Backpackers need products that can fill mutiple roles. Why carry two or three seperate items, when one, can do everything you need? Introducing the Mutlitool! Made from Polartec Alpha Direct fabric, this neck gaiter is a fantastic neck gaiter, but wait... its a balaclava, and a perfect beanie too. That is some crazy functionality for a product that weighs one ounce or less! Check out my video above on how I use this piece of kit.
For beanie mode, turn the gaiter inside out, pull into your head until the bottom edge is right where you like it. Twist the remaining fabric one full rotation, then reflect the top half down over the bottom half. BAM! And it can just stay in that mode for as long as you want. What's also fantastic about this is, you are doubling up the fabric thickness so, 60gsm fabric becomes a 120gsm beanie. Even at 60gsm it's insanely warm.
Over your face, the breathability of Alpha Direct barely resticts the movement of air in and out of your lungs. Basically, it feels like you have nothing over your face but, you still get a ton of insulation out out of it.
Available in 60 and 90gsm weights.
The Multitool comes in two sizes:
S/M for head circumfrences 22.5 inches or less.
M/L for head circumfrences 22.5 inches or more.
**measure just above eyes and ears around thickest part of skull**
Weights:
60 gsm S/M 19 grams or .64 ounces
60 gsm M/L 21 grams or .75 ounces
90 gsm S/M 26 grams or .92 ounces
90 gsm M/L 28 grams or 1.02 ounces
The Multitool Alpha Gaiter
There is no care tag installed on this product, because I can't find a good place to put it that not annoying. But as with all Alpha Direct products, machine wash cool or cold, gentle cycle. No fabric softener or bleach. Tumble dry low, or air dry.
Reviews
I bought the magnet designs, multitool alpha buff. It’s surpassed expectations in quality. It’s super warm and there’s a million ways to wear it.
You know when you are toasty warm in your quilt but your face is so cold you cannot sleep? You cannot put you quilt over your head because condensation from your breath will collect and make you wet and cold. So you try putting a wool buff over your face, which stays warm, but is soon wet, too. Never again! Now you have the perfect solution- a neck gaiter made from Alpha Direct! You wear it over your face and you are warm, dry and breathing freely. Love it!
The Alpha Multi-Tool is one of my favorite pieces of gear on my 2025 PCT hike. I use it almost nightly as a sleep beanie during the cold Sierra nights. It also works great as a sleep mask when the moon is a spotlight into the tent at night. Pick one up when you order the Bend Alpha 90 Hoodie, great combo.
I only bought an alpha buff, so not the biggest purchase. But I’m really happy with it, it’s really well made and the sizing is just right. More impressively though, I received a partial refund because the shipping turned out to be cheaper than what I paid. Most sellers would probably just pocket the difference as profit, but these guys (this guy?) seems different!!
Awesome product. Cozy and VERY warm. I use it when running in the cold to cover my neck, chin, ears, top of head (without covering mouth/nose), an it is VERY warm given how aerobic running is. I’ll stick with my thin merino buff for >18F but this is great below that. Very soft too!