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Sweat control

07.05.2009 by Ray Niekamp // 14 Comments

Keeping sweat out of my eyes has always been a problem. I’ve dealt with it a number of ways: I first used an old bandana tied as a sweatband around my head. Then I moved on to more elaborate methods. I got one of those doo-rag lookalikes from the LBS. Made by Head Sweats, it fits over the head, very lightweight, with a terrycloth headband. A small tail sticks out the back, and is supposed to help wick away perspiration. I managed to lose it, though. Last year, my wife added another Head Sweats doo-rag to the arsenal, this time with three tails that you tie at the back. Problem is, on really humid days, these don’t keep the sweat away for more than an hour.

On a recent visit to the LBS (I was just going to buy some chamois cream, and left with $45 worth of “stuff” — typical) I picked up a simple sweatband. I may have found the solution. This one is by Halo, and has a small feature that makes a difference — at least in my experience. It’s a strip of rubber that runs across the front of the band, where it contacts the forehead. The rubber stops the sweat, and channels it to the sides. Riding in temperatures that approach 100F (38C), I haven’t had any sweat-in-the-eye problems since going this route.

Head2My sweat-fighting equipment: The Halo headband with the yellow rubber sweat blocker, the HeadSweats doo-rag, and the large MS 150 bandana.

I save the Halo band for my longer weekend rides, and during the week, I still use the Head Sweats doo-rag or the bandana. One thing about the bandana: At the MS 150, all riders got one in their goody bags, and it’s better than my other ones for one simple reason: It’s a little bit bigger. That means I can roll it into a head band and have long enough tails to tie it off easily. The garden variety farmer bandanas that I’ve been using are barely long enough to tie around my swelled head.

I’d be interested to hear how you deal with the sweat-in-the-eye problem. I’m thinking there might be another Halo headband in my future, but that’ll have to wait until I make another trip to the LBS, where I don’t plan to spend much money(!).

On another topic…I’m still looking for your input on what you consider to be the most common newbie mistake. Send your nominations to me by email. I’ll feature them in a future post.

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Comments

  1. 331miles says

    July 5, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    I find the do-rags and headbands make me *feel* hotter, so I don’t use them. I’ll take off my glasses and use the back of my gloves to wipe my eyes if the sweat gets too bad. I also will squirt myself in the face and forehead with water from my water bottle while riding. I also know that I’m probably odd man out on my approach…

    Reply
  2. mildstallion says

    July 5, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    Since I don’t have enough hair left on my head, I had to so something also. I have been using the headswets-type skull caps for a few years now and have had zero sweat in the eye problems.

    I guess your mileage may vary.

    Reply
  3. Kevin says

    July 5, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    I keep a washcloth in my handlebar bag. I’ll grab it and wipe my forehead while riding or at a stop. At a stoplight, I’ll sometimes take my glasses off to get a better wipe, although I can even push the glasses up while riding if I have to (I use a strap for the glasses) and get underneath. All this is made easier since I typically don’t wear a helmet, primarily because of the heat/sweat issue.
    .
    If I don’t have the handlebar bag, or it’s so full that I don’t want to leave it unzipped and risk something falling out, I will secure the washcloth under the velcro closure of my cycling glove. I can soak just the glove with sweat in a pretty short amount amount of time. If my forehead is sweating, my arms and hands are too. So the back of the glove or terry cloth patches on some gloves don’t work for me much longer than 15-30 minutes. On really long and hot rides, I may even take a second washcloth and alternate.
    .
    I will have to look for the Halo Band and give it a try. Thanks for the product review.

    Reply
  4. Bryan says

    July 5, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    If it’s not too hot out a cycling cap under my helmet is perfect and results in zero sweat in the eyes. Since it’s hotter now I also went looking for a better solution and started with a simple headband. It works pretty good but after an hour and a half it starts to leak a little and has to be wrung out. I’ve heard the halo sweatbands are nice. I may have to try one.

    Reply
  5. Glenn_in_MA says

    July 6, 2009 at 7:55 am

    I use the Head Sweats light weight skull caps. I’m bald and they work perfectly. No water in my eyes ans that used to be a chronic problem. I don’t find that I feel hotter, but then again, we don’t normally have near 100 degree heat with oppressive humidity to ride in around here…sometimes I wish we did!

    Reply
    • gtinla says

      July 6, 2009 at 4:27 pm

      +1 on what Glenn said, except I am in So Cal

      Reply
  6. tracywilkins says

    July 6, 2009 at 9:18 am

    I’ve been a believer in either a Headsweats knotted skull cap or cycling cap turned backwards for several years, but I’ve started having issues since I got my new helmet a few weeks ago. It’s got an adjuster that seems to ride a little lower in the back, and the knotted skullcaps and cycling cap bill cause that to be very uncomfortable.

    I’m currently using the only Headsweats skull cap that isn’t knotted. From your description, it’s probably the one that you have with the little tail in the back. My wife has one of those Halo headbands that I’ve been thinking about trying, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. It should probably work just about as well.

    Reply
  7. MTS says

    July 6, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    My Giro Ionos helmet. That and going fast.

    Reply
    • rainycamp says

      July 16, 2009 at 11:29 am

      You know, another biker acquaintance says the same thing — that if you lay out the cash for a really good helmet, it will be well-ventilated and have better quality foam padding. He doesn’t use a headband or a doo-rag or anything. He just washes the padding in the helmet every couple of weeks. He adds that storing the helmet inside an air-conditioned house rather than a hot garage makes a difference, too.

      It’s spending more than $100 for a helmet that stops me, though.

      Reply
  8. Sine Botchen says

    July 7, 2009 at 11:40 am

    Forget the eyes, I hate having helmet funk water run down my face and into my mouth as I’m gasping for breath on a climb. Yick! I’m gonna try the headband thingy and see if that helps. Good to see everyone’s input.

    Reply
    • rainycamp says

      July 7, 2009 at 2:31 pm

      I’ll second that yick and add a yuck.

      Reply
  9. Ramon H. says

    August 9, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    Just came back from the LBS after picking up a Halo sweat band. Are you happy now, bike noob? 😀

    Reply
  10. John says

    June 24, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    Get a SweatHawg helmet liner to manage the perspiration and cover the top of your head. Great for the shaved, the bald, and the balding. Money back guarantee and free shipping. Hyper-absorbent, ultra-wicking, comfy and stealthy (in the helmet). Works like nothing else, and no ugly dangling stuff out back! Sweatbands and do-rags only delay the problem…

    Reply
  11. Bertie says

    October 28, 2015 at 2:18 am

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    I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking
    and will be tweeting this to my followers!
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    Reply

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