Snood: What is it, how to wear one
In these chillier times, the snood is coming up trumps.
It could be said that I’m not always at the vanguard when new concepts appear in the fitness clothing world. Indeed, snoods have been around for a while but I’m only a recent convert to them.
At running events I’d seen snoods and wondered what the point of them was. To me they just looked like an unnecessary accessory (and that’s not easy to type). It was fashion over any real function and just another item to annoy me during a run.
Remember the (relative) uproar when David Beckham was pictured wearing a sarong? When I first heard the term ‘snood’, the sarong debacle is what I thought of.
A few years back, Premier League footballers were wearing them. That is until they were banned due to fears over neck injuries. Despite this, a Nike Squad snood remains available to buy. And now fans can deck themselves out in club colours, as this offering from Liverpool shows.
For casual bouts of running I’ve found them a great additional piece of kit.
Here are a few basics…
What is a snood?
It’s a small, lightweight piece of clothing with a number of wearable uses. DO NOT confuse it with what is found on a turkey’s head (thanks, Wikipedia).
They come in various sizes. While running and sports ones need to be more lightweight and breathable, some designers have gone to town on men’s and women’s snoods. Think chunky fur knits that’ll truss you up well for winter. Fun fact: Greyhound snoods are also a ‘thing’ – look it up 🙂
Advantages of a snood
The snood can be used as a hat, scarf, worn on the arms or simply to flail gloriously as you soak up the adulation down the home straight.
For cold, winter training, no-one wants to wear a big woollen scarf. It’d get in the way and gradually work its way off your face. A snood is far more streamlined and can cover the key areas and keep the warmth in much better.
Disadvantages of a snood
There is a distinct possibility of looking like a pirate. This is fine on the high seas but when running along tarmac it can look odd. Plus, some designs are just plain weird.
The image of the spooky moustachioed chin (above) is what I’m currently sporting. But if like me, you don’t want to look like you have such elaborate facial hair, overcome this by wearing your snood inside out. Most of the snoods I could lay my hands on feature a skull. These come from a Halloween-themed pack but I’m sure there are other, less intimidating illustrations out there.
Running snoods are multi-functional. But there are some debatable wearing options aside from the more normal ones like neckerchief or headband. Namely the option to go ‘Blind Chicken’. According to the packaging that comes with snoods, this is basically blindfold. Maybe a tad kinky for a public run?!
How to wear a snood
As headgear, roll the snood up and simply put it on your bonce, adjusting as you go. It’s pretty secure and is unlikely to move much, particularly if you possess a big head of hair.
In terms of the snood scarf, you’ll need to roll it up and stretch it right out over your face. Think of the process in three stages. Firstly, it’s a hat, then it’s a balaclava, before finally it gets down to your neck and becomes a scarf. I suppose you could try all three options during the day depending on your coldest bits.
When to wear one
Winter mainly, or a chill autumnal day. Otherwise, it’ll go down a storm at fancy dress parties.
Isn’t it just a scarf?
Yes and no. Depending who you speak to, a snood is headgear, neck warmer or every fashion statement rolled into one. Whatever you want to call it, they work like a dream.
Images © sportfitnessjourney.com
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