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Working out in the cold may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but with the right layers and gear you can make it more enjoyable. It doesn’t matter what kind of workout you do, protecting your head and ears is a priority.
“The head is the most common area where athletes lose heat during winter,” David Roche, head coach of SWAP Running, Boulder, Colorado says. You want to cover up because you wouldn’t wear a shirtless workout in February. Avoiding the cold will make your exercise more enjoyable and safer.
While those with long locks tend to gravitate towards headbands and ears warmers in order to enjoy ponytail, anyone can benefit from having some in their wardrobe. Browse our selection of the best workout headbands to keep you warm during cold weather workouts, whether they are walks, runs or hikes.
How We Selected
We spoke with husband and wife coaching duo David & Megan Roche MD who gave us product recommendations as well as explained what to look out for when choosing the best workout headbands. These products were chosen based on the criteria of both their testing and ours.
- Fit
- Durability
- Comfort
- Cost
Smart wool Merino Reversible Headband: Best Overall
This headband is made of 100% merino, which provides warmth for colder mornings and breathability when you’re working out.
This wide-set fabric provides plenty of protection for the ears and forehead, and it doesn’t move once it is on. It makes it an excellent workout headband, even if you have short hair. This headband has soft seams which never rub or dig, no matter how long it is worn.
Saucony Solstice Headband: Best Early Winter Headband
“For milder weather conditions, I prefer cold-weather headbands which are breathable and light on my head”.
This contoured, fleece-lined headband is designed to protect the ears, but it’s not as thick as some other brands. It’s perfect for weather in shoulder season that’s cool but not too cold.
Best Reflective: adidas Unisex Alphaskin Headband
This headband is designed to keep you warm during cold weather runs. It has a fleece-lined interior and contoured design. The high-visibility reflective patches are located on the forehead and the back of the neck. This provides additional safety to anyone exercising in low-light conditions.
The New Balance Unisex grid fleece headband is perfect for racing.
Explains that excessive cold in colder temperatures can reduce performance as well as impact the core body temperature. Covering your hands and head can have a significant impact on your performance when your results are on the line.
The New Balance headband is made from polyester and designed to wick away moisture, preventing excessive sweat on your hair during your most intense efforts.
BlackStrap Snowbelle Therma Headband: Best eco-friendly headband
The headband is made from the leftover fabric of other warm-weather clothing that BlackStrap makes.
Don’t be fooled by the low-quality construction. This headband has a quick-drying outer layer, which is antimicrobial, and offers UPF 50+ protection from the sun. It also features a thermal layer, which will keep you comfortable in any winter activity.
Icebreaker Unisex Merino Chase headband: Best coverage
You can’t decide whether to wear a hat, or ear warmers. This headband offers the perfect compromise. This base layer is made from soft, stretchy, and breathable Merino jersey. It maximizes coverage of the head without overheating.
“Everyone has a different threshold in terms of ear warmers,”. “I often begin runs below 45 degrees with ear warmers. I may end up putting them in my pocket as the run continues, but it is always nice to start on the side that’s warm.” Bonus: The thin, snug fit allows you to wear it underneath a hat, hoodie, or other outerwear on colder days.
ASICS Lite Cover Ear Cover: Best for All Weather
Other conditions such as rain, wind and snow are important to consider. If it is windy or rainy, it would be nice to use ear warmers when the temperature is warmer.
The headband is made of a blend of spandex and polyester that feels light and snug. It’s not waterproof but it will keep you dry on wet days.
Turtle Band Headband Original Turtle Fur Fleece – Best for Supercold Temps
Advises that extra fluff or fleece is needed for supercold weather. This brand is well-known for its ultra-plush products, including this headband.
This product is made of one of the most soft and warm fleeces available. The double-layer construction allows the body heat to be trapped between the layers, and keep it there.
Three factors to consider before you buy
Fit
Many headbands are interchangeable, and this is because they don’t come in specific sizes. They are often designed in a “one-size fits all” design and tend to be quite stretchy. If you read the product description, you can find out specific measurements. But chances are that your chosen headband will fit.
If you’re unsure, test one out in person. It’s a good idea to visit a running store and try on the earphones before you buy them to ensure that they are not too large or too small.
Warmth
You should consider the local weather conditions when deciding what type of headwear to wear. David says that although full head coverings are helpful, they can also be a nuisance because people generate a lot of heat when exercising.
He recommends a full-sized hat for any temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If the weather is warmer, then a light hat or headband should be sufficient. These hats can offer extra protection when the sun is bright on cool days. You get both sun protection and breathability.
Coverage
David reveals a not-so-fun truth: more than half of facial frostbite occurs on the ears. This statistic shows how susceptible our ears are to the cold. “Even before frostbite occurs, exposed ears can be painful.”
A headband is useless if it does not cover your ears. If you can see your lobes, then it is not the right earwarmer for you.
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