It is usually said that safety and heat are two of the most important things when you practice an extreme sport like snowmobiling. Do you agree with that? I know I do. You can’t have fun when you feel uncomfortable from the cold and you always worry about falling. That is why in this article I’m going to present to you the best neck braces and neck warmers on the market and how to choose them.
Just to make sure you are not going to get lost in details and specifications, we are going to cover them separately.
Characteristics and specs of the neck braces
Neck braces don’t usually come with too many specs, it is all about the material and how effective it can be in case of a crash. However, there are some little details you should watch for when buying those.
For example, APC. That stands for Artic Fusion Compound. You can find a lot of neck braces on the internet, but make sure you found the snowmobile ones. The motocross neck braces usually do the same thing, but not always, like in this case.
APC is a special blend of materials that can withstand the extreme cold temperatures. You can’t find this technology on a motocross neck brace, so you must watch out. Heat is a crucial factor in snowmobiling,
Another thing you should watch out is the weight of it. It has to be medium. If it is too big, is going to be uncomfortable for your neck. If it is too low, is not going to give you enough protection. You would usually want it to be under 1 kg, but not lower than 500g.
One more important characteristic of it is the rigidity. For the maximum safety, they should be made to break in case of an accident. A too rigid neck brace can apply enough pressure to one person’s back to break it in case of an accident.
Difference between different brands or price brackets for neck braces
I have to remind you that we’re talking about safety here. A quality neck brace can make the difference between life and death, so don’t be silly. You need to stay away from the 30 dollars products and invest in something good. A good neck brace should cost between 300 and 400 dollars, but you will get what you paid for.
As for brands, everyone’s recommendation will be the Leatt neck braces. They make the best quality ones and they are famous in the motocross and snowmobiles niches. They make everything from helmets to gloves. Usually protective gear. If you don’t trust me, consult any forum or shop. The reviews will amaze you and will definitely make you save up for their products.
“Do they work though?”, you might be asking. They can’t guarantee you will be 100% injury-free in case of an accident but can reduce or even prevent injuries to the neck and collarbone in case of a serious accident.
Because of the rigid frames, they can reduce the angles at which your head can be bent in case of a crash. They can save you thousands of dollars that you would have given for hospitalization for only 300 dollars.
If you really can’t afford that much, I will list you later some of the cheaper alternatives, although I don’t recommend getting them.
Materials
The material is what differentiates a quality neck brace from a cheap product. You would usually want to go for products made of carbon fibers. It is a very strong material that can withstand huge impact forces. On top of that, very light as well. You can’t find this on a 100 dollar neck brace that is why I recommended Leatt. Most of their products are made from carbon fibers.
As I’ve said before, there are some products made from either hard plastics or other injection-molded materials that are not going to break the bank. They aren’t as effective but definitely won’t disappoint you. They are very rigid in order to guarantee proper support for your neck and head in case of a crash.
Size
Although you may think that is not that important, size is also an important factor in choosing the best product. You need to measure your chest or neck, depending on the website’s size chart and choose the best variant.
The best option is to go into a store and test your wanted product, find out your size, search for some online deals and then order it. It should always fit snugly around the neck.
A too small size will cause discomfort, and a too big size means it can’t protect you as it should.
The best neck braces
The first recommendation is a very interesting one. Is a fusion between a chest protector and a neck brace, actually the award-winning Leatt Neck Brace. It is called Leatt Fusion 3.0 SNX.
The exterior is made out of a hard material to protect against bumps and blows that may occur in a rough alpine environment and the interior is made out of 3DF AirFit protective foam.
This is a very interesting technology that guarantees a safer ride. It basically makes the armor hard upon impact, but soft and comfortable while unstressed.
The product has got the feature we covered earlier, AFC in order to keep you warm under extremely cold temperatures. It provides safety for not only the neck, but for chest, shoulders, back, and sides as well. It is very easy to use and has a three-dimensional design. Comes in different colors and sizes and weight about 2.5 kg. All of that combined for only 400 dollars. If you don’t want to pay 300 dollars just for a neck brace, this is the option for you. I will also leave the link in case I convinced you: check it here
Leatt Neck Brace
The next option is again from Leatt, but this time only a neck brace. You should consider this if you already own other protections. This is designed to work over your jacket and armor, but it still has APC just in case.
It has exclusive SNX padding that resists snow sticking, and the height can be modified for optimal helmet clearance. Also, it has molded padding solution for extra low profile and 5 holes wings sliders for greater adjustment. Comes in different colors and sizes, and costs 400 dollars as well. Not the cheapest neck brace, but it is worth it. You can find it here.
The neck warmers are a great option if you think your neck is too cold during snowmobiling sessions. It is much better than a scarf, as you don’t have to worry that it will fall or get loose. Also, the scarf may create some gaps because of wind, leaving your neck exposed to the coldness.
A neck warmer is pulled over your head, so you will never be in that sad situation. If they are stretchy enough, you can pull them over your face in order to cover your mouth and nose.
I would not suggest that though, because combined with the helmet, it will give you some discomfort. You could even consider this a safety measure because skin exposed to cold temperatures can become irritated and inflamed.
Enough said about what they are, now let’s see what to look for in neck warmers.
Characteristics and specs of the neck warmers
Again as earlier, neck warmers don’t have too many specs and features. However, you need to look for a product that has preferably both UV protection and antimicrobial coating. Antimicrobial coating is a feature you would want to have if you practice a sport, like snowmobiling.
This coating can resist bacteria growth and won’t develop odors in case you sweat while wearing it. UV protection is a common feature and a lot of you probably heard of it.
It will protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. If you are having long sessions of snowmobiling, this will be necessary for you, if you care about your health.
Difference between different brands or price brackets for neck warmers
When talking about neck warmers, the brand doesn’t matter too much. It can be a no name, but with right material and fit can be as effective as a big brand. If you are looking for a quality product, the best place you can find one is online. Make sure to find your required features and some good reviews.
Prices may vary between 10 and 40 dollars. It is not an expensive product, but it can surely make a difference between heat and cold for your neck. The price of a neck warmer is based on material, insulation, and coverage.
Materials
There are neck warmers made from 3 materials on the market right now. You can find them made from fleece, cotton, and spandex. Fleece is the most recommended in case of cold weather and should be your number 1 pick for snowmobiling.
The cotton is the most breathable material from these 3, and can also be useful for snowmobiling. However, I would not trade heat for a little more air and neither should you. The last material, spandex, ensures that the neck warmer has enough stretch to pull it up over your head.
Size
Like the neck braces, the neck warmer should be the perfect fit in order to have maximum effectiveness. It should fit snug to keep the cold out, but should not be tight in order to be comfortable. Unfortunately, they don’t usually come in different sizes, so if you are a bigger man or woman, you might be in some trouble. They can usually stretch so they can accommodate a range of body types.
Some brands do give you a size to choose from, but they will not be regular sizes like S, M, L etc. It will be either man or woman so depending on your neck thickness, you should choose one of those. If you are a man, but you have a smaller neck, I would suggest to you to pick the woman size, but use the size chart first just to make sure it will not be too tight.
The best neck warmers
The overall best neck warmer we found is the Woolx Unisex Merino Wool. Although it isn’t made from any material we’ve specified, a lot of people prefer wool over fleece. Maybe because it gives better breathability and comfort based on the reviews.
It is very high quality and the material is soft and warm, to make sure your neck will never be irritated. However, it is one of the cases we’ve talked earlier. It comes only in one size, and it may not fit a bigger male or female. It has a 4.2/5 rating on Amazon and a price that will instantly make you buy it, only 25 dollars. The link to it is here.
The next option is going to be for the couples that are on a budget. We’ve found the Arctic Extreme (check it here), a 2 pack of quality neck warmers. They are made from fleece so they will keep your neck very warm and comfortable.
However, it can irritate your skin and it fits a little lose, but for 17$ it is definitely worth it. Don’t take my word, you can also visit the review section on Amazon. It has a 4.4 review rating, with a lot of happy customers that use this for both snowmobiling and everyday use.
Conclusion
Both neck braces and neck warmers are very important pieces of equipment when snowmobiling. Combined, they can create a very safe, comfortable and warm environment for your neck. Just make sure you choose the quality and useful products adapted to your region’s weather and your snowmobiling ride style. Which products do you use and why? Have you ever been in a situation where those 2 saved or made your life a little easier?