Why are headbands a thing?

[piton_buns]

What was the cultural shift that got it to where it is? just a huge marketing push at some point? best players drip package and everyone wanted to mimic? so many questions.

[russc]

Functionally, it probably stuck around because it sucks getting shot in the forehead. Guys have been doing it since the 80s, so who knows...might have been the Stallone influence.

[BenoitOWN]

Primary fonction is to absorbs your sweats…
There will always be people to make high priced items.

[autococker04]

When visors became uncool, headbands became cooler as more people got smacked in the forehead.

[Frmrspec]

One of my favorite pictures is the entirety of 2007/2008 Dynasty at the start box with their hands up shielding their eyes from the sun… like if only there was a device made to prevent that lol

[Jonnydread]

What was the cultural shift that got it to where it is? just a huge marketing push at some point? best players drip package and everyone wanted to mimic? so many questions.

Are you just referring to the fancy expensive ones? I like headbands cause I don't want my noggin to get doodled too badly when I make a failed bunker move. The $150+ headband craze is batshit to me, but I wear skirts and tie dye so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Ecapnation]

It all started in the 90's......

Then in the early 2000's dynasty wore stuff from their iron kids days and the popularity and expense exploded

[JonM]

I sweat a lot when playing, so my mask foam will be the only thing to soak it up without one. I’ll often change headbands multiple times throughout the day to keep my lenses from fogging. It’s less of a style thing and more about functionality.

[Drcemento]

I wear a headwrap and a headband - they just work - esp. with a mask to deal with. Absorbs sweat and protects. Took a close hit to the forehead on Saturday and sooo thankful I had that on and doubled up! One of the more annoying dads that was in our group who's always giving me shit about my Rambo band also took a direct hit to the forehead and isn't laughing now. He'll look good at work on monday with a giant bloody red welt. He acutally said "I get it now" and his mask even had a visor.

But, I assume you're talking about the drippy $150 Hormesis bands.... what can I say.... if you've got the clout and following to make headbands for 10 bucks and sell them for $150 more power to you. They are well made and well designed. I've tried a couple times for ones that I really loved, and would happily rock one when I finally hit the lotto on the drop. Fortunately there are plenty of fully functional $24 bands and headwraps that do the trick.

[KMDPB]

Sweat, forehead protection and the biggest reason I wear one is the knot on the back keeps your mask strap from sliding down.

[martix_agent]

I played without a headband once. It was horrible; there was so much sweat dripping down into my mask which was extremely unpleasant.

[nerdcore]

Sandana & Hormesis are outliers. Just rich kids with disposable income driving their value up.

Got tired of tie/velcro headbands/headwraps. Moved to old-fashioned sweatbands. Not fancy, but they do the same job, feel more comfortable, and nice ones are still inexpensive.

Can't seem to part with my old headbands/wraps, though. Might find a way to display them.

[Daltech]

I just want to be like Oliver Lang.

Full disclosure, I went to grade school and high school with him. So I buy $150 headbands as a way of supporting a small independent, local family run business.

[DieManInTheRough]

What's he pay his Indonesian workers? Are they aware that the bands sell for sometimes hundreds?

[RAZRBAKK]

DieManInTheRough They would be even more expensive if they were made in the USA.

[Pumps4ever]

Headbands and head wrap are a necessity for sure... I am an old dood from 1980's pump days and there were no headbands...

Now I am glad they are here and they are definitely needed!

But as someone else mentioned here are some good ones to be had for $25... Like my exalt headband...

[the_matrix_guy]

.....

[uv_halo]

The person (or AI?) that did that art obviously never wore a headband. The only way a headband would conform and follow the folds of an angry brow would be if it was glued to the skin and eyebrows. But then again, that would contribute to his anger..

[the_matrix_guy]

uv_halo Just a poor design choice. Not AI. Its always been depicted that way, even in the original PlayStation games .

[iamthelazerviking]

You mean as far as collecting old/rare or limited run pieces, or just wearing one for the functionality?

I can't imagine playing paintball without a headband. I'd go blind from th sweat dropping into my eyes. I'm not as worried about forehead protection as I am sweat wicking. And you can get pretty much any pattern imaginable.