SmartWool Balaclava - 2007 BCS

If I understand your question correctly, gaiters are worn around the ankles in conjunction with your boots & not on your face as a balaclava is.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaiters----------------------------------------A neck gaiter is also sold by smartwool, think the neck of a turtleneck minus the rest of the shirt. I'd say with smooth layers like this you COULD wear it with a neck gaiter (of similar thinness perhaps) over or under, but the ease of this will depend on the thickness of your neck.EDIT: I misunderstood the question--I'll say with the hole looking only big enough for the eye area you'd be stretching out that shape a bit to much to pop your head out it.**********************Long story short: NO. Go buy a real neck gaiter. They are between 10 and 20 dollars.

Hello there, This is SmartWool Customer Service. SmartWool is far from the itchy wool of yesteryear, SmartWool’s fibers are luxuriously soft. They come from New Zealand’s specially bred Merino sheep, whose super-fine fibers are as fit for pajamas as they are active-wear. Combine this with a production process that removes all itch and shrink and you get a layer you’ll never want to take off—even after the day’s journey brings you home.--------------------------I'll add a viewpoint from someone who doesn't work for SmartWool: if it's made from the same weave found in their long underwear than it won't be scratchy at all--and believe me, if there was going to be any scratchiness long underwear would let you know promptly!Thanks Bjornar.