Get rid of those flyaways once and for all with these performance-ready hair accessories.
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If you can relate to the frustration of sweaty hair falling in your face when you’re trying to focus on engaging your core and breathing properly during a difficult workout, then workout headbands are for you. A secret weapon for keeping your hair neatly in place, workout headbands wick away sweat and ensure maximum comfort during intense workouts. We've thoroughly searched the internet to bring you the absolute best options, putting them to the test with input from fitness experts to compile a curated list of the top-performing workout headbands. These winners excel in performance and cater to a range of activities.
Whether you're hitting the yoga mat, smashing a HIIT session, or just looking for the best winter running gear, these headbands will be your trusty workout companions. From vibrant colors to sleek, minimalist designs, our selection has something for every taste and hair type (yes, curly and short hair, too!). Say goodbye to the frustration of stray strands, as our carefully curated list ensures uninterrupted workouts with help from headbands designed to keep your hair in check.
Alo's Airlift Headband is a popular item from the brand, frequently selling out. Like everything you love from Alo (specifically their Airlift Leggings), it's made from the same signature double knit performance material that sculpts, compresses, and wicks away sweat in a sleek and stylish, slightly shiny design. The no-slip grip is gentle on the hair while the cinched center detail adds a stylish flare. This is a cool-girl option—great for super sweaty workouts but also a post-class outing.
Athleta's Vital Headband belongs in every woman's workout drawer. It's specifically designed for yoga, but our editors have worn it for pilates, dance, soccer, and more. It's super stretchy, extremely soft, quick-drying, and breathable. The grippy interior is super gentle, ensuring it stays in place while keeping flyways under control. It's also super low profile and stylish so it won't weigh you down or make you more sweaty. "I love this one to work out with and sometimes I wear it when I go out and about!" says Rose Lauture, Women's Health assistant fashion editor.
Other than the Nike logo, what makes this headband awesome is how you can customize it. We all have different-sized heads and hair thickness, so the open-ended tie lets you get it just right—as snug or as loose as you like. It's specifically designed for active, sweaty workouts, using Nike's dry-fit material that you find in their top-notch sweat-wicking activewear. Perfect for all hair types and sports, it stays put with a silicone inner grip. Plus, it comes in seven cool colors. You can tie it in the back to show off the brand or in the front for a bit of personal style.
The All Terrain Tieback from Tread Bands has a patented design unique to the brand. They created something called the "TreadGripStrip," which lines the interior of the band. This grippy texture is constructed from a soft, foam rubber neoprene strip that provides a non-slip grip without tugging on your hair. It's as strong as silicone but gentle like velvet. Plus, the entire band is adjustable, making it feel like a custom fit every-time. With a sweat-wicking material, it's great for intense sweat sessions like hot yoga and pilates, high intensity workouts, runs, and more. Plus, there are over 30 prints to choose from to match any activewear 'fit.
Lululemon's Luxtreme Training Headband is a go-to favorite for so many fitness enthusiasts, and it's probs the brand's most popular headpiece. The patented Luxtreme fabric is famous for sweat-wicking and its four-way stretch, while maintaining shape retention every time. It has a super gentle velvet grip on the inside that helps keep hair in place without pulling it. "This is my favorite workout headband. It doesn't move and it absorbs a lot of sweat ... not to be too gross!" says Kristen Saladino, Women's Health executive fashion director.
This under-$10 set of workout headbands is the best value on this list. You get six colors in a set, all with a ribbed compression texture that promises to never slip. They feel like your favorite Amazon leggings but in a headband form. This style wicks away moisture and fits pretty snug along the hairline to avoid sweat from dripping down to your face. It has the features of a sweatband but in a thin, headband style.
Teleties headbands have a unique spiral design that lock into your hair during intense sweat sessions. It's a great thin headband option, even if you have thick, curly, or long hair. The best part is that it doesn't hug your hair too much, avoiding a tight pull and the headaches that come with it. "A lot of my clients at The Body Shoppe love the headbands from Teleties because they not only stay put, but they won't leave any creases in the hair," says Kelsey Greenfield. The rubber centerpiece slides into place to prevent your hairstyle from slipping, and the spiral headband design stretches to fit everyone from kids to adults.
This item from Buff is the most versatile headband on this list. It's made with UPF50+ sun protection, making it a great option for any outdoor activity. It can also be worn multiple different ways: on your neck or in your hair to name a few. It has something called HeiQ cooling technology, odor control, and has a four-way bounceback stretch to fit mostly everyone.
This reversible knit band is a cozy blend of insulating merino wool, offering the perk of two styles in one. Merino wool is kinda a gem in activewear fabrics—it's super thin, lightweight, and soft, unlike the thick and scratchy options. It's even softer and finer than regular wool, making it comfortable to wear directly on the skin. This fabric efficiently whisks away sweat as vapor (we tested it ourselves) and regulates body temperature, ensuring you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The interlocking knit construction of this band elevates comfort, breathability, thermoregulation, and moisture-wicking, making it an ideal choice for winter sports and cold outdoor training sessions. With eight reversible unisex options, you've got plenty of styles to choose from.
This cozy and stylish headband combines temperature-regulating merino wool with polyester to keep you warm and your hair secured in any condition. The moisture-wicking fabric keeps sweat at bay while the knit covers yours ears and holds your hair back. It's insulated and odor resistant, making it a perfect option for cold weather runs.
Extreme winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor ice skating call for something a little more heavy-duty. This ear covering headband combo is made from a technical fleece that holds your hair back while keeping your super warm and toasty at the same time. The slim fit is stretchy, but not too compressive for added comfort in less bulk. It's designed for a zero to 40 degree temperature range in a material that actually wicks away sweat.
This style from Sweaty Betty has a concealed ponytail hole for you to easily insert your hair through. It's made from the brand's classic sweat-wicking, quick-drying performance fabric, just like their leggings. It's best for thicker hair and bigger heads, and for those that do not prefer a super tight fit. It comes in a few different fun prints like leopard and gradient dots and is complete with a reflective logo, making it a great option for outdoor night running.
For months, Women’s Health editors, including contributor Vanessa Powell, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated workout headbands. Our team consulted two fitness experts. Additionally, Vanessa reached out to fashion and fitness enthusiasts on the WH editorial team to see which workout headbands they actually wear in their daily lives. She examined their picks in comparison to the best customer reviews to narrow down a list of the absolute best workout headbands for women with a wide range of needs and preferences.
There are a ton of workout headbands on the market, which can make it difficult to find one that’s right for you. Before blindly buying, you'll want to consider the conditions and weather, activity level, and your hair concerns. There are super thick options that are strong enough to hold back super curly hair, while fine brittle hair requires something more minimal.
Greenfield says to “look for headbands that have some sort of grip at the interior.” The options range from silicone grips to velvet grips. Silicone grips have a stronger hold but can damage your hair, especially if it's brittle, while velvet bands are far more gentle and less prone to snagging, but they don’t lock in as much. Consider your hair type and level of motion when selecting one.
“It’s important your workout headband isn’t too tight or too loose that it slips off,” Greenfield adds. “A combination of soft materials and stretchiness is the recipe to success.” Materials like nylon, spandex, and merino wool are soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking.
Hanna Gross LeBoff, fitness trainer and creator of Sweat With Hannah, recommends “a thinner, stretchy band to keep the hair out of the face without increasing the body temperature.” You work up enough of a sweat and a thick material can add an unnecessary layer of heat. “Personally, a band that is too thick causes breakouts on my hairline. Breathable, lightweight fabrics are a must when you’re in a sweat session,” Gross LeBoff adds.
Best Running Shoes For Women | Best Leggings For Women | Best Grip Socks | Best High-Impact Sports Bras | Best Cross-Training Shoes
Vanessa is an established editor, stylist and shopping expert covering all things style, gear and wellness. She lives in Los Angeles and is passionate about sharing innovative products, tips and trends for people and the planet.
Kristen Saladino is the Executive Fashion Director for the Hearst Fashion Group. She styles covers + fashion stories for various Hearst brands.
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