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Owner Review
The Original Buff® Headwear
November 15, 2005
Name: Jennifer “Kasdira” Hay
Age: 29 years old
Gender: Female
Height: 5’ 4” (1.62 m)
Weight: 198 lb (90 kg)
Hat Size: 23.5” (60 cm)
Neck Size: 15” (38.1 cm)
Email Address: kasdira@yahoo.com
City, State, Country: Pensacola, Florida USA
Backpacking Background:
My backpacking background is very limited to the last couple of years and to the Northwest Florida area. While I started with the typical
comforts of “car camping”; I found a love for Ultralight Backpacking. I like the idea of getting away – AS far away as my feet can take me.
Right now my current gear consists mainly of “Walmart specials”, a few lucky finds from the Florida Trail Association’s state conference
auctions, and a birthday shopping spree at REI’s online store. I typically only wear a hat while hiking. They tend to
give me headaches, so when I do wear them it's usually for a short period of time.
Product information
a. Manufacturer – Buff®
b. Year of manufacture – Unknown
c. Manufacturer website – www.buffusa.com
d. Listed weight – 2 oz (57 g)
e. Listed Dimensions – 20”x 9” (51 cm x 22.9 cm)
f. Weight as delivered – 1.4 oz (40 g)
g. MSRP – $18.50 US
Product description:
The style I purchased is the Original Buff®, in the Fire style. I purchased my Buff® at the annual Florida Trail Association State Conference in 2005.
I had seen it there the year before and it begged me to take it home this time. It measures 19” x 10” (48.3 cm x 25.4 cm) and has orange and red
flames on a black background. The orange and red flames are a nice addition to the blaze orange attire needed while hiking during open hunting
season. Storage for the Buff® is easy, I can fold it down to 2.5” x 2.5” x 1.5” (6.4 cm x 6.4 cm x 3.8 cm) or I find that I can stow it while on the
trail is easier if I use it as a hair band to pull my hair up in a pony tail.  The material appears to be pretty sturdy even
though it is thin and is extremely light weight - my Buff® weighs 1.41 oz (40 g). I have used it in windy, hot, and cold weather. Maintenance of
the Buff® is easy; after a couple days on the trail I just throw it into the washer and then the dryer. It may have shrunk a little from using the dryer,
but it has maintained its shape and sturdiness.
Specific Field Information
I typically do my hiking in the Northwest Florida Panhandle, which averages less than 50 ft (1.3 m) above sea level. Our summers here can be
quite hot, making it necessary to travel with a bandana or other small cloth for wiping away sweat. The summer of 2005 has mostly been in the
high 90s F (32 C), with the humidity making the heat index in the low 100s (37 C). I have worn my Buff® in a varying range of temperatures
from 30 degrees F (-1 C) to 96 degrees F (36 C). I have found that while the Original Buff® I own is great for colder weather, its warming
capabilities stop at about 40 F (4 C).
As far as use in heat with low humidity, I had the opportunity to use my Buff® in May of 2005 in the southern part of New Mexico. I was there
during a pleasant time of the year for the southwestern United States, so the temperature was about 90 degrees F (32 C) for most of my trip.
For the most part I used my Buff as a hair band and a bandana under a canvas brimmed hat.
On an overnight campout in early September and a second one in October I employed it as a hair band, bandana, and a sweat rag. I like the idea
of using it for a hair band because I find it does not pull my hair as much as smaller bands. I find that folding the Buff® in half and using it more like
a bandana has been more beneficial in the cooler mornings to keep my hair out of my face.
During the middle of October, when it begins to cool off in the Northwest Florida Panhandle, I had a new use for my Buff®. It had cooled off
significantly during the night while we camped two nights in the Blackwater State Forest. The first night was a low of 55 F (12 C) and the second
night was a low of 53 F (11 C). This was the first time I really used the Buff® as a balaclava, which was most helpful in keeping my ears and head
warm while sleeping in my Hennessey Hammock. I found however that due to the amount of hair I have, the neck area can be tight under the jawbone
and short in the back of the neck when using the Buff in this fashion. The best adjustment I have found is to place my hair into a braid, reducing the
amount of bulk during use. During the early part of the morning when it was still in the low 50s F (10 C), I found it was comforting to pull the Buff®
from the top of my head and use it as just a neck warmer.
At the end of October 2005 we hiked another trail in the Blackwater State Forest. The temperatures were at a high of 77 degrees F (24 C).
I found the weather to be cool and pleasant. I had forgotten my hat on this short hike, but I had carried my Buff® with me. I chose to pull the Buff®
so it was inside-out, twisted it in the center and pulled one end over the other to form a beanie. This served as a dual purpose: 1. reduce heat loss from
the top of my head and 2. to help eliminate my hair in my face. I had never worn it like this prior to this date; for fear that it would not stay on my head.
Not only did it stay on my head with no problems, I was able to place my 13” (33cm) pony tail within it comfortably.
Conclusion:
I have to say that the purchase of the Original Buff® was one of my best investments for my gear. I have no desire to purchase any other colors,
due to the style I own. In colder weather I can use the black end to absorb more heat from the sun, and in the hotter weather use the lighter end
of orange and red for a cooler feel.
Pros/Cons Summary:
Pro 1 – No headaches
Pro 2 – Multiple uses
Pro 3 – Easy maintenance
Con 1 – Neck area tight when using as a balaclava
Con 2 – Not long enough to cover back of neck when using as a balaclava
Read more reviews of Buff Wear gear
Read more gear reviews by Jennifer Hay
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