Tame Hair—and Keep Sweat at Bay—With These 8 Running Headbands
Keep hair and sweat out of your eyes so you can focus on having a great run.
Whether you’re logging two miles or 10, you want to be able to concentrate on your stride or get lost in the scenery around you—not contend with wild hair in your eyes. Long-haired and short-haired runners alike know that stray strands—whether it’s bangs blocking your vision or a single flyaway batting you in the eye—can be enough to put a damper on an otherwise perfect workout or race. And sure, hats are great but they don’t release much heat or allow your head to breathe.
Headbands to the Rescue
This is why running headbands are an indispensable part of your gear. From thick to thin, tight to loose, the number of different types of headbands is almost endless. The best headbands do double duty, wicking sweat off your forehead in the summer and providing some warmth for your ears on those chilly spring mornings.
What to Buy
When you’re buying a running headband, there are a few features you’ll always want included. Look for high-performance, technical fabrics that can wick away sweat so it doesn’t run into your eyes. Of course, you’ll also want something that won’t move while you do, with just the right amount of stretch and even a grippy interior to hold it in place. Reflective detailing and hi-vis colors don’t hurt when you want to be seen by traffic. And, of course, style counts, too—we gave bonus points to all the headbands we bust out for race-day photos.
How We Tested
Every product here has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and designers, and use our own experience wearing and running in these products to determine the best options. Most models have been tested by our staff, and those that haven’t have been carefully chosen based on their value, technical fabrics, comfort, and looks. Here are our picks for stay-put headbands of all shapes and sizes.
Athleta Reflective Run Headband
This stretchy headband is made of lightweight polyester that wicks sweat away from your eyes during mid-summer runs. As a bonus, little details in the fabric are reflective for added visibility in low-light conditions and an overall floral effect.
Brooks Greenlight Running Headband
Perfect for chilly mornings, this headband does double duty, keeping strands off your face while also covering your ears to keep them from getting cold. It has reflective details on the front and back to make sure you’re visible in dimly lit conditions.
Nike Assorted Headbands
Stretchy, inexpensive, and available in a ton of different colors and patterns so you can match one to any singlet, these narrow Nike headbands are a simple way to hold back all those little escapee hairs while you’re running. An internal band of silicone keeps it from sliding around.
Lululemon Fly Away Tamer Headband II
This thick, sweat-wicking headband holds your hair in place, no matter what kind of weather the day holds. Soft velvet bonding secures the headband in place without any tugging.
Suddora Stripes Terry Cloth Headbands
Ah, a good old-fashioned cotton classic. These retro favorites hearken back to the golden age of running (which we consider to be any and every time period since 490 B.C.). They might not wick sweat, but they’re absorbent enough to keep it from running into your eyes. Plus, they’re cheap enough that you can buy one to go with any themed run.
Sweaty Betty Anna Headband
Soft and thick enough to cover your ears through a late spring frost—but lightweight enough to keep you comfortable and dry in warmer weather—this full-coverage headband does the job year-round. A wide pleat of fabric holds back your flyaways; the stretchy elastic band provides you with a secure fit.
Under Armour Sweat Diverter Headband
Heads at either end of the hat-size bell curve will appreciate this stretchy, two-inch-wide, polyester-elastane band—it fastens with an adjustable tie-off, so there’s no “too loose” or “too tight.” A silicone strip holds it securely in place, so it can wick sweat away from your forehead or hairline.
Salomon Light Headband, $20
The Light headband is big, but don’t mistake it for winter wear. All that soft polyester is designed to hold your hair back and keep the sweat off your face while you focus on your mileage. Choose from five stylish patterns.