Soccer Headbands: Do They Help, Which Type to Choose (Thin, Wrap, Padded) and Sizes for Kids and Adults
Headbands are the cheapest piece of football kit and one of the few that players at every level actually ask for. They keep sweat and hair out of the eyes, which matters more than it sounds when a cross is coming in with the sun behind it, and a padded version is the only head protection most youth leagues allow. This guide covers the three types, sizing for children and adults, what the rules say and which ones stay in place. Three types and what each one is for Thin elastic bands (about 0.5 in / 1 cm wide), often sold in packs. They hold short hair and a fringe; they do nothing for sweat. Cheap, light, easy to lose. Wide wraps and tie bands (1.5 to 2.5 in / 4 to 6 cm). Absorb sweat, hold long hair, and tie bands are adjustable for small heads. The type most players over ten end up wearing. Padded headbands and headguards. A foam layer around the forehead and temples. They do not prevent concussion, but they reduce cuts and bruising from clashes of heads and are allowed unde...