How to Choose Your First EDC Bandana: A Beginner’s Buying Guide

A bandana is like a pocket flashlight because you don't understand how useful they are until actually start carrying one.

Growing up I did not know anybody who used a bandana so I did not feel the need to carry one myself.

However I have been carrying one for the past couple years now and at this point I won't leave home without it.

While carrying a square piece of cloth is a common thing across many cultures, I'm going to primarily be talking about the American bandana here.

How to Choose the Right Color

The first question you might have is what color you should get for your first bandana.

Some people claim that you must have a red paisley bandana for arbitrary reasons but that's nonsense.

I recommend spending some time picking out the right colors for you based on your favorite colors or what matches your clothes.

If you work for an organization that requires a specific color then it's probably in your best interest to only wear that color.

Personally I like to carry a white bandana when I am wearing blue jeans because I like the contrast.

In almost all other cases I usually carry a blue bandana because it does not show stains as much as lighter colors do.

Choosing The Best Material

I highly recommend getting a 100% percent cotton bandana because in my experience it works the best in all situations.

For me a cotton bandana is a must have.

Silk is mostly for fashion or for those who want to maintain a high end reputation.

Synthetic materials are not ideal because they do not pick up liquids as well and synthetic fibers can also get smelly over time.

Wool can be a suitable alternative to cotton but wool bandanas are generally much harder to find.

Finding Your Perfect Size

The best bandana size for you will depend on many factors so you should take a couple minutes to figure out what you are going to use it for.

I loosely define a bandana as a square piece of cloth that you can easily tie around your head. There are two primary sizes to consider.

A regular size bandana is between 20 and 22 inches. An extra large bandana is anything bigger than 22 inches up to about 27 inches.

I consider anything less than 20 inches a handkerchief and anything from 27 to 36 inches is a wild rag.

If you have a piece larger than 36 inches you have a cape. Just kidding.

According to my research, most people in America used bandanas that were 42 inches and were called kerchiefs.

If you are confused about what to buy I highly recommend starting with a 22 inch bandana because it is the most practical size and fits easily into your pocket.

Mastering The Fold

There are two ways that I like to fold a bandana depending on the size. See the video above for demonstrations.

For a smaller 22 inch bandana I fold it in half and then fold it one third of the way up so the two parts are equal.

Then I fold it again and tuck the sewn edge in so it stays neat.

I do this because I want the cloth to stick out from my pocket a little bit which makes it easier to grab and less bulky than if it were buried at the bottom.

For a larger 27 inch bandana I prefer an edge to edge fold.

This method is perfect for jeans pockets because it stays well wedged in there and will not accidentally fall out.

Countless Uses For Your Bandana

There are so many things that you can do with a bandana once you start carrying one every day.

You can use it as a bib if you're a messy eater.

A bandana can serve as a temporary bandage for cuts in an emergency.

It works well as a face shield if you are riding a motorcycle or if you find yourself in a dusty area.

You can wipe your face when it gets hot outside or you can wet the cloth and tie it around your neck to keep cool.

It is useful for blowing your nose or wiping up accidental spills.

You can also use it as a head cover to keep the sun off your head.

Clean your glasses with it.

It can even serve as a pot holder for hot pans.

Another great use is as a neck covering in cold weather.

Finally, you can use it to tie the bottom of your pants to keep bugs out or to keep your clothes away from a bicycle chain.

But don't stop there.

You'll discover so many more uses after you start carrying one.

Bandana Makers to Check Out

Since most people do not carry bandanas anymore it can be hard to find quality makers at the moment.

While cheap options from mass producers are OK for basic everyday carry, they are not the best built.

However it seems like bandanas are making a comeback and there are a few makers that I suggest looking at. They are listed below.

But don't stop with this list, do your own research.

Most importantly, have fun with the process and let's bring back bandanas!

• Iron Heart – These are very high quality at a reasonable price. Their designs are really cool and I like the fact that they don't use the traditional paisley design. Only downside is that the biggest size they have is 21 in/54 cm.
• Mister Bandana – I own a few of these and they have a ton fun designs. Check out their Silkies line which offers bigger sizes and silkier cotton. I consider these middle tier in terms of build quality. Solid, but not top of the line. Made in America.
• The Peacock Crew – If you're looking for inexpensive but fun, these can fit the bill. They have a surprising number of designs to choose from, given their budget status.
• Rothco – These are the best el cheapo option that I've found. Sure, they aren't perfect, but they are really hard to beat if you just want something that you don't mind getting dirty.