I have recently started using a shemagh instead of a bandana in my BOB and also hunting. These things to me a much more functional than the bandana just because of the size difference. A bandana typically has dimensions of 21''x21'' a shemagh measures twice that. So all of the uses you have for a bandana which are limitless the more material the more can be done with it. Also here is the military uses I copied this next part.

For decades, keffiyeh have been issued to British soldiers[10], who now, almost exclusively, refer to them as shemaghs. Their use by some units and formations of the military and police forces of the former British Empire and subsequent Commonwealth dates back to before the Second World War. Because of its utility it was adopted by the Palestine Police Force, the Transjordan Frontier Force, the Sudan Defence Force, the Arab Legion, the Libyan Arab Force, the Long Range Desert Group, the Special Air Service and Popski's Private Army, amongst others, who wore them while operating in North Africa. After the war, their use by the Army continued with the shemagh being worn in both desert and temperate environments in theatres such as Dhofar. Australian Army forces have also used the shemagh since the Vietnam War, and extensively during Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly by Australian Special Forces units. Since the beginning of the War on Terror, these keffiyeh, usually cotton and in military olive drab or khaki with black stitching, have been adopted by US troops as well. Their practicality in an arid environment, as in Iraq, explains their enduring popularity with soldiers. Soldiers often wear the keffiyeh folded in half into a triangle and wrapped around the face, with the halfway point being placed over the mouth and nose, sometimes coupled with goggles, to keep sand out of the face. This is also commonly done by armoured, mechanised and other vehicle-borne troops who use it as a scarf in temperate climates to ward off wind chill caused by being in moving vehicles. British soldiers deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan are now issued with a tan-colored shemagh. Irish Army Rangers use a green shemagh to conceal their identity whilst in the "green" role.

With this said what do you use and why?

A boony hat and a bandanna for me.

Recently bought a new boony hat at Wally World. It's reversible. Blue on one side, real tree camo on the other side. With it I am ready to survive stylishly in the city or the woods.

The bandanna can be tucked up under the back of the hat for sun protection and create that stylish Lawrence of Arabia look. I'm still oscillating between red neck red or camo.

[YouTube_Video]http://www.youtube.com/v/-OrxtMTy7SY?fs=1&hl=en_US[/YouTube_Video]

I have been looking at 2 different forms of "head gear". First is a light mesh that has an oval cut for the eyes and will tuck under a hat/into the jacket, the second is similar to the first but made of polar fleece, they're both only available in RealTree camo. I won't buy something strictly for the BOB, it must be useful in other pursuits and these are both designed for archery hunting. I don't want to deal with having to do some funky wrap and tie to put it on, both of them I'm looking at are tubes that slide over the head and tuck into the hat/jacket.

Always wondered what the towelheads called a *** - shemagh, eh?

In the South, we call a ***, a ***. "Shemagh" is a prime example of PC bull...it's a damned ***. I'll let targets wear those - gangbangers love that crap - especially since garbage like that gets tangled in the briars and vines here.

Nah...didn't need it in the sand box, sure as hell am not going to wear the crap on US soil. I'll keep the boonie hat and ball cap (with the bill in the front where it belongs!) thank you very much.

If you want to dress like the enemy, go for it. Just don't complain if you develope lead poisoning.

I would agree with tech. My personal choice is a boonie and dark color ***

tech just have to say if you been in the sh!t then you know that alot of special forces and us troops utilize these. If it is the symbol you are looking to not use this for then ok good for you. i will tell you though it is a very functional piece of equipment along with the boonie. But everyone is entitled their opinion. If anyone decides to shoot at me while I am wearing mine they better be REAL good I mean REAL good. First thing is even seeing me coming and they want even hear the percussion before they fall over TRUST me. Rain down hell from afar.

I have 10 shemaghs split between myself, my wife, and my boys bags. I agree they are very functional. I also have my contractor caps (sterile ballcap), boonies, watch caps, and balaclavas. They all have their applications, especially when you're wandering around in the sandbox and find yourself with sand being kicked up in your face. Tech is right to a certain extent that it can get you confused with the enemy, but with so many grunts and civilians running around with them and the handbinding ROE, there is little risk of actually getting shot by friendlies. Now over here in CONUS, all bets are off. In a survival situation ROE are don't get spotted first. Otherwise I prefer the shemagh to the bandana. They come in many colors too.

Upon re-reading my post, I can see where some confusion may occur. The rags have a utilitarian purpose...face protector/dust mask/sling/bandage/...HOWEVER, there are entirely too many gangbangers (too close for my liking) that seem to feel it makes a fasion statement for them. Therefore, in this particular area wearing one tends to identify a person as "less than ideal" to have around.

There is also the matter of personal preference. I prefer to not dress or look like arabs so I don't/won't.

I still have to suspect that dressing like the enemy is going to give a much higher than normal chance of being aggressively engaged by otherwise like-minded people stateside...especially post-fan.

Hope this clears the air a bit

Boonie not in an area where the keffiyeh's usefulness would be greater then it's handicaps. The larger size allows it to be grabbed by briers faster.

Mine are very light weight cloth. They trap very little body heat in the colder temperatures.