Chapeau Merino Warmer

Chapeau!'s Merino Warmer is a simple way of keeping your neck or head comfortable, whatever the weather. Twenty quid is almost twice the price of synthetics, but it's still in line with comparable offerings from other brands. As well as keeping you warm in winter, the natural yarn's chameleon like qualities will also protect against sunburn and worse during hot weather.

Measuring 42x22cm, there's plenty of it, perfect for covering the nose and cheeks during bitterly cold days, without hampering breathing or turning soggy.

This, coupled with minimal bulk, means it doubles as a useful headscarf, whether worn on its own or beneath a helmet. Hair aside, I don't like my ears covered, but again the thin fibres offer protection from frosty starts or chilly descents without unwelcome bulk or impairing hearing.

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When the rains come, there's no escaping the fact that you'll get wet, but you will at least remain warm. And once the storms have passed, aided and abetted by a gentle breeze the Warmer will wick dry in under 20 minutes. These qualities translate perfectly to indoor trainer sessions.

You probably wouldn't want to forgo the 'sweat net' or old towel, but the Warmer's thin, silky fibres lap up your salty coolant before it can cascade painfully into the eyes.

Back round the neck, the Warmer's temperature regulating properties mean you can unzip thermal jerseys/jacket for additional ventilation when temperatures fluctuate mid ride without running the risk of catching a chill.

>> Check out our guide to keeping warm on crisp autumn days here

There's no danger of things turning the wrong sort of funky in between washes either. This will, of course, vary from person to person but it remained socially acceptable for 10 days despite a relentless diet of training, commuting and turbo sessions. Nomadic tourists will be pleased to note, a quick bucket and soapy water hand wash will suffice, but standard 40-degree machine cycles won't cause any dramas either.

If petrol blue and hot pink is a little too metrosexual for some of you, there's also a plain grey option. Either way, they're neutral enough for cycling, running, or just standing spectating at cyclo-cross and mountain bike meets.

Verdict

Useful garment with much wider horizons than winter riding