Gear Review | Buff UV headwear — Arizona Hikers Guide

Retails: $25

Company: Buff Headwear
Buff Headwear began with three things; a bicycle, a problem, and Joan Rojas.  Joan, the company’s founder and creator, was in search of a garment that could cover his head and neck and withstand the elements on his long cross country rides.  Using his knowledge of knitting and a little innovation Buff Headwear was born.

Since that time in 1991, this trend setting company has been pumping out crazy designed tubular headwear and hasn’t looked back.  It seems like every time I visit their website they are introducing a new Buff which is one of the coolest things about this company.  They have a Buff for just about any adventure you can think of! Don’t believe me? Check out their awesome product matrix to find a Buff that will do exactly what you need it to.

The company has literally dozens of styles, shapes, lengths, and functions. Here in Arizona we felt like the UV Buff and UV Headband Buff would be a perfect match since it’s purpose is to block those harmful rays.
The two products we tested:
Men’s UV Buff (msrp $25)
Women’s UV Headband Buff (msrp $15)

  • Blocks 95% of UV rays
  • Soft, breathable Coolmax® Extreme fabric
  • 100% seamless
  • 12+ ways to wear
  • Polygiene® Active Odor Control
  • Moisture-wicking
  • Thermal protection from cold & wind
  • Quick-drying
  • 2-way lateral stretch
  • One size fits all adults

Casi and I have owned the Original Buff headwear in the past and were really excited to get these UV Buff’s, which in full disclosure I had no idea existed until the product was referred to us! With that being said, once I caught wind that there was a Buff that had the potential to keep UV rays off my head and neck and thus keep me from having to put on nasty sunscreen I was all in. If you know me, you know how much I despise sunscreen so this product naturally became an instant favorite.
The UV protection comes from the highly technical composition of fabric, the tightness of the weave, color, finish, and other functions. This fabric is softer than normal microfiber and has the ability to block anywhere from 93% to 97% of harmful ultra-violet rays. This was the first thing Casi and I tested since this was the function that drew us to the product in the first place. After spending several  long days in the desert with these garments we can conclude that the UV Buff’s really do a good job at not only keeping out UV rays but also at wicking moisture away from our skin.
The other awesome thing we “tested” was all the cool ways to wear these things! Check out the video below on the 12+ ways to use your Buff;