Bibrave Product Review: Buff DryFlx

Disclaimer: I received a Buff DryFlx and headband to review as part of being a Bibrave Pro. Learn more about being a Bibrave Pro and check out http://www.bibrave.com to review, find and write race reviews.

Buff. ALLLL the Buff. I’ve tried and still use Buff throughout the years and have Bibrave to thank for introducing me to the Buff. It’s one of the few running things that can be used all year in a whole host of ways, and they’ve come out with a new line that I’m excited about.

The Buff DryFlx is lightweight and has a design for cooler outdoor use (read, winter weather in Washington State). Additionally, this design is bright. It’s meant for you to be seen! Warm, lightweight, reflective, what more can you ask for?

Well, there’s the fact it has this 4 way stretch thing going on. And it’s seamless. And UPF 50 Sun Protection….

Because of travel, I’ve actually had the chance to use my Buff in both Washington State (where I’m running in 20-30* weather when I can get outside), and Arizona (currently here for a conference). Ever been to Washington? It gets cold over the winter, so having something that’s lightweight but keeps. You warm is important. I’ve used the buff and the headband, which I love, however, my head is a little small for the headband. It makes a really good wrist version of the Buff though, if you’re looking for ways to help with sweat control!

In Phoenix, it’s been in the 50s-60s, so a world of difference compared to what I’ve been dealing with the last 6 weeks. The lightness of the Buff makes it so you don’t feel it and you don’t feel like you’re overheating either. Additionally, the whole reflectiveness idea makes it so you’re seen (can’t help the people who don’t pay attention).

Overall, love my buff. If there could be some sort of way to get a smaller headband for us small headed people, that’d be awesome, but a great product overall!

Bibrave Product Review: Buff Thermonet

Disclaimer: I received BUFF® ThermoNet Gear to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

One week down in the PNW and we’ve already hit winter. Yup, 3 days of snow already in November (although places in MT decided Sept/Oct was a good time to get snow). No really, we’ve hit winter.

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When all you need to do is run some stuff to the mailbox and it’s cold enough for your @buff_usa ThermoNet hat. Winter and snow ❄️ have hit the PNW 😳👀 #bibchat #runchat #buff #bibravepro #atleastmyearsarecovered

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Nov 6, 2017 at 9:35pm PST

 

This makes the ThermoNet series from Buff a good product to have anywhere that gets winter, cold or snow. I’ve got my fair share of Buff Products and getting to add the ThermoNet to the mix came at the right time.

The Nitty Gritty

The ThermoNet Series uses PrimaLoft Yarn. What that means for you is the heat gets kept in, the cold and moisture out and that it’s 4 times warmer than microfiber. It also means there’s a high warmth to weight ratio so there’s less bulk needed to keep you warm. When you’re like me and hate having a bunch of extra layers on, this is a plus!

Ways to Wear

The ThermoNet series has a Buff and a Hat. It’s easy enough to use the hat only, the buff only or combine the two. The buff has 12 ways to wear it

Multifunctional!

I’m a fan of the neckerchief, neck goiter and face mask options. The hair tie is something I’d like to try, but I don’t have long enough hair for it.

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Mail call! My @buff_usa ThermoNet came today….I feel like I need to go into work bundled up with how cold the hospital is #bibchat #buffusa #buffie

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Sep 22, 2017 at 7:03pm PDT

 

Cost

The hat and the Buff are $27 each ($54 for both). If you hurry, you can get 20% off the ThermoNet series with BIBRAVETHERMONET20  Through 11/17/2017

When to Wear

Think of this as more of your cool to cold weather days. I feel like I could wear it on days where it’s 40-50* out or when it’s cold enough for snow (and trust me I’ve done both

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When it gets to the high 40s after being in the 70s-80s, you bring your @buff_usa ThermoNet #bibchat #buff #buffie #runchat

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Sep 30, 2017 at 7:53am PDT

 

Buff Care

Expect them to smell after awhile after sweating in them. ThermoNet series can be machine washed warm and then laid out to try flat.

Overall

If you’re somewhere that sees cold, snow, or winter, look into the ThermoNet series. It does a lot to keep you warm without a bunch of bulk and is easy to pack and take care of. I’m more of a fan over the Buff than the hat, but that’s just personal preference.

Don’t forget to join us for Bibchat at 9 pm EST/6 pm PST on 11/14/2017 with Buff to win your own!

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Moe is in full support of the @buff_usa #thermonet. He loves how it keeps him warm! You can get yours too and save 20% with BIBRAVETHERMONET20! #bibchat #buff #runchat #buffie

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Oct 26, 2017 at 10:19pm PDT

Bibrave Product Review: UV Reflective Half Buff

Disclaimer: I received a UV Reflective Half Buff race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Buff! I love me some Buffs. Over the course of my time as a pro, I’ve tried quite a few of their products (Full Buffs, Merino Buffs, Half Buffs, Original Buffs, Hoodies) and have loved them. When I forget one of them for a race, it’s a sad day.

When the Reflective Buff came out, I was excited to try it!  What I love about the half buffs in general, is that they’re perfect for small headed people like me. While the full buffs are good for winters and head coverage, the half buffs are just enough fabric to do the job of catching sweat, keeping your neck warm or keeping the hair back.

What’s so great about this? You get the thermal aspect of the buff, 95% UV protection, Reflective Strips so you’re seen in dim/dark circumstances, moisture wicking and odor control. My first few times wearing the reflective buff, I wore it to spin class. Did wonders for keeping the sweat off and controlled and glows in the dark if you have white light! I also wore it for the Hot Chocolate 15K in Seattle over the weekend. It kept the sweat in control and the hair off my face at the same time. Needed a little adjustment here and there, but such is life. By the end of the race, it was soaked through! Need some suggestions how to wear it? Take a look below!

 

I still love the buffs, but one minor critique is I feel like my head is touch small for it sometimes- it seems looser than my other buffs and I’m adjusting it maybe a little bit more, but that isn’t a reason to hold up getting it. I haven’t had the chance to run at night with it yet, just because the weather is being temperamental here in the PNW (apparently we still need snow here in March).

Item Specifics:

• 100% microfiber polyester
• Polygiene Odor Control
• Coolmax Extreme!
• 95% UV protection
• Reflex

Interested in Buff? Check them out:

Website      Instagram      Facebook      Twitter

BibRave Product Review: Merino Wool Buff

Disclaimer: I received a Merino Wool Buff to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

My Buff collection grew again!!  I’ve tried and loved quite a few Buff Products (like their hoodie, Half Buff and Full Buff). When we had the chance to try their Merino Wool Buff, I jumped on the Buff train for sure!

My Buff Collection. The Merino Wool Buff is the Red Buff in the middle

For size comparison, the wool buff is about 3 of the Half Buff’s and a little more than one of the full buffs. It just means more ways to have fun with it! It also came in time for one of my first races of the year, the Hermes Chili Bowl Classic, which means I found a few of the fun ways you can wear it.

Because the Wool Buff is designed to keep you warm in colder weather, it tends to be longer (which might be a problem for some), but it really helps keep the cold out and your ears warm, something my mother is thankful for (can we count how many times I’ve refused ear warmers?). It’s also incredibly light weight so you tend to forget that it’s there. Because it’s long, you can get head and neck coverage all in one with it. Not a runner? Use it under helmets for biking or under gear for skiing, it doesn’t discriminate!

I have yet to wash mine (and I’ve worn it on a few runs), and it doesn’t smell. Yet. It’s good for wiping the sweat away, keeping your neck warm or all out wearing because you’re setting the new coolness standards. With marathon #7 coming up, it’ll be worn on race day and used in some capacity, even though the weather will be in the 60s!

I have yet to try this in warmer weather (it didn’t come for the Gasparilla Classic), but it’s also noted to provide coolness in the summer so you don’t feel like you’re going to overheat. Yes, it really does dry out fast after races!!!

How to wash this fun little toy? Hand wash in warm water with mild soap and lie flat to dry. Poor Fellow Pro Angie’s ended up in the laundry, but hark! it wasn’t the end of the world.

I continue to love my Buffs and really couldn’t find anything I didn’t like about my full buff. I can’t wait to try it out in warmer climates this weekend at one city. It’s really worth the $29 to have! And plus, the Buff People are awesome as it is!

Join us and Buff during Bibchat this week (March 15, 2016) at 9/8 est/cst to talk some Buff! there might even be some free stuff involved!

Bibrave Pros Testing Out the Wool Buff

Angie     Jen     Mark      Janelle

Bibrave Product Review: Buff Hoodie

Disclaimer: I received a Buff Hoodie to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Buff. How I hadn’t heard about them prior to becoming a Bibrave Pro is beyond me. I’ve tried and fallen in love with their half and full buffs and when the opportunity came up to try their thermal hoodie, I jumped at the chance. Forgot about the buffs? Head over to read what I thought about their half and full buffs!

The Buff Hoodie is just that, it’s a hoodie you put on and take off as you choose (and hey, maybe look a tad homeless when leaving work depending on how warm you need to be). The way the hoodie is designed makes it warm. The hood itself is thermal and it also has a buff sown in to provide neck and face coverage

Buff + hood= hooded buff!!! Or just a removable hoodie 🌨💨🌬 @buff_usa #bibchat #buff

A photo posted by Christine (@cgincle) on Jan 16, 2016 at 8:39pm PST

The material itself is Polartec® Thermal Pro® material. Read, it’s warm and wind resistant. With the buff worked into, you get neck/face/ear coverage. It also means mom isn’t yelling at me to cover my ears when I go out! How warm is it? Warm enough that even at 0* Fahrenheit, while getting off of work, I don’t have to worry about freezing when I’m warming up my car to go home!!

It’s also wonderful for running outside during the winter (should you have time to do that in daylight hours, which is currently not me. It does stay in place when you run (and yes, I did test that out on a treadmill just for fun!!). It stays in place well and if you get too warm, it’s easy enough to bring the hood down until you need it, but still get some head and neck buff coverage.

Can't be yelled at that I don't keep warm over the winter! #cleveland @buff_usa #bibchat

A photo posted by Christine (@cgincle) on Jan 13, 2016 at 4:49pm PST

Like outdoorsie type things (I don’t know, skiing, snow boarding, etc?)? Perfect for people who hang outside over the winter. Perfect for the skier/snowboarder or for someone who does the snow removal type thing. A perk to it is that since it’s a piece of its own, if you go inside, you can take it off and let it dry out while you recuperate.

I honestly am a huge fan and really don’t have any complaints about it. I haven’t washed mine yet, but plan on using it on some more runs once I can get outside to do that!

The Details

Where to find it: Buff Hoodie

Cost: $50 (free shipping since it’s over $40)

Hoodie Specifics

• 100% natural merino wool
• Polartec® Thermal Pro® hood
• Thermal protection from cold & wind
• Cool in the summer, extra layer of warmth in the winter
• Quick drying
• One size fits all adults

Other Pro Reviews: Angie Katherine Amy Sarah M.

Join us Tuesday at 9/8 EST for #bibchat with Buff USA!

Weekend Discounts

Please enjoy!

1. Cleveland Marathon (May 15, 2016): 10% off with Akron16
2. Pittsburgh 10 Miler (10/25/2015): $10 off with 10OFFEQTAKR
3. Hot Chocolate 15K/5K (11/8/2015): $10 off with STEPUPCHICAGO through 10/4/2015

Bibrave Associated

1. 2XU: 20% off with BIBRAVE20
2. Wigwam: 15% off and free shipping with  10-WG615BR
3. Buff: 10% off with BIBRAVE10 through 9/20/15
4. Honolulu Marathon: 20% off with TOMPRO

Bibrave Product Review: Full Buff USA

Disclaimer: I received a Full Buff from Buff to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

More BUFFS!!! If you remember awhile back, I had the opportunity to test a Half Buff from Buff USA. No? Head over here to refresh your memory. It even made it to the Madison Mini with me!

I was more than excited to test out the Full Buff from Buff USA. When you think about the size comparison to between the half and full buffs, it’s about a 2.25 half buff to 1 full buff comparison. Another plus? Holy Orangeness and colorness batman! Talk about being safe if you want to be seen! Don’t believe me?

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Size comparison of the @buff_usa half and full buffs side by side 2+:1 ratio half to full #bibchat #buff

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Aug 29, 2015 at 2:38pm PDT

Benefits of the Full Buff is that it has a whole lot of ways to wear it. Come winter in Cleveland, I’ll be a fan of the neck coverage and neck/head combination of it because of it’s length.

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Full neck, ear and head coverage with with @buff_usa full buff. Always important with northern winters! #bibchat #buff

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Sep 17, 2015 at 6:07pm PDT

Because of the ways you can use it, it’s beneficial across sports lines. Good for runners, bikers, hunters, etc. A fellow BibRave Pro uses it for a bandana on his furry 4 legged running buddy!

Besides how it can be worn and a nice way to get some protection against wind, it’s also a good sweat wicking device. It holds in the sweat so you’re not dripping sweat all over your face.

Awesome Points:

• 95% UV protection (because trust me, melanoma and skin cancer isn’t an awesome thing to have)
• 12 ways to wear (or multi wearable as I call it)
• Wicking material
• THERMAL!!! I know how important this is for my northern and living on lake friends

The Specifics

• Cost: Starts around $25 + shipping (though free shipping on orders >$50)
• DISCOUNT: 10% off with BIBRAVE10
• Website: http://www.buffusa.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Buff.Inc
• Twitter: @Buff_USA
• Instagram: @buff_usa

Bottom Line: Another strong product from Buff. A must get for sure for all your sports loving, outdoorsy type of people!

Don’t forget to join us Tuesday, September 22 for #Bibchat. Buff will be sponsoring again!

 

See what other BibRave Pros are saying

Laura: http://www.thecaffeinatedrunner.com/2015/09/go-full-buff-with-buff-usa.html

Chadd: https://cbalbi85.wordpress.com/2015/09/17/product-review-buff-headband/

Angie: https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/full-buff-product-review/

Kim: http://kimmaves.tumblr.com/post/129534255822/uv-full-buff

Discount Monday

Enjoy!

1. Buff USA: 10% off with BUFFSAVE10 through 8/31/2015
2. Discover Whitewater Series: 1/2 Marathon, 5K (9/20/2015; Whitewater, WI): $10 off 1/2 Marathon with 15MADMINI through 9/11/2015
3. Brewers Mini Marathon and 10K (9/26/2015; Milwaukee, WI): $10 off with MADISONMINI2015 through 9/19/2015
4. O’Hare 5K on the Runway (9/21/2015; Chicago, IL): $5 off with MINIOHARE
5. Monster Run 5Miler/5K (10/17/2015; Milwaukee, WI): $5 off 5 Miler with MINI5M or $5 off 5K with MINI5K through 9/1/2015
6. Madison Marathon and Half Marathon (11/8/2015; Madison, WI): $10 off with MINIVRB10 through 8/29/2015
7. Rock n Sole (6/11/2016; Milwaukee, WI): $5 off with RNSMINI through 9/1/2015

BibRave Product Review: Half Buff USA

Disclaimer: I received a Buff to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

A few weeks ago, I got a nice little thing in the mail courtesy of Bibrave. My new found friend was a Buff. I’m one who sweats a boatload, especially over the summer, and when sweats get into my eyes, it feels like sunscreen.

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Fun toys in the mail from @buff_usa!! @buffusa #bibchat #runchat

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Jul 11, 2015 at 1:21pm PDT

Another thing to know about me: I hate wearing hats. I hate wearing visors [ironic since I wore one while playing goalkeeper in high school]. I may or may not remember to grab my sunglasses on the way door. I’m one who doesn’t like a lot of crap on me when I run.

My Half Buff does wonders.

Fit: it’s lightweight so you don’t realize it’s there, but after a few miles, you wonder why there’s no sweat going into your eyes and then you remember you have something on your head. My one tiny suggestion is to maybe adapt it so there’s some sort of measurement component. I have a small head so there were a few times where I felt like it was a smidgen too loose.

Colors/Designs: can we say options? Definitely more than enough to choose from!

Function: Yes, you can use it for sweat absorption. I live in Cleveland where there’s this thing called winter and in a state where college and pro football happens, no mater the weather. I’m already counting down the days to when it can be used as a neck cover. Not a runner, but instead a biker? Definitely thin enough to fit under a bike helmet for a long bike (came in handy while in Portugal and trying to not kill myself on the bike!).

Sizing: tons of options. Short, long, take your pick. They have options for the cold junkies so that you can have neck and head covered.

Pricing: Typically start at $15

Overall, I’m a fan of the Buff. They’re social media team is awesome and all over tweeting/instagraming/facebooking. Are you convinced yet? Try one at 10% off with BIBRAVE10. Also, join us on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 9/8 EST to chat with other BibRave Pros about all things Buff and Buff USA!

 Facebook: BUFF  Instagram: Buff_USA Twitter: Buff_USA