It’s amazing the difference a good windblocker can make during a long, cold ride.
There’s nothing worse than a blast of frigid air down the front of your jacket on a cold morning. No matter how much you tighten the closure at your neck, there always seems to be a hole just waiting to send some unwanted air conditioning your way. Up until now, my solution has been to wear a fleece neck tube with my jacket closed over on top. Unfortunately, fleece doesn’t block all the wind and its bulk makes head turns difficult.
I happened to stumble across a Bikers Comfort In Action Wind Tube during my recent visit to Cycle Parts in Eugene. I purchased one out of necessity, as I foolishly left my fleece tube at home and was facing a very chilly ride back to Corvallis. How’d it do? Read on to find out!
Product Information
Manufacturer: Bikers Comfort In Action
Model: Wind Tube
Size: Small
MSRP: $20.00 USD
Manufacturer’s Description
Pull-over 1-piece tube design. Protects lower face and neck from the cold wind. Gore Windstopper fleece eliminates wind chill. Water-resistant, all weather material. SM: 54-56mm; MD 58-60mm; LG 62-64mm
First Impressions
The Bikers Comfort In Action Wind Tube is a triangular piece of material reminiscent of a bandanna folded in half, bandit-style. The Wind Tube is secured with hook and loop at the back of the neck. Elastic sewn into the upper edge holds the material in place under the nose. The elastic is stretchy enough to allow the wearer to pull the tube over their head to put it on or take it off, a convenient time saver. When worn, the front of the tube extends from just below the nose to approximately six inches below the neck. The bandanna-like cut of the Wind Tube means there is little coverage on the back of the neck aside from the closure.
The Wind Tube is made of genuine Windstopper fabric, thinner than fleece but slightly thicker than t-shirt material. The outer-facing side feels like soft-shell jacket material while the skin-facing side features a softer, fuzzy-feeling material. Close inspection of the sewing revealed no obvious defects. The stitching is neat and all seams are sewn flat.
Wind and Weather Resistance
As a windblocker, the Wind Tube performs very well. It’s amazing the difference a good windblocker can make during a long, cold ride. The less outside air can get in through the neck, the more warm air can remain trapped inside the jacket and insulating layers. As someone who lacks a lot of padding, anything I can do to keep my core temperature up is a good thing.
I’ve ridden on rainy days while wearing the Wind Tube and it’s water resistant as advertised. However, an extended ride in a torrential downpour is probably going to overwhelm the capabilities of the Wind Tube. It’s just not designed for that kind of riding. Bikers Comfort In Action offers other products suited to a variety of riding conditions, including the “Bike Pit,” a variation of the Wind Tube that offers full coverage over the front and back of the neck, and a full balaclava. If bad weather riding’s your thing, they’re definitely worth considering.
Comfort
The Wind Tube is surprisingly comfortable. I wear it under a full face helmet and it’s all right even with the helmet strap cinched down on top. The bottom edge of the tube is long enough to be worn inside my jacket, and there doesn’t seem to be any bunching of fabric. In addition, the fuzzy material of the tube feels pleasant against the skin and the flat seams prevent chafing. Best of all, the Wind Tube is thin enough that I don’t feel like I’m wearing a neck brace while wearing it. Full head checks are easy again.
Summary
If you often ride in colder temperatures but have never tried a neck warmer, run out to your favorite gear shop and pick one up pronto. The Bikers Comfort In Action Wind Tube is great at blocking wind and light rain, thin enough to remain comfortable, and light enough to tuck into a saddle or tank bag before any trip. It would make an excellent addition to your gear collection.
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Dang! I had to look around to make sure I was in the right spot. I’m not used to being in such classy places. Nice new decor.