As the weather contines to cool, and I am spending more time outdoors, what I wear or carry changes. One of my most basic items is my scarf. This is no ordinary one thou. It is 100% lightweight wool, and measures 78"x20". It rolls up to the size of a pair of medium weight gloves. I bought it in Korea in 1983, and it has served me well. The functions it has provided are; headwrap, facewrap, pillow, seat cushion, hand muff, lap robe, blanket, shawl, and the list goes on and on. A fellow outdoorsmen saw what it was capable of doing and wanted one. We could not find the right size, so we went to a fabric store, chose the wool he liked, and one of the saleswoman told he where he could go to get the edges finished. I seldom see anyone using a scarf anymore, compared to their popularity as a youth. I post this with the desire that if you have not tried a large scarf, that you try it. You will find it to be the "bandana" of the winter.
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Scarves
- Thread starter jw2n
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I consider them a very useful item in winter, & a lightweight one in summer.
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Never had one like the OP, but I do use a surplus wool "tube" scarf.
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scarves are awesome!! last winter i used my surplus wool scraf a ton...mine is cylindrical and ive used it as a neckwear, also in lieu of gloves it can be used, i also slipped each end over my feet when sleeping, i also used it like you have.
i remember pitdog posting something similar but it was some sort of synthetic material. also a shmegmah (spelling) is similar.
i remember pitdog posting something similar but it was some sort of synthetic material. also a shmegmah (spelling) is similar.
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I would like to get a nice wool scarf for the winter to be sure. Until then, kaffiyas rule...and will in the summer anyway. 
I have a 100% wool scarf, about 72"x12". Not as large as yours, and I usually just wear it as a scarf.
Wearing a scarf makes a huge difference, though, in the amount of warm air that escapes my jacket, and I can pull it up to cover my face.
I'm definitely a fan of scarves :thumbup:
Wearing a scarf makes a huge difference, though, in the amount of warm air that escapes my jacket, and I can pull it up to cover my face.
I'm definitely a fan of scarves :thumbup:
Duncan's fondness for flowing scarves was the cause of her death in a freak automobile accident in Nice, France, on the night of September 14, 1927, at the age of 50.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isadora_Duncan
Scarves seem to be less popular from about the 1970's. When school busing of students
became more common in the 70's through 90's, predictably more kids got caught in the
bus doors, with things like parka hood strings.
I like wrapping the scarf around my neck when I am at rest; it makes a big difference.
When I am on the move, the scarf is actually too warm. Do not let the scarf flop around.
Scarves are also good as improvised face mask.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isadora_Duncan
Scarves seem to be less popular from about the 1970's. When school busing of students
became more common in the 70's through 90's, predictably more kids got caught in the
bus doors, with things like parka hood strings.
I like wrapping the scarf around my neck when I am at rest; it makes a big difference.
When I am on the move, the scarf is actually too warm. Do not let the scarf flop around.
Scarves are also good as improvised face mask.
ratamahatta
BANNED
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I used one the other night when camping, it's works great as an insulator around my neck when sleeping!
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My lady just took up knitting and is making me a scarf right now!
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Until then, kaffiyas rule...and will in the summer anyway.
That's what I use..I've folded mine so it's about 6" wide. Warmth isn't what it's for really, but it does seal up my neck against wind and isn't bulky. It has more applications than a basic wool/cotton/synthetic scarf also.
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Got a synthetic 'pashmina' (that's what it was called, even though it's not the finer spectrum of cashmere wool?) I use; relatively thin acrylic compared to a scarf, about 6'x2' dimensions. Would love an upgrade to wool vs acrylic, as I like to sleep next to a fire, and having it draped over my face raises concerns over sparks.
I mostly use it as a scarf nowadays in winter, and though generally preferred a fleece neck gaiter in the past due to packing size, it has become my equivalent of Lionel's 'security blanket', haha. As a scarf, I make sure the ends aren't flopping about, so stick in my coat to add some insulation about the chest; wish I could say I wrap it in a way that would allow it to just slip off, but while fast and easy to set, the fabric would fail before the wrap/loop. But, it has lots of others uses, as mentioned before; sizable pieces of fabric/material are mighty good for that! Sleeping out, I throw it over my face to cut down on exposure to cold or bugs, and to retain some humidity. Winter I bring a hat, but inbetween seasons it makes a serviceable head cover/hood/wrap, and is very adjustable/multi-purpose, unlike some very specialized gear available. Though far from necessary, it's made a cozy throw many a time for fair-weather naps!
Spent a month in India some years ago using a ridiculously thin cotton one, where I acquired my fondness for loose pieces of fabric. Everyone had one, and used it for everything from protection from sun and dust, bindle, or drying off, even clothing!, etc. Much more uses, as you can imagine a mass of necessarily resourceful folk might find use for.
Mors Kochanski talks about making one out of silk or parachute nylon, I think in his cold weather clothing video. He sews them in such a way, I think like a pillow-sack with some extra tricks, so that it has a few other handy uses, such as a liner or bivy, uhm, can't-remember, etc. I think he referred to it as his 'survival scarf' or the like. Kind'a reminded me of a super-duper aviator scarf; small, but unfolded and fluffed, lofts out nicely. One of the fun projects I'd like to try, if I can get access to a sewing machine!
'Scarves', in one fashion or another, definitely get the thumbs up from me. OP said it very well, 'the bandanna of winter'! I think of them as various pieces of fabric, more or less in differing weights/dimensions, and they can just about always be used for something!:thumbup:
I mostly use it as a scarf nowadays in winter, and though generally preferred a fleece neck gaiter in the past due to packing size, it has become my equivalent of Lionel's 'security blanket', haha. As a scarf, I make sure the ends aren't flopping about, so stick in my coat to add some insulation about the chest; wish I could say I wrap it in a way that would allow it to just slip off, but while fast and easy to set, the fabric would fail before the wrap/loop. But, it has lots of others uses, as mentioned before; sizable pieces of fabric/material are mighty good for that! Sleeping out, I throw it over my face to cut down on exposure to cold or bugs, and to retain some humidity. Winter I bring a hat, but inbetween seasons it makes a serviceable head cover/hood/wrap, and is very adjustable/multi-purpose, unlike some very specialized gear available. Though far from necessary, it's made a cozy throw many a time for fair-weather naps!
Spent a month in India some years ago using a ridiculously thin cotton one, where I acquired my fondness for loose pieces of fabric. Everyone had one, and used it for everything from protection from sun and dust, bindle, or drying off, even clothing!, etc. Much more uses, as you can imagine a mass of necessarily resourceful folk might find use for.
Mors Kochanski talks about making one out of silk or parachute nylon, I think in his cold weather clothing video. He sews them in such a way, I think like a pillow-sack with some extra tricks, so that it has a few other handy uses, such as a liner or bivy, uhm, can't-remember, etc. I think he referred to it as his 'survival scarf' or the like. Kind'a reminded me of a super-duper aviator scarf; small, but unfolded and fluffed, lofts out nicely. One of the fun projects I'd like to try, if I can get access to a sewing machine!
'Scarves', in one fashion or another, definitely get the thumbs up from me. OP said it very well, 'the bandanna of winter'! I think of them as various pieces of fabric, more or less in differing weights/dimensions, and they can just about always be used for something!:thumbup:
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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I've got a very large, double-thick wool scarf, Netherlands Post Office. Great in really cold weather. Also use a couple of silk scarves when it's not too cold out. Also use my GI neck warmer and the watch cap, both wool. Normally, summer and winter, I carry Spec-Ops Brand Recon Wraps. Eventually I'll go for a Buff.
Neck warmer tubes are good but sometime a bit too much. Scarves are more flexible.
Neck warmer tubes are good but sometime a bit too much. Scarves are more flexible.
Ebbtide
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- Aug 20, 1999
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The background in the photo is my Portuguese camo scarf.
Surprisingly warm and handy...
Those really long scarves, 5 & 6' add a lot of warmth when the middle goes once around the neck with one long end straight down the back and the other straight down the front, flat, under your coat. Almost a sweater.
The GI issue wool scarves are a good deal. I keep one with a spare stocking cap and gloves in my pack.
My problem with scarves is once you wear them, it's like you become a slave to them for the rest of the winter. Forget it and you feel the cold on your neck more.
Psychological I'm sure, but I've been happy with high collar fleece the last two winters.
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I love a good scarf, but when I'm out in the woods being active fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, etc..., I prefer a neck gaiter or balaclava. No loose ends to fly around, and it won't fall off and drop into the stream while you're filling your kettle. Not that that ever happened to me......
The neck gaiter is also an appreciated piece of kit when riding a motorcycle on colder days.
Two of my neck gaiters:
The green one is fleece, the gray one I knit with a soft wool. The gray one is a little big, I should probably make a smaller version, but it still works like a champ.
The neck gaiter is also an appreciated piece of kit when riding a motorcycle on colder days.
Two of my neck gaiters:
The green one is fleece, the gray one I knit with a soft wool. The gray one is a little big, I should probably make a smaller version, but it still works like a champ.
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- Aug 25, 2007
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I find wool scarves a tad itchy around the neck. I can't wear neck gaiters (If I'm being active) because I'm also prone to overheating and they are a PITA to constantly put on and take off. I have a 100% polyester scarf from Jack Wolfskin I picked up in a sale. No itch, easy to adjust when I get too hot and very warm.