GearJunkie Buffs Are Here. (And you can win one!)
February 7, 2012, 12:40 pm / Categories: Miscellaneous
Contest Update (02/17/12): See below (bottom of post) for winners!
Anyone who has read GearJunkie for years knows of our affinity toward the Buff. These hard-to-categorize “headwear” pieces have garnered mucho props from the publication’s founder, Stephen Regenold, who once noted in a story called “Greatest Gear of Five Years” that “Nothing else I’ve tested over the past five years has stuck with me as much as the Original Buff.”
All that praise for a do-rag? Oh, but wait. . . Regenold and many of the GearJunkie staff and race team members almost live in their Buffs year-round when active, including using them as headbands in the summer to wick sweat and block sun, as beanie-type hats in the spring and fall for warmth, and as balaclavas during the wintertime tucked in underneath helmets or insulated hats. The thin fabric hugs the head and neck and can be configured into a dozen shapes depending on the venue and the temp outdoors.
This week, we received a crate of Original Buffs made custom for GearJunkie.com. For now, the box of Buffs is untouched and safe in the office here. But wait, you want one for your own? OK, as the first of a few Buff-themed contests we’re running this month we’ll award five readers their own GJ do-rag. Just follow these instructions. . .
1) Click the “Like” button on this article (this lets your Facebook connections see your affinity toward the Buff, and GearJunkie, too!)
2) Enter in the comments below a response to “Why I desperately need a custom GearJunkie.com Buff mailed to my home this month!”
We’ll pick the five most fun, creative, or true (desperate?) answers and ship out a Buff to each winner. Simple. Watch for more contests on GearJunkie over the coming month, too. You might win a Buff. And you might just become an adherent to the “do-all do-rag” in the end after all!
Contest Update (02/17/12): Hard choices! But after 125+ comments we had to pick some winners. So many good responses. Thanks to all who chimed in. A few stood above the fray, and we need you guys below to email us asap to claim your prizes. So, we picked seven readers as winners, and there were so many more good ones, but. . .
- Jennifer Dengler, who will wear a GJ Buff while giving birth (!) was a winner, hands down
- Reader Tabea Bruce wrote a poem, and “Tim” wrote a haiku, both of which will not win any literary prizes, though we did appreciate the effort
- Next was a “we felt sorry for him” case with reader “John” (He posted: “I have never won anything in any kind of contest. Everybody says I’m a born loser. Please save me from this horrible fate by sending me a GJBuff.”) Desperation works some times!
- Next up, Tamera is thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and she is getting a “Buddhist Nun” haircut, and thus NEEDS a Buff. (We understand, sort of.)
- Another long-journey reader, James Moss is cycling from England to China. Yeah, he deserves a Buff for the trip.
- Finally, on the humor front we laughed hard at Chris Duerkop’s unique Buff-inspired story: “I actually already have [a Buff]. But it was given to me by a Taiwanese businessman after a bad karaoke performance, so every time I wear it I’m reminded of that pitchy rendition of ‘Careless Whisper.’ Now it just sits in the bottom of a Rubbermaid tub. But sometimes I can still hear that melancholy sax solo in the distance….”
Nice, Mr. Duerkop. Send us your address and we’ll get you a new Buff without the karaoke vibes. Again, thanks to all who contributed. We’ll run another GJ Buff contest next month. Stay tuned, and keep your Buff on!
I’ll be honest, the only that could possibly be buff on me is wearing a Buff. These keep my neck warm in winter and my head cool in the summer. Who doesn’t need that! (Most of all, I’m desperate to have one so that I can rub in my free schwag to my friends. I mean really, who doesn’t?)
These are RAD! I desperately need a new GJ buff since it would be the coolest labor accessory. Anyone can wear a buff hiking, skiing, rock climbing (which our new buff will also enjoy the luxury of) but only a select few buffs can make it to labor and delivery the ultimate endurance test for us ladies. Furthermore while hiking and running with the new babe it would work as an emergency burp rag, sweat band for momma, or most importantly sun protection for our little one’s head. Yes our kids wear buffs too :-). Just think of the nastiness your GJ buff will endure!
Well simple I am girl all the hiking and walking on the trail cause me to have a curly poof halo and I don’t look great with the great sky mountain trees view. I have a ear band warmer but its for the winter! And I live in GA its never really cold. I’m a college student help a college student out! I need something who knows what could happen to me out in those woods. Might mistake me for a colorful bear with that poof curly halo! I’d be representing gear junkie for life. Imagine all the people I will run into and the fun conversation I could tell them about gear junkie. Hey, I’m mixed how many mixed people you see on the trail a few I’ll those credit but not a lot! I’d be representing the mixed people gear junkie fans out there. I’d be on of your colorful mixed gear junkie peeps! JUST SAYING
I am so totally getting too old for the
Skull-Do-Rag
My husband needs this GJ Buff,
he covets mine but I’ve had enough.
I think he’ll steal mine while I sleep,
as I lay peaceful counting sheep.
If he does he won’t get away,
as I wear it every day.
Hiking, Biking, Facebook “Liking”,
I wear it even as I’m typing.
I can see why he’s jealous,
as for my Buff I am zealous.
I know my rhymes are getting lame,
but if I don’t win it’d be a shame!
I am a bicycle commuter, no matter the rain, wind, or cold. This will help keep my ears warm during these winter rides.
I am a backpacker, and the only thing more useful than a bandana is a bandana you can wear.
I am a rock climber. There’s no extra reason I’d use a buff climbing, but I thought you’d like to know.
But above all, I teach others about the wilderness, and the best way I know to make others comfortable in the woods is to appear comfortable myself, and then share my tricks. A buff is an integral piece of gear that I can use to consolidate the size of the pack I bring and help others learn about the woods.
It is almost certain my face will fall off without this buff. That is a horror I know you do not want on your conscious and a face I know I don’t want on my desk. Furthermore—I find my head constantly sweaty throughout various outdoorfuntime activities in the summertime, my face consistently combats the sting of the biting Cleveland cold atop my bicycle in the wintertime and in the fall, I am left helpless between a chilly noggin and the itchy over-warmth of a beanie. These trials haunt me. Only you, Gear Junkie in collaboration with Buff can save me from this nightmare. Please, have mercy on me….and my face.
because I want to see my wifes face when she gets the mail and starts bitchin’ at me about buying stuff on-line again and saying “we dont have any money” and “blah blah blah” like a broken record player…………I can shove it right back at her and tell her it was a freebie,only after I let her look stupid for a little while though!
“Why I desperately need a custom GearJunkie.com Buff mailed to my home this month!”
My hair is thinning and I feel a Buff could improve my confidence. I may even run for office if my self esteem is bolstered enough. Once in office I promise to do away with daylight savings time, not to mention metered parking. This could create a ripple effect of “common sense” through the political psyche of the world and thus propel us into the dawn of a new era for humanity… all from this one little Buff.
I NEED a Gear Junkie Buff for a multitude of reasons! I am a kayak guide and instructor and sport a salt water hair-do all year round! The matts and messes look great while on the sea, but when I come back to town (or campground as the case may be) I don’t want to frighten my students and my guests. AND the Gear Junkie Buff could be pulled over my face when I work on my ninja rolls to boot!
I must have this Gear Junkie buff! Not only do I need to show off my love for GJ, but in wearing my lime green buff jogging, mt biking, snowboarding and backpacking it is often diry and drying so I could use a backup one. I can’t train for Tough Mudder with cold ears!
We all dream about handing down gear to our kids….
Mine has passed to my 15 mo. son sooner than expected. He has taken it as his “blankey”. He even has a stuffed black bear he puts it on. I tried sneaking it away for my thru-hike of the AT through the GSMNP last month….monumental meltdown!!! I like to think he likes it so much, because it was mine and he can sense the miles, blood, sweat and tears it’s been through!
So Gear Junkie, I need a replacement for my favorite piece of gear that won’t cause loss of sleep or a 15mo kid to cry for hours!
Sheeeeeit, I actually already have one. But it was given to me by a Taiwanese businessman after a bad karaoke performance, so every time I wear it I’m reminded of that pitchy rendition of “Careless Whisper.” Now it just sits in the bottom of a Rubbermaid tub. But sometimes I can still hear that melancholy sax solo in the distance…
I don’t “need” a Buff, but I would very much like one. I run trail ultras, and being out in the wilderness with minimal gear, the weather can change in an instant. A piece of gear that wicks the sweat, then covers the ears would be a welcome addition. Plus I will take lots of pictures and show it off to the 20 people who follow my blog! Who can say no to that kind of publicity?! Thanks for giving them away to us.
I recently read that you don’t actually lose 90% percent of your body heat out of the top of your head, and running in stocking caps in the winter gets too hot. I think this might be the perfect level of coverage and thermal protection to keep me running in this tundra like minnesota winter. Also shipping will be incredibly easy and cheap.
I need one. Everyone else just wants one. There’s a difference. Everyone else (probably) has hair for warmth in the winter and shade in the summer, so the buff is merely for cosmetic effect. Only you, Gear Junkie buff, can prevent excessive heat loss and/or painful (and dangerous) sunburn.
I don’t want a GJ buff; I NEED ONE!!!
I’m seriously lacking hair on my head, (see bald), I have more than enough on the rest of my body; be alas the comb-over from my back to my head just plain gets in the way of my helmet; hence my need for the GJ dew-rag/buff!!! ;)
Peace
I am a rapidly balding 40 year old male. I run out of doors and need something to protect my head from the cold temps of living in Central Wisconsin. Plus as the roads begin to dry and de-ice I need to hammer some miles on my bike and GJ buff would fit perfectly under my helmet. Thanks.
I really want this so I can be a hero, of sorts, to my daughters when skiing. Every time we head out skiing I remind them to bring a scarf or bandana and they don’t. But guess who’s there with an old, blue bandana in his ski coat when they start complaining about the wind and cold? Why dad of course!! How cool would I be when I pull out a GJ buff and hand it to one of them? Help me be cool!
I need one of your’s to go with the other 5 that I have. I like you, absolutely LOVE MY BUFF’S!!! Been wearing them for years. I’m a backpacker and I never hit the trail without one. One love to have one of your’s for my trip ne t week to MT.LeConte. I live in the Smoky Mountains & would love to sport your BUFF!!!!!!
I am just having a shitty week. I need a BUFF! I have had to teach 7th graders how to use an ! mark. And have had to work to make our school better and some of my friends may lose their jobs. Some think it is my fault. Hi ho off to work I go. But it would be better if I was warmer.
I have always said if you can’t be the greatest at what you’re doing then at least look the best at what you’re doing! I’m a newbie “GearJunkie” kayaker with all the latest toys so the GearJunkie Buff makes total sense to be part of my personal swag.
http://geckopaddler.blogspot.com/
commuting by bus or jeepneys here in the philippines makes you sleepy and i tend to open my mouth when sleeping. so in order not to be always the laughing stock of my wife and son, and also my hiking friends. i need the buff to cover my mouth and face while sleeping before climbing the mountains here.
I’m cycling from England to China which quite frankly is a little intimidating to me still, but if I had a GJ buff it would be as if the whole of the GJ team were giving my head a big warm hug – so when I eventually get captured by land pirates I need not worry I will feel safe and secure, and if I go insane I will be able to talk to it.
Just so you know this is true, you will be able to see me and said buff at cyclefar.com, I’ll pose with the pirates for you.
I DESPERATELY need a custom GearJunkie.com Buff mailed to my home this month! Why do you ask?! Because I am an outdoors adventure loving gal that loves her long hair (so does hubby;) but the Northern Michigan winds keep blowing my long locks into my face, eyes, mouth (not good!) Plus! I am totally a GEAR JUNKIE and want every one know it where ever the trail takes me :)
I live in Michigan where there weather changes multiple times a day. I need custom GearJunkie.com Buff to be able to adjust to these changing conditions. Plus all my friends might really believe me then that GearJunkie.com is the place to go for good info and stories.
I’ve loved Buffs for a long long time now. Back in 2010, I went to South Africa with Team World Vision to run Comrades Marathon. While there I was able to meet one of the two children that my family sponsor through their child sponsorship program. Ner name is Nomonde, and I gave her one of my buffs as a gift. So I need to replace that one, and would love to replace it with a Gear Junkie buff!
I live in downtown South Bend, IN, a run down, rustbelt urban nightmare. I just “celebrated” my 55th birthday and can feel every one of these years getting up every morning, like the Tinman without his oil can. It’s February (again!), the sun is a no-show (again!!), and the weekend forecast is for snow and bitter cold (again!!!). Who couldn’t use a little something to cover one’s aging head, warm one’s troubled soul, and lift one’s sagging spirit under these circumstances?
Give me hope Gear Junkie!!!!
I need a buff because I am not. Hopefully this will distract others away from this fact. Plus, I won’t have to buff my balding head – I can just don the buff instead. Please don’t rebuff my request. I promise not to take any photos of myself wearing the buff in the buff.
I need a Gear Junkie buff because I have a 300+ mile WaterTribe sea kayak race starting March 3, and I’m just so darn ugly that if I don’t cover up that ugly mug, I am convinced a Tarpon or Manatee will jump out of the water and flatten me, just for the good of society. Help me, please!
OMG!? These buffs are AWESOME!!! and as much as I would LOVE to have one…I have a friend who is a true GearJunkie and Buff lover…Gear is all he talks about..he is always forwarding your emails to me so i can see the latest GearJunkie news…and he is always in a Buff! I would love to surprise him with a GearJunkie Buff! Best of both worlds!!! :) Thanks!
I need Gear Junkie buff this month so I stop rocking out the stellar bike helmet Mohawk after playing in the woods. It will keep my chin from freezing off while I petal in the winter and of course keep that sweat from dripping in my eyes while I think it is cool to ride in 100 degree weather in the summer. I am as versatile on my bike as the bluff is at keeping my head and face happy all year long.
I NEED one of these amazing new GJ buffs for my upcoming backpacking trip to Chile and Argentina! I can hardly fathom going on that trip and trekking through both the Torre del Paines and Los Glaciares national parks down there without being able to rep GJ AND keep my head warm.
As relatively new 57 yr old runner, anything that can make me appear even slightly less geeky would be extremely helpful. Can you imagine what it’s like to run past the school, and have all the girls teasing me about my spandex. The boys chasing me and pelting me with snow balls. “ I get no respect”. Besides I’ve always wanted to run in the buff!!!
I need a Buff to wear while adventure racing. It looks like an amazing multi-functional piece of gear!
ROCK Racing
I’ve had a Buff for about five years now…probably my most favorite piece of gear. However my boys LOVE to wear MY Buff. How about helping a Dad rock the GJ Buff? It’ll go to Scout campouts, hike the AT and summit some CO 14ers if plans work out. Talk about spreading the knowledge.
I really need a buff, having just moved from Boston to Seattle for work. The rain fall is constant and the commute to work is dire without proper face protection due to the cross winds from the local puget sound area. Oh, and my dog recently ripped apart my old buff.
On another note, I NEED a new dog too… bad fido.
This summer I’m going with my two sons to Tennessee as volunteers for the Appalachian Service Project (ASP) rehabilitating low income housing. Tennessee in the summertime is HOT. I’ve gone on ASP twice before in Kentucky and the Buff has been a requisite part of my working attire. As a matter of fact, my facebook profile picture shows me on a roof in Kentucky wearing my Buff sahariane style as to provide maximum sun protection for my neck! It would be an honor for me to sport the Gear Junkie Buff on ASP, with me having my two sons wearing the well-worn Buffs I already own.
WOW! a custom Gear Junkie Buff, great idea. My wife turned me onto them a few years back and I don’t leave the house without one. Very versatile and handier than a scarf and using two I haven’t experienced the goggle fog up that happens with some traditional balaclava’s
I desperately need a custom GearJunkie.com Buff mailed to my home this month, to defeat the evil army of hot-dog wielding behemoths that inhabit the land of Rochestifaria. With this buff under my helmet, I shall ride victoriously across the rusted hulks of the enemies’ SUVs, averting their shards of glass, which with the power of the buff, will render my slicks impenetrable to their caltrops. I shall dodge all car doors recklessly flung open in my path, while increasing my personal best time in the daily commute, all through the power of the custom GearJunkie.com Buff mailed to my home this month!
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I NEED a Gear Junkie Buff as i am a die hard cyclist who rides every day no matter what weather has to throw at me and the buff would be a great addition to my gear that would be useful in a wide range of temperatures.