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The 7 Best Running Headbands for Taming Frizzy Hair and Wicking Away Sweat
Long-haired runners will appreciate how these bands keep flyaways from tickling their faces.
Running outside can be a freeing experience, with a fresh breeze whipping through your hair to remind you that you’re doing something you love. Unfortunately, that wind can sometimes get out of hand, and it’s not uncommon to run head-first into gusts. Windswept hair flying in your face and sticking to your forehead can take you out of your rhythm, and it can sometimes even hurt when it gets into your eyes. It’s worth investing in a reliable headband to keep those loose strands in place. The right one can also do a great job of sopping up sweat during your runs, preventing it from running down your face.
It might seem like a headband is a simple piece of fabric. But to tame the constant bouncing of your hair when you’re tapping out miles, you want a quality one that will support your hair as much as it holds it out of the way. You’ll appreciate a band that can more easily stay where you put it. Furthermore, it’s nice to have one that feels appropriate to the temperature, cooling you off with sweat-wicking fabrics when it’s hot out or trapping heat around your forehead and ears when it’s not.
To find the headband that best fits your needs, keep reading and see the headwear we think will keep you comfy and your face hair-free in any conditions.
The Best Headbands
- Most Versatile: Buff Standard CoolNet UV+ Multifunctional Headband
- Best for Thin Hair: Nike Swoosh Headbands
- Best for Cold Weather: Trailheads Ponytail Headband
- Best Tieback Option: Tread Bands All Terrain Tieback Headband
- Best for Maximum Coverage: Blom Original Headband
What to Consider
Band Width
The headbands on this list range from half an inch wide all the way up to 6 inches. The wider a headband is, the more spread out the pressure on your head is going to be, leading to less of a squeezing feeling. However, those of us with thinner hair might find that a skinnier band stays in place better when it doesn’t have to contend with thick locks. That said, you can also fold over a wider band if you don’t want it covering as much of your head, and plenty more are made to be configured in a variety of shapes and patterns to provide more functional versatility.
Material and Thickness
Just as much as headbands can be an effective means of sopping up sweat on a summer day, there are plenty of headbands made to keep your ears and forehead warm during the bitterest of winters. Naturally, that extra warmth isn’t going to feel great in July, especially if you live somewhere humid. If you’re looking for a band that can take the heat, pay attention to models that will wick sweat away from tour skin, like a light polyester will. And for those chilly winter runs, be sure to look for bands that offer more coverage.
How We Selected
Not all headbands are built to withstand the pavement pounding and sweaty miles that we runners experience. To find the best runner-approved headbands available now, we researched the most promising products, taking into account value, size, fabrics, and the measures each headband takes to stay on your head. We then cross-referenced our picks with those of fellow expert reviewers from outlets like Women's Health and Glamour to ensure our choices were among the best. Read on to see what we think holds up (your hair) the best.
Athleta Vital Headband
Athleta Vital Headband
Pros
- Effective moisture-wicking properties
- Rubber grips prevent movement
Cons
- Fewer color choices than other bands
Performance-wise, this headband from Athleta is made to conquer the heaviest of sweat thanks to its moisture-wicking nylon-polyester-lycra fabric. Each band has rubber grips lining the inside to keep it in place and manage flyaways. And they also come in a few neutral and basic colors, so you can rock one with nearly any outfit.
Key Specs
| Width | 2 in. |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Nylon, polyester, lycra |
Buff Standard CoolNet UV+ Multifunctional Headwear
Buff Standard CoolNet UV+ Multifunctional Headwear
Pros
- Multi-use band
- UV protection
Cons
- Feels a bit bulky in headband form
Buff offers a solid headband in the CoolNet, but it can also do more than just hold your hair back. These multipurpose bands work as gaiters, neck warmers, masks, and all kinds of headwear. The fabric also provides some UV protection, which can help better shield your neck and face on the sunniest of days.
Key Specs
| Width | 2 in. (in headband form) |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Recycled polyester, elastane |
Nike Swoosh Headbands
Pros
- Good value
- Silicon grips help band stay in place
Cons
- May feel like too much pressure on one part of your head
If you have fine hair, some thicker headbands might slip off more easily. But these Nike headbands, which are thinner, are designed to have a much stronger hold on the silkiest locks. They also have silicone strips to provide extra grip, and they come in packs of six, meaning you'll have plenty of backups if you find yourself without one.
Key Specs
| Width | 0.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Nylon, polyester, spandex |
Tread Bands All Terrain Tieback Headband
Tread Bands All Terrain Tieback Headband
Pros
- Much wider range for fitting
- Adjustable
Cons
- Knot can bounce around
If you don’t love the feeling of an elastic band’s squeeze encircling your head, you might have a better experience with a tieback headband, the size of which you can adjust on the fly for the perfect fit. This model from Tread Bands is a solid middleweight, rocking a modest 2.5-inch width that sits at a modest balance point between the thinnest and thickest bands on our list. It also comes in a variety of eye-catching designs, which is always a plus in our book.
Key Specs
| Width | 2.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester, spandex |
Blom Original Headband
Pros
- Soft fabric
- Versatile configurations
Cons
- Material doesn’t wick moisture
If you prefer more coverage with your headband, you’ll love this one from Blom. It’s styled like a turban with multiple overlapping layers that help balance bulk and security. The fabric is super soft. And while the Original isn’t necessarily sweat-wicking, it offers plenty of versatility. with more than 14 possible wrapping configurations. The band also comes with a neat card with instructions on how to wear it in some of its trickier-to-master styles.
Key Specs
| Width | Up to 6 in. |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Rayon |
Alo Yoga Airlift Headband
Alo Yoga Airlift Headband
Pros
- Stays on easily
- Soft double-knit fabric
Cons
- You’ll need to wash it by hand
A simple design with just a touch of cinched detailing, the Airlift is a headband with optional frills that you have the freedom to either show off or tuck behind your hair. And they also help keep it in place. The band has a broad 3-inch width for better distribution of the squeeze on your head, and the inside of the band has extra rubber grips for even more stability.
Key Specs
| Width | 3 in. |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester, elastane |
TrailHeads Ponytail Headband
TrailHeads Ponytail Headband
Pros
- Keeps ears warm
- Won’t fall off
Cons
- Fits a bit snug on large heads
When it gets cold out, this headband from TrailHeads is made to keep your ears warm. Functioning similarly to a skull cap, this band uses a thicker moisture-wicking fabric to strike the perfect balance between protecting you from the cold and giving your scalp a chance to breathe.
What really makes it unique, though, is the slit in the back that allows you to stick your ponytail through, which helps to keep both your hair and the band in place.
Key Specs
| Width | 4 in. |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester, spandex |
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner's World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.
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