【RAL】Merino Neck Warmer

2023/12/12 木村まさし

We've received a lot of great feedback on our RAL Merino L/S Tee, and since it’s been working so well, we decided to make a neck warmer out of the same fabric.

If you already own the long-sleeve tee, you’ll know how comfortable it feels against the skin, so we highly recommend this. We’re also planning to release a short-sleeve version next year, so if you’ve been wondering, "What’s the deal with RAL merino wool?", this is a great, light way to give it a try.

People stay comfortable when they keep their necks, wrists, and ankles warm, and this item is designed to keep your neck area cozy. (Oh, and our RAL Tabby socks are great for your ankles!)

The neck warmer features a slightly tapered design.

Please wear it with the narrower end facing your face.

We’ve attached a tag to the bottom so you can tell which side is which.

Available in one size and three colors!

It’s a perfect companion for your winter rides.

As mentioned below, the material is a blend of 52% Merino Wool and 48% Polyester (COOLMAX®).

Compared to 100% synthetic fabrics, the material itself offers great temperature regulation and a superior feel against the skin, so you won't get that "tired" feeling even after wearing it for a long time. It’s a fabric that combines the comfort of wool with the functionality of COOLMAX® to provide both warmth and moisture-wicking capabilities.

What is Merino Wool?

I wrote this in the L/S tee entry, but here’s a quick recap of the material.

Here are the features of Merino wool:

Merino wool is the hair of the Merino sheep and is considered one of the highest-grade wool materials. It excels in moisture absorption, heat retention, and antibacterial/deodorizing properties.

The characteristics of Merino wool are as follows:

High moisture absorption: It absorbs moisture from your skin and releases it into the air, keeping you feeling cool.

Fine fibers: It is soft, supple, and gentle against the skin.

High heat retention: It protects you from the cold outside air.

Water-repellent fiber surface: It is resistant to getting cold from sweat.

Antibacterial: It is difficult for bacteria to attach to it, so odors are less likely to develop.

Deodorizing: It is highly effective at absorbing and neutralizing unpleasant odors.

Soil-resistant: It is resistant to dirt, allowing it to be worn for many days without washing.

Excellent insulation: It keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Because of these functional properties, Merino wool is highly popular among outdoor enthusiasts and has become an essential item for outdoor leisure, especially in the fall and winter.
I used Google AI to write this.

Yup. It matches exactly what I know, so I just copied and pasted (easy way out).

I love how comfortable Merino wool is, but I wanted a bit more quick-drying ability. And it would be even better if it were more durable.

Asking for it all. The whole kit and caboodle.

After considering how to make that happen (this took the longest time), we concluded that using a blend of wool and COOLMAX® thread was the best approach.

As many of you know, what is COOLMAX®? When I asked the AI:

COOLMAX is a 100% polyester moisture-wicking fiber developed by DuPont in 1986. By absorbing sweat and dissipating it quickly, this fiber keeps you cool and dry.

COOLMAX draws moisture away from the body through capillary action, causing it to evaporate. Rather than the material itself feeling cool, it keeps you cool by instantly wicking away moisture (sweat) from your body.

COOLMAX is a registered trademark of The LYCRA Company, based in the U.S. It is favored by many sports and fashion brands.
I used Google AI to write this.

Yup. Matches what I know, so copied and pasted again.

So, with that, we hypothesized that this blend would be perfect, and decided on a thread composition of 52% wool and 48% polyester (COOLMAX®).

We chose a thread that is resistant to pilling, so the fabric looks great, too.

We hope you'll try out this Merino and COOLMAX® combination for yourself.