One often-overlooked workout accessory is the best men's headbands for sports. One of the best gym essentials only do they keep your hair in check during rigorous activities, but they also help manage sweat whether you're a man or woman. So, if you're into running or cycling, or you're an avid gym-goer, you’ve probably experienced your hair getting in the way of your workout. And you don’t need long hair to have this problem. If you sweat even just a little bit, your hair will stick to you like glue.
I know what you’re thinking, hairbands are so Roger Federer or David Beckham back in the mid-’00s. But, trust us, they are the best solution for stopping hair from getting all up in your face. Yes, you can try waxing your hair, but this will only leave you in a gloopy sweaty mess. Do you have long hair? You might think it’s OK just to tie it up, although we guarantee that after a few reps, you’ll be wishing you'd invested in this handy accessory. The best men's headbands for sports at a glance:
The best men's headbands for sports at a glance:
• Best overall men's headband: Adidas Terrex Aeroready Headband - View at Adidas
• Best men's headbands for sweaty sessions: Halo II Headband Pullover - View at Amazon
• Best tied men's headband: Halo I Tie Headband - View at Amazon
It's vital to have a comprehensive range of kits to get the most effective workout. You want to avoid all distractions and ensure you get the best workout possible, and that means replacing wired headphones with wireless headphones as well as bagging a pair of weight-lifting gloves (if you do weight-training). If your earphones constantly fall out when lying down on the bench or pacing on the treadmill, bone conduction headphones will be the best buy for your fitness journey.
To stop you from tucking your hair behind your ears every 30 seconds or running your clammy hands through it, check out some of the best sports headbands for men - if you're interested, there's also the best women's headbands up for grabs too.
Best overall men's headband for sports
www.adidas.co.uk
The Adidas Terrex Aeroready headband is a great choice for the more sustainably minded athlete, as it contains 50% Parley Ocean plastic. If you're unfamiliar with this it's a way of reusing the plastic waste that has been found on remote islands and beaches.
It's also engineered with Adidas's Aeroready technology to effectively manage sweat, to ensure you stay dry during your adventures - just make sure you stay hydrated with the best water bottles though.
Pros
- Headband contains a minimum of 70% recycled material in total
- Features moisture-absorbing Aeroready
- Available in children's sizes as well as adults
Cons
- The branded 'Terrex' design may not be for everyone
| Brand: | Adidas |
| Colours: | Black, Orange |
| Material: | 85% Recycled polyester, 15% Elastane |
- Customer review: "This Terrex headband is super thin and forms to your head. It seems to absorb sweat just as good, if not better than the Alpha Skin Wide, while being lighter, cooler, and more breathable. I also have a pretty large head and this headband is not too tight. I hope they make a white colour to lessen the forehead heat absorption."
Best men's headbands for sweaty sessions
If you're a keen cyclist, this Halo II headband will keep hair away from your eyes so you can concentrate on the path in front of you. Even if you've gone off the beaten track, this will absorb all the sweat and dry off fast. Worried about the band not staying in place? It's made out of silicone, so it'll grip to your head and firmly stay put.
If you're working hard to build muscle and breaking a sweat in the gym, save yourself the hassle of the post-gym shake with the best electric protein shaker, a quick and practical way to relax.
Pros
- Sweat Seal Grip Technology to keep sweat away from your face
- Fits comfortably under cycling helmets
- Dryline fabric to absorb moisture
Cons
- One size might not fit all
| Brand: | Halo |
| Colours: | Variety of colours available including: Green, Orange, Pink and Black |
| Material: | Dryline fabric (material specifics unknown) |
- Customer review: "Having suffered from sweat dripping in my eyes on longer rides, I found this Halo II headband and it has made such a difference. No bloodshot eyes even on hotter days. The only negative is that I end up with a line on my forehead afterwards, but it is a small price to pay."
Best tied men's headband
Halo has also released a headband that has an adjustable tie. If you find that regular sweatbands are too tight when you're on the move, then this option will allow you to control its fit. The only downside to this durable accessory is that it only comes in black - just make sure you've got the best men's gym bag to keep your belongings safe.
Pros
- Custom fit to fit any head size
- Sweat Seal technology to channel sweat away from the eyes
- Antimicrobial
Cons
- Hand wash only
| Brand: | Halo |
| Colours: | Variety of colours available including: Light blue, Paisley red, Pink and Grey |
| Material: | Dryline fabric (material specifics unknown) |
- Customer review: "This Halo tie headband blows away the traditional (for me usually too tight uncomfortable headband because this gets tied in the back of your head so you can adjust it. And it works so much better at trapping and releasing my sweat. I like it so much I’m getting another one."
Best towelling men's headband
Love to run? This excellent value for money sweatband will help keep your face dry, even on the hottest of days. Made from 80% cotton, 12% spandex and 8% nylon, these bands by Suddora are created with exercise in mind. Choose this yellow accessory so that you can easily spot this in your gym bag.
A great skipping rope is the ultimate way to work up a sweat and get your money's worth from your sweatband.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable material
- Sold in a variety of bright colours
- Matching arm sweatbands available
Cons
- The towelling material isn't the best for wicking sweat away
| Brand: | Suddora |
| Colours: | Various colours available including: Yellow, Rainbow, Blue, Orange |
| Material: | Cotton, Spandex, Nylon |
- Customer review: "I use headbands for a number of purposes when I exercise three times a week for three 2hr sessions. Firstly as a hairband to keep hair from falling in my eyes as I wear glasses. Secondly as a sweatband, and thirdly to hold my glasses to my head as the sort of Cardio I do (Boogie Bounce, Zumba & Zumba Strong), they easily slide off.
"These Suddora headbands are quite soft to the touch and a bit fluffy ( in that not as many loops per square inch), which means in my book not as absorbent as some hairband sweatbands but they do work. I have found though after an hour they need to be changed. Where as a previous cheap band I bought which has more loops will last the full two hours. I bought quite a few of these and therefore will not buy more but they do the job if your doing about an hour exercise or less."
Best branded men's headband
The Nike Men's Swoosh headband is a classic and iconic accessory that blends sporty style with practical functionality. Made from a soft and absorbent blend of materials, this headband effectively wicks away moisture to prevent sweat in your eyes or glasses. Also featuring the famous Nike Swoosh logo prominently displayed on the middle of the headband, it adds a touch of athletic flair to your appearance.
Pros
- Features the iconic Nike Swoosh logo
- Stretch fabric for a comfortable fit
Cons
- Only two colours available, black or white
| Brand: | Nike |
| Colours: | Black, White |
| Material: | Cotton |
- Customer review: "Over the lockdown period, I took to working out at home, and after a couple of workouts I realised that my house is considerably warmer (and much less air-conditioned) than the gym, so home-workout classes proved to be a sweaty affair. Paired with the lack of hairdressers, this led to a very sweaty mop of hair jumping around the living room for an hour a day, until I invested in this band (and it's partner in white).
"I can honestly say that this Nike headband massively improved my experience: my face stayed infinitely drier, my hair was kept neatly away from my face, and there was no unsightly dripping onto the floor/carpet when working out. I'd massively recommend this sweatband to anyone taking up exercising who wants to keep themselves a bit more sweat-free."
Why do headbands not stay on my head?
Headbands not staying in place can be attributed to several factors. First, the material and the design of said headband will play a significant role. If the headband is made from a slippery non-grip material, it's more likely to slip down during a workout. To prevent this, select a headband with silicone grips or those specially designed for sports.
Secondly, the wrong-sized headband will lead to it slipping off your head. If the headband is too loose, it won't have the necessary tension to stay in place.
Finally, excessive sweating or oil on the skin will also minimise the grip the headband has on your head. Keeping your forehead clean and dry before putting on the headband can help mitigate this issue. With all these tips in mind, we hope you find it easier to select the right headband for you.
Are headbands essential during workouts?
Headbands are not essential for all workouts, but they can be beneficial in certain situations and for some individuals.
Sweat management: Headbands can help absorb sweat and keep it from dripping into your eyes or onto glasses. This means headbands can be especially useful during high-intensity workouts or exercise in hot conditions.
Hair control: For individuals with longer hair, headbands can help keep hair out of the face and eyes, preventing distractions and improving visibility during exercises.
Style: If you're looking to amp up your athleisure wear, headbands can be a stylish accessory that complements your workout attire.
Lily Anderson is a writer at Bauer Media, where she tests products for titles such as Heat, Closer, What’s the Best and Mother&Baby.
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