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When you go out for a ride, are you wearing anything on your head besides a helmet? What do you “top it off with”? A cycling cap? Maybe you use the good ol’ bandana. Perhaps you use something along the lines of a fabric tube, like these from Pandana Multiplex Headwear. Let’s see what the website says about the product:
Pandana seamless stretch headwear is great for nearly any activity! Versatile, lightweight, and stylish, it’s easy to keep in a pocket or bag until you need it.
Pandanas can be a Neckerchief, Neck Gator, Cravat, Scarf, Foulard, Headband, Hairband, Facemask, Earwarmer, Balaclava, Hat, Wristband, Ascot, or Bandana.
Graphics by BordaDesign
What It Is: Most Pandanas are made of 96% Micro Polyester 4% Elastan. Essentially a stretchy, thin, soft to the touch material. they measure approximately 16 inches long, are 8 inches wide when laid flat, and are tubes of fabric. Doesn’t sound like much, but when you look at the above list of uses, it becomes more apparent that something might be going on here.
Getting Rolling: Okay, so it has been brutally cold here of late, and I decided to utilize the Pandanas I received for this test as neck gaiters/face covers. First off, a little back ground information on my preferences. I don’t like typical balaclavas. Too constricted for my tastes, and I get a touch claustrophobic inside of those things. I like hats, hoods, bandanas, and anything warm on my neck. So, I decided to use the Pandanas as I did for these reasons, however, I could have easily made a balaclava, hat, or earwarmer out of them. Horses for courses.
As a neck gaiter this worked really well. It sealed off the top of my layers, and made me realize more cold air seeps in that way, more than I would have guessed. As a face covering, the Pandana was really good for me. Now, I have a beard, and I am pretty tolerant of the cold on my face, so maybe others of you out there wouldn’t agree here. That said, I was using this as a face covering to the single digits and teens below zero, and it really was great to be able to twek where the Pandana sat on my nose, or below it. I sometimes would pull it down a bit, then rearrange it back up again, depending upon heat build up, winds, etc.
I also was sending my son to the bus stop with another Pandana used as facial protection, which he was happy to have. He would sometimes adjust it to the “nech gaiter” position, all on his own without prompting. It is an intuitive, versatile piece of kit, at least from our perspective here in Winter.
At The Finish: So, with several weeks usage of these headwear items, I can see the versatility, the comfort, and practicality of having one along at all times. A Pandana packs down to virtually nothing, space-wise, so sliding one into a jersey pocket, vest pocket, or bag takes very little space. Winter use was impressive- for myself and my son- but others may not think the thin, wicking material to be enough. Warmer weather usage I cannot comment on now, but I will update this review at an appropriate time once I have had the chance to use the Pandanas in warm weather.
At $16.00 a pop, with several styles to choose from, this could be a long lasting, useful, versatile bit of an accessory item for any cyclists or hiker, or use it for civilian purposes. There are many styles to choose from as well. I found the Pandanas to be quite useful so far, but again- I will update this here after warmer weather sets in. Until then you can check out the Pandana headwear here: www.curvepandana.com
Note: Pandana sent over these products at no cost to RidingGravel.com for testing and review. We were not bribed, nor paid for this review and we will strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
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