Snoods, also known as neck gaiters, are a popular option for those who enjoy being outdoors in all weather conditions. Think of a snowboarder, coasting and curving down an icy hill. At the bottom of the hill, she lifts her goggles and pulls a piece of fabric down off of her face so it sits under her chin. That fabric is called a snood.
What Exactly Is A Snood?
Unlike a balaclava, which covers the head so that only the eyes are exposed, a snood can be used to cover your ears, neck, and mid to lower parts of the face.
Though you’ll see soccer players and other athletes wearing a snood as a neck warmer, it’s made to wear over a portion of the face. It usually sits across the nose, just below the eyes.
While snoods are popular among many outdoorsy types and gained popularity as an alternative to masks during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their protective properties go even further than warmth and respiratory protection.
The best snoods will also act as a barrier from the sun’s harmful UV rays and possibly even from the dangers of electromagnetic field radiation (EMF).
A History Of The Snood
Snoods can be traced back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance period when they were commonly worn by women to keep hair back. Adorned with gems, pearls, and other precious items, the snood was considered a fashionable piece.
In the modesty of the Victorian 19th century, the snood again became a popular way for women to keep their hair tied back, though they were much plainer designs in keeping with the humility of the time.
Back again in the 1940s, the snood was both an accessorized fashion piece for evening wear and offered more practical use for women who were supporting the war effort.
While it’s picked up a few nicknames along the way (neck warmer, gaiter, and snood scarf) the snood is a popular option for all sorts of people today and is used commonly for outdoor activities like gardening, sports, running, hiking, climbing, fishing, among others.
Will Snoods Protect Against Covid-19?
A mask mandate has been put in place in many countries around the world as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. While some have loosened requirements since vaccinations became more widely distributed,masks remain required or suggested in many countries.
As people searched for masks and were, at points, met with supply shortages, the idea of using a snood as a face covering became popular.
But, do snoods actually provide Covid-19 protection? That depends on how you’re using it, but in a world where masks are mandatory, it’s been a topic of debate. However, in 2020, Science News determined that a snood is better than no facial covering.
Medical masks, especially N95 masks, provide the greatest amount of protection for the wearer. Cloth masks are more effective in protecting others if the wearer is carrying the virus.
According toMayo Clinic:
“A cloth mask is intended to trap respiratory droplets that are released when the wearer talks, coughs or sneezes. It also acts as a barrier to protect the wearer from inhaling droplets released by others.”
The Mayo Clinic also suggests that cloth masks are more effective if they are made of materials like cotton that have multiple layers of tightly-woven fabric. The layers will prevent droplets from getting through.
While snoods have become a popular option, the majority were not manufactured with the pandemic in mind and tend to have thin, lightweight fabric that is suited to wear in outdoor activities.
Their effectiveness as a mask is really based upon the material, and if you take any extra precautions, such as wearing a filter with it.
With all of that in mind, a snood can provide great coverage for everyday use in some of your favorite activities. To help you find the best snood for your lifestyle and needs, we’ve explored a range of different snood models and came up with a list of the best options out there.
Best Snood Overall
We love Lamb products. We featured a number of their products in our2021 EMF shielding clothing guide, and their snood is equally great. We chose it as the best snood overall, as it provides a great range of features and is made from high-quality manufacturing.
1. Lambs Snood
Product Highlights:
This snood is fully lined with the same Lambs’ Wavestopper technology as theLambs’ antimicrobial face mask, which employs silver fibers for their antimicrobial properties.
This snood was designed with convenience in mind, and offers an easy-on, easy-off design. It’s soft, lightweight, breathable, and anti-odor, making it super comfortable to wear which makes it perfect for everyday use.
Features:
- Antimicrobial silver fiber
- Interior pocket for replaceable filter
- 3 Lambs advanced multi-layer PM2.5 filters included
- Metal nose wire for a snug fit
What We Like:
- Silver microbial technology is antimicrobial and hypoallergenic
- Range of safety features that will help wearer feel protected from environmental dangers
- Easy and convenient to wear and care for. To clean, wash in hot water in your washing machine using regular detergent
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive, so for those on a budget, it might not be an affordable option
- Brand can’t confirm that its Wavestopper tech is effective for Covid-19 protection and similar purposes (They’ve made this statement on their website, “Though the antimicrobial properties of silver are well documented, its effectiveness has not been tested on Covid-19 or when used on a mask.”)
- Does not guarantee ultraviolet protection factor (UPF).
Created by scientists, the Lambs brand is dedicated to providing clothing and accessory options that block external environmental stressors and offer wireless radiation protection.
When Covid-19 hit, and many people took to walking, running, and other outdoor activities as some form of break from being stuck at home, Lambs wanted to make a snood that would make their customers feel safe.
2. Best Runner-Up Snood:
S A Co Multipurpose Gaiter
We picked SA Company’s multipurpose UV gaiter as the best runner-up snood because of the diversity it provides for the buyer.
Product Highlights:
This snood is made from 100% microfiber polyester and is elastic, lightweight, and totally seamless. It’s also extremely durable and easy to care for and wash.
It offers UPF 40 and is dustproof, helping to protect your face from the elements.
Features:
- UPF 40
- Moisture Wicking
- Wind Barrier
- Insect Barrier
- Dust Protection
What We Like:
- Great for runners; the flexible, lightweight material makes it a great snood for running, as it won’t impede breathing but can also act as a headband, neck warmer, or headscarf
- Multiple design and color options that come in packs of five.
What We Don’t Like:
- Thin fabric, according to some reviewers. While SA Co claims this snood offers warmth – or more specifically cold protection, it might not stand up to your local environmental conditions
With literally thousands of reviews from international customers, these snoods are a great choice if you’re looking for a beautiful design that’s also versatile.
3. Best Budget Snood:
Achiou Neck Gaiter
Another great option if you’re looking for versatility, the Achiou Neck Gaiter is an inexpensive option that offers the same range of features as many similar products, but at a lower price point.
Product Highlights:
Achiou describes its neck snood as soft, comfortable, and elastic fabric. The elasticity keeps it close to the skin, and offers UPF50+ sun protection. These qualities keep you safe from UV rays, dust, wind, and other abrasive elements.
The 4-way stretch of the material means it has stretch-recover both length and width-wise. It’s also a soft and breathable fabric that is lightweight and sweat-wicking, which helps to keep you cool, and also fight off the chills.
Features:
- 4-way stretch
- Sweat-wicking
- UV, Dust, Wind protection
- Breathable
- Cooling
What We Like:
- Material is lightweight and quick-drying, making it good for running and other similar activities
- Featured among Amazon’s top options of 2021 for women’s neck snoods in outdoor recreation, running clothing, and cold weather options
What We Don’t Like:
- Some consumers complain that fabric is thin
- The company advertises it as a summer product- can be used in the spring and fall
- Others said material did not fit as snuggly as was advertised
Achiou markets this product as “good for fishing, cycling, hiking, camping, motorcycling, hunting, yoga, travel, and all kinds of outdoor activities and sports.” You can use it for any sort of outdoor activity that requires a bit of lightweight but sturdy coverage.
4. Best Snood Under Ten Bucks
TICONN Neck Gaiter
TICONN’s neck gaiter is another of Amazon’s top-selling snoods, and is listed at a very affordable price. Coming in packs of two, these neck snoods are made to match the top athletic snoods out there.
Product Highlights:
This snood is made of 92% polyester and 8% spandex, and uses its elasticity to hold itself tightly against your skin. The fit supports the fabric in protecting you from sun and wind, as well as soaking up sweat and moisture to keep you cool and dry.
With its universal size, it’ll fit most people comfortably. It also offers 4-way stretch so you can wear it in a number of ways: as a headband, a scarf, a neckerchief, etc. While some of the previous designs are no-stitch, the edges of this one are hemmed with what TICONN calls ‘premium sewing.’
Features:
- Universal fit
- Thin & cool for summer weather
- Moisture wicking
- Sun and wind-proof
- Machine washable
What We Like:
- Ideal for everyday use in long-hour jobs and strenuous activities
What We Don’t Like:
- Many customers complain that the material is thin. However, like the previous snoods, these were made to protect from the sun, wind, dust, and other summer elements.
- Can be difficult to breathe through if you have asthma
- Not dryer safe; company claims these are machine washable but are vague about drying
- UPF protection is not noted
While many of our snood choices offer similar benefits, if you’re happy with an inexpensive, straightforward design that’s made for summer activity wear, TICONN’s might be for you.
5. A Good Snood Alternative
GoxRunx Neck Gaiter
The company GoxRunx offers athletic products that make home exercise easy and affordable, and they created their own ‘summer face cover’ to provide the standard of benefits that users ask for, most of those being athletic or outdoor activities.
Product Highlights:
The GoxRunx neck snood is made of spandex and ice silk fabric, which is made of 70% viscose filament and 30% nylon yarn. It’s a material that is soft, comfortable, and elastic that has great stretch, flexibility, and sweat-wicking ability.
Features:
- UPF 50+
- Moisture-wicking, cooling fabric
- Wind and dust resistent
- Universal size
- Multiple colors to choose from
What We Like:
- No need for ear loops; elasticity makes for comfortable wearing that stays up on its own
- Great amount of fabric allows user to wear as a balaclava or to double over as a mask
What We Don’t Like:
- Size accuracy may be off
- Some reviews note that it’s smaller than advertised, and best suited to those with heads on the smaller side
- Silky material makes it difficult for some to keep it up over their faces if being used as a mask
The GoxRunx is a good alternative if you’re looking for a snood that offers all the standard benefits and comfort for your everyday activities.
Now That You’re Aware Of The Best Snoods, Take Your Pick!
This list provides a great range of the best snood options available that offers a diverse range of features. A snood is a helpful tool for a large range of outdoor activities. These brands all strive to provide a comfortable, effective option and at an affordable price point. While these are our top choices, figure out which is best suited to you, think about what you’ll be using it for, and determine what features are most important to you.
Sources:
https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-snood-roundup/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449
https://www.newtlondon.com/blogs/newt-tales/why-snoods-are-the-perfect-accessory-for-all-seasons
