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Reviews > Clothing > Hats, Caps and Visors > Buff Headgear Natural Merino Wool > Test Report by Brett Haydin
BUFF HEADGEAR NATURAL MERINO WOOL HEADWEAR
INITIAL REPORT - October 21, 2009
TESTER INFORMATION
I started backpacking in Wisconsin as a youth, being involved in the Boy Scouts programs. As a young adult, I worked at a summer camp leading backpacking, canoeing and mountain biking trips. I now generally take short weekend or day trips in rough, mountainous terrain, although I have extensive experience in the upper Midwest as well. I take one or two longer trips each year, where I typically carry about 40 lb (18 kg). I prefer to be prepared and comfortable, but I have taken lightweight trips as well. PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Original Buff, S.A. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The Buff Natural Wool Headwear, henceforth referred to as "Buff," comes attached to a cardboard cutout (pictured above) with two hangtags. It is a simple piece of headwear that can function as a neck gaiter, scarf, balaclava and even a beanie hat. The construction is a simple tubular shape that measures 29 in (74 cm) long. When I lay it down flat, the width measures 9.5 in (24 cm). There is a small grey Buff logo screen printed on one end as well. READING THE INSTRUCTIONS According to the manufacturer's website, there are 12 different configurations for the Buff: cap, scarf, balaclava, pirate style, Saharan, bandanna, hair band, foulard, helmet liner, dust mask are specifically listed. According to the products packaging, the Buff is machine washable and includes a list on universal washing symbols. These symbols translate to wash in cold water, and don't use bleach, the dryer, iron or dry cleaning. Simple, huh? TRYING IT OUT
I couldn't wait to play around with the Buff! I have seen it elsewhere but I have never owned one before. I did have to work at figuring out the cap (beanie) version. For reference, if you twist the middle of the Buff, you create two separate chambers. To make the beanie, fold one side over the other. SUMMARY I am really excited to test the Buff over the next four months. When I sleep in the backcountry, I generally wear a fleece cap, but they tend to fall off during the night. I hope that the Buff will be able to serve multiple purposes and keep me warm at night! So far I really like the feel and functionality of the Buff. I have no gripes out of the box either! I plan to use the Buff backpacking, snowshoeing, snowboarding and around town as well. FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Over the past two months, I have used the Buff on two overnight camping trips as well as five days of snowboarding. I have also used the Buff on three day hikes as well as standard apparel when I have been able to get in a morning run. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
I have used the Buff in a number of different styles. I have most commonly worn the Buff as a balaclava which allows me to cover my face as needed. Depending on the conditions, I wore it this way under either a baseball cap or a fleece beanie-style hat. I have also worn the Buff as a beanie as the photo below shows. While I appreciate the warmth of the Buff, it certainly has limits as to the amount of warmth it can provide. I found that if I was involved in strenuous activity, such as snowboarding, I could remain comfortable with just the Buff under my helmet down to about 15 F (-9.5 C). While hiking and backpacking, I found that I added some style of hat when the temperature was about 30 I F (-1 C) unless I was wearing the Buff as a beanie. In that case I remained quite comfortable at 15 F (-9.5), but I was also wearing a fleece scarf. While snowboarding, the Buff accumulated a fair amount of moisture when worn as a balaclava. As I would ascend the ski lifts, the temperature would cool and I noticed the moisture turning to ice. While I encountered equally cool conditions hiking, I did not experience this at all. I also try to minimize my exertion while backpacking to prevent hypothermia. Well, I try at least; backpacking in winter is strenuous enough without the mountains! I surmise that the icing is due to the exposure to winds and rapidly cooling temperatures as I ride up a lift. While backpacking and hiking, I can take a break and the moisture can evaporate more effectively. I am likely to run into foul weather at some point, so I will definitely monitor this for the Long Term Report. I really enjoy the flexibility of uses this Buff allows for. At night, am able to wear the Buff to bed as an alternative to wearing a hat. Normally my hats fall off periodically throughout the night, but the Buff stays in place! Depending on the conditions, I have gone from wearing the Buff as a beanie to a balaclava and back again as the day warmed and cooled. This was especially true while hiking the Rainbow Trail, when I traversed in and out of gullies and the shadows they provided. Boy, is the sun ever warm here in Colorado! I love it! My skin appreciates the feel of the Buff. Normally I would cringe at the thought of wool directly against my skin. If I really think about it, I can feel a minor "scratchy" sensation I associate with other wool products, but I really have to concentrate to notice it. For me it has not been cause for concern. Cleaning the Buff has been easy. I generally toss the Buff in with my dark-colored clothing and I'm done. To date I have noticed no signs of wear and the manufacturer's logo is still visible and not faded. SUMMARY
So far I am very pleased with the Buff. I find that it does a reasonably good job keeping my head warm in moderately cool conditions unassisted. As the temperatures dip, it continues to work well as an accessory. I have been able to use it in a variety of manners based on the circumstances. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
During the Long Term phase of this test series I was able to take the Buff on an additional two backpacking trips. We also had really great snow in the area so I used the Buff on an additional eight days of snowboarding. I also went on one snowshoe day hike during the test period. I have experienced conditions on the slopes from whiteout blizzards to clear blue skies as well as temperatures as low as -5 F (-21 C). PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
For the most part, the Buff has continued to perform in a similar manner to that of the field report. It continues to be a flexible addition to my winter clothing supply. While it has limits to the temperatures, I have never needed anything more than a fleece cap over the Buff as a balaclava to remain warm. There are three distinct areas that deserve additional remarks from my observations over the past two months. SUMMARY
Things that rock: CONTINUED USE
The Buff has been an extremely reliable piece of equipment for me. I plan to use this year round since even in the summer I can use the Buff up on the summits. Because it is small and light it has earned a permanent place in my pack! Read more gear reviews by Brett Haydin Reviews > Clothing > Hats, Caps and Visors > Buff Headgear Natural Merino Wool > Test Report by Brett Haydin |