Wool Buff -
Test
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Price:
£21
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Weight
54
grammes (one size)
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Features:100% merino wool tube headwear,
seamless construction, hemmed at either end.,
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What's It
For?
The classic polyester microfibre Buff has been around for years now,
it's a simple polyester fibre tube that can be adapted into various
headgear guises from a simple balaclava through neck warmer to face
mask, right up to a proper comedy hat.
The Wool Buff is essentially the same thing, but made from 100 per-cent
merino wool. Simple.
The Techy
Bits
Chances are that you know a little about merino wool already,
but to recap, it's a non-itchy fabric because the fibres are much finer
than with normal wool. It has natural anti-pong properties so can be
used repeatedly without wasing. It can absorb a fair bit of moisture
and still remain comfortable. It also feels warm in cold conditions but
manages to feel cool and comfortable when things get warmer.
How It
Performed
We generally have at least one Buff with us on the
hill, it's just a really handy bit of kit - wear it under a
bike helmet, as a scarf to stop water running down your neck, as a face
mask in full-on driven rain. As a lightweight, not too sweaty, running
hat.
Normal Buff top, longer Wool Buff
below.
The merino wool version does all that too and, because it's slightly
longer than the standard Buff works better in some applications, as a
balaclava for example. The main differences between wool and standard
Buffs, not surprisingly, are down the the fabric.
The wool Buff is slightly less wind resistant than the standard one,
has a slightly higher thermal value - we think - and is very slightly
less stretchy. Where we did find it scored was in odour resistance.
Standard Buffs now come treated with a silver-based treatment called
Polygiene to fight bacteria and reduce smell, but the merino wool seems
even more effective.
It also has a nice, soft, more natural feel against the skin -
luxurious even - even when
dampness sets in. One thing we did notice is that while original Buffs
stay quite smooth, the wool one does get a bit wrinkled when packed
away.
Just as versatile as a Buff albeit marginally less wind resistant, but
with a soft, feel-good feel and very effective natural odour control
and slightly higher insulation, we think. Plain colours only, so if
you're an extrovert stick with the standard Buff.
Buy if you
want a reasonably-priced, nice-feeling, lightweight, compact,
fast-moving, multi-sport waterproof with good breathability.
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All the inherent
properties of merino wool with Buff functionality.
Not
cheap and available in plain colours only. Wrinkles.
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Know more or want to?
If you'd like to add your own
experiences of this
product check out our user review system and post your opinions to
the world. If you have questions you can mail
us direct, ask
Richard Gear or try
a posting to our
gear
forum.
Timotheos
