Buff - The original multifunctional headwear

Whether or not you are a fan of the television show, Survivor, you are probably aware of the ‘Buffs’ that are a staple on the show; affectionately referred to a Survivor Buffs. Survivor participants wear Buffs in a multitude of ways: headband, beanie, balaclava, scrunchie, bandana, and even a top or skirt…although I have yet to figure that one out. The lack of food for 36 days must reduce the girls on that show to microscopic, because nothing that fits my head will fit around my bottom, or for that matter my chest, without divine intervention. But, enough about my posterior and back to the Buffs.

For those who are still lost and unaware of exactly what a Buff is, let me explain. A Buff is a versatile tubular piece of fabric measuring 20” by 9” when laid out flat and weighs less than 2 ounces. When folded, a Buff will fit in your pocket and you will hardly know it is there; until you need it. The original Buff comes in over 150 different designs, including some cool motorcycle prints. One size fits most adults, but Junior Buffs, for kids 7-12 years old, and Baby Buffs, for the little ones in your life, are also available.

Why do you need a Buff? Let me tell you why.  

Joan Rojas, a textile manufacturer in Spain, developed the original Buffs. An avid biker for years, Rojas began riding trail bike in the early 70s.   In 1991, when Rojas was biking around northern Spain, he remembers, “I was wearing some military briefs around my neck to protect me from the wind and the cold, and I got the idea to improve them, because they were itchy and looked pretty ugly.” 

Rojas began working on drawings and carrying out tests in the family’s textile factory until he found a way of manufacturing a seamless, tubular garment out of micro-fiber. “At first I just gave them to my kids and to my friends,” Rojas explained. He then began promoting them among ski instructors and in shops.  In 1992, he launched the first collection. Three years later, he began to market them abroad, mainly in France, Switzerland and Germany. Currently, 80% of sales are in exports to over 60 countries through exclusive distributors. Original Buff, S.A. also has a sales office and warehouse in the USA.

The name, Buff, is derived from the word 'bufanda', which means 'scarf' in Spanish.

Buffs are innovative, comfortable, multi-functional garments designed to keep off the sun, and protect against wind and cold. Buff products are currently available in hundreds of colors and designs, including skulls, flames, camo, and other fun designs that will appeal to motorcyclists. Although it started as a single product, Buff continues to incorporate new fabrics by manufacturers, like Windstopper, Coolmax, and Polartec, to create cold weather Buffs, wool Buffs, thermal Buffs, reflective Buffs, insect shield Buffs, UV Buffs…well you get the picture.

A Buff worn next to the skin will effectively comfortably wick moisture (sweat) away from the skin.  Original Buffs, like the Buffs we tested, are made of breathable 100% polyester microfiber. Polygiene, a silver ion treatment applied to fabric, has a long-lasting yet natural anti-bacterial effect. The silver ion in Polygiene actively inhibits the growth of bacteria within the fabric eliminating the main causes of odor.  

Because it is light-weight, takes up very little space, and can be worn in loads of different ways: as a scarf, cap, headscarf, facemask, balaclava, headband, wristband... and other ways you might think of…it is perfect for motorcyclists. Buffs dry quickly and maintain their shape after washing, either by hand or machine.   

Buff is proud to use supplies from the best manufacturers. Polyester is a technical fabric valued for its properties that wick moisture and dry quickly.  Micro is the specific type of polyester used by Buff, which refers to the thinnest of fibers (less than 0.9 dtex) that reinforces the technical properties of polyester while giving it a nicer feel.

Buff’s certifications, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, certify their goods meet the human-ecological requirement standards for products with direct contact to skin for adults, children, and baby garments. 

The fabric, certification, and versatility of the Buff make it clearly a winner in both quality and value.

The original Buff is priced around $20.00. Prices may vary by distributor.  

This is probably one of the best $20.00 purchases you will ever make. Because of it’s versatility, it will replace the need for other items you normally carry and reduce the number of items you purchase over time. 

Who needs a Buff? Everyone! Every day athletes who participate in a tremendous variety of outdoor and indoor sports! Cancer patients! Individuals with the disease of hair loss called alapecia! Mount Everest climbers (check out the IMAX Everest movie)! Divers in deep seas! Ski legends like Jim Lee. World cycling champion Laurent Brochard! Top Brazilian soccer star Renaldo! International triathlete and author Sally Edwards. The list goes on and on. 

Buff headwear has been used at the Olympic Games, in the Eco-Challenge Adventure Race and has toured the world with the Grundig World Mountain Bike Series. In addition to the contestants on the popular television show, Survivor, while they battle it out in hostile environments. 

If all these folks need a Buff, surely, a motorcyclist can and will find numerous ways to use and enjoy an iron cross design Buff, or a python design Buff, or a skull mask design Buff. We are confident that you will want more than one Buff, in different styles and designs, after you try one.