Shemagh, scarf, neck gaiter or buff?

I'm trying to decide whether to get a buff or shemagh for hot weather. I normally wear a bandana but they can be a bit small (my neck and head are big). Buffs look alright and seem like they'd work well for keeping the sun off, but it seems less versatile than a shemagh (and maybe a bit warm?). Shemaghs look good but I'm not sure how cool they are either. A bit of dust protection would be nice too.
 
For those looking for something to help cool them during the summer months, there are a couple of companies that sell cooling towels. These are basically made out of the material used for shammies, those things used to dry your car after you wash them.
I know it sounds weird but THEY WORK!! I was first introduced to them in Afghanistan when we received a couple in a care package. I was skeptical at first but after the first day using them, I am a believer.
You soak them and wrap around your neck and they help keep you cool. If they start to dry out then re-soak.
I still use mine to help during the hot Texas summer months and they help a lot.
They can be found at the big home improvement stores or other places.
 
Noswad0208 said:
I'm trying to decide whether to get a buff or shemagh for hot weather. I normally wear a bandana but they can be a bit small (my neck and head are big). Buffs look alright and seem like they'd work well for keeping the sun off, but it seems less versatile than a shemagh (and maybe a bit warm?). Shemaghs look good but I'm not sure how cool they are either. A bit of dust protection would be nice too.
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I strongly recommend the XL buff in UV. Mine is a desert pixel pattern but after washing it, it looks more of just a sand color. The XL size is 1.5" wider and 1" longer, which is less constrictive around the neck and a little easier to wrap as a balacklava or face mask. I still love my shemagh but it has become more of an item I carry and use if I'm hauling a pack. If I'm going out to mow the lawn, do yard work, or just anything working outside for long periods in the humidity I use the xl buff. If I'm hiking, camping out, or chilling in my hammock out back, I bring the shemagh and the buff. I like that the buff can be thrown in a pocket and take up less room but that's not always good, as the extra material on a shemagh is what makes it useful as a camp towel, pot holder, mini-blanket, makeshift pillow, emergency sling, etc. I'd get both if I were you.
 
I wear my buffs in warm weather for a breathable sweat catch. Then hobo hankies for light weight neck etc protection on. Cooler windier days, then shemagh when it's cold out. I like the hobo hankies in particular
 
If you tried a shemagh before and still think it can't fully protect you from dust, you tried the wrong type of shemagh. For example, I've been purchasing mine from this website for a long time: https://matohash.com/collections/shemagh. I accidentally found this website some years ago before going to a festival, and I thought, why not give it a try. Now, I can't leave anywhere without one. I use them to protect myself from dust, insolation or to spice up my outfit. They are perfect and extremely useful.
 
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Gaggi said:
If you tried a shemagh before and still think it can't fully protect you from dust, you tried the wrong type of shemagh.
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Well let's hope that sometime in the past 5 years he figured it out!šŸ¤£
 
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