Most people spend their winter budget on a jacket and then lose heat through the head, neck and hands anyway. A cap and a neck warmer together cost a fraction of a jacket and change how cold you feel more than another layer on your chest would. Here is what is worth buying and what to look for.
Why the small pieces matter
Your head, neck, hands and ears have thin skin, little fat underneath and a lot of blood flow close to the surface. They lose heat quickly, and they are usually the parts left uncovered. That is why a cap can make a thin jacket feel adequate, while a thicker jacket with a bare head still feels cold on a bike.
Beanies and wool caps
A knitted beanie is the simplest buy. Look for a double layer or a turned-up brim, because that doubled band sits over the ears, which is where you feel the cold first.
Acrylic knit is light, cheap and keeps its colour. Wool and wool blend is warmer and holds less static. Either is fine for a city winter; for the north, take the thicker one.
Most caps are free size and stretch. If you have a larger head, look for ribbed knit rather than a flat knit, because ribbing stretches further without going thin.
Neck warmers
A neck warmer, sometimes sold as a snood or a tube scarf, does the job of a scarf without the ends coming loose. It is the single most useful winter accessory for anyone who rides a bike.
Fleece-lined is warmest. A plain knit tube is lighter and easier to wear under a collar. Many are sold as a set with a matching cap, which is usually better value than buying the two separately.
Face covers and balaclavas
If you ride to work before the sun is properly up, a fleece face cover is the difference between a tolerable ride and a miserable one. Look for one with a breathing panel over the mouth, or the fabric gets damp from your own breath within a few minutes and then goes cold.
A balaclava covers head, ears, neck and face in one piece, which is more convenient than three separate items but warmer than most people need in the plains.
Gloves
Three broad types are worth knowing:
- Knitted fingerless gloves. Light, cheap, let you use a phone and hold a pen. Fine indoors and for mild cold; not enough on a bike.
- Full-finger knit or fleece gloves. The everyday choice. Warm enough for walking and daily use.
- Leather or rexine gloves. These block wind, which knit does not. For riding, this matters more than thickness.
Gloves are usually free size and stretch. If you are buying for someone with small hands, a knitted pair will fit; a leather pair may not.
Knee and leg warmers
Often overlooked, and genuinely useful for anyone who sits still in a cold room, or who has knees that ache in winter. They go under trousers, add no bulk at the ankle and cost very little. For older family members they are often the most appreciated winter gift on this list.
What to buy first
If you are buying in order of value for money:
- A cap and neck warmer set
- Gloves suited to how you travel
- A face cover, if you ride
- Knee or leg warmers, if you sit still in the cold
Sizes and questions
Almost everything here is free size, so the usual sizing worry does not apply. If you are buying for a child or want to check thickness before you order, message us on WhatsApp at 0345 6650894 and we will tell you what the piece is actually like in the hand.
Browse caps and masks, gloves and knee and leg warmers, or read our guide to winter fabrics if the jacket is still on your list.