A Buff is a tube of soft and elastic polyester microfibre (coolmax) fabric that is without seams or hems.
A Buff can be used in many different ways:
- Bandanna / ultralight cap
- Sun protection for head, face, ears and neck
- Ultralight neck gaiter (e.g. protect from wind chill, soak in water to keep cool)
- Face mask
- When riding a bike or motorbike (e.g. keep bugs out of your mouth, cold wind/rain off your face)
- Running / cycling in cold conditions
- To keep wind out of your ears
- To keep dust out of your mouth
- Cover eyes when sleeping
- Wristband
- Headband (keep sweat out of your eyes)
- Hair tie
- Towel or hankerchief (in a pinch)
- Water strainer pre-filter
Specifications:
Coolmax is a polyester fibre blend with many useful properties:
- Moisture wicking
- Lightweight
- Fast drying
- Soft
- Breathable
- Machine washable
- Durable
- Resistant to fading, shrinking and wrinkling
- Thin enough that you can breathe through it
Original Buff
- 53 x 24.5cm
- 35g
- Polyester (coolmax)
- No seams, hems
- Many designs
Naturehike scarf
- 50 x 25cm
- 37.5g
- Polyester (coolmax)
- No seams, hems
- 9 designs
Pros
- Same material and essential design as the Buff - but much cheaper
- Suitable for both men and women
- 9 designs
- Less branding (Buff has 4 logos on it)
Cons
- Edges seem to naturally roll up (same as the Buff)
- Edges may fray over time as there is no hem (same as the buff)
- Design doesn't show on the inside (same as the Buff)
- Slightly smaller length than the Buff
- One size only
- Buff treated with 'Polygiene' for odour resistance - unsure if the case with the Naturehike
- Not as many designs as the Buff
- Top and bottom edges appear hand cut (not a perfect line) - not critical to usage however
- Perhaps uncomfortable for people with thick necks / large heads - could stretch it out on a basketball perhaps
- Not available in other specialised Buff versions (UV protective, insect shield, merino)
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| Designs 1-3 |
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| Designs 4-7 |
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| Designs 8-9 |
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| How to wear a buff |
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