Not literally but close. My wife was unlucky enough to have her wisdom teeth play-up on our trip from the UK to South Lake Tahoe. She got the tooth sorted - thanks Dr. Genasci - but her jaw was really sore and painful. The icy blast of winter air on her jaw threatened to ruin our trip. Luckily we spotted one of these gaitors at Alpine Meadows. She loved it and has worn it almost everyday skiing since. It is super-comfortable and just warm enough. For us, this item is now indispensable.

This is an OK gaiter for most all uses. It is very soft, and top smartwool quality. It lets a little too much air in for faster downhill skiing, but is great to wear around town.

I was pretty excited about this neck gaiter. Generally, I love Smart Wool. However, it was a bit of a disappointment. It wasn't exactly "warm." I would have rather had a scarf. Instead, it blocked the wind pretty well. However, the biggest disapointment was that it became very loose around my mouth and nose (when I had it pulled up over while hiking) and even looser when I pulled it back down around my neck. A little more warmth and a little more elasticity would have moved this 3 to a 5.

Warm, but not wind proof, better when layered over wool t-neck.

Best gaiter for the money. Awesome colors and smooth fit. All the girls in my family got one and love it. Beter than scarfs and less hassle. Fashionable and functional.

Not sure why some people are complaining about the gaiter not being warm enough or wind proof. I have worn mine 5 times so far this year. Easily warm enough and wind proof enough when it was 5 degrees with 50 MPH wind snowboarding down a hill. Wore it the other day when it was 50 degrees outside and sunny, was to warm, but that's expected. I will still more than happy to have it when it started to rain(yuk!). Bottom line, this is my MUST have now while snowboarding. I am actually going to buy one for my dad and another one in a different color for myself. Only cons I can think of are it's a little to warm for 45+ degree days and little fibers got in my mouth the first two days I used it. Hardly cons, especially when considered with all the advantages. Buy this thing!!! Also, smartwool is an awesome company from my little experience with them. Socks are are seconds to none!

I'm a big fan of merino wool products from Ibex, Icebreaker and Smartwool. This gaiter is so soft and warm I don't want to take it off when I get to work. I just wish it was tapered/shaped a bit, so that it would drape over the shoulder and create a snug fit. Overall, I am very happy and would recommend this gaiter.

I'm on my 2nd one - lost the 1st. I like the versatility of this gaiter. With the soft wool, when you pull it over your nose/mouth it doesn't get all wet from your breath. I like that you can pull if up over your head as a "topless" hat to keep your ears & head warm & vent out the top. I haven't had trouble with it stretching out. I like it for snowboarding b/c a scarf is too much fabric in the way.