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Comment by tomduncalf | Hacker News Reader

My personal hack is using a Buff [1] instead of an eye mask. It’s a soft fabric tube designed for wearing as a kind of face mask for outdoors activities.

They’re really soft and comfortable as an eye mask and don’t get too hot or slip off. There’s no elastic stream involved and it’s really slimline so you barely feel it. Also they’re cheap!

I use a dark coloured one and fold it over 2 or 3 times to make it darker. Couldn’t sleep without it, nor could a few people who I’ve introduced to it!

[1] buff.com

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I've been using the buff for the past 10 years to cover my eyes. Can't imagine living without.

Ah amazing, a fellow Buff sleeper haha :)

Let me understand... you use their "neckwear" and pull it down on your eyes instead of around your neck/mouth?

If yes... they seem o sell it in full and half size. Do you use the half size? a full one folded in two?

(I am curious to see what it does for me but I do not use this kind of products normally so I would like to avoid buying the "wrong" type).

TIA

Very goog question. I am interested as well and feel the same sort of confusion. Their sortiment is quite diverse.

Yeah that's correct, I owned one for skiing and happened to try reusing it in frustration after being awoken by the light coming in through the curtains.

I had no idea they had such a large range! I just use a basic original, full size one, made out of thin material. Full size means you can fold it over two or three times to make it block out more light, I'm not sure a half size would work so well but I've never tried one.

I think it would be the "Original EcoStretch" model, though I can't say for 100% certain as I bought mine in an outdoor wear shop and just bought the cheapest, thinnest, darkest one.

I think I just needed to be sure you used the full size one. I'll look for a dark one and make sure it is a model for warm climates (I suppose a winter/ski version could be a bit too much to wear in bed, especially folded).

Thanks!

They stretch far and they loosen elastically pretty quickly regardless of how you use them.

I just use a dark shirt, which seems to be the same idea really. A lot more comfortable than elastic bands on an eye mask, I find.

Buffs are used like this on backpacking trips as well. Especially if you sleep cowboy style without a tent and you're staring a the moon and the starts.

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