Which Sweatband is right for me?
Our straight-talking guide to comfort, sweat, skin and hair.
If you’ve ever knocked off work with sweat in your eyes, a red mark across your forehead, breakouts where your hard hat sits or hair damage you can’t explain… you’re not imagining it. Hard hats cop the blame, but it’s usually what sits between your head and the helmet that causes the real issues.
Its for this very reason that we didn’t want another one-size-fits-all solution. Different people sweat differently. Different jobs create pressure in different spots. And skin and hair react when friction, heat and moisture build up day after day.
That’s why choosing the right Ruff sweatband comes down to two simple things:
material and coverage.
Get those right, and your hard hat stops being something you fight with all day.
Step One: Choose your material
We offer two premium materials; each designed for different conditions and preferences on-site. Both are reusable, easy to clean and Velcro seamlessly into the suspension band of any standard hard hat. No modifications needed.
Mulberry Silk
Best for comfort, skin, hair and temperature regulation
Mulberry Silk is the comfort-first option. Smooth, low-friction and naturally breathable, it’s designed to reduce the rubbing and pressure that often lead to skin irritation and hair damage.
This is the go-to if you:
- Get red marks, breakouts or irritation where your hard hat sits
- Notice hair breakage around the hairline or crown
- Have sensitive skin that reacts to heat, sweat and friction
- Want a cooler, lighter feel under your hard hat
- Are over finishing long shifts feeling sore or rubbed raw
Silk doesn’t grab or pull at skin or hair. It creates a smoother contact point, helping reduce friction that can cause breakouts, pressure spots and ongoing irritation.
If comfort, skin health and hair protection matter to you, this is where we recommend to start.
Bamboo
Best for sweat management, heat and high-intensity work
Bamboo is built for performance. It’s for the people who sweat hard, move constantly and need moisture control that works before sweat becomes a problem.
This material suits you if you:
- Sweat heavily or run hot
- Work in high-heat or high-movement environments
- Deal with sweat dripping into your eyes
- Want natural odour control through long shifts
- Need something tough enough for dust, grime and regular washing
By pulling moisture away quickly, bamboo also helps reduce the dampness and amount of bacteria sitting in your sweatband and on your skin that contribute to skin flare-ups for heavy sweaters.
If sweat is your main battle, bamboo is your winner.
Step Two: Choose your band
Once you’ve picked your material, the next question is where your hard hat causes the most trouble. Pressure points, sweat and friction don’t show up in the same place for everyone, which is exactly why the Ruff range exists.
The 2.0 Sweatband – Full 360° Wrap
For all-over comfort and pressure relief
The 2.0 wraps right around the inside of your hard hat; front, sides and back. It smooths out pressure points, evens out the fit and reduces friction from every angle.
Choose the 2.0 if:
- You feel discomfort in more than one spot
- Your hard hat rubs as the day goes on
- You want maximum comfort across long shifts
- You’re not quite sure where the problem starts
This is the “set and forget” option for people who just want their hard hat to feel better, full stop.
Explore the Mulberry Silk 2.0
Explore the Bamboo 2.0
The 1.0 Sweatband – Front & Sides
For targeted relief where it usually hurts most
The 1.0 focuses on the forehead and sides; the areas that cop the most pressure, rubbing and sweat for most people.
This one’s for you if:
- You finish the day with a red mark across your forehead
- You get breakouts or irritation along the hairline
- The sides of your hard hat pinch or rub
- You want relief without full wrap coverage
It’s simple, effective and keeps things light without unnecessary bulk.
Explore the Mulberry Silk 1.0
Explore the Bamboo 1.0
The 0.5 Sweatband – Back Wrap
For the spot most people forget about
The 0.5 targets the back of the hard hat, where sweat runs down your neck and pressure quietly builds without much warning.
Best suited if:
- Sweat drips down the back of your head or neck
- You feel pressure at the rear of your hard hat
- You want minimal bulk with noticeable relief
- Everything else feels fine, except the back
Small piece. Big difference!
Explore the Mulberry Silk 0.5 (Currently only available in Mulberry Silk)
The Crown Sweatband – Top Coverage
For pressure at the crown and harness dig-in
Our Crown Sweatband sits at the top of your head, protecting the exact spot where the suspension harness often digs in. It reduces friction, heat and that sharp pressure that shows up halfway through a long shift.
This one is your best bet if:
- You feel discomfort directly on the crown of your head
- The harness pressure builds as the day goes on
- Heat at the top of your head becomes an issue
Many people pair the Crown with another style that wraps around the inner band of your hardhat to fine-tune their setup.
Explore the Mulberry Silk Crown Sweatband (Currently only available in Mulberry Silk)
A Quick Way to Decide
If you want the short version:
-
Mulberry Silk for comfort, skin protection and hair health
-
Bamboo for sweat, heat and hard-working performance
Then choose:
-
All-over discomfort or rubbing? → 2.0
-
Forehead marks, hairline breakage or side pressure? → 1.0
-
Neck sweat or back pressure? → 0.5
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Harness digging into the top of your head? → Crown
Built for Real Workdays
Our Ruff sweatbands are designed to last, reduce waste and make hard hats easier to wear, day in, day out. They’re shaped by real experience on-site, with a focus on comfort, hygiene, skin health and durability, not throwaway fixes.
