buff® thermonet™ multifunctional headwear and hat review

Disclaimer: I received BUFF® ThermoNet™ Multifunctional Headwear and hat to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Winter is coming (or here for some people). Despite the fact that it's still fall as far as dates go, plenty of us have been getting those sub 20 degree temps already. Granted, here in Chicagoland, it didn't seem to get away from summer until the end of October. I was hoping that when the BUFF® goodies came in early October, I'd be able to use them right away. Unfortunately, it didn't cool down enough for me to test them until Hot Chocolate 15k came around.

I love BUFF® products. I use the half BUFF® all summer long to wipe away sweat from my face (and to prevent that unpleasant eye burn) and it's great in the winter as a headband to keep the ears warm or as a face mask to keep the face warm and to warm up the air a bit before breathing it in. It's been an essential piece of gear no matter the weather, so of course I wanted to try out their new ThermoNet™ line.



I love the color options – I went with crash berry, which is a mix of purples, but also really liked the arrowhead option. The hats come in four options: crash berry, black, arrowhead, or Banff Film Festival. The multifunctional headwear has a few more: black, crash berry, soft hills turquoise, damask purple, hunter military, and tip logo.

I was glad I brought both the hat and multifunctional headwear for Hot Chocolate 15k on Sunday, October 29 as it was pretty cold standing around waiting to start, especially in the shade. I think it was around upper 20s. Once we started going, I was able to warm up and eventually take off the hat and then the BUFF® that was being used as a gaiter.

They came in handy again for Hot Cider Hustle 8k last weekend when it was windy and the temp was 19 degrees during the race. Snow and ice on the ground, BUFF ® ThermoNet™ at and multifunctional headwear around the face kept me warm. Of course, I eventually got hot and took off the hat haha, but it's always needed the first mile or two (and all that pre-race standing around). You know me, I always get hot fast, which is why I'm still in shorts when it's in the 40s ;)



They are both super soft and comfortable and can be worn together, or separate. I like that the hat is able to fit my headphones underneath a little better than some of the other hats I've tried. These items will definitely be a staple this winter along with the Merino Wool BUFF® (also super soft and necessary to add to your collection!).

Here are more technical details about the products from the website:

When weather conditions require high-thermal insulation, the new ThermoNet™ multifunctional headwear provides maximum protection from the cold. This comfortable, thin multifunctional headwear is made with breathable, durable PrimaLoft® yarn that is four times warmer than regular microfiber. The result of years of research and testing, ThermoNet™ multifunctional headwear wicks moisture away from your skin while trapping heat inside, keeping you comfortable and dry in even the most frigid winter weather.

• Featuring PrimaLoft® yarn
• High-thermal insulation: mimics the warmth of down
• 4 times warmer than microfiber
• High warmth-to-weight ratio means you don’t need bulk to stay warm
• Moisture management
• Seamless

Complete the look with a matching ThermoNet™ Hat:

When the temperature dips, keeping your head warm is the key to whole-body temperature regulation. Our new ThermoNet™ Hat provides maximum protection from the cold with a breathable, durable PrimaLoft® yarn that is four times warmer than regular microfiber. The result of years of research and testing, the ThermoNet™ Hat wicks moisture away from your skin while trapping heat inside, keeping your head comfortable and dry in even the most frigid winter weather.

• Featuring PrimaLoft® yarn
• High-thermal insulation: mimics the warmth of down
• 4 times warmer than microfiber
• High warmth-to-weight ratio means you don’t need bulk to stay warm
• Moisture management

BONUS: Receive 20% off your entire order at www.buffusa.com when you purchase at least one product from the ThermoNet™ collection. Includes ThermoNet™ Multifunctional Headwear, Hats, or Balaclavas. Enter code: *BIBRAVETHERMONET20* at checkout. Expires: 11/17/2017

pack run cap review

Disclaimer: I received a BUFF® Pack Run Cap to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I wore the BUFF® Pack Run Cap for the Chicago 10k.

Are you one of my amazing follower on Instagram or Twitter? If you are, then you’ll notice that almost all of my running photos feature a hat or visor. Even on a cloudy day, I usually wear one, because I have sensitive eyes and need to block the sun (along with being pale and I like to protect my face when I can from the sun. If there isn't a hat or visor being featured, it's mostly likely because I took it off after my run before I took the photo (and if you look closely enough, you'll see the line on my forehead haha).

In the summer (and really, anything over 50 degrees), I’m usually in a visor. My head heats up pretty quickly, so I like to have that top vent haha. In the winter, I can wear a hat… though even sometimes I’ll take that off to cool down.

Anyway, I often add new hats and visors to the collection so I have more variety. Most recently, I was able to test the BUFF® Pack Run Cap. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but when I received it, I noticed how super lightweight it was, along with being super bendy. I use really technical terms here. I hope you can keep up 😂

I can’t say exactly what color mine is, as it isn’t available on the website at the moment, but it’s a fun pink and orange combination (based off of the UV Arm Sleeves, I believe the color/design is called Akira). Nice and bright, which you’ll also notice is something I love. I don’t feel the need to match, just be bright. Not only do I feel that being in bright colors gives me more visibility out on the streets, but also it makes me happy to be in bright, fun colors.

The BUFF® Pack Run Cap is easily adjustable with an elastic cord at the back so you can get a secure fit. I love how easy it is to adjust and that it can actually fit my smaller head. I often have trouble with hats, feeling sometimes foolish in trucker hats because they make my head look super small haha. This adjusts to my head shape and then I can tighten it to a good spot and not have to adjust it again. I wore it on some windy days. I have some caps that a windy day means it's blowing off, or I'm constantly grabbing at it, patting it down, to make sure it doesn't go flying. The BUFF® Pack Run Cap stayed on, no problems.

Another great feature is that since the fabric is so movable, I can rinse it with water after each run to get all of the sweat out, wring it out, and not have to worry about its shape. The brim always snaps back into place and doesn’t bend weird or get jacked up from doing this. Even after a 4-miler. I am dripping sweat. So that hat needs to get washed out and hung to dry haha. Another bonus: doesn’t take long to dry.

The BUFF® Pack Run Cap includes a low profile sweatband that helps to keep perspiration out of the eyes and the side panels wick away moisture. Obviously, I still had some sweat dripping down my face towards m eyes, because I don't wear hats at my eyebrow level haha – so there was still some face wiping on my end. I’m also someone that has to constantly wipe my face anyway (my eyes burn so bad if sweat gets in there – is that just me? Does it have to do with wearing contacts? Or maybe what I eat makes the sweat burn? ha). Just something I like to note, in case you sweat a lot like me... a hat can only absorb so much 😂

Another bonus of the fabric being so streamlined and compressible is that you can easily fold it up and tow it in a pocket during a run if you don’t want to wear it anymore. It’s also great for travel. Trying to only pack a carry on? This is the hat to bring as it’ll barely take up any space and only weighs one ounce. Awesome sauce.

Here’s some information from the website:
Ultralight and ultra smart, the BUFF® Pack Run Cap is built to go the distance. Super streamlined, exceptionally light and highly compressible, it’s comfortable for the long-haul, but can easily be folded and rolled to stash in a pocket. The four panel design and stretch materials hug the head for a secure fit that doesn’t bind, while a low profile sweatband provides moisture control without added bulk, and the polyester materials wick away perspiration. The crushable polyurethane brim snaps back to shape and combines with the UPF protective materials for sun protection on long races and extended training days.

• Exceptionally lightweight, weighs only one ounce
• Packable design with crushable brim that regains its shape for reliable sun protection
• 4-way stretch fabric for comfort
• Upper panel provides UPF 50 protection
• Fastwick fabric side panels wicks away moisture and improves breathability
• Low profile sweatband keeps perspiration out of eyes
• Adjustable elastic cord at back for a secure fit
• Reflective tab on back, logo on front add low-light visibility

I think this hat will be great for me in the fall/winter months more so than summer. While it is lightweight and breathable, I still like to have that air vent up top that a visor can provide when it’s 70+ degrees and high humidity. It works fine for the shorter runs, but once I’m at 8+, I need as little fabric on me while still wearing clothes that are supportive and protect my eyes and skin. I struggle in the summer, so I need all the help I can get haha.

The cost of the BUFF® Pack Run Cap is $32, which I believe to be very reasonable, and comes in 4 colors at the moment. BUFF® usually has some pretty good sales, too, so I'd sign up for their email list so you know when those are happening. They make a lot of great, quality products. You'll see me in the summer sporting a BUFF® half on my wrist to wipe away all the sweat on my face and in the winter, I love the Merino Wool BUFF® around my ears or I use it on my face when it's super cold or windy. 

Join #BibChat over on Twitter Tuesday night (August 22, 2017) at 8pm CT for a chance to win one of your own! It's a great piece of gear to add to your collection. Honestly, I really like it. In order to win the chat, you must follow both BibRave and BUFF® on Twitter and answer the 6 questions during the hour. It's also a great chance to chat with other runners and get some new training, nutritional, or recovery tips. Hope to see you there!

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What the other BibRave Pros had to say:
Meredith | Janelle | Angie