If the outside temperature exceeds 65 degrees Fahrenheit while testing running socks, fitness headphones, or an e-bike, I lose a lot of fluid.
Whether it’s because of my Nordic heritage or because I grew up in Portland, Oregon, a city where humidity barely exists, I’m essentially a fragile human snow cone. Leave me in the sun for more than five minutes and I’ll melt into a puddle of water.
For years, I’ve taken a Forrest Gump-style approach to summer workouts: a hat or headband is a must. Just don’t go outside without one. Without a stretchy cotton headband, I could barely run a mile from home without the sweat burning my eyes.
Both types of headwear have their drawbacks. Hats are good at blocking the sun, but they don’t absorb moisture very well. Fitness headbands are better at absorbing moisture, but they stretch out over time. On your first run of the month, a cotton headband will be squeezing your brain, and by the time you pay the rent, it will feel like the collar of an old t-shirt. It’s annoying that I have to change my headwear more often than I change my running socks.
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I recently discovered a headband company called Treadbands, which claims to have solved my headband woes with a thin polyester/spandex blend that you can tie behind your head like a bandana. I’ve always been interested in flat headbands for long hair, but the best ones I’ve found only come in women’s sizes.
Spandex and polyester blend headbands aren’t exactly cutting edge, but Treadbands have taken the craft to the next level. The headband is well stitched and the elastic is super easy to tie. They’re also gender neutral, which is how I wish all fitness companies were.
The treads cost $16-$18 and come in two basic sizes: a 2.5-inch wide version called “all-terrain” and a 1.5-inch wide version called “low-profile.” Both versions work well.
What really makes the Treadbands unique is the tiny rubber strip on the front of each headband. This rubber strip makes it easy to secure the headband to your head, and it also prevents sweat from running down the front of your head. The pressure of the rubber on your skin forces the fluid to the bump behind it. It’s a simple mechanic, but it works surprisingly well. I even noticed that when the headband got soaked with sweat, the sweat would first run down the back strap and then down my face.
I recently learned that the company calls its fans “TreadHeads,” which seems reasonable. A few weeks into the show, I’ve become as obsessed as my friend who kept talking about “that” live recording of the Grateful Dead’s 1968 Carousel Ballroom show. I always take the recording with me when I go out.
Treadmills aren’t the prettiest things (I’m a bit like the David Foster Wallace of the fitness world), but they work better than anything I’ve ever used before. I especially like the thicker size of the All-Terrain when running with earbuds, as it helps keep the earbuds in place better than using just the ear hooks. The extra width also means better absorbency, so they’re my go-to for long runs.
The company also makes a strapless version and sent me one to try, but I didn’t like it and went with the two-strap version. I like to pretend I’m a warrior and tie the bandana before battle to prepare for action. Plus, if you tie it yourself, it fits perfectly.
Speaking of knots, I just tied them twice. The stretchy spandex material is incredibly easy to untie, even when wet, thanks in part to the tapered ends of the straps.
I haven’t used the Treadbands for very long, but I’m pretty confident in their durability. I’ve been using the same two bands almost every day for a few weeks now, and they’ve held up pretty well. In fact, they dry so quickly that you can even use the same band for two runs or bike rides in one day — a feat I’d have a hard time accomplishing with a hat or traditional sweatband.
You can even pair them with your outfit if you care about how you look while you work out. They come in a wide range of colors, combinations, and patterns. I wear the tie-dye ones, but I’ve been eyeing the taco print ones, which I’d ​​love to pair with my favorite running socks.
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