The shemagh and the bandana are very different, but they can be used for the same purpose in a few situations. Even though the shemagh is not very popular in the western hemisphere as it is in the eastern, it’s gaining certain popularity. Especially among survivalists, hikers, and campers.
Shemagh vs bandana? The advantages of the shemagh are undeniable but the bandana still has great important if your intentions are to have a useful piece of cloth. Now, it’s important to point out that you can carry both with you. They can be used interchangeably, but can also perform certain tasks that you can’t do with the other.
Now, if you’re facing the horrible conundrum of having to decide on which one to pick. Maybe because you don’t have space to carry both, or whatever other reason that it’s forcing you to choose. This article will help you do it.
There are 5 main things that you should evaluate before you make your decision. These will vary since it will depend on where you’re going, your style, and the use that you want to give to it.
A footnote, it’s important that you take into consideration the kind of material that the shemagh or the bandana is made of. Although is not included below, this is an important factor for certain uses. For example, if you want to use it to drink water in a riverbank.
Also, certain materials are more resistant in general than others, so it’s a good idea to think about that before making any buying decisions.
So, to sum it up, you don’t have to pick one over the other if you don’t want to, but if you do, there are situations where is clear that you should give preference for a shemagh and other situations where you should go with a bandana.
Environment
If you need something to protect you from a hot, sunny day or if you’re hiking in sandy terrain, you should go with a shemagh. It will protect you and your skin better from the sun. Also, if you’re hiking in a sandy terrain on a windy day, the shemagh will work better to protect your mouth and your eyes.
Now, if we’re talking about cooler weather, the pleasant kind, a bandana may be a better option. The bandana will allow your skin to breathe better, and protect you from hurting it. Still, you should be careful with both, especially if you sweat a lot.
So, if you’re hunting, for instance, a bandana may be better because it is not only lighter but also in the woods you probably don’t want anything that can compromise your view.
It’s also important to address the elephant in the room and talk about the fact that the shemagh does not have a good reputation. It’s not as much about reputation is more about the fact that is somewhat associated with terrorists. So, if you’re using it in a crowded place, it may not be a good idea.
So, that’s it. You should take the environment into consideration for sure. If you’re going to a hot place with tough terrain to hike or camp, a shemagh will be a great choice. Now, if we’re talking about hunting in the woods, go with the bandana. This, of course, if you must choose between the 2.
Versatility
It’ a consensus that if the shemagh is better for most environments. Now when it comes to versatility the bandana has the upper hand. Still, the shemagh has its perks as well.
Going further, the bandana can be worn in different ways. The point is that you can do more with it than the shemagh. Besides the different way that you can wear it after all this is not a fashion blog, you can have other uses for both.
The shemagh won’t give you options to wear it differently, but you can do so many different things with it that makes it worth it. For instance, you can’t really wrap it around your arms because it’s really big, but you can put it in your bag and take it out every time you need it for something.
When it comes to the activities that you’re going to do like hiking, camping, or hunting the shemagh is not necessarily more versatile but more useful most of the time. For example, due to the size and normally a more resistant cloth, the shemagh can be used for more important tasks.
The point is that the bandana will be more versatile when it comes to the way you’re going to wear it and different uses. Now, when it comes to being useful for important tasks the shemagh wins.
Size
Depending on what you’re doing, for example, hiking, you want to carry the least amount of weight that it’s possible. If you carry too many things, you’ll end up much more tired than you have to. This can ruin your whole experience. Besides getting tired unnecessarily can be dangerous depending on the activity.
So, you have to think about the size of the two since the shemagh tends to be much bigger than the bandana. Obviously, if you’re going to wear it, it may not be a problem. Now, if you’re taking it inside your bag or around your arms, the extra weight may seem insignificant, but it’s something to consider.
Here’s what you should do. First, pick something with a resistant cloth that is still light. The most common thing is cotton, but if you can avoid it. Now, if you’re going to wear it the whole time, pick any one of the two based on other factors. If you’re going to carry a lot of stuff, a bandana is usually much lighter than the shemagh.
So, the decision is up to you but when it comes to size the bandana has an advantage if you’re carrying too much weight. Now, if the weight of your bag is not a problem, the shemagh though is larger, it can help you more because of the size.
Survival Uses
Even though the size, the versatility, and where you’re going are all important component of your decision, the survival use that you can give to each is the most important one. You don’t know when you’re going to be in a life and death situation, but if you’re hiking, camping, or hunting you may find yourself in one.
Now, this is where the shemagh wins by a large margin. Not that the bandana cannot be useful, but the shemagh can do more for you. For example, if you need something to drink water in, the shemagh will hold it better for you that the bandana.
Still, you might argue that you have your hands for that. Ok, now imagine that you hurt yourself and you need a piece of cloth to stop a wound from bleeding or hold your arm still. The shemagh s better for that.
If you’re still not convinced, here’s why the shemagh is more useful in those situations. It’s larger, stronger, and therefore, better for tough situations. Most bandanas will tear apart with some ease. That does not happen with the shemagh.
Now, obviously, there are a few situations that you may need a bandana more. If you need a piece of cloth that is easier to tear apart or something that is light and thing, the bandana may be more useful.
Why Not Both?
Now, why not both? That’s a very simple question. Here’s why you should consider both. Although they have similar uses and are incredibly versatile, they both are better at something that the other isn’t. For this reason, you have more options depending on what you’re doing or needing at the moment.
If you can, taking both will make easier for you in every situation that you find yourself in. Now, obviously, there are downsides to taking both with you. To be honest, the main one is the weight. Again, it sounds ridiculous because it’s just a piece of cloth you might think.
The problem is that with that mindset, you end up packing way more than you have to. If you want to hike or camp efficiently, you should take as little as you can with you. If you’re already wearing a shemagh, why do you need a bandana?
So, as always, the best you can do is to judge case by case. Take into consideration where are you going, what you’re going to need it for, and your personal taste.
Final Thoughts
So that’s it. You should take all this information into consideration but if you can, test both of them to see which one works better for you. If you want something for a hot, sunny day that you’re going to use for a lot of different things, the shemagh may be a perfect choice.
Now, if you’re looking for something that it’s easier to carry, you can wear in cooler weather, and it won’t get you too much attention, you should go for a bandana. It may also be easier to find in local stores.
