Forum: outdoors.stackexchange.com
Tags: <hiking><clothing>
Title: What is a buff?
Question: What is a "buff", how is it used, and why should I have one?  I've seen them advocated in numerous places, but I'm not sure why a tube of cloth is better around my neck than a scarf, etc.

Answers:
sents: text: To be honest I was dubious about getting something that I thought was gimmicky, but my son’s Scout troop was selling custom Buffs to raise group funds
text: so I ended up buying one.
text: A Buff is just a tube of lightweight, stretchy material.
text: I’ve found them useful in three particular situations:
text: They are thin, so can be worn like a hat under a bicycle helmet for extra warmth in the winter.
text: Worn round the neck it provides a comfortable scarf that helps seal any gaps around my jacket collar.
text: In summer, I dip it in a stream or river and wear it round my neck to help keep cool.
text: I think they are versatile and useful, but certainly not a full replacement for a scarf, hat, or whatever.
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/6/Graham
score: 27
sents: text: I know a few people who say they're useful - and they are certainly very versatile.
text: There's nothing very complex about them, it's just a section of stretchy material that you can wear however you like.
text: They can be used wet for cooling, or dry underneath a hat for a bit of extra warmth, or as a scarf.
text: If you're on a gentle hike or a fun backpacking trip then there's no harm in having one, they're cheap and if nothing else a bit of fun!
text: I wouldn't say they're an essential piece of serious gear though - kit dedicated to the task it's meant to do
text: will almost always do a better job (a proper scarf will likely be a lot warmer than a buff as a scarf for instance.)
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/74/berry120
score: 8
sents: text: The primary advantage of the buff (an continuous loop of fabric) is the versatility (and fashion ability) of the item over a standard scarf or hat.
text: Features
text: In addition to the wearable methods it can also be used as Eye Mask Facecloth Microtowel Face mask when travelling, snowboarding, desert etc Self-securing
text: bandage/pressure pad All of which can be achieved without the need of a sling, complex knot or additional tying aid.
text: Benefits
text: Less likely to be lost / stolen / dropped since fabric is physically around your body
text: No need for knots causing discomfort/hot spots One item rather than two (scarf and hat/cap) Lightweight Far thinner material than a standard scarf or hat (particularly for males) Multi-activity use Reversible
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/3686/Venture2099
score: 6
sents: text: I have a couple of buffs - one is made of polartec with a piece of thin fabric attached, and another one is just the same thin fabric.
text: I've found the first one to be very useful in winter because: it is very easy to put on and off; on a hike you can put it off for while you're moving and take on for a stop; this also comes very handy on climbing routes where I don't like to mess with a traditional scarf - having a thing that could be applied/removed with one hand only is nice; this piece of thin fabric doesn't look serious, but it helps me a lot when my chin and nose become too frozen - I just pull this part of a buff on my face and it gets warm pretty fast; it is not as bulky as a scarf
text: and if I want to put one more layer of clothing, I still be able to zip a collar;
text: As for that small thin buff, it is just nice to have it for chilly days.
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/3207/Usurer
score: 4
sents: text: I use Buffs a lot.
text: If you are out on the water fishing, a buff worn like a bandit mask combined with a big hat will save you a sunburn.
text: I wear a one as a headscarf during long hikes.
text: It keeps the sweat out of my eyes and I soak it in organic bug repellent to keep the gnats away.
text: For winter hikes, I again use as a bandit mask to keep my face warm and prevent windburn.
text: The advantage is you can easily pull it up/down.
text: To be honest, I never travel without it.
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/9468/Rod
score: 3

Summary of the answers:
A  buff  is just a tube of lightweight, stretchy material.  There's nothing very complex about them, it's just a section of stretchy material that you can wear however you like. The primary advantage of the buff is the versatility of the item over a standard scarf or hat.  
A buff is a versatile, lightweight, flexible material tube.