The most critical items in any adventure kit are rarely the flashiest. These are the essentials, and they serve as the foundation of comfort and performance in every season. Think: underwear, socks, beanies, base layers. To that esteemed pantheon, I nominate the humble but affordable Merino Lightweight neckwear ($29) from Buff, the versatility of which is nearly unmatched.
That’s right: a neck tube. But not just any neck tube. I’ve tried many of them, from many different purveyors, and reader, I can assure you that this thin merino-wool number is the one to rule them all.
For starters, the top and bottom seams are flat, which eliminates chafing. Then there’s the 3.7-ounce, stink-resistant fabric, providing sufficient warmth in winter but still thin enough for sweaty temperatures and high-output pursuits. I use it as a running headband when it’s cold, a gaiter while skinning laps, a mouth covering on dusty gravel rides, a sweat cloth wrapped around my wrist during summer trail runs, and a nose rag for my children when we’re out biking (mucous is an ever present feature of the parenting world). I recently…
