love to the buff: merino wool review

Disclaimer: I received a Merino Wool BUFF® 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!

If you've seen in the past, I've had the chance to test out a few BUFF® products: UV Half, the Original Full, Thermal Hoodie, and now: Merino Wool.

I have a pair of Merino Wool socks that I love wearing in the winter. They keep my feet warm and are super soft, so the Merino Wool BUFF® intrigued me. When the package came, I felt the material and to my excitement it was so nice and soft. Dimension wise it's a bit longer than the Original, but about the same width.

I really love the color options, and the one I got is a beautiful grey stripe that pretty much goes with anything. Not that I'm a super matchy person most of the time, but it's nice to have some items that you can grab without even thinking about colors clashing - you'll know it'll just go well no matter what. The print is called Cugnot and I just love it.

When I received the Merino Wool BUFF®, weather here in Chicago was starting to warm up, which made me nervous, since for me, merino wool means cold, winter weather (I know, it can be worn in summer too, but it's just not for me with how much I overheat once it hits 50s and I'm being active outside haha. I'm in that camp that needs to have on as little as possible in order to not pass out - if my eyes weren't so sensitive, I would ditch even the visor). Luckily, it cooled down some more with some very windy days, which were great for testing it out.

My favorite way to wear it was as a headband (though I suppose in the 'ways to wear' Buff calls it Hairband). It would cover my ears and keep all of my little stray hairs out of my face. It also come in handy as a neck warmer/scarf, and even as a way to keep my face warm while I waited outside for a Bruce Springsteen concert (face mask). I was very happy that I decided to toss it in my purse for a quick trip to Milwaukee. 

One run, the transformation of BUFF Merino Wool usage.

On the super windy days, which hurt my ears if they are uncovered, it was perfect for keeping them wind-burn free and warm. You guys know how easily I overheat, so I love that it could go from a hat, to a headband, to a wristband easily. Sometimes it went from headband to wristband and back to headband depending on how the wind went throughout the run. I also love that it scrunches it up well so that I can put it in the pocket of my Orange Mud VP1 if I was getting too hot to have it on at all. 

Waiting to get inside to see The Boss.

They have a great variety of colors and prints to match your style or mood. I'm eyeing a few myself. I love that there are so many great qualities about the Merino Wool BUFF®: moisture management, microclimate control, 100% Merino Wool, odor resistant (I think we all know how important this is!), thermal protection, wind resistant, semi-seamless, and natural stretch.

Most used style - 'hairband'.

A few details about the Merino Wool BUFF® from the website:
It's the classic BUFF® headwear shape, but with a few extra inches of length for cozy protection in the fabric outdoor enthusiasts love most. Made from soft 100% natural Merino Wool and feature subtle tone-on-tone designs, the Merino Wool Printed BUFF® feels great next to the skin, and it keeps you warn even when it's wet. It's the soft, breathable extra layer of insulation you need for chilly days. Plus, BUFF® donates 1% of the proceeds from Merino Wool Printed BUFF® to the plate so you can feel warm and fuzzy on the inside too.
• 100% natural Merino Wool
• 12+ ways to wear
• Merino Wool's natural qualities include: water repellent, odor resistant, flameproof, durability, UV protection, and natural stretch and elasticity
• Thermal protection from cold and wind
• Cool in the summer, extra layer of warmth in the winter
• Semi-seamless — small, unnoticeable seam on top and bottom of Wool BUFF®
• Quick drying
• One size its all adults.

Like I said, I heat up easily... and sweat a lot even on a short run.

Care instructions:
• Hand wash in warm water with mild soap
• Lay flat to dry
• Do not use fabric softeners
• Do not bleach
• Do not iron

Ways to wear:
• Neckerchief
• Sun Guard
• Face Mask
• Hood
• Cap
• Neck Gaitor
• Do Rag
• Pirate
• Foulard
• Hairband
• Headband
• Hair Tie

In all honestly, I never hand wash anything. Seriously - nothing gets hand washed. Our machine is easy-going with clothes (there's no agitator, which I think is what used to ruin some of my clothes when we had an older machine), so I wash it on delicate and then toss it on our drying rack. It's been working just fine, though I'll admit I don't wash it very often... you know, thanks to that whole odor resistant aspect ;)

The Merino Wool BUFF® will cost you between $27–32, depending on which color style you choose, and really - so many great options to choose from. Definitely a reasonable price for such a solid product.

I love BUFF® as a company - they make quality products, and they are very active on Twitter and Instagram. If I have a question they always answer promptly, and they are very nice with the likes and comments. I'd suggest giving them a follow.

BUFF® will be sponsoring #BibChat on Tuesday, March 15th at 8pm CT. Come join some fun runners/people for an hour of answering questions and discussing food, beer, running... just about everything you can think of!

Connect with Buff:
website | twitter | instagram | facebook | youtube | pinterest

What do other Pros think?
Jen | Angie | Mark | Janelle | Christine | Bradley | Katherine | Laura

friday five: five running products i am currently loving

Hey guys! I am linking up with the DC Trifecta again on this gorgeous, sunny and, cool Friday: Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run. Some may say it's too cold here in Chicago, but 61 degrees is right up my alley :) This week's theme is a 'Free Friday'– meaning, the choice is ours. I've decided to list 5 running products/items that I am loving right now.

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1. New Balance Momentum 2 in 1 Shorts. You guys, these were the dream shorts I had been searching for. I've worn them during half marathons and NOT ONCE did I have to pull them down. No more fidgeting with my shorts. No more having to pull them down every 5 minutes when they ride up. They stay put, and that's what I've been on the hunt for (I loathe when my thighs rub against each other, even if I have on Body Glide and there isn't any chafing happening, I just don't like the feeling). I love the material—so light. I honestly didn't expect to like love them so much, because I didn't believe they wouldn't ride up. After all, there is no grip on the inner shorts, and they aren't very tight on my leg, so I just figured I'd be pulling them down during my runs. NOT ONCE. They're amazing. The inner short has a 5.5" inseam, and the outer short has an inseam of 2.5". It has Lightning Dry® technology (wicks away moisture to keep you comfortable and dry – a must for any running attire, in my book), the waistband is comfortable, and there is some reflectivity on the front and back for safety and visibility.

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2. Garmin Forerunner 220. I am loving my new watch! It's so lightweight, I barely even notice I have it on. I also enjoy that it vibrates and beeps at every mile (you can set your 'laps' at whatever distance or time you like; I prefer to keep it on the miles). Another feature I have enjoyed is the bluetooth connectivity so that it will upload my run info immediately, unlike my Nike+ that I had to plug in to my computer after each run. So much more convenient. I charged it last Friday before my half on Saturday, and then continued to use it through Thursday without charging it again. When I plugged it in Thursday, it was still at 40%. That's amazing. I know there is so much more the watch can do, I just haven't had the time to play with it as much as I'd like.

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3. My Road ID* bracelet. I purchased the Elite a while back (it has a watch-like buckle clasp), and wear it on every run. Sometimes I even just wear it out. A few summers back, I was having issues breathing and feeling nauseous/like I was going to pass out, so I wore it in case I did. I'd be easy to identify if it came down to it. Luckily, I never did pass out, but it was nice to know I was covered. I'm sure I've mentioned this before in another post, but it's one of my running essentials. If something were to happen to me while out for a run, it's nice to know that if I can't speak, they can still identify who I am and contact the important people. God forbid that ever happens, but it does put my mind at ease (even if it's just a little) to know that the info is there on my person. Plus, they have so many options for wrist band colors (I have pink and blue), so if you get bored you can switch it up. They also just recently came out with badges that you can add to the wristband (5K, 13.1, 26.2, etc.), which is another fun way to accessorize. I would urge anyone that does not use Road ID* to go buy one now. 

*Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link in which I receive a small commission if a new customer orders through the link. I am not an ambassador or getting paid to promote the product, but I do believe in the it, and whether any one uses my link to purchase or not, I think it's an essential item for anyone that runs/cycles/is active outdoors. Not to say I wouldn't love a small commission so I can buy some more color bands ;)

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4. Nuun. Perhaps you know this about me already, but I am not a lover of plain water. Sometimes it hits the spot, but usually I want some flavor. In order to hydrate more, I decided to give Nuun a try. It is fantastic! The flavors are so light, that it's just a hint of flavor, and not an overwhelming taste. A few of my favorite flavors are Cherry Limeade, Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Tea, Fruit Punch, and Tr-Berry. I know, that's most of them haha. I also love that they have different kinds – Energy (contains caffeine for an energy boost along with electrolytes), Active (electrolytes), and All Day (natural hydration) – so you can find the perfect tablet for any time of day, depending on what you're up to. There's no sugar, artificial flavors or colors, or high-fructose corn syrup with only about 7 calories per tab. Sounds (and tastes) good to me!

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5. Yurbuds. I mentioned these in my Friday Five: Five Things in My Gym Bag, but thought they were worth mentioning again in more detail. I have the Inspire Pro for Women in Aqua. I used to use the Ironman Yurbuds Inspire Pro (which it appears are no longer sold on the Yurbuds website), because they had the 3 button dry mic, which wasn't available yet for the Women Inspire Pro (at least not that I could find), but only the regular sized Inspire Pro. I really like the ones geared towards women, because they are designed specifically to fit smaller ears. Even with the different size earbud pieces with the Ironman ones, they were still a bit large for my ear. I ended up losing an earbud, so decided to purchase a new pair, so went with the Inspire Pro for Women, and am happy I did. I like having the ability to control my music and volume from the Yurbuds rather than having to take my phone out and play with it, hence my need for the 3 button dry mic. I love that these earphones don't fall out of my ears, unlike most other brands. I am no sound expert, but it all seems good to me, and obvisouly the sweat and water resistance is a must have for earbuds that I run with. 

What are some of your favorite running products/items at the moment? Any must-haves? Essential items you can't go running without? Would love to hear your recommendations!

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts (links to the specific posts are at the top of the page) and link up if you are joining in! There are always a lot of blogs linked up, and it's interesting to see everyone's takes on the theme, with this week's being especially fun and varied. I suggest taking a look at a few (or all, if you have the time). Have a great weekend, everyone!