12 Ear Warmers to Keep You Toasty Warm on Winter Rides
By now we’ve established that most unfavorable weather conditions—save for hurricane-force winds and relentless blizzards—are no excuse to skip a ride. Cold-weather apparel is available in everything from wind-blocking bib tights to insulated gloves. And there’s rain gear out there not just for your body but for your bike as well. But ride on a bitter, windy day with nothing protecting your precious ears and you might be soured by cold-weather cycling once and for all.
If you’re not the type who likes to stuff a cap or balaclava underneath your helmet, you’re not out of luck. An ear warmer (also called an ear band or headband) keeps the most sensitive part of your head warm with less affect on your helmet fit, and is a great option for days that start out cold but are forecasted to warm up. Bonus: They can also keep sweat from running down and stray hairs from tickling your face.
Here are 12 no-slip ear warmers—some offer more coverage than others, some are windproof, and most are fleece- or thermal-lined for added warmth. Pick one, because the last thing you want to feel while riding on a cold day is winter wind and chill whipping into your ears.
Voler Artico Headband
Made in California and priced to buy two
Price: $10
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We like this made-in-California thermal option because it’s so affordable, you can buy two and give one as a gift. The thin profile (not too thick, yet still warm) means it shouldn’t interfere with your helmet.
Pearl Izumi Barrier Headband
Ergonomically contoured cut equals good fit
Price: $25
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Pearl Izumi includes its P.R.O. Barrier front panel to resist wind and its P.R.O. Thermal Dry fabric on the sides to keep your ears warm. The headband’s ergonomically contoured cut helps ensure a good fit (and room for a ponytail), especially if you wear it underneath a helmet. There’s just enough elasticity to keep the Barrier snug around your head. A neon panel on the back increases visibility in low-light conditions.
Giordana Ear Cover
A Velcro closure makes this ear warmer super adjustable
Price: $30
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One of the fuller-coverage bands on our list, the Ear Cover shields your ears and most of your head. The entire ear band uses winter-weight SuperRoubaix material that’s stretchy with a brushed lining, and there’s an added layer of WindTex around the ears to keep wind and water out while letting sweat escape. This ear band has a Velcro closure, making it more adjustable than continuous bands.
Rapha Merino Headband
Super stylish on and off the bike
Price: $30
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This 100 percent merino wool ear band is stylish enough to wear off the bike, but it’s designed to fit under a helmet without adding bulk. Like the Giordana Ear Cover, this band offers fuller coverage to keep your ears and most of your head insulated.
Performance Ear Band
Fleece-lined and super stretchy
Price: $10
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This fleece-lined ear band is soft against your skin, and cut to fit comfortably under a helmet with extended coverage over the ears. A polyester/spandex blend fabric keeps wind out and heat in, and ensures a true-to-size fit. A reflective logo on the side adds visibility. And like the Voler Artico, the low price means you can stock up.
Terry Headband
When a plain black ear band just won’t do
Price: $24
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There’s more to the minimalist-looking Terry Headband than its fun “Big Wheels” pattern. The made-in-Italy ear band is wind- and waterproof, with contoured ear coverage and a Velcro-adjustable closure. And for women who like to coordinate their accessories with their clothing, there’s a matching Terry Strada long-sleeve jersey ($82).
VOID Headband
Lightweight, warm, and simple
Price: $16
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Mostly merino wool with a bit of Lycra in the mix, the stretchy and lightweight VOID Headband is warm and fast-drying. If you’ve never heard of VOID, it’s a Swedish company that started when one of its founders set out to fill the fashion void in the cycling industry.
Louis Garneau Wind Headband
One of the thicker ear warmers on our list
Price: $25
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This is probably one of the thicker ear bands on our list. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still fit comfortably beneath a helmet, says Louis Garneau. A DWR treatment keeps light drizzle off, and perforations on the sides promote airflow. One of the cooler details? It has a ponytail port on the back.
Smartwool PhD Training Headband
A minimalist, soft, no-slip option
Price: $30
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Soft merino wool on the inside keeps your skin warm. Polyester on the outside keeps undesirable weather where it belongs. And elastane throughout gives this band the stretch it needs to conform to your head and prevent slippage. The PhD is relatively minimalist in size and cut to cover just enough of your ears to protect them from wind.
Icebreaker Quantum Headband
Lightweight and thin, yet surprisingly warm
Price: $25
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Most online reviewers praised this headband for being at once light, thin, and very warm. Mostly merino wool with 2 percent Lycra for stretch, the Quantum fits easily under a helmet and has earflaps for added coverage. A reflective logo adds visibility.
Gore M Headband
Comes in neon yellow, if visibility is a priority
Price: $30
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One of the only ear warmers on our list that comes in colors other than black—hibiscus pink (shown) and neon yellow—the Gore M Headband has a Thermo lining, flat-lock seams (for comfort), and elastic binding to hold it in place.
Endura Thermo Headband
A DWR treatment keeps drizzle from working its way in
Price: $17.50
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Thanks to its Thermoroubaix fabric, the Thermo Headband is cozy and insulated, wicking sweat from your skin to keep you warm. A DWR treatment lets drizzle bead up and roll off. It’s cut to cover your ears and has a snug fit for under-helmet use.
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