Those who practice cycling know that it is necessary to protect themselves from the sun, wind and the unpredictability of the weather. For this task, the bandana is a great ally, because it protects the cyclist, in addition to being able to be used in different ways in the head area.
What is the bandana for in cycling?
The protection given by the bandana is especially for the scalp, against sunburn and against any dirt that may come your way during sports practice.
In fact, it is not only suitable for cycling, but for any outdoor sport: mountaineering, mountain running , hiking, climbing and fishing, for example. For helping to contain sweat, it is also a good idea for those who practice activities in the gym or even in everyday life.
But when it comes to cycling, the bandana has some ways of being used, depending on the cyclist’s needs.
Ways to wear bandana in cycling
We brought 12 ways to use the bandana in cycling to inspire you. Because it has a tubular shape, it is a very versatile accessory, which unfolds in different ways, which can be used as you need.
In cycling, it is most common to serve as protection for the scalp, as the cycling helmet has ventilation openings through which the sun enters, which can burn your skin. Its use can also help so that sweat does not run down the face.
On colder days it also serves as protection for the neck and face, used as a scarf or mask.
Remembering that, whatever format is chosen, the bandana must always be combined with the use of the helmet. If you feel that the way you have chosen to wear the headband may reduce the helmet’s protection, review it and always use it so that the helmet is in the center of your head, is well fitted and fits snugly against your face.
1. Scarf
Just insert the cycling bandana around your neck, as it has a tubular shape, it is able to protect your neck from wind and cold, acting as a scarf.
2. Mask
Raising the scarf position a little, raising it towards the face, you can turn the bandana into a mask, to protect from the cold and wind.
Importantly, it protects well against dust and dust, but it should not be used to prevent the spread of viral particles such as the coronavirus.
3. Hood
Pulling it even further up, from the mask shape, taking it from the mouth and nose and passing the bandana behind the head, taking the ears and covering the head, you turn the accessory into a hood, leaving only the face exposed, with neck, ears and scalp protected.
4. Balaclava
Still in the hood format, you can take the excess fabric below your neck, pulling it upwards, so that now in addition to the neck, ears and scalp protected, your nose and mouth are also covered. This is the balaclava format, where only your eyes are exposed.
5. header
As the name already says, it is when you use the bandana in the forehead area, adjusting it to stay only on the forehead. Since cycling bandanas are often made from a combination of polyester and elastane, they are very conformable to the shape you shape them.
This format is ideal for those who tend to sweat a lot during training. The headband format prevents sweat from running down the face, reaching the eyes, which can be quite uncomfortable when pedaling, right?
6. Cap
You can also adjust the bandana so that it only rests on your head in the shape of a cap, also covering your forehead, similar to those swimming caps. Ideal for protecting the scalp.
7. Legionnaire
From the cap shape, another interesting way to use the bandana is the legionary one, which is the combination of a cap with extra protection for your neck. This style is often used by desert walkers to protect the scalp from the sun and also the neck at the back.
Just leave an extra part underneath the cap shape and count on that extra protection.
8. Scarf
If you have long hair, from the cap format, you can put the hair inside the bandana, preventing it from being loose and ending up disturbing your visibility because of the wind. And the scarf is still usually visually beautiful.
9. Pirate
A way often used by motorcyclists, it is possible to take advantage of the tube shape of the bandana to create a pirate cap.
Just place both hands crossed internally on the headband, pulling the sides outwards, which will form a knot, which shouldn’t be right in the middle of the accessory: one side should be bigger, which is the part that goes on the head. The smaller part will be the little pirate knot.
For the cyclist, this format fits well with the helmet, as the knot does not catch on the helmet, which is on top of the head, protecting your scalp from the sun that enters through the ventilation of the helmet.
10. Cap
Same idea as with the cap, except that here you remove the bandana from the forehead, protecting only the scalp.
11. Range
Indicated for those with long hair too, this format is when the bandana is inserted in a thinner way, as in the forehead, but it is not on the forehead: it is between where the hair begins and the lower part of the neck, and may or may not cover the ears , as you wish.
12. Fastener
Finally, you can also use the bandana as a hair tail, securing it exactly as in the process with the tail, bow or scrunchie.