View Full Version : I discovered a new use for a Buff!!
pinkychique
03-25-2009, 02:33 PM
Ok, so I raced this last weekend in Havasu lake (can you say HOT??) and I got really really hot on the run part of the triathlon.
So I was doing research on the cool-collar thingys that have the gel inside them, trying to find an easy way to keep cool in hot races, and found a type that you put ice in (I bet you can see where I'm going with this).
So I thought why not roll ice cubes up in my buff?? And so I tried it and it is amazingly cold! As the ice melts, it just drips and helps cool you off more :D
It just flops right down onto your neck, and seems to stay put just fine.
Another reason why buffs rule. :D
Trekhawk
03-25-2009, 02:38 PM
Thanks for the tip!
It will come in handy when summer comes around these parts again.:)
tulip
03-25-2009, 02:39 PM
What's a buff?
jobob
03-25-2009, 02:45 PM
What's a buff?
More than you possibly ever wanted to know :)
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12488
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/SadieKate/Buff%20Orders/DSCF0016.jpg
Hey snap, where did the picture of Chloe in her buff go?
tulip
03-25-2009, 02:48 PM
I call that a neckwarmer. How would you put ice inside it? This has me curious.
pinkychique
03-25-2009, 02:54 PM
I kinda put the ice in a row, and started to roll the buff so that it made a kind of circular tube.
This is a buff:
http://www.buffwear.com/
They are so so useful.
Aint Doody
03-25-2009, 02:55 PM
Great idea! I use one in the winter to keep warm, but I can certainly see how you'd just roll up the ice cubes inside and pull it over your head. I'll be trying that for sure. Tulip, they're made of like a microfiber fabric. I love mine.
Karma007
03-25-2009, 03:00 PM
That is so cool! I love my buff, and use it almost daily.
jobob
03-25-2009, 03:11 PM
Now that my hair is shorter & I can't pull it back in a ponytail, I like to wear a buff under my helmet to keep my hair out of my eyes & to minimize the scourge of helmet hair.
A full size buff is a bit bulky now that the weather is getting warmer, but I cut one in half and the half-width one works great. The cut microfiber doesn't fray in the wash.
tulip
03-25-2009, 03:16 PM
I have a fleece neckwarmer that looks similar except thicker--too thick for the helmet. But I really like the idea of having one to wear under your helmet. I have a skull cap but the seams make terrible marks on my forehead.
Thanks for teaching me something new, everybody!
jobob
03-25-2009, 03:24 PM
anytime. :cool:
GLC1968
03-25-2009, 03:37 PM
Even if you don't have ice - a wet buff under the helmet (particulalry if you have short hair) is a welcome thing in the summer heat. :)
I cut my buff's in half, too...except for my AV one, of course. ;)
I thought you were gonna show us a photo of you wearing it as a tube top :rolleyes:
TrekTheKaty
03-25-2009, 04:52 PM
Love my buff! And cutting it in half, wetting it and loaded up with ice are great ideas :-)
snapdragen
03-25-2009, 04:59 PM
Hey snap, where did the picture of Chloe in her buff go?
Ask and you shall receive
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/snapdragen/Chloe/chloe_av-large.jpg
TrekTheKaty
03-25-2009, 05:25 PM
"Buff" Dog :-) I wonder if my cat will sit still for that?
Miranda
03-25-2009, 05:31 PM
I thought you were gonna show us a photo of you wearing it as a tube top :rolleyes:
Bawahaaa... Zen, I was kinda wondering myself where this "new Buff use" was going myself:p.
...A full size buff is a bit bulky now that the weather is getting warmer, but I cut one in half and the half-width one works great. The cut microfiber doesn't fray in the wash.
If this is of any help at all, they make a womens slim fit Buff. It's available on this web site link below. The womens slim fit Buff is the same size as the junior and less fabric than the original. I have all three sizes at my house. Well, and umm... original, polar fleece, fuzzy fancy polar fleece, junior, and slim fit womens.
http://buyabuff.com/
OH, I forgot my intro...
Hello, my name is Miranda and I'm a convert Buff-Aholic lol:p.
I hate hats of any sort. But, I will tell you wearing the Buff to spin class over the winter I don't even really need a towel in class anymore. They work great. Even though no one wants to be seen with me cuz I look like a goober-head wearing it. Well, except for my Buff loving groupie friends ;):D.
smurfalicious
03-25-2009, 05:38 PM
"Buff" Dog :-) I wonder if my cat will sit still for that?
Nope, that's no longer a "Buff" Dog it then becomes a "Purrito" Or hissing and scratching ball of fury, one or the other.
pinkychique
03-25-2009, 05:46 PM
That looks like a happy cat. :D
tulip
03-25-2009, 05:47 PM
How have I gotten through 41 years on this fair planet without ever having any contact with the glorious and infinitely usable thing that is a Buff?? That purrito is priceless. I wouldn't sleep well with that cat in my house after I put him in a buff.
jobob
03-25-2009, 06:58 PM
You'd never, ever want to turn your back on him, that's for sure.
tab123
03-26-2009, 03:24 AM
When our niece was about 5 years old, she had an accident at our house. While I was washing her pants, I gave her a Buff to wear as a skirt. Needless to say she had to keep that Buff. They are versatile!
gnarwhal
03-26-2009, 06:24 AM
We all have buffs, myself the other half and my son. My son is growing his hair and wears his like a headband to keep it back, my other half is balding and wears it to keep his head warm and i mostly wear mine pirate style or round my neck.
Seconding or thirding the suggestion of soaking them and putting them under your helmet on a scorching day...so so nice. If you have a spare one they make a nice wrist sweatband too. Or in a pinch a bandage...been there done that!
Duck on Wheels
03-26-2009, 06:48 AM
I saw the title of this thread and thought "How many ways can we come up with to use a Buff?" Here are a few more to add to the growing collection. Anybody willing to try out how well the Buff works as:
coffee filter?
powder puff?
filled with thick paint and used as a "blotter" gadget for painting with stencils?
tourniquet?
since it works for ice cubes, it should also work to hold a heat element for soothing sore muscles without burning your skin, right?
stretched over a frame to make a small box kite?
as a stretch bandage holding a couple of sticks in place around a broken leg or arm?
dropped hanky to test a gentleman's interest? (and which would work better for that, sweaty or clean?)
fly swatter (streeeeetch, and then snap!)?
emergency replacement bar tape?
group tour guide's follow-me flag?
fish trap?
OK. That's my dozen suggestions. Not all as good as the ice pack one. I'll definitely have a use for that come summer! Still, just as a challenge: How long can we make this list? And would the manufacturer reward us for it with buffs to match the new TE jerseys?
kfergos
03-26-2009, 06:54 AM
Goodness, how can I never have encountered this miracle item before? :eek: :D
Karma007
03-26-2009, 07:11 AM
I bring mine on every ride, every walk and to the gym, kind of like a boy scout. I may use it around my neck, on my head...if you tie one end off you can put found berries in it to carry home..
gnarwhal
03-26-2009, 08:11 AM
I bring mine on every ride, every walk and to the gym, kind of like a boy scout. I may use it around my neck, on my head...if you tie one end off you can put found berries in it to carry home..
If you're cycling in the woods and you find some yummy mushrooms you can tie an end off and stick them in and attach it to the handlebars so you don't get squished mushys when you get home. Done this so many times.
bmccasland
03-26-2009, 09:03 AM
Y'all are evIl - I just ordered 3.... remembered that I wanted a couple, as I have only the one that Duck on Wheels (?) sent me from Norway. So now I get to wait for the mailman to bring me my new ones in a couple of weeks (I didn't spring for FedEx :rolleyes:).
Got to admit, it didn't occur to me to chop it in half. And I'll have to try the ice cube trick when it gets hot.
Karma007
03-26-2009, 09:49 AM
Hey, at least they're more practical than snuggies...
wackyjacky1
03-26-2009, 10:07 AM
I "heart" my Buff. And now, thanks to Duck on Wheels, I really wanna make a box kite out of it....
Buffs to match the new TE jerseys would be flippin' AWESOME!!!
tulip
03-26-2009, 11:01 AM
Hey, at least they're more practical than snuggies...
I love my snuggie...
pinkychique
03-26-2009, 12:03 PM
Wow there are so many great ideas! I esp like the coffee filter one... :D
I'm nearly inseparable from my buff, so much so that it has a funk to it a lot of the time :rolleyes:
I am definitely going to get a couple more...
Yep, you have to. I have ... lemmesee... one full-length blue glacier-print one, one Mayan-print lighter blue one I've chopped in half, (those are my favourite winter ones), one full-length black one with yellow Chinese? characters (that's my Ninja one for pulling up and down over my face :p), one least-favourite dark green leaf-print one that I've cut a hole in for actually wearing over my nose all the time and one lovely orange brown Lascaux cave print one that I've cut in half (favourite autumn one). I guess that makes 5, or 7 if you're counting halves... :rolleyes:
I have a thing for the National Geographic ones, and have spent a while finding the ones I like.
Kalidurga
03-26-2009, 04:15 PM
I'm amazed at the number of outdoor stores that don't sell Buffs, and don't even know what they are. After explaining them to one local shop employee, I was told that they probably wouldn't carry something of the sort because it's not considered "technical" gear :rolleyes:
Selkie
03-27-2009, 01:28 AM
I have a big Buff collection and I'm always looking to add to it.
A while back, I asked TE to consider carrying Buffs. Hope TE reconsiders (hint, hint)
Trekhawk
03-27-2009, 03:04 AM
If this is of any help at all, they make a womens slim fit Buff. It's available on this web site link below. The womens slim fit Buff is the same size as the junior and less fabric than the original. I have all three sizes at my house. Well, and umm... original, polar fleece, fuzzy fancy polar fleece, junior, and slim fit womens.
http://buyabuff.com/
Oh my why did I read this post! Now I feel the need to add a slim fit buff to my collection.:eek:
bmccasland
03-27-2009, 04:57 AM
I'm amazed at the number of outdoor stores that don't sell Buffs, and don't even know what they are. After explaining them to one local shop employee, I was told that they probably wouldn't carry something of the sort because it's not considered "technical" gear :rolleyes:
Keeping my hair out of my face isn't "technical"?? But they'll sell hats, bandanas, sweatbands, balaclavas,... etc. I don't get it.
Thorn
03-27-2009, 06:23 AM
Psstt..Tulip...I was always riding with a buff in Tucson. I learned about them, of course, on here on TE--they keep my hair from taking on helmet vent defined mini-mohawks. Then I wear them so that the tail keeps the sun off my neck (I burn too easily).
Norse
03-27-2009, 07:34 AM
Darn you all. Now I have to order a couple. I have been looking for an alternative to my coolmax headbands, that don't look so great when I take the helmet off.
GLC1968
03-27-2009, 09:26 AM
You know what I think is great? That there are so many here who have never heard of buffs, or who learned of them on this site.
That means that so many of us TE gals don't watch Survivor! I love it! :cool:
I believe buffs became 'mainstream' after one survivor person wore one during a season and the following season, they all had them...or something like that. When I mention Buff to my non-cycling friends they look at me kind of funny until I call it the "stretchy bandana thing from Survivor" and a big old lightbulb goes off for them. Ugh.
I mentioned to Susan that I really want a TE buff with the 4 little logos all over it. :D How cute would that be?
Oh, and I'm a buff-addict too (only overshadowed by my wool issues). I've got 6 of them, 3 of which are cut in half....
deeaimond
03-27-2009, 09:31 AM
I have a lovely one, but i think my sister has spirited it away. I can't seem to find it anyway. I'll need to have it back now... hah. Problem is that if i wear it like a balaclava here, people think its a hijab... heh. hijab and tri-shorts do not mix. actually, it does make a good stylish sporting hijab, and stays up better than a regular bandanna. I should recommend it to my muslim girlfriends.
Norse
03-27-2009, 09:48 AM
You know what I think is great? That there are so many here who have never heard of buffs, or who learned of them on this site.
That means that so many of us TE gals don't watch Survivor! I love it! :cool:
Nope. Never watched Survivor, never cared too. ;)
Norse
03-27-2009, 09:51 AM
Question for you buff aficionados: my head is rather on the small side (I take a small helmet), do you think the one size fits all adult is ok or do I need to go with junior or medium? I would rather not as the selection for the smaller sizes is limited.
divingbiker
03-27-2009, 02:26 PM
Question for you buff aficionados: my head is rather on the small side (I take a small helmet), do you think the one size fits all adult is ok or do I need to go with junior or medium? I would rather not as the selection for the smaller sizes is limited.
I wear a small (women's size) helmet, and use a regular buff. It's probably a bit looser than the junior would be, but fits fine.
ZooZoo
03-27-2009, 03:00 PM
Love this idea! I just ordered two for my STP ride in July.
Miranda
03-27-2009, 04:23 PM
Question for you buff aficionados: my head is rather on the small side (I take a small helmet), do you think the one size fits all adult is ok or do I need to go with junior or medium? I would rather not as the selection for the smaller sizes is limited.
I wear a small (women's size) helmet, and use a regular buff. It's probably a bit looser than the junior would be, but fits fine.
Here's part of my Buff wardrobe...
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg230/rotarydial/IMG_2664.jpg
My head is 54cm around. Both of my helmets are Giro size small.
This pic above shows three different listings of Buff sizes (through two measure the same).
The black skulls are a "junior" or youth size. This one actually was a a "boys". But bought as a gift for DD my "ToyBoy":cool:. The Cheetah print is a "womens slim fit" (same size as junior). And the pink princess crowns is an "original" size Buff. The pink was a Terry exclusive print last year. I bought the pink Buff (my first one) at Terry's half off end of year sale. I went back to get the matching jersey but it was sold out then:(.
Atm Terry doesn't have any exclusive prints this year. Just the same ones you can get on the Buff site. REI also sells a few Buffs. I might be using my Spring REI rewards points on another Buff purchase:rolleyes:. I think maybe as many peeps didn't know about Buff that shop Terry??? Cuz both the exclusive prints were getting cleared out. Versus I assume selling out. Too bad. I learned about Buffs on TE:D.
HOWEVER... I think with the "In The Buff Know" Clan here at TE a matching Buff to a TE jersey could sell ok??? I know I would buy it;).
It's just hard to say if original is best. Or womens slim fit. Both Buffs will stretch out some with wear. Nothing in a bad way though. Like it becomes unwearably-lose (is that a word even?? well, you get my drift I think).
With my head being smaller, I would not want to be wearing the original Buff for any high impact activity. It would not hold my hair snug enough to my head I think (long hair past collar bone, btw). I would want the Buff tighter. I personally have never worn it under my helmet. Can't comment there.
Btw, the Original Buff is approximately 2-2.5cm wider than the womens or junior and 5-6cm longer. Thus *approximately*... Original 25cmX50cm, and womens(juniors) 22.5cmX45cm. FWIW... Buff sizing book report concluded lol.
Signed,
Miranda "Techy-Gear-Geek-It-Out-Goddess"
(at my shopping cyber friends service :p)
TxDoc
03-27-2009, 05:12 PM
Y'all are evIl - I just ordered 3....
Agree, y'all are very evil ;)
I had never heard of a buff before reading this thread, and now I have buffwear open in the other window and I'm having a great time shopping :D
Norse
03-28-2009, 11:39 AM
I decided to order one regular and one women's slim fit and see what works best. Several other designs look like they need to become a part of my head wardrobe!
Softie
03-28-2009, 12:16 PM
Lol. I did the same. Buff window is open right over here ---> I've been thinking WOW I would have loved that backpacking a few years ago (to get wet and cover head, cover face from dust, etc)! but I'm sure biking around here it will also be great.
redrhodie
03-28-2009, 03:01 PM
I was in the lbs the other day, and I was telling them what I wore riding that cold day, and one of the master racers guys didn't know what a buff was. Such a newbie, I tell ya.
Selkie
03-29-2009, 02:58 AM
Sahalie.com also carries buffs and has a couple "exclusive" prints.
Flybye
03-29-2009, 07:14 AM
I am curious about buffs for those with long hair. I ordered one and just can't seem to get it to fit with all of my hair (long almost to my bra strap in back).
Any tips?
Miranda
03-29-2009, 07:49 AM
I am curious about buffs for those with long hair. I ordered one and just can't seem to get it to fit with all of my hair (long almost to my bra strap in back).
Any tips?
Hmm, hopefully someone else will chime in too on this.
Well, my hair was about to my bra strap, but I didn't have the Buff then. Now, it's about where my collar bone is pulled around front.
I take my hair and put in it a single ponytail in the back first. Then, I pull my Buff up like a big headband/cap thing. My hair is baby fine and thin though. Maybe that makes a diff?
Could you put it in a ponytail, then wrap the ponytail like a bun with a second band... then put the Buff on to hold it all in and absorb sweat etc.?
DD's hair is baby fine but almost to her waist. She just leaves it hang out the back of the Buff, or a ponytail like mine.
blackhillsbiker
10-11-2009, 07:23 PM
So... this is an old thread but I just discovered one of these today at Eddie Bauer. I saw one on a biker I passed the other night. I was just thinking I wish the microfleece shirt I stole from MDH had a turtleneck because I was getting a draft. I got a gray one because I had to get the tie-dye one for one of my 16-year-old daughters. She saw it first.
Deb
KnottedYet
10-11-2009, 07:28 PM
I have a buff, and I'm also quite happy with this from right here on TE: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodIB_808.html
Probably I use the Ibex more than the buff.
blackhillsbiker
10-11-2009, 07:31 PM
I have some nice shawl-weight merino wool. I might have to knit one of these. Or maybe finally finish the moebius I started.
Deb
jobob
10-11-2009, 08:59 PM
I was just thinking I wish the microfleece shirt I stole from MDH had a turtleneck because I was getting a draft. Veering a little off topic, Smartwool used to make wool headbands that imho work great as neck gaiters - they're narrower than standard neck gaiters and so don't bunch up around my neck, but keep my neck warm and the drafts out.
I don't see them on TE anymore so perhaps Smartwool stopped making them? That'd be a shame.
silver
10-13-2009, 04:15 AM
Now that my hair is shorter & I can't pull it back in a ponytail, I like to wear a buff under my helmet to keep my hair out of my eyes & to minimize the scourge of helmet hair.
A full size buff is a bit bulky now that the weather is getting warmer, but I cut one in half and the half-width one works great. The cut microfiber doesn't fray in the wash.
Ditto, I've cut most of mine in half. 2 for the price of one! And I love the headband style too!
Biciclista
10-13-2009, 06:18 AM
hm, REI has wool buffs. Maybe i'm going to break down and get one!
Becky
10-13-2009, 06:45 AM
hm, REI has wool buffs. Maybe i'm going to break down and get one!
I checked one out last week- they're really nice!
Now if only they came in the junior/womens "slim fit" size :(
Cataboo
10-13-2009, 06:47 AM
Veering a little off topic, Smartwool used to make wool headbands that imho work great as neck gaiters - they're narrower than standard neck gaiters and so don't bunch up around my neck, but keep my neck warm and the drafts out.
I don't see them on TE anymore so perhaps Smartwool stopped making them? That'd be a shame.
I bought some kids smartwool neck gaiters last year at REI - I've been using them as headbands/gaiters.
I keep losing track of them though.
Biciclista
10-13-2009, 06:55 AM
I checked one out last week- they're really nice!
Now if only they came in the junior/womens "slim fit" size :(
are they huge and baggy?
Kalidurga
10-13-2009, 07:17 AM
I bought some kids smartwool neck gaiters last year at REI - I've been using them as headbands/gaiters.
I keep losing track of them though.
They're probably all in the bottom of that ginormous backpack of yours ;)
Cataboo
10-13-2009, 07:20 AM
They're probably all in the bottom of that ginormous backpack of yours ;)
ha.
The thing is I have 3 or 4 of those ginormous backpacks. One that stays packed for hiking, two for biking (one hangs out at R's house), and one drybag for kayaking. One pannier for commuting. and whatever hangs out in my car.
Looks like summit online still has the smartwool neck gaiters, least it showed up when I did a search on amazon.
Becky
10-13-2009, 07:26 AM
are they huge and baggy?
They're the same size as the regular adult Buffs. For me, the adult ones are too big, so I buy the womens/juniors. But I have a tiny head and face, so don't use me as an indication...
Tuckervill
10-13-2009, 04:45 PM
I bit the bullet and cut my favorite buff into three parts. One half, one 2/3rds of a half and then the 1/3rd. I use the 1/3rd more than any of the others.
I was really afraid I'd regret it, but so far, no.
Karen
blackhillsbiker
10-13-2009, 05:27 PM
I'm really liking mine, and it does help combat the lovely helmet vent hairstyle I've been sporting lately. One of my 16-yr-old daughters talked me into getting one for her, too. She just left wearing it as a headband. She's growing her hair out and has a tough time keeping it out of her face when she runs (she and her twin run cross-country for their high school).
Deb
Starfish
10-14-2009, 12:25 PM
I kinda put the ice in a row, and started to roll the buff so that it made a kind of circular tube.
This is a buff: http://www.buffwear.com/ They are so so useful.
Wow, the demo video on that site is pretty amazing. I knew a few ways to fold and wear these, but not all they show. Cool! :)
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