boco gear hat and visor review

Disclaimer: I received BOCO Gear 360º Visor and Trail 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! 



You're probably noticed the only time I don't run with a visor or hat is when the sun isn't out. Even on cloudy days, I'll still usually wear something with the lip to protect my face and shield my eyes from too much light. I have very sensitive eyes. Having to squint leads to headaches, so I always have sunglasses and hats or visors on. I'll also wear one if it's raining to help better see while running in the rain and keeping that said rain out of me eyes and face.



I had the chance to test out some BOCO headwear for BibRave, and as it so happens, was also BibRave branded ;) I also own the trucker hat and the stocking hat from BOCO. 



BORN IN BOULDER
BOCO Gear is the new leader in performance gear for endurance athletes. They offer stylish, technical headwear and accessories for your brand, team or event. Fully customized with wicking fabrications and technical innovation, their gear is designed for and tested by top athletes. They sweat the details!

The one I wore the most was the visor. I liked the fit and it absorbed the sweat well. I heat up quickly once I start moving, so visors are usually my pick over hats, unless it's a shorter run. Long runs require a visor unless it's below 20 degrees. That's usually when I'll need something to cover my ears... which might also turn into a BUFF® as an ear band to keep my head open for air haha. Anyway – we are all different and what we require on our heads is different for everyone.

The specific visor I received is the BOCO 360º Visor®. Whether you are on a run or on the run, the BOCO 360º Visor® is a great option for the active athlete across all sports. Stylish and updated, the BOCO 360º Visor® will be one of the most comfortable adjustable visors you have ever worn.

Some key features of the BOCO 360º Visor®:

• Lightweight wicking materials outside
• Wicking internal sweatband to move sweat from your forehead
• Soft brushed elastic back for comfort and fit
• Relaxed fit front panel for a better performance and comfort
• Black underside of the bill to reduce glare
• Curved bill
• Machine washable

Definitely a keeper in the visor rotation list.

The other BOCO hat I tested was the Trail Hat. I wore this one when I went bike riding. It's not quite the style I like to wear for running – just not me – but I did find it was great for riding to wear under my helmet, but also keep the sun out of my eyes. Being lightweight, it still allowed my head to breath while being safe in my helmet, and didn't seem bulky or uncomfortable at all.

Some key features of this hat:

Straight from the innovation lab  (aka- the trails) to the production line and finally to KONA…our latest creation, the Trail Hat. Combining the features of our ever popular Run hat and the award winning Tweener hat with a little Kona inspired design. Moisture wicking sweatband and lightweight mesh panels work with the moldable bill to make this hat exactly what you need. Function and Fashion are equal here….so by all means Train, Race, Hang out, and repeat often.

• Camp hat styling
• Performance fabrications
• Wicking sweatband
• Adjustable back closure
• Flat moldable bill

Are you someone that always needs a hat or visor to run? Have you tried BOCO Gear? They've got some pretty sweet gear on their website. I suggest you give them a look-see.

Connect with BOCO Gear:

website | facebook | instagram | twitter

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!

Connect with BUFF®:
website | twitter | instgram | facebook | pinterest | youtube

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