The keffiyeh, also known as shemagh , or in Persian chafiye , and in Kurdish cemedanî , is a traditional Arab headdress fashioned from a square, usually cotton, scarf. It is typically worn by Arab men, as well as some Kurds.
It is commonly found in arid regions to provide protection from direct sun exposure, as well to protect the mouth and eyes from blown dust and sand.( Wikipedia)
Shemagh is one of the most versatile gears you can carry and recently more and more hikers have started to appreciate its versatility. Some hikers believe it is useful just in arid and hot climates but I think it works in every situation , wet, dry, summer,winter and almost every where. Here is the list of potential uses of shemagh:
As a pillow cover
Extra shoulder pad
Warming belt( around the waist)
Covering the food to protect it from flies
Sun protection for the neck and face ( and bug protection at the same time)
Wiping off the sweat from face
Bandage
Arm sling
Keep the hiker cool( by dipping it in the water and wrapping it around the neck or over the head in hot days)
Keep the hiker warm ( wrapping around the neck and head in the cold weather)
Carrying stuff for a short hikes around the base camp( works as a pouch and can be wrapped around the waist)
Helping in collecting fruits and vegetables
Dust mask
Smoke mask( especially when wet)
Works as a towel after a shower or after a dip in a lake( ditching your towel when carrying the shemagh is a wise UL move)
Tourniquet
Works as a small cushion when folded up( hard surface blanket)
Gathering water in the mornings from morning dew
Covering your eyes when light is too much to sleep
As a pot holder
As a water filter
Bug net when having a nap in woods during the day
Drying tent after or during the rain
Works as a rope to help the other hiker up in rocks and boulders when hand is not long enough to reach the other hiker
Ps: I personally prefer the traditional pure cotton for shemagh since many of the uses of shemagh is dependent on the cotton fabric. It is normally around 40X40 inches and weighs around 4 to 6 ounces .
Heavy duty and thick shemaghs are not the best for hiking especially in warmer weathers . My choice is the ones around 4 Oz for summer and 6 Oz for winters. Darker colors work better in cold weathers and lighter color work best in warmer climates.
It is one of the gears that when you start using , after a while you start to think what the heck I was doing when not using them?
Cheap(around 4 to 12 bucks), versatile, light and durable.
Here is how to order…
Kookork