I stand by my statement that the BUFF is the most versatile piece of travel gear that you’ll ever own and should be in everyone’s backpack or suitcase. This is a full BUFF Headwear review to prove my case.
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How to get the best deals in travel
- Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page.
- Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes.
- Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
- Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature?
- Insurance – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance.
I was first introduced to BUFF wear in 2000 with the premiere of a show you might’ve heard about, called Survivor. They seemed like interesting accessories but initially they seemed more like fun memorabilia for fans of the show.
A good friend of mine bought my first Survivor Buff in 2010 and that collection has only grown to include ones from additional seasons, the Polar Buff, and non-Survivor Buff Headgear.
BUFF Headwear Review
I swear by the original BUFF Headwear but why is that? Let’s break down my affinity of this small little travel accessory with a full review of BUFF Headwear.
Versatility
This is the number one reason why having BUFF Headwear in your travel kit is a no-brainer.
First of all, you can wear the BUFF in so many different ways so off the bat, just as a piece of headwear, you can manipulate it to whatever scenario you’re in.
Out of the above ways you can wear it, I’ve personally found that having it as a wristband, neckerchief, and sahariane.
As a wristband, this makes sure the BUFF is always on you so you can transform it into something else when you need to. As a wristband, it’s also great to wipe sweat off, similar to those tennis bands.
As a neckerchief or scarf, I’ve used it in colder temperatures to stay warm or to cover my neck from intense sun.
Lastly, the sahariane is a quick way to get sun protection when you don’t have a hat with you. In intense heat, you can also soak it in water to keep you cool. It also gives some protection on your neck.
In a post-COVID world, BUFF Headwear is also a great mask as well. In the past, I’ve used it in extremely dusty and sandy environments while travelling.
Occasionally, I’ll turn into a pirate too.
I’ve also been able to use BUFF Headwear in more non-traditional situations:
- Wipe off raindrops from your camera lens (the photo on the left shows me holding a BUFF, ready to wipe off water droplets)
- Wrap around your camera body and lens if it starts to rain just to give it some additional protection
- Wrap around any sort of tech gear that doesn’t have its own bag inside a backpack for protection
- As a cloth, wiping down something in an emergency
Lastly, I’ll mention that it’s one size fits all so you don’t need to worry about that and it’s unisex as well! This is a true mandatory piece of gear that belongs in the minimalist travel packing tips.
Construction & Quality
Today, there are so many knock-off versions of BUFF Headwear but none are able to replicate its high level of quality.
What makes BUFF Headwear special is that it is a complete loop of fabric. There are no seams at all which is why it’s so durable. Copies are easily spotted when you can find stitching to close the loop.
The tubular loom requires unique technology and BUFF Headwear is also able to maintain higher quality by constructing a majority of their BUFFs in Spain.
The material itself is a micro-polyester which has these important qualities:
- Quick to dry
- Offers heat retention
- 4 way stretch
- UPF 50+ protection
- Made from recycled plastic bottles
In feel, it’s close to athletic quick-dry clothing but has more of a fabric quality to it as opposed to synthetic polyester.
You’ll find that the BUFFs is extremely comfortable and much of that is because of the quality of the material but also how easily it stretches in all directions.
BUFF Headwear in Travel
So far we’ve talked about two of the important pieces that make BUFF Headwear so good but if we narrow it down to travel, why should you pick one up?
- Useable in all 4 seasons
- Extremely lightweight and packable
- Easy to wash and quick to dry especially with hand-washing technique.
- Will not rip, over-stretch, or create lint balls
- So many uses (as actual headwear or emergency uses)
All the different types of BUFF Headwear you can buy
BUFF has grown its collections over the years where you’ll find that not only is there the Original but many other types.
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of BUFF Headwear available.
- Original – The tried and true. As headwear or neckwear, this is the one to get if it’s your first one or not sure what to buy. It’s good for all 4 seasons and useful all around.
- Coolnet UV+ – For those wanting to use it in summer environments, this has more of a “cooling effect” that’s designed to transfer sweat away from your skin and into the evaporative cooling fabric.
- Merino Wool – For colder climates, the merino material will help insulate more warmth although its categorized as “all season”.
- Thermonet – By using Primaloft, this provides warmth without the bulk of say wool.
- Polar Buff – I own this one and this is great for snow sports as it has a fleece layer on the bottom side of the tube.
- Reversible Polar – This is a double sided BUFF with the standard microfiber on one side and fleece on the other.
- DryFlx – Ultra lightweight neckwarmer for high intensity activities that can cover your whole head.
- Bandana – Created for the winter as well but has ventilation holes for your mouth to help with breathing.
- Balaclava – BUFF’s take on the balaclava with full head protection and designed to fit under a helmet and goggles.
Where is the best place to buy Buff Headwear
BUFF Headwear is one of those things that you’ll see randomly in sports stores and sometimes souvenir shops
The official BUFF store will always carry the most extensive collection and carry a good amount of stock. Their website is significantly improved and region specific now. The only problem is that free shipping only kicks in after $50 so it may not be worth it unless you’re buying many items.
Your local sports retail store will often carry this. In Canada, you’ll find them at Sportschek and Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Another great place to look for BUFF Headwear is on of course Amazon. You can find the Original BUFF, Polar BUFF, Coolnet UV+, and Merino. The choices may be a bit more limited and you have to navigate around third-party sellers but you can easily bundle an order with your other everyday purchases to save on shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do the Original BUFF Headwear cost?
They range from $20-$30 USD.
Can you machine-wash the BUFF?
Yes, you can.
If it’s my first BUFF, which one should I buy?
The best all-purpose BUFF is still the Original BUFF Headwear. You can’t go wrong and they have a ton of designs to choose from.
Should I consider other brands that sell similar products?
There are many brands that have copied BUFF and if you’re not too picky on quality, I’d say all of the non-seam BUFFs are honestly not that bad. That said, if you want the best quality and benefit of customer service, you’re better off paying $5-$10 more for the real deal.
Can you create custom BUFFs?
Yes, BUFF Headwear offers a custom option but these are typically for large order and corporate projects.
I bring my BUFF Headwear everywhere I travel to. I’ve lost a few along the way and bought many more so you can tell how much I value them. If you don’t have one, give it a shot and you’ll understand why!
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.
Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.
Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.
Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.
eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.
- AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
- Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
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- Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
- Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.
- HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 15% discount (from June 19-29)!
- RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
- SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
- Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
- InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
Buff was on my ‘to buy’ list for a really long time, but I never got around it, until I finally requested it as a Xmas present this year, so hopefully I will end up with one tomorrow. They really are super versatile, and if you are trying to keep your luggage weight to bare minimum, stuff like buff are always very useful!
I have never really considered a buff as a travel accessory. But it does make a lot of sense. I usually carry a Cambodian Krama, a sort of scarf that doubles as a bandana and other things. With the crazy freezing air con temperatures of a lot of asian busses it is really useful. I can see how the Buff can be even more versatile, and I really like that it is quick drying.
Thanks Espen! I’ve actually converted a bunch of friends to the Buff and they love it! Check it out for your next trip! :)
Designed to be the perfect base layer that provides comfort and light.
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how so much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!