Women’s BUFF Multifunctional Headwear

2019: My Year of the BUFF Multifunctional Headwear

By Katja Hurt

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Overview

Over the year (2019), I have had the privilege of trying out several BUFF products. My prior experience with BUFF’s renowned multifunctional headwear was pretty minimal–I think I owned one solid-colored BUFF piece that I used in the winter as a lightweight neck-warmer when I skied. It wasn’t until this year that I had my awakening to the many other uses of BUFF (check out their website for a dozen ways to wear your BUFF) AND I learned that they make other fantastic products beyond headwear! I am excited to share two of my favorite headwear products and stories with you from 2019.

BUFF #1: Women’s Multifunctional Headwear – Original

Just the Facts:

FEATURES

Simple, effective and infinitely adaptable. At its core is a moisture-managing microfiber fabric that is wind resistant and able to control odor. BUFF® Original Multifunctional Headwear can be worn more than 12 different ways, from a cap to a balaclava to a hair tie, for a personalized style and perfect fit.

BUFF® Original Multifunctional Headwear is engineered with a 4-Way, seamless, ULTRA STRETCH fabric construction that features UPF 50 protection, and 100% recycled REPREVE® Performance Microfiber. BUFF® Original Multifunctional Headwear is approved and recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation. Can be worn more than 12 different ways, from a cap to a balaclava to a hair tie, for a personalized style and perfect fit.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 100% recycled REPREVE® Performance Microfiber
• 4-way ULTRA-STRETCH
• UPF 50 Sun protection*
• Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation**
• Multifunctional – 12+ ways to wear
• 100% Seamless
• Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable
• One-size-fits-most adults
• Product Dimensions: (approx.) 20.5 (L) x 9 (W) inches
• Weight: 1.2 ounces

My Story:

I have been an outdoors-gal since the day I was born. However, my go-to style in the outdoors was anything but “girly” as I filled my closet with monotone dark and natural colors and avoided anything that enhanced my figure or could ever be defined as feminine. I was jealous of the bright colors and fun patterns that I would see on other women on the trails, but I didn’t know how to break out of my monochromatic norms and I lacked the courage to wear anything that made me stand out on the trails.

As I’ve entered my 30s and discovered that how I feel and what I think about myself is much more important than what anyone else might think or say, I have begun expanding my outdoor wear to include new, fun items. One of these was my first patterned BUFF Original Multifunctional Headwear piece and the courage to wear it as a headband as opposed to keeping it tucked away inside the collar of my shirt. For a self-professed tomboy who has lived several decades of trying to blend in with the environment, I now can’t stop smiling when I see myself in pictures sporting even this single patterned piece of outdoor gear. My BUFF has been with me on day hikes and scrambles all over Western Washington this summer and I have had a blast looking at the many other colors and designs on the buffusa.com website as the seasons change and I find myself dreaming about next year’s adventures.

Find it Here:

https://buffusa.com/shop-buff/women/multifunctional-headwear-category/original-family.html

What can be done better?

Nothing needs to be fixed from my perspective, so how about a wish: maybe this exists with other BUFF pieces, but I would love it if I could reverse the fabric and have two color options in one piece of headwear.

BUFF #2: Women’s Multifunctional Headwear – CoolNet UV+

Just the Facts:

FEATURES

Built for Ultimate Sun Protection – BUFF® CoolNet UV+® Multifunctional Headwear is 95% recycled – engineered with REPREVE® performance microfiber, HeiQ cooling technology, Polygiene® odor control and has a 4-Way, seamless, ULTRA STRETCH fabric construction that features UPF 50+ sun protection. BUFF® CoolNet UV+® Multifunctional Headwear is approved and recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation. Can be worn 12 different ways – from cap to balaclava, neck gaiter to hair tie – for optimal performance and protection, personalized style, and a perfect fit.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 95% recycled REPREVE® performance microfiber
• HeiQ cooling technology
• Polygiene® odor control
• UPF 50+ sun protection*
• Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation**
• 4-Way ULTRA STRETCH
• 12 + ways to wear
• 100% seamless
• Lightweight
• 95% REPREVE® Polyester made from recycled water bottles
• Product Dimensions: (approx.) 20.5 (L) x 9 (W) inches
• Weight: 1.2 ounces

My Story:

With a history of skin cancer in my family, I am usually pretty good about covering up and using adequate sun protection. The UPF protection from BUFF products and the recommendations from The Skin Cancer Foundation already have me leaning towards fandom. However, this summer I had a near-miss experience that now has me singing BUFF’s praises and recommending that everyone keep a BUFF CoolNet UV+ Headwear piece on their person for every adventure.

In August, I was asked to officiate a mountaintop elopement for a wonderful couple. They chose the Sunrise side of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State for their special day and we made plans for a sunrise service (because getting married in Sunrise at sunrise sounds amazing). This meant car-camping for a zero-dark-hundred departure. Setting out for a short (less than 3 miles) hike at 3:30 a.m., my sleep-deprived brain was only focused on layering for warmth and remembering my officiant notebook for the ceremony. I am ashamed to say that I failed to grab adequate sun protection–a mistake I realized later that morning as we hiked down the fully exposed trail and I felt the skin on my neck beginning to prickle as the strong UV rays beat down on me.

When we stopped for a short break so the couple could take photos, I dug into my bag in search of something to protect me from the sun. Tucked away in my always grabbed but seldom opened spare clothing bag, nestled between some wool socks and a beanie, I found the Coolnet UV+ BUFF that I had used once as a headband kayaking then forgot about as I was more excited by my other, more colorful BUFF (see above). Even without the helpful guide to the many uses of a BUFF Multifunctional Headwear accessory, I was able to play around with the BUFF and soon had an improvised balaclava that covered everything but my eyes. The HeiQ cooling technology feature was amazing, allowing me to keep my face fully covered in the blazing sun without causing me to sweat or experience any discomfort from the heat as we hiked along the ridges back to the parking lot. The material stretched where I needed it to and stayed in place without readjustments. I even found that I could pull the edge of the material forward enough to produce a small shade-providing brim to help protect my eyes as I set my sights on the distant car where my forgotten hat and sunglasses awaited me. You better believe that my BUFF CoolNet UV+ Multifunctional Headwear has a permanent place in my 10 Essentials and I will not leave the trailhead without it!

Find it Here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GR29GNF/ref=twister_B07GQWTSS2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://buffusa.com/buff-products/women/multifunctional-headwear/coolnet-uv/cru/119328.014

What can be done better?

Nothing comes to mind–but especially in this case, I am proudly biased to how awesome BUFF products are!

*UPF 50+
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) measures the amount of UV radiation that penetrates a fabric and reaches your skin. A fabric rated with a UPF of 50 will allow only 1/50th of the sun’s UV rays to pass through. In other words, it blocks 49/50ths or 98% of the UV radiation. UPF 50+ is the highest possible rating. Samples of fabrics have been tested for UV protection by LEITAT—Textile Technology Institute in accordance with the standard AS/NXS4399:1996 “Sun protective clothing–Evaluation and Classification.”

**The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends this fabric as an effective UV protectant only for covered areas.