UV Half Buff – review

“Disclaimer: I received the UV Half Buff to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

What is a UV Half Buff? It’s a multi-functional, stretchy, tube of fabric; which can be worn as a head band, neckerchief or fashion accessory, all why absorbing sweat and protecting you from the sun. You can check out all the technical specs at www.buffusa.com

After I found out I would have the opportunity to review this product, I had to choose a color. I don’t really care to match when I am out training, so my first choice was a really colorful Buff, however it was out of stock, so I went with my second choice, Lumirama.

In the mean time as other pros were receiving theirs, it was fun to see which patterns they chose, and to see who wore it better, a Buff-off was introduced. I even got in on the fun and had a little photo shoot of my own.

I finally had the chance to wear mine. I wore it at an evening race, the Moonlight Chase. I prefer to wear something with a visor in the sun, to protect my eyes as I do not wear sunglasses. I scrunched the fabric around my head in a head band style. It was a hot, humid race, there was a lot of sweat. The Buff absorbed a lot, but it didn’t completely prevent it from dripping in my eyes.

To be honest, I am not sure anything can prevent sweat from getting in my eyes, sweat always forms below my forehead. However I found a solution on my second run, the sweat swyper!

My second run, I discovered a few things. The Buff helps keep short hair under control, it’s easy to wipe sweat and push back on your head, and I needed to wear it lower on my forehead to prevent most sweat from getting into my eyes.

As you can see it soaks up a lot of sweat

How do you care for it? Well reaching out to the very active twitter handle @Buff_USA, I got an answer. I was concerned about putting this in a washing machine. (please air dry)

In between washing, I just throw it in the shower after a run.

By this time I had been adding the Buff to my runs as a head band, hair control, or sweat swyper. It even helped hold a $5 I found on the run, while checking out RAGBRAI in my town.

I thought I would also try running with my Buff around my neck, just to have it along to wipe sweat, and it would help protect the back of my neck from sunburn. It did get really wet, but it was easy to have on hand to wipe the sweat from my brow. This would also be a good way to wear it, if you could dunk it in water as you ran to keep cool.

On another note, about the construction of this product, there are no seams. Actually there are no stitches, the edges are raw and do not ravel. It’s a very soft piece of fabric.

I have really enjoyed trying out the Half Buff, I keep looking at the site to purchase an Original for winter as I can see endless possibilities protecting my neck, ears and head not only while running, but at football games.

There are also a lot of other great products too, hoodies, baclavas, pet buffs, wool buffs, insect repellent styles, scarves, even a bandana. (perfect for a color run, to protect your lungs from the color) If you found a product you would like to try don’t forget to use code BIBRAVE10 to save 10%.

If my running around hasn’t convinced you to try one for yourself, the website link to the FAQ’s might help or you can check out what the other Pros had to say:

Heather – Jessica – Amy – Emily – Laura – Jenny – Jeremy – Sarah M – Laura M– Bonnie – Haley – Erin – Katie – Danielle – Erica – Christine – Kim – Brenda – Brandon – Rachel – Caroline – Elizabeth