmer to do, and I feel it justifies that cost.

Verdict

Thick neck warmer that keeps the warmth in and cold out without becoming damp – even on the coldest winter days

road.cc test report

Make and model: Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar

Size tested: One Size

Tell us what the product is for

This product is for keeping the cold from travelling down your body when exercising and to cover your face and neck from the elements.

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

210gsm Sportwool milled in Denmark

17.5micron ultrafine virgin merino wool/polyester blend

Flatlock stitching

Embossed Velocio logo and woven tricolor flag trim details

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

The very soft merino wool inner against my skin was an absolute delight when venturing out on my bike in the cold and, even though it is thick, it never felt at all restrictive or too heavy.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

While £38.00 is quite expensive for a a neck tube, I actually think it's a reasonable price given its quality, materials and fit.

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

I found the collar really effective at keeping the cold out and heat in. During cold, long rides on the bike, I found it perfect for pulling over my face to keep my face protected from the elements. It didn't impede my breathing when wearing it this way and moisture did not collect within the material either – so it didn't become soggy and nasty. I also used for sub-zero walks in the snow when it kept my neck nice and warm.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I really liked the softer merino wool interior. Although at times it would stick to the vaseline on my lips which got a little annoying, it was very comfortable. I also have very sensitive acne-prone skin and this product caused no issues at all, which is always a great relief.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

There was nothing I disliked about the product, although the outer is polyester and not merino, so if you want a 100% natural neck warmer this isn't for you.

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

This is marginally cheaper than the 100% merino Poc Thermal Neck Warmer Tube that came in at £40.00. Other less expensive options include the 7Mesh Desperado Merino Neck Warmer that costs £25. So it is clearly towards the higher end of the market – but it performs very well and it is nice and thick.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

I feel the Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar is a very good neck warmer that protects you from the elements, even on the coldest days, and is adequately breathable. The inner merino feels lovely against your skin and helps to keep the warmth in and the cold out. I liked its thickness and also found it great for a range of activities. It could also double up as warm headwear and while it is on the pricier side, I feel that the quality, performance and feel make the price reasonable.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 25  Height: 173cm  Weight: 65kg

I usually ride: Road bike  My best bike is: Road bike

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

2024 Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar
Velocio Merino 210 Winter Collar
2024 Velocio
Velocio
Charlotte Broughton

Having learnt to ride a bike in order to race as a child, Charlotte is no stranger to life on two wheels. Racing across multiple disciplines over the years, she now focuses her time on road racing. Racing with her Belgium based team. Not only that, but Charlotte has many years experience working within the cycling industry alongside her racing endeavours. Therefore, it’s fair to say that anything with two wheels is right up her street.

Add new comment

6 comments

Avatar
pjclinch | 8 months ago
0 likes

Merino and itchy...
Merino is less likely to be itchy than "standard" wool, but that's not the same as "nobody will find this itchy". Non-itch guarantees from some brands don't mean they won't itch but that they'll go out of their way, beyond Sale of Goods Act, to make sure you're not left out of pocket.
I love merino, my wife finds it... itchy (even the pure "superfine" stuff).

Avatar
Freddy56 | 8 months ago
1 like

I think a Merino mix, full merino doesnt last and can't be machine washed- so 60% merino with polyester and ideally 5-10% of lycra for strech- but this @ 18%  is false advertising. We don't say 'Rubber bikes' because they have tyres.

Avatar
RoubaixCube | 8 months ago
4 likes

I have a bit of an axe to grind when it comes to manufacturers stating their products are made of or use merino but arent upfront and honest about what percentage of it is merino.

Its blatant false advertising and a marketing scam. A lot of brands do it.

 

Avatar
kevgravelkev replied to RoubaixCube | 8 months ago
4 likes

Here you go. That's very, very expensive for 18% merino!

 

Avatar
RoubaixCube replied to kevgravelkev | 8 months ago
1 like

Yeah. way too expensive. Even PlanetX have merino neckwarmers/snoods for £15 and PX claim theirs is 100% merino. Non merino warmers are £2.

Now PX could be completely lying about the merino content but £15 is a lot easier on the pocket then £40 if youre going to get conned regardless.

Avatar
ErgoKnees replied to RoubaixCube | 8 months ago
0 likes

Completely agree. 18% merino might as well be 100% polyester. 

Another brand that does this is SmartWool - pathetically low merino content. That's why they used to be cheaper than other merino brands. However, their parent company also owns Icebreaker with a much higher merino percentage. 

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