Wearing and choosing a snowboard bandana
The snowboard bandana is a popular item worn by snowboarders to protect the face and neck from both the sun and the cold while snowboarding.
Snowboarders have a wide range of face protection options when hitting the slopes. Riders who use bandanas prefer them for a variety of reasons, including low cost, ease of use, and style. Worn in the same fashion as train robbers in old west movies, the snowboard bandana is tied behind the head, then draped across the face. The bottom half is then either tucked into the jacket, or left hanging loose outside of the clothing. Some snowboarders prefer to wear the bandana tucked slightly into their snow goggles for stability. Other riders like to keep the bandana just below and outside of the goggles. If goggle fogging is a problem, choose a specialty snowboard bandana that has an airhole. These can be found through online retailers and specialty snowboard shops. For those who are worried that the snowboard bandana will fall off, it is possible to use two, for added stability. The first snowboard bandana is worn over the head, and ties in the back. Lay the second one across the face and mouth, and tie it above the knot in the first bandana. After layering goggles and helmet on top, the bandana will not fall off. Some retailers sell snowboard bandanas which are attached in the back with velcro. These are easy to use and relatively secure. For first time users, it may be necessary to experiment with different styles and fabrics of bandanas before finding one that is just right.
The most important element to consider when looking for a snowboard bandana is fabric. First of all, what sort of fabric do you need? Would you prefer a lightweight material for wind and sun protection, a warmer fabric for cold weather, or a waterproof fabric? The areas you snowboard in will make some types of cloth more or less desirable than others. In the summer, fleece line bandanas may be too warm. Some snowboarders report that cotton bandanas are too thin in the winter, and that moisture created by breathing causes the fabric to freeze and chafe. If you know someone who sews it is possible to eliminate this problem. To create a waterproof snowboard bandana, line an existing bandana, cotton or fleece, with material salvaged from a thrift store wind breaker. This will create a water poof snowboard bandana, an item which does not seem to exist in the current snowboard bandana marketplace. Any fabric lined this way should be worn on the outside of all clothing. This will prevent moisture from the breath from collecting inside the jacket. Whether you find an old bandana in a thrift store, or purchase a specialty snowboard bandana online, look for a fabric that is colorfast. Precipitation in the air may cause the snowboard bandana to release dye, so be sure to wash your bandana before using it. This is especially true strong for cotton fabrics in colors such as red, black, and dark blue. Whatever type of snowboard bandana is chosen, be certain to carry an extra, in case the first one is lost or becomes unusable.
