Sometimes it’s the simplest and most unassuming garments that make the biggest difference when cycling, especially through the cold winter months, and so it is with Rapha’s Winter Collar.
A lot of jerseys and winter jackets don’t have collars long enough to stop the neck from getting a chill on cold days, and this area can be tricky to keep warm. Rapha launched the Winter Collar this season to solve the problem by insulating the neck from wind chill.
Made from soft Merino wool, its length and the material’s stretch are generous enough to allow it to be pulled up over the face, or even up over the ears, when first embarking in the cold crisp air of the morning. It has a slight tapered shape and the cut is angled so it fits nicely around the neck.
It was one of those “we didn’t realise how useful it would be” items until I started wearing it and I pretty much haven’t stopped wearing it since the temperature in the UK plummeted into the sub-zero region.
Those looking for something with a bit more versatility might find a Buff-style garment more suitable, but if you want purely an alternative neck scarf, Rapha’s Winter Collar fits the bill.
You don’t have to opt for the pink as I tested; red and black are also available. One size fits all, £25.
