Backpacking Background

I spend most weekends, and many full weeks a year, exploring the variety of scenery and terrain that California has to offer. My favorite area is the Sierra Nevada, and I spend several weeks backpacking there each summer. I follow lightweight, but not ultralight, backpacking techniques and am known to carry a few luxury items from time to time. In addition to traditional backpacking I enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, and snowcamping, as well as long day hikes, geocaching, peak bagging, and running. I also enjoy writing and maintain a blog of trip reports at calipidder.com.

Product Information

Manufacturer: Original Buff

Item: Wool Buff

Size: One-Size

Listed weight: none

Measured weight: 1.73 oz (49 g)

Year: 2009

MSRP: $27.00

Initial Report: October 24, 2009

About the Wool Buff

Gear doesn't get much simpler than this! The 100% Merino Wool Buff is a seamless tube of merino wool measuring 9.5 x 27 in (24 x 69 cm) (approximate) when unstretched. It streches quite a bit on the shorter axis, but there isn't much stretch along the longer axis. That's it!

So why is a tube of merino wool a useful piece of gear? Well, according to the fine folks at Buff, that single, seamless tube of wool is a versatile, comfortable, and unique piece of gear that has a seemingly endless list of functions. This list includes using the Buff as a scarf, cap, headscarf, facemask, balaclava, headband, wristband... etc. The website clearly describes these uses as well as illustrates them with little cartoon heads. It would be a bit more informative if they were real pictures, or even videos about the multiple ways to wear the Buff.

Wool Buff Just to let the cat out of the bag - I'm no stranger to Buff. I have been a very happy user of the lightweight Coolmax® Buffs for years, and if there is one thing I can already tell you it is that the list that Buff provides is only the tip of the iceberg. Buff fits perfectly into the lightweight backpacking ethos of multiple use, and I really look forward to exploring how the merino wool is able to handle all of the use cases I can throw at it. I've slowly transformed my outdoor wardrobe from synthetics to wool and really appreciate the features that wool has to offer. I use Buffs as far more than just a piece of wearable gear - my Buff is also part of my sleep system, sun protection, and kitchen routine. I am very tough on my Buffs and have gone through several of them in the past.

What does merino wool have to offer? Buff lists many features of the wool material, including moisture management, odor resistance, UV protection, natural stretch, flame retardant, machine washable, and water repellent. All of these (well, with the exception of its ability to survive flames) will be tested out quite thoroughly. I'm especially curious about the 'moisture management' and 'water repellent' claims - I like to wear a Buff around my neck as both sun protection and a sweat rag. I need something that can suck up as much sweat as possible and dry quickly so that it can move on to be used for its next purpose.

Wool Buff as Neck Gaiter Initial Impressions

The Buff comes around a cardboard card in the shape of a ram's head (clever). There is nothing to attach it to the card so there is no risk of damaging the Buff with ties/clips/glue, although there is danger of the Buff itself falling off the card. The Buff is simple, and the only seams are on the ends of the tubes where the wool is folded over and stitched, presumably to prevent fraying.

I most often use a Buff as a neck gaiter, so that was my first test. The Buff slid over my big head easily. The material is soft and feels nice against the skin. I can definitely feel a sense of warmth with it around my neck - much more so than the lighter weight versions I've used in the past - so I'm really looking forward to getting it out in colder weather.

Summary

The Merino Wool Buff is an incredibly uncomplicated piece of gear, but extraordinarily versatile and multi-function. I'm no stranger to the world of Buff and I have a whole arsenal of use cases to try out on this Merino Wool version. I can't wait to get it out and put it to work. Please check back in approximately two months for the Field Report.

Field Report: Not yet available

Long Term Report: Not yet available

Read more reviews of Buff Headgear gear
Read more gear reviews by Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd

Test Report by Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd

All material on this site is the exclusive property of BackpackGearTest.org.
BackpackGearTest software copyright David Anderson