Buff on summer camino

[fjvjess]

Hello,

I learned about this beloved buff thing from forum members. Sounds very useful for warmth in winter. Any benefits during the summer, though? I'll already have a sun hat (wide brim) so the only use I can think of is an eye mask, which doesn't justify an addition to my "light" packing list. Suggestions?

 

[nidarosa]

Oh, yes! You soak it on cold water in a fountain on the way and pull it over your head or neck to cool you down!

 

[Helen1]

If you are taking a sunhat I wouldn’t bother with a buff unless you feel the cold.

On my bike I took a buff but walking I took a very lightweight scarf because it’s more versatile. At times I ended up wrapping myself up like a Muslim lady to protect the tops of my arms, head and chest from the blazing sun when there was no shade. At times I used it as a scarf because I was really cold in the mornings/evenings. Also used it in the evenings to feel a little bit lady like (and cover up my less than 100% clean t-shirt)!

 

[nidarosa]

I agree with the scarf, that also has many uses, but I ended up leaving my hat in an albergue on purpose because it kept wanting to fly away on the wind in the mountains and also on the meseta. I used a buff as a headband and wore a scarf as well.

 

[fjvjess]

Thanks, ladies!

 

[Anniesantiago]

An eye mask for nights or headband in the day, I always take my buff!
And even in summer it's possible to have cold mornings in some places and the buff is an easy way to keep your neck warm.

However, if you must take a choice, I'd also vote for a very featherweight but large scarf.
Perfect for walking in hot sun, covering up in a church, or after a shower.

 

[Griffin57]

Have taken my buff twice but this year will go with the featherweight scarf. More uses and I especially need for avoiding sunburn instead of covering up where I stupidly got burned, both trips! September/October.... taking Factor 50 for neck, buff helped but was a bit warm to walk in, useful when cold.

 

[Camino2010]

I always take my Buff as headband protection (in addition to the other reasons mentioned above), because I have a tendency to get earaches if it's too chilly or windy (or both, as often happens on the Camino). Even in summer the weather can be surprisingly wintery, haha! In July of 2012, the mountain air was crazy cold, whipping around me as I walked from Murias de Rechivaldo (just after Astorga) to Rabanal. And all we pilgrims were very happy and thankful for the roaring fire the hospitalera made in the albergue fireplace that evening! Happy ears!

 

[waveprof]

Hello,

I learned about this beloved buff thing from forum members. Sounds very useful for warmth in winter. Any benefits during the summer, though? I'll already have a sun hat (wide brim) so the only use I can think of is an eye mask, which doesn't justify an addition to my "light" packing list. Suggestions?

Keeps hair out of face. Offers warmth on a cool day or morning without having to pack something heavier (which would be silly in warm weather).

My wife saw a basque buff in Hendaye and almost bought it. It was among her biggest regrets.

 

[kellyz]

I always take my Buff as headband protection (in addition to the other reasons mentioned above), because I have a tendency to get earaches if it's too chilly or windy (or both, as often happens on the Camino). Even in summer the weather can be surprisingly wintery, haha! In July of 2012, the mountain air was crazy cold, whipping around me as I walked from Murias de Rechivaldo (just after Astorga) to Rabanal. And all we pilgrims were very happy and thankful for the roaring fire the hospitalera made in the albergue fireplace that evening! Happy ears!

I was a hospitalera in Rabanal in summer 2012, perhaps when you were there. It was cold every night; I had to buy extra, warm clothes in Astorga!

 

[domigee]

Yup, was walking in July 2012, sooooo windy and cold especially leaving Rabanal! A bit of a shock as we'd just been through a heatwave since leaving St Jean.

 

[Camino2010]

Yes, it was a mix of all temperatures that July! First the heatwave (I soaked my Buff in cold water for that -- thankful for the water fountains along the way, and also thankful to be able to sleep outdoors on the hottest night), and then the freezing cold wind!

 

[Piccata]

I also used my buff to cover my face (bandita style) during one afternoon when gnats would not leave me alone for hours--prevented a lot of unintentional protein intake! I suppose a light-weight scarf would work nearly as well, and might have been a bit cooler, but because a buff is stretchy it probably stayed put on my face better than a scarf would have.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Hello,

I learned about this beloved buff thing from forum members. Sounds very useful for warmth in winter. Any benefits during the summer, though? I'll already have a sun hat (wide brim) so the only use I can think of is an eye mask, which doesn't justify an addition to my "light" packing list. Suggestions?

WW

Hello,

I learned about this beloved buff thing from forum members. Sounds very useful for warmth in winter. Any benefits during the summer, though? I'll already have a sun hat (wide brim) so the only use I can think of is an eye mask, which doesn't justify an addition to my "light" packing list. Suggestions?

Essential if you ask me especially if you get one of the new Camino ones with the map from France to Santiago!!

Current sitting in sunny Caminha, Portugal with my Buff on!

Regards

Jeff

 

[Bob-S]

Hello,

I learned about this beloved buff thing from forum members. Sounds very useful for warmth in winter. Any benefits during the summer, though? I'll already have a sun hat (wide brim) so the only use I can think of is an eye mask, which doesn't justify an addition to my "light" packing list. Suggestions?

As well as an eye mask it also keeps your earplugs in place - very useful in noisy albergue! !

 

[rometimed]

I bought mine in Santo Domingo and 90% of the use for it so far has been keeping bugs out of my nose and mouth on the meseta.

 

[madrid12]

The sports shop opposite Praza Galicia near bar El Derby in Santiago has lots of different camino themed buffs.