Albion Zoa Burner Scarf review

Wearing a scarf while cycling might sound like an odd addition when riding but Albion believes it has a place and has created the Zoa Burner. It does add considerable warmth and is packable but there are still questions around whether it is as simple and as effective as other more common neck warmers.

Albion Zoa Burner Scarf - Fit & Sizing

The Zoa Burner Scarf is available in a single size measuring 130cm in length and 14cm in width in the choice of orange or black colours. The outer windproof Pertex Quantum material is very thin and light with Primaloft Gold Eco insulation. It feels light and slim and it packs into a pouch within the scarf. Uncompressed it is roughly the size of a tennis ball but it can be compressed further to roughly half that size. Albion claims it weighs 50g – our test scarf came in slightly less at 46g.

Albion suggests it is useable on- and off-the-bike, which is something shared with other garments in the Zoa range such as the Insulted Jacket and Rain Shell.

Albion Zoa Burner Scarf - Performance

With a few very cold snaps over winter, there have been suitable opportunities to test the Burner Scarf. Previous to using it I had never chosen to wear a scarf while riding and it did mean several stops on the first few rides to ensure proper positioning with suitable tension. On some rides, it would loosen which meant stopping to re-wrap it but it was fairly secure on the whole. With more rides, the initial setup started to improve but stops were still needed to adjust and put back into place.

What can’t be denied is the warmth it offers and, with good placement, you can stop all airflow to your neck and chest area giving incredible warmth even in the coldest temperature (the lowest temperature while testing was -5 degrees). For rides of higher intensities, it is likely to get too warm - even at very low temperatures - but it is breathable and during easy rides I had no build-up of moisture.

It is impossible not to compare the Burner against other more typical garments used for cycling, like a Buff or neck warmer and these are available in a range of materials, thicknesses, and levels of warmth. The Burner Scarf is warmer than any neck warmer I have used before but there are areas where it can’t compete. The biggest by far is the simplicity an elasticated neck warmer offers in the design and the ability to adjust the fit. They are also easier to get on and off, don’t need to be folded up and pack down very small.

A merino wool or thicker fabric nylon neck tube would come close to the Zoa Burner Scarf on warmth and they are much easier to use during rides. If you can get the fit right and reduce unnecessary stopping for adjustments on colder rides, the Burner Scarf can be fantastic.

Albion Zoa Burner Scarf - Verdict

The Albion Zoa Burner Scarf costs £35 and, while this is not cheap, when you consider the original Burner chest warmer which is half the size and still close in price at £30 – it represents far better value than initially thought. But compared to more commonly used neck warmers it doesn’t look so good.

Some Buffs are available for as little as £6 (a branded original Buff is £17) and both offer significantly more versatility with fit options. Thicker, and warmer merino wool neck warmers are available for around £15 to £25.

If maximum warmth is the main objective, the Zoa Burner Scarf could be a great option but the fit and placement can be frustrating and offers far less versatility than common elasticated neck warmers.