Anyone who has ever run without currently styling their hair will know how annoying it can be when your hair constantly moves around, hitting you in the face. Even if you have managed to fix your hair, there’s a good chance during a run, it will work its way loose and be back in the same position. This is where getting a headband for running can help, as it will keep your hair from getting in your way.
Headbands can also be used for running in cold conditions, Keeping your ears and a section of your head warm on the other end of the scale, that can easily be used in warmer conditions, With the wicking drawing sweat away from your forehead and stopping it from running into your eyes.
There are many benefits of using a headband while running, and I think they are one of the most underrated running accessories.
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What to look out for in a running headband
Sweat-wicking is the main feature of the day when it comes to selecting your headband. Even in the colder conditions, you’re still going to sweat while you’re out for a run and having a headband that can draw sweat away from your forehead would be advantageous.
Another feature to look out for, especially if you’re going to be using your headbands in the winter, is reflective detailing. When the days are shorter, there is a high chance of you running in the dark, and having reflective panelling will increase your chances of other road users seeing you.
The Best Womens Running Headbands in 2021
TAGVO Sports Headbands
The TAGVO headband is intended for the winter. Being made from materials like polyester and soft fleece. It is Sweat-absorbent, stretchy and comfortable to wear for long periods.
It doesn’t take up much space, so you can quite happily throw it in the bag and use it when you need to. Perfect for people who like running to and from work, it’s not going to take up a lot of space in your bag.
You get 3 headbands in varying colours, making it nice and easy to adapt to your current wardrobe.
Perfect for the runner who likes to keep their ears is nice and warm on cold winter mornings without wearing a hat.
Huo Headband
Made from ideal materials for keeping you feeling nice and fresh during sports by helping draw moisture away from your forehead, enabling you to concentrate on your run.
It fits nicely against all head sizes, so there is no worry about it not fitting correctly.
Designed to be a great all-rounder, you can use this headband for other sports like yoga & gym.
Ronhill Women’s Running Headband
Ronhill has been making running apparel for many years, So it should be no surprise that they also make headbands dedicated to running.
The headband’s material is made from 100% polyester and feels great against the skin, with some stretch. It does fit nicely to all head sizes, and it does come with two sizes available.
Reflective detailing is on the outside of the headband, increasing your chances of being seen if you do head out for a run at night or early in the morning.
This headband can be worn with earbuds, and in fact, I think it works better because it helps keep the earbuds in if they are prone to falling out from time to time. But the pressure against the earbuds while therein isn’t too much for them to feel uncomfortable.
It is slightly more expensive than some of the other headbands I’ve listed. They are incredibly durable and will last a long time. You can easily throw this in your running bag and use it time in time out, and it will always be a reliable companion on your runs.
QKURT 2PCS Fleece Ponytail Headband
Designed to comfortably fit a ponytail with a dedicated hole at the back. There is a small amount of movement if any while running. It keeps your ears nice and warm and any headphones in place. It’s an excellent snug fit, and pressure isn’t too much if you all wanting to wear headphones or earbuds with it.
GORE WEAR WINDSTOPPER
If you want to completely shut your ears off from the elements, then the core headband Windstopper is the one to get. By stopping the wind from getting in, it eliminates the wind chill factor you may feel during those winter months.
Made from 92% Polyester & 8% Elastane, It has a nice comfortable stretch with it forming to the size of your head nicely.
Although it’s superb for winter months, keeping your ears and head nice and warm, it’s also fantastic at moisture wicking, drawing sweat away from your head, so you don’t feel uncomfortable on those long runs.
Around it’s a great purchase, and you would not be disappointed.
NIKE Fury Headband 2.0
Perfect for use in both the winter and summer, it can be used to keep your ears warm on cold days as well as helping keep your hair out of your eyes on the warmer days.
Thanks to the sweat-absorbing material, you won’t feel the heat, which helps draw the heat away from your head, expelling it into the atmosphere even when the temperature skyrockets.
It’s nice and stretchy. It comes in one size that fits all.
Should you wear a headband when running?
Wearing headbands while you run will help improve the following situations if you had problems with sweat running down your face and getting into your eyes.
You may have gone out in the winter and got extremely cold ears, but you don’t want to wear a full hat as they can become uncomfortable on long runs.
Do headbands make you hotter?
Headbands come in different materials, some more geared towards the winter others can be used in the summer. They are all made to help keep you ventilated, and because they don’t cover your entire head, You don’t feel the heat as much as you do when you wear a full hat.
How often should you wash your headband?
You should probably aim to wash your headband after every single workout. Even on those cold days when you don’t think you generated much heat, your body still sweats a lot. And your headband would have absorbed a lot during your run.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of headbands that you can use in all varying conditions at any point in the year. Many people tend to use headbands in the winter to help keep their ears warm on those cold days.
This is one thing people who are just getting into running tend to forget about, and that’s the wind chill factor while you’re running. As you’re moving and your ears are exposed to the elements, they can start to feel cold very quickly.
To combat this having a headband that covers your is ears will keep you nice and warm.
The advantage of wearing headbands, especially for women, is stopping your hair from hitting you in the face while you run. Of course, we can all put it back in a ponytail, but as you’re running, that can work its way loose and having a headband will add an extra layer of support.
Wearing a headband can take some time to get used to, especially if you have been running for a long time without it. After the first run, you’ll tend to forget your even wearing it as the benefits far outweigh the negatives.