Sweat Control
#1
Sweat Control
I'm still looking for the best sweat in my eyes solution. I live in NW Florida but I guess that pretty much everyone has the heat now, we just have it longer.
My current solution (sweat band under the helmet) works but has some drawbacks: I don't like the feel of about 4 ounces of saturated terrycloth, it feels hot, and it saturates these days every 20 minutes so I have to stop, take the helmet off and wring it out. Blows the ride pace.
I tried a sweat gutter but it was worse for me. The felt band around the inside of the helmet became supersaturated and dumped it's load all at once, which somehow ended up in my eyes, blinding me.
I bought a Halo skullcap over the net but don't have it yet. Hopefully that will be a help.
Any other solutions?
It isn't a problem to me until the temps and humidity get way up there but that's what Florida will be like until October.
My current solution (sweat band under the helmet) works but has some drawbacks: I don't like the feel of about 4 ounces of saturated terrycloth, it feels hot, and it saturates these days every 20 minutes so I have to stop, take the helmet off and wring it out. Blows the ride pace.
I tried a sweat gutter but it was worse for me. The felt band around the inside of the helmet became supersaturated and dumped it's load all at once, which somehow ended up in my eyes, blinding me.
I bought a Halo skullcap over the net but don't have it yet. Hopefully that will be a help.
Any other solutions?
It isn't a problem to me until the temps and humidity get way up there but that's what Florida will be like until October.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 1
From: On yer left
I am using the GUTR band for the first time this spring/summer. It's been really hot down here in the South, and it has kept the sweat out of my eyes. I've always generated a lot of sweat on my head, and it would get into my eyes when climbing hills. Nothing worse than struggling up a tough hill with both hands on the hoods, and your eyes burning and not being able to see where you are going (very dangerous). So far, I haven't had that problem this year. There is nothing to absorb sweat on this band. It just diverts it to the sides.
https://www.worldcycling.com/SWEAT-GU...nfo/SWEATGUTR/
https://www.worldcycling.com/SWEAT-GU...nfo/SWEATGUTR/
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 817
Likes: 2
Went to a car parts shop and found/bought the softest chamois cloth I could. Went home, cut it down and sewed it to a piece of 1inch wide elastic. Best headband ever for soaking up sweat - probably will not be carried by "Michael Kohrs" or any other fashion industry line --- but the damn thing works.
Terrycloth just doesn't wick and hold sweat like the chamois does.
Terrycloth just doesn't wick and hold sweat like the chamois does.
#4
Time for a change.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
Likes: 7
From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
couple of things I have tried- a Bandana and a cycling cap. Both keep the sweat from running down the face but I find the cap more convenient.
Both are Cotton material which is not the best for wicking but with the flow of air through the helmet- it does evaporate quickly.
Both are Cotton material which is not the best for wicking but with the flow of air through the helmet- it does evaporate quickly.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#6
A cap works well if you have no hair or very short hair - otherwise a sweat band is all I've found that works. drmweaver's chamois idea is interesting and might be worth a shot - my wife sews a bit, and I'll bet she could whip one up without much trouble. Do you use actual chamois (real leather), or the fake chamois cloth?
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,708
Likes: 73
From: 5200' Boulder, CO Area
Bikes: Specialized 6Fattie, Parlee Z5, Cannondale SuperX
Cycling cap works most of the time for me. For really hot/sweaty conditions (like you've got), just a Coolmax headband that you tie to fit your head. Performance used to sell 3-packs of them, but I don't see them now. The trailing tail of the headband seems to direct the sweat down the back of your neck. Some people just sweat profusely, and not much works. I've not had any luck with SweatGutr type sweatbands and Headsweat skull caps are too small for my head.
#12
Dan J
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 0
From: Iron Mountain, MI
Bikes: 1974 Stella 10 speed, 2006 Trek Pilot 1.2
#13
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
I've been using a bandana for several years. I double over the lower part. Works ok for me.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#14
This keeps the sweat out of my eyes and the sun off the back of my neck...but I do look like I've joined the French Foreign Legion.
BTW - Any skull cap with a tail is designed to wick moisture into the tail where it evaporates more quickly...whether the design works in practice is another matter.
BTW - Any skull cap with a tail is designed to wick moisture into the tail where it evaporates more quickly...whether the design works in practice is another matter.
#15
This keeps the sweat out of my eyes and the sun off the back of my neck...but I do look like I've joined the French Foreign Legion.
BTW - Any skull cap with a tail is designed to wick moisture into the tail where it evaporates more quickly...whether the design works in practice is another matter.
BTW - Any skull cap with a tail is designed to wick moisture into the tail where it evaporates more quickly...whether the design works in practice is another matter.

being almost hairless on top, I use headsweats whenever I get on the bike... sweat control, sun burn control...
train safe-
#16
#17
[QUOTE=zoste;12740311
BTW - Any skull cap with a tail is designed to wick moisture into the tail where it evaporates more quickly...whether the design works in practice is another matter.[/QUOTE]
Probably work a lot better in Arizona than Florida. If the tail was big enough to evaporate the sweat from a 106 degree day and 75% humidity like we had today, it would be the size of a main sail on a British frigate circa 1820.
BTW - Any skull cap with a tail is designed to wick moisture into the tail where it evaporates more quickly...whether the design works in practice is another matter.[/QUOTE]
Probably work a lot better in Arizona than Florida. If the tail was big enough to evaporate the sweat from a 106 degree day and 75% humidity like we had today, it would be the size of a main sail on a British frigate circa 1820.
#19
#20
Time for a change.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
Likes: 7
From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Couple of things-Vaseline above the eyes will help to keep sweat out of the eyes. This is apparantly what Sean Kelly does.
And the Foreign Legion cap with the tail down the back. Really usefull for those long rides where you have the sun at the back of the neck for extended periods. I use the bandana as a Scarf for that tender spot that normally would never see much sun until you hunch down over the bars for extended periods
And the Foreign Legion cap with the tail down the back. Really usefull for those long rides where you have the sun at the back of the neck for extended periods. I use the bandana as a Scarf for that tender spot that normally would never see much sun until you hunch down over the bars for extended periods
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#21
The Professor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly
I've used various things over the years but my current solution is just to regularly press the helmet against my forehead to squeeze the sweat out of the pad while leaning my head slightly forward and to the side to keep the sweat out of my eyes and off my glasses glasses while it squeezes out. Does the trick for me as long as I do it before it starts dripping out of the pad on its own.
#22
I prefer doo-rag type bandana's, for both the sweat band and extra sun protection. Head sweats is one brand, but I have found that the cheaper shop branded ones from performance work just as well. I even put one on if i'm just working outside in the sun.
#23
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
#24
Headsweats skull caps for me year round. It also keep the bees and other flying bugs/insects that sometimes get into my helmet from getting all tangled up in my hair.
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A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831





