We here at Wyldr consider a gaiter to be an essential warm-weather travel accessory! No, we don’t mean the reptile – we’re not saying one of those couldn’t come in handy (you never know), but they certainly would be touch to pack. Our Hoorag® Neck Gaiters, though, are so light and easy to fit into your luggage you may not even remember you packed it – at least, not until you need it…then you’re certain to remember you packed it!
What Exactly is a Gaiter, Anyway?
A “gaiter” – specifically, a neck gaiter – refers to a cloth “tube” that the wearer pulls on over his or her head. It can then be pulled up to cover the wearer’s neck, head, and/or face.
The most obvious use for a gaiter is that it serves as a kind of scarf (one that you don’t have to worry about falling off) that can also be used as a hood to protect the wearer’s neck, ears and head when the wind gets nippy. But Hoorag® Neck Gaiters are a versatile piece of apparel that offer other benefits besides comfort during cold weather and protection from airborne irritants such as smoke, dust or blowing sand.
What Makes Hoorag® Neck Gaiters Special
To understand what makes a Hoorag® Gaiter something more than a mere neck-warmer, you need to know a thing or two about it. Firstly, Wyldr Hoorag® Gaiters come in two sizes: Original (approximately 20″L x 9¼”W) and Half (approximately 10″L x 9¼”W). They also come in a wide variety of colors and prints so they’re stylish and well as useful. You can even have us make a custom design for you, or send your own design for us to add to our gaiters – a useful service if you’re looking for matching gaiters to wear at a team event!
It may shock you to learn this eco-friendly accessory is made entirely of recycled plastic bottles because the lightweight fabric is so soft, breathable and cool against your skin. This sustainable fabric is fast-drying and moisture-wicking, making Hoorag® Gaiters invaluable when it comes to keeping sweat out of your eyes and keeping a helmet or hat from chafing your skin while exercising.
Wearing a Hoorag® to Prevent Sunburn
Hoorag® Neck Gaiters don’t just keep you from getting too sweaty while you’re running, biking, fishing, hunting, gardening, golfing, hiking, or engaging in any outdoor activity. They also help protect you from getting too much sun.
Sunshine is a valuable source of vitamin D, but excessive sun exposure can lead to a host of health problems, including skin cancer, premature skin aging (e.g. wrinkles and age spots), sunburn, eye damage (e.g. cataracts), dehydration, and in severe cases, heatstroke – all due to the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Sunblock is important, but on its own it’s not adequate sun protection. This is especially true of the skin of your face and neck, which, being thinner thank the skin on your body, are both more sensitive to the sun and more prone to irritation from many types of sunblock. Sunblock also wears off faster on these areas, meaning you must reapply it more often (which can be even more irritating to your skin, as well as a chore).
Protective clothing is a great way to add extra, effective sun protection – as long as it’s made from the right kind of fabric. Not all clothing is good for sun protection – most commercially available cotton clothing, for instance, offers very little protection against UV rays. Thus, when choosing clothing for sun protection, it is important to choose clothing with built-in UV protection.
Wyldr’s Full and Half-Neck Hoorag® Gaiters are available in two fabrics, both of which offer built-in UV protection for additional coverage for your face and neck. The Original 2-Way Strech fabric is rated UPF30+ and blocks 96.6% of ultraviolet rays, while the Ultra-Life 4-Way Stretch fabric is rated UPF50+ and blocks 98% of UV rays.
Using a Hoorag® to Keep Bugs at Bay
With spring and summer come pests – pests such as flies, mosquitoes, gnats, midges, ticks and more. These annoying critters can make your favorite activities – hiking, gardening, golfing, camping or hanging out by the fire pit – a misery in no time flat. Applying bug repellent can be helpful, but it can also be smelly, sticky and irritating to your skin, and like sunblock you have to keep applying it, particularly when you’re sweating. Plus, not all bug repellent is chemical-free.
Hoorag® Gaiters are a chemical-free, easy way to guard your head and neck from irritating, stinging, biting critters so your outdoor time is more comfortable. With its tightly woven fabric, a Hoorag® keeps bugs from getting through to your skin.
The Many Ways to Wear a Hoorag® Gaiter
Hoorag® Neck Gaiters can be worn in many different ways and for many different activities, such as boating, tennis, golfing and working outdoors. You can also adjust your ® to meet your need – for example, as a hairband, armband to hold your phone, or hat securer.
Here are just a few options for adapting your Hoorag® to best fit your preferred activity:
- As a face mask. Perfect for windy beach days, around a smoky firepit, or while cleaning a dusty attic.
- As a beanie. This method adds a soft, absorbent layer under a cycling or other type of helmet.
- As a “Sahara.” Ideal for keeping the sun off your head while hiking or working out of doors.
- As a headband. Keeps the sweat from running into your eyes while exercising.
- As a hood or balaclava. Great for keeping your neck, head and/or part of your face protected from sun and wind as much or as little as you like.
- For more ideas (plus instructions) on how to wear your Hoorag® Neck Gaiter, check out our online video:
Make Your Wardrobe More Versatile with Hoorag® Neck Gaiters
When gearing up for all your outdoor adventures this summer, don’t forget to pack at least one Hoorag® Neck Gaiter. Easy to pack, Hoorag®s offer many benefits – chief among them sun protection and bug prevention. A game-changer when it comes to warm-weather comfort, yo0ur Hoorag® will quickly become one of your favorite travel accessories!
