Buff, Headband, Visor, Hat or Drape?

With summer bearing down on us, I was curious what people wear, and why, when the weather gets oppressive, to deal with the heat?

Some favor visors because they allow more heat to be released. Others expressed concern about darker hair absorbing more heat from the sun than their white running hats. Buffs and headbands maximize evaporation, but also increase direct exposure, so is it worth it? Drape hats offer better sun protection, but do they keep the heat contained more?

this past weekend, I saw every imagninable alternative for a 12K race.

Is there a consensus? What's "best" for summer marathon training?

I've no idea what's best, but I wear skull caps... just because.

This guy likes the headband.

I prefer to go au natural and wear nothing on my head. For starters, running with something on my head really annoys/bothers me. Second, I like to think that I am allowing the heat to leave my body through my head and keep me cooler. I do have to wipe the sweat from my brow ever so often, but I don't seem to mind that.

I wear a lightweight ventilated ball cap made for running. I, personally, do not like visors as they bother my head (like a headband) and I can stick ice under the hat which has come in handy in hot weather long runs and races.

Of course, MVW, you can always wear a "dew rag" (bandana)

Baseball-style running cap. Keeps the sun off my bald(ing) head and off my face, both of which are extremely sensitive to the sun (and basal-prone).

Bob L always wore the headband, so that must be the answer.

White skull cap (sweat-vac brand) because it can fit against the waistband of my shorts, when I don't wear it. I do it for being folliclely (sp?) challenged.

I am required (by spouse and doctor) to say that I run 100% of the time outside with either a wicking baseball style hat or visor. I don't know how it is possible that there are hundreds and hundreds of pictures of me running races hat-less. I do hate wearing a hat of any kind but clearly I would never go against both wife and doctor (3 melanomas already) and run hat-less. That's my official statement.

Almost all the time I use a bandana folded up as a headband. I sweat a lot. Have to have a headband. But, sometimes I do a visor too. That helps with the sweat too.

I wear a visor. Honestly I wear the visor rather than a hat because I like the summer highlights the sun gives my hair. ;-)

And Chris...I never recognize you new avatar pic because you ARE wearing a hat.

Running hat, almost always. One, it keeps the sweat out of my eyes. Two, it means that when I do use sunscreen I can skip my forehead, so that it doesn't drip into my eyes and sting.

IMO keeping the sun off of my head in hot weather keeps me cooler. Definitely felt good to put cool water and ice in it during Boston. Add in the sun protection factor for head and face and it's an easy choice.

I don't wear any extra head covering. I wore a cap once and it kept threatening to blow away even with having my pony tail tucked in. I usually am done running by 6:30 a.m. though so it's not a big deal I don't think.

Michael Enright wrote:Baseball-style running cap. Keeps the sun off my bald(ing) head and off my face, both of which are extremely sensitive to the sun (and basal-prone).

Agreed.

I have my wife ride her bike beside me holding an umbrella.

I like hats. Great to soak in the water fountains on hot summer days.

White, baseball style running hat. Then I soak it every water stop and let the water run down / cool my head.