You’ve probably seen NBA players and basketball pros wearing headbands across their forehead, but these nifty items of clothing aren’t just for show. They also serve a pretty handy purpose.
Many athletes wear headbands, especially in sports that involve a lot of movement like basketball. During vigorous activity when you sweat buckets, headbands help prevent moisture from getting into your eyes. And nobody wants their performance ruined or have a shot miss because of a bit of sweat.
So, to help you find the best basketball headbands for your next match, we’ll be taking a look at the top 5 best basketball headbands.
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Basketball Headbands Summary
- Best Value Basketball Headband
Poshei Mens Headband (4 Pack): If you need a quality basketball headband that’s also fantastic value for money, then the Poshei Mens Headband is a solid choice. It easily absorbs sweats and is extremely comfortable to wear, and the best part is, you get 4 of them in a pack! - Best Sweat-Wicking Basketball Headband
Nike Dri-Fit Head Tie Headband: Basketball headbands should be able to absorb moisture efficiently, and the Nike Dri-Fit Head Tie Headband is a perfect example. It has sweat-wicking properties and dries rapidly, in addition to having a simplistic but appealing design. It even has the Nike ‘Swoosh’ logo! - Best Lightweight Basketball Headband
Mens Headband – Sports Running Sweat Head Bands: The Mens Headband from Tough Headwear Store is a great choice if you’re after something breathable and lightweight. It’s designed to be ultra thin while also maintaining its sweat-wicking properties.
What is a Basketball Headband?
Basketball headbands or sweatbands are worn around the head to help absorb sweat and stop it from reaching the eyes. NBA players and professional basketball players wear headbands for this specific purpose.
As these players engage in a lot of movement during a game, they’re bound to get pretty sweaty. Headbands allow them to play without moisture constantly dripping into their eyes, which otherwise could restrict their vision.
What to Look for in a Basketball Headband
Before we get into some reviews of basketball headbands, we’ll be going over a few features you should look for in a basketball sweatband. This will help you make sure you buy one that’s able to perform as well as you in your next game.
Breathable and Lightweight Material
Headbands for basketball should be made out of breathable material such as polyester, as this will help you cool down during a match. Thick fabric is likely to make you feel even sweatier.
This is something you definitely want to avoid as the purpose of a basketball headband is to repel sweat, not cause it!
Sweat-Wicking Properties
Another feature you should look for in a basketball headband is sweat-wicking properties. The purpose of a moisture-wicking fabric is to transfer moisture from your skin to the top player of material. This type of fabric also dries quickly to ensure you don’t feel damp.
Comfortable to Wear
Although the two points above are important in a basketball headband, comfortability is equally as vital. It’s no good having a headband that’s breathable and moisture-wicking but uncomfortable to wear.
The headband should fit snug around your head but not so tight that it creates pressure. On the flip side, it shouldn’t be so loose that it slides down your face. It would be difficult to play ball while constantly needing to stop to adjust your headband.
Benefits of Using a Basketball Headband
Now that you know what sort of features to look for in a basketball headband, you might be wondering what the benefits of using one are. Before we dig into the top 5 best basketball headbands, let’s take a look at some of the key advantages of using a sweatband for basketball.
Helps Keep Sweat Away
As we mentioned earlier, headbands are pretty handy for preventing sweat from dripping down your face and into your eyes. When you’re playing ball, getting sweaty is a given, so the last thing you want is all that grime getting in the way.
Wearing a headband during your match helps keep your face cool and dry, allowing you to play in comfort and, most importantly, without being blinded by sweat.
Helps Keep Hair Out of Your Face
Basketball headbands are particularly helpful if you have long hair or just lots of it. No one wants hair whipping around their face or getting into their eyes, especially if it blocks your vision. And, if you can’t see properly, you’re more likely to miss shots.
Sweatbands help you keep your mane tucked away, ensuring your performance isn’t sabotaged by your own hair.
Helps You Keep Cool
As headbands absorb sweat, they ultimately help you keep cool. This isn’t just more comfortable for you, but it allows you to perform more efficiently.
If you overheat during a basketball game or any sport for that matter, you run the risk of developing heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
Neon Headbands Can Help You Stay Safe
While this benefit doesn’t apply to normal colored headbands, it’s still worth mentioning. Opting for a neon headband can help you keep safe by increasing your visibility.
If you walk home after your basketball game, wearing a neon headband over a standard colored one will help you stand out to drivers and other pedestrians.
Best Basketball Headbands Reviews
Without further ado, let’s get stuck into reviews of the top 5 best basketball headbands so you can choose the right one for your matches.
Nike Dri-Fit Head Tie Headband
To start us off on our best basketball headbands list is the Nike Dri-Fit Head Tie Headband. It’s available in a variety of stylish colors including black, navy blue, royal blue, and red. Each style has the famous Nike logo too!
To help absorb moisture, the headband is made from sweat-wicking material with Dry-Fit material to help you stay dry and comfortable. The band has an adjustable tie so it can fit a range of sizes, and measures 2.5 inches wide and 39 inches long.
Last but not least, this headband from Nike is machine washable so you can easily clean it after an intense day of basketball.
The only slight downside of the Nike Dri-Fit Headband is that the logo can peel off after multiple washes.
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Under Armour Men’s Performance Headband
Next up is the Under Armour Men’s Performance Headband, another solid choice for any basketball player. It comes in a range of colors like red, white, black, and grey, allowing you to play well and look good doing so.
Designed with moisture-wicking fabric, the headband helps repel sweat and dries rapidly so you can play ball without any sweaty distractions.
The material is a combination of polyester and elastodiene, which provides you with a comfortable but personalized fit. Additionally, the headband is non-slip to prevent it from sliding down your face even during the most intense match.
Lastly, this headband from Under Armour is constructed with multi-channel performance fibers to increase its comfortability.
As great as this headband is, it is a little on the small side. This makes it a little tight to wear for tall players. The headband can also struggle to absorb heavy amounts of sweat, so it may be unsuitable for those who sweat more than average.
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Mens Headband – Sports Running Sweat Head Bands
Another excellent headband for basketball players is from Tough Headwear Store. It’s constructed out of polyester and spandex, giving it an ultra stretchy and flexible feel.
You can get it in a few different colors such as black, grey, and white. It has moisture-wicking properties to keep sweat out of your face and is breathable to help you cool down.
The material is thin and lightweight without sacrificing durability, so you can wear it without the worry of it breaking on you. It’s also machine washable so you can clean it with ease.
And, to ensure the band doesn’t slide around your face during use, it’s non-slip. This allows you to put all your focus on landing those perfect shots.
However, this headband from Tough Headwear Store may not be the best fit for heavy sweaters as it can lack absorption.
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Poshei Mens Headband (4 Pack)
If you’re after a stylish headband that’s both practical and great value for money, the Poshei Mens Headband is a strong contender. It comes in a 4 pack, so you always have a spare band to wear, even when one is in the wash.
Made of polyester and spandex, the headband is soft, breathable, and sweat-wicking. It keeps sweat out of your eyes and dries rapidly to help you cool down.
To increase its comfortability, the headband is lightweight and non-slip. The latter ensures it stays in place when you’re on the move.
Thanks to the headband’s one-size-fits-all technology, it fits a wide range of head sizes. As the headband comes in a 4 pack, each band is a different color so you can bring a bit of diversity to your matches.
Unfortunately, due to how thin the headband is, it can struggle to retain its shape and absorb high quantities of moisture.
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BEACE Sweatbands Sports Headband
The last headband we recommend is the BEACE Sweatbands Sports Headband. This quality band is available in many vibrant colors like blue, red, and green to add some flair to your basketball games.
In addition to looking great, it feels great too! The headband is made from cotton, spandex, and nylon, which makes it extremely soft. This blend of materials makes it flexible and stretchy to allow for a perfect fit.
Not only is the headband comfortable, but it wicks away moisture and dries rapidly. You don’t have to worry about getting soaked in sweat wearing one of these bands!
If that wasn’t enough, this headband from BEACE comes in a 3 pack or a 6 pack, so it’s both practical and fantastic value.
The only slight downside of this headband is that its size runs a little small, so it might not be the best choice for tall players.
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Final Thoughts
Although basketball headbands might seem like a bit of an unnecessary item of clothing, they actually offer a wealth of benefits. Wearing a headband while you play ball helps you prevent sweat from dripping into your eyes, cool down, and keep hair out of your face
So, by using one, your attention never has to waver from the match, allowing you to give it your all. All of the headbands in our top 5 best basketball headbands list are a solid choice for any basketball player, whether you’re NBA level, a professional, or just starting out.