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review

Squirt Sweatsucker headband

7
£9.95

VERDICT:

7
10
Ingenious, discrete and hygienic technical headband that works best with helmets.
Weight: 
15g
Contact: 
www.squirtlube.com

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Thanks to Squirt’s Sweat Sucker the humble headband comes of age. Discrete, extremely effective and fully helmet compatible, gone are the days when turbo sessions and scorching summer training runs meant looking like an extra from fame, suffering unsightly rashes and perspiration running inside eyewear. However, the design mustn’t be tossed in with the civilian machine wash, works best in conjunction with a helmet (worn outside of the straps) and should be replaced every three months.

Free from elastic, it is a one-size fits all, perforated porous strip packed like a stuffed crust pizza with highly absorbent granules. It simply ties around the forehead, soaking up sweat without swelling. Once saturated, moisture is purged in a capillary action along the sides and ultimately via the helmet straps or rider’s cheeks onto the ground.

In practice it works surprisingly well without slipping and discrete dimensions mean the sweat sucker doesn’t draw any unwanted attention. Wicking prowess is comparable to that of breathable fabrics, remaining consistently dry during an hour’s intense turbo session. Having said that, it’s hard to beat a good free-flow of air and conveniently placed towel. Ours has remained refreshingly odourless despite repeated wearing and no rinsing but unlike the Bjorn Borg type, it cannot be machine-washed so regular, gentle post ride rinsing/soaking in detergent free, tepid water is a wise precaution.

Verdict

Ingenious, discrete and hygienic technical headband that works best with helmets.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Squirt Sweatsucker headband

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Squirt's sweat sucker is a highly absorbant sweatband designed to absorb and channel moisture away from the face and eyewear with characteristics closer to that of modern technical clothing.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Simple one size fits all porous strip impregnated with sweat absorbant granules which channel the sweat along the sides and ultimately the helmet straps/cheeks onto the floor.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Manufacturer recommends replacement every three months if used regularly.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

8g

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

There's no doubt the aptly named sweat sucker lives up to its name quickly absorbing sweat and odour, chanelling it along the sides before purging into the atmosphere/along the riders chin/strap. Tested on open road and indoor trainer alike, there's a brief buildup of moisture reminiscent of polyester based technical garments before noticeable evaporation, leaving forehead and swetband odour free.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Does what it says on the tin.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing, although machine washable would've been a bonus.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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