The 10 Best Sports Headbands
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in June of 2018. Nothing ruins a good workout faster than having your hair fall into your face or, even worse, sweat stinging your eyes. That's where a high-quality sports headband comes in handy. The options on our list are both functional and stylish, and they come in a variety of shapes, colors, and fabrics, so you can find one to suit any outfit and any type of exercise, from yoga to running a marathon. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Halo II Pullover
2. E Tronic Edge Dry & Cool
3. Blom Original
Editor's Notes
April 30, 2020:
Whether you're taking an online yoga class or are an avid runner, wearing a headband is just as important as having the right shoes or a solid pair of leggings when it comes to your physical comfort. They're meant to keep hair and sweat out of your eyes, can help you stay visible on the road, and are great for showing off your personal style. Many wide designs, like the Tough Headwear Ultimate, Temple Tape, and RiptGear Yoga, can also cover your ears, keeping them safe from chilly winds during winter and helping wireless earbuds stay in during vigorous workout sessions.
We know everyone has their tactile preferences, and so included models made from fleece, spandex, nylon, cotton, and polyester. Classic cotton or cotton blend headbands like the Kenz Laurenz, Tanluhu Athletic, and the Nike Swoosh are resilient and usually hold up relatively well to frequent washings, and feel snug and secure for users who appreciate a tighter fit for intense activities like playing sports or running marathons.
During today's update, we removed the French Fitness Revolution, which became unavailable, as well as the Hoter Sportline, which didn't have much to differentiate them from the other cotton items on our list. We also said goodbye to the Self Pro Performance, a nice enough option that nevertheless suffered from reports of being much too thin and not performing well as a face mask like the company states.
We added the TrailHeads Fleece to accommodate athletes who wear ponytails and braids during workouts, the E Tronic Edge Dry & Cool for runners and cyclists who need something vibrant and noticeable, and the Halo II Pullover, a sophisticated, patented design made for those who sweat a lot and need something heavy-duty to help mitigate it.
The Blom Original is another patented style ideal for fashion-conscious women who need something versatile. Its moveable knot allows for multiple configurations to accommodate a range of hairstyles, and its comfortable enough to wear all day. It's also ethically made in Indonesia and comes from a women-run company.
Special Honors
Custom Ink Personalized From fleece headbands to keep warm to moisture-wicking ones for sweaty workouts, Custom Ink has several options to choose from. Each style has thoughtful features, for instance, the Sport‑Tek PosiCharge Competitor Headband sports a removable tag and narrow back for comfort and fit. Every item can be personalized to showcase your team logo, name, or a custom design created on the company's website. customink.com
Bani Bands Cooling Crafted in a host of charming patterns and prints, including floral, star-spangled, and tie-dye, these headbands from Bani Bands are made with a patented fabric that stays cool up to 30 degrees below skin temperature when wet. They're ideal for hot summer runs, and simply need to be soaked with water to work their magic. banibands.com
Anna Running Perfect for keeping perspiration at bay and hair out of your face, this lightweight style from Sweaty Betty is a classic design with plenty of stretch. Its soft-touch fabric wicks away sweat to keep you warm and dry while its resilient pleated band helps ensure a secure fit and the tapered shape offers coverage for forehead and ears. sweatybetty.com
4. TrailHeads Fleece
5. RiptGear Yoga
6. Temple Tape
7. Tanluhu Athletic
8. Nike Swoosh
9. Kenz Laurenz
10. Tough Headwear Ultimate
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.