Smartwool  Merino 250 Reversible Headband

This product is not available.

Great for use during high aerobic activities or on warmer winter days, the Smartwool Merino 250 Reversible Headband keeps your ears toasty warm without overheating the rest of your head.

Shop similar products

Features

  • Merino wool offers breathable warmth, moves sweat away from the body, and provides next-to-skin comfort in colder conditions
  • Double-layer Interlock knit construction with clean-finish seams
  • Reversible design for variety
  • Headband is 3.8 in. wide
  • Easy care: machine wash and dry on cool temperature setting
  • Easy care: machine wash cold on gentle cycle, tumble dry low; do not bleach; cool iron as needed

Imported.

View the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Product LineView all Smartwool Men's Headbands

Technical Specs

Best Use

Snowsports

Running

Fabric

Merino wool

Gender

Unisex

Sustainability

Contains ZQ merino wool

Reviews
83 reviews with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

45 out of 46 (98%) reviewers recommend this product

Review this Product

Adding a review will require a valid email for verification

Average Customer Ratings

Overall Fit Rating

Runs SmallRuns Large

Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
Durability issue
Turtle Man
5 years ago
Received free product
I love headbands. I have a bunch made of various materials from different companies. They're an essential part of my cold-weather layering. This is a comfortable and versatile item. I've owned and used a few of these over the past few years. My current ones are black on one side and a middle-toned gray on the other. For me (head circumference 23.25 inches), it's snug enough to stay in place, but does't feel tight or constricting. It doesn't ride up over the ears as some headbands i've had do. My ears stay completely covered. The material is soft and comfortable. After washing (cold water, line dry), it's temporarily a bit more snug, but relaxes back after wearing for a while. The material is fairly thin, but being double layered, it provides a decent about of warmth. As other reviews have mentioned, it's pretty versatile. It can be worn on its own as a headband when you don't need to cover your whole head, and it'll keep your forehead and ears warm. It's thin enough that it can be worn under a cap-style hat for extra warm. It's stretching enough to wear over a thin or mid-weight beanie, again, as an extra layer. It's wide enough to be effective as a loose-fitting neck gaiter if you need a little extra coverage there. The problem i've had with every one of these (five or six over the last few years) is that holes start to develop after just a few wearings on one or both sides, with no apparent provocation. After a couple of seasons, a dozen holes will have opened up, even before washing it. The holes start small (less than a quarter inch), and gradually get larger. By the time this happens (a few years) the elastic will have started to fatigue a bit, and at that point, the headband gets retired. I've had the same hole problem with the Smartwool beanies that use the same or similar jersey-like material. I like them well enough that i keep buying them, but it would be nice if they improved the durability of the fabric. This would be a five-star item it the material lasted even a year without developing holes.
Turtle Man
eastern Mass.
31 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
Durability issue
Turtle Man
5 years ago
Received free product
I love headbands. I have a bunch made of various materials from different companies. They're an essential part of my cold-weather layering. This is a comfortable and versatile item. I've owned and used a few of these over the past few years. My current ones are black on one side and a middle-toned gray on the other. For me (head circumference 23.25 inches), it's snug enough to stay in place, but does't feel tight or constricting. It doesn't ride up over the ears as some headbands i've had do. My ears stay completely covered. The material is soft and comfortable. After washing (cold water, line dry), it's temporarily a bit more snug, but relaxes back after wearing for a while. The material is fairly thin, but being double layered, it provides a decent about of warmth. As other reviews have mentioned, it's pretty versatile. It can be worn on its own as a headband when you don't need to cover your whole head, and it'll keep your forehead and ears warm. It's thin enough that it can be worn under a cap-style hat for extra warm. It's stretching enough to wear over a thin or mid-weight beanie, again, as an extra layer. It's wide enough to be effective as a loose-fitting neck gaiter if you need a little extra coverage there. The problem i've had with every one of these (five or six over the last few years) is that holes start to develop after just a few wearings on one or both sides, with no apparent provocation. After a couple of seasons, a dozen holes will have opened up, even before washing it. The holes start small (less than a quarter inch), and gradually get larger. By the time this happens (a few years) the elastic will have started to fatigue a bit, and at that point, the headband gets retired. I've had the same hole problem with the Smartwool beanies that use the same or similar jersey-like material. I like them well enough that i keep buying them, but it would be nice if they improved the durability of the fabric. This would be a five-star item it the material lasted even a year without developing holes.
Turtle Man
eastern Mass.
31 people found this review helpful

Customer Images

Mrs T
Portland, Oregon
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Not completely reversible

4 years ago

I really love the material and color of the headband and how it fits. And I would have given it 5 stars but it says it's reversible and there's a tab sewn into the inside, or other side of the headband, that will show a bit of white material from the tag even if I cut it out. It would be better if the headband was tagless so it could be a neater reversible headband.

Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
first-time runner
Baltimore, MD
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

15 years ago

this little headband is amazing! i usually don't get enough ear protection from the cold in winter hats. they do however make my head really warm, which makes me break out a sweat. since i bought this headband i no longer use any winter hats. it's all i need to withstand the cold. my ears are warm all the time, even when it gets windy. and since the rest of my head isn't covered, i don't break out a sweat. and even if i do sweat, like on a run (this is my first winter as a serious outdoor runner), it wicks the perspiration away super fast. i'm never again wearing hats and will stick to this little guy forever!

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
snowgal3
Steamboat Springs, CO, United States
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars

Too tight

10 years ago

I got this headband for outdoor activities... While I love Smartwool products, I just think this headband is okay. Out of the package, I put it over my head and some of the stitches snapped. I barely even stretched it out to put it over my head! Even with the broken stitches, it is still very tight on my head and not comfortable. Disappointing, because I know I won't wear it because of this. But I had to cut it from the packaging to try it on so I can't send it back. Bummer. (For the record, I wear a women's size Large Bern helmet. My head isn't huge though!)

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
Turtle Man
eastern Mass.
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Durability issue

5 years ago

I love headbands. I have a bunch made of various materials from different companies. They're an essential part of my cold-weather layering. This is a comfortable and versatile item. I've owned and used a few of these over the past few years. My current ones are black on one side and a middle-toned gray on the other. For me (head circumference 23.25 inches), it's snug enough to stay in place, but does't feel tight or constricting. It doesn't ride up over the ears as some headbands i've had do. My ears stay completely covered. The material is soft and comfortable. After washing (cold water, line dry), it's temporarily a bit more snug, but relaxes back after wearing for a while. The material is fairly thin, but being double layered, it provides a decent about of warmth. As other reviews have mentioned, it's pretty versatile. It can be worn on its own as a headband when you don't need to cover your whole head, and it'll keep your forehead and ears warm. It's thin enough that it can be worn under a cap-style hat for extra warm. It's stretching enough to wear over a thin or mid-weight beanie, again, as an extra layer. It's wide enough to be effective as a loose-fitting neck gaiter if you need a little extra coverage there. The problem i've had with every one of these (five or six over the last few years) is that holes start to develop after just a few wearings on one or both sides, with no apparent provocation. After a couple of seasons, a dozen holes will have opened up, even before washing it. The holes start small (less than a quarter inch), and gradually get larger. By the time this happens (a few years) the elastic will have started to fatigue a bit, and at that point, the headband gets retired. I've had the same hole problem with the Smartwool beanies that use the same or similar jersey-like material. I like them well enough that i keep buying them, but it would be nice if they improved the durability of the fabric. This would be a five-star item it the material lasted even a year without developing holes.

Helpful?
Michael Z
Dallas, TX
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Great for Cold Weather Activities

12 years ago

I purchased this headband for running during cold weather. I wanted something to keep my ears warm while not making my head too hot as my wool cap was doing. This headband performs much better than I could have expected. I wondered how effective it would be at first since it is so thin, but it does a great job at keeping my ears warm while running, even down to 10 degrees. When I started bicycle commuting to work, I discovered this headband had another great use. Since it is so thin, it easily fits under my bicycle helmet. I use it for riding in temperatures ranging from the low 40s to mid-50s. I liked the headband so much, I purchased the Smartwool balaclava for riding in colder weather. Since it is so light and compact , I have also added this headband to my pack for hiking in conditions where cold-weather could develop unexpectedly. It fits nicely under my warm-weather hat.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
miclaroc
New York
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Excellent

11 years ago

Great fit, tight but not too tight, looks slim and not flashy fabric is smooth and won't get those wool-balls I hate. Also doesn't attract lint, hairs, dust, stays clean. Its thin but adds a great but of warmth despite its thinness. I wear it around my neck as a wind barrier inside shell collar that doesn't fit quite floe enough to block cold wind. great for walking, sitting on chair-lift, windy days. Also versatile can be used as head band or face shield and hat liner.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Homey Home
Manassas, VA
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Under helmet

12 years ago

This is what you need when you don't want to wear a hat under your helmet because that will get too hot/sweaty but this thing will keep your ears warm so you can keep ridin with your homeys.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Santafehiker
Santa Fe nm
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Soft and warm

4 years ago

This is a soft and warm headband, perfect for winter. The merino wool is exceptionally soft and I especially like it isn’t too tight so it’s comfortable. I’ve worn it under a baseball hat, a brimmed hat and by itself.

Age:65–74
Yes , I recommend this product

Overall Fit Rating

Runs SmallRuns Large
Helpful?
jcw63
Illinois
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Soft and warm headband

3 years ago

This is the perfect headband to wear under a lightweight ball cap in the spring and fall, when I need something to keep my ears warm, but it’s not cold enough for my fleece-lined cap. It is soft and comfortable and fits under my cap without difficulty. It is stretchy enough to go over my glasses without causing a problem and keeps my ears toasty warm.

Age:55–64
Yes , I recommend this product

Overall Fit Rating

Runs SmallRuns Large
Helpful?
Amateur runner
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Good headband for weather that's not too cold

4 years ago

Good for weather that's not too cold but don't cover ears that well for really cold weather running

Helpful?
1 - 10 of 83 Reviews

Questions & Answers

Loading Questions...