We get asked this one a lot, usually by somebody standing in front of our du rags trying to figure out what to search for when they get home. Is it a du rag, a doo rag, a do-rag, a skull cap or a bandanna? Truth is, it depends on who you ask and where they grew up.
The short answer
Around bikers, all of those names usually point to the same thing: a snug cloth cap that covers the top of your head, keeps the sun off, soaks up sweat and fits under a helmet. You'll see it spelled du rag, doo rag, do-rag and dew rag, and folks use the words interchangeably.
A few differences worth knowing
- Bandanna: a plain square of cloth you fold and tie yourself. Cheap and handy, but it slips and it doesn't hold its shape.
- Du rag / doo rag: a cap already cut and sewn to fit your head, so it goes on the same way every time.
- Skull cap: some people use this for a fitted cap with no ties, others for the same thing as a du rag. Riders mostly mean a cap that sits close enough to wear under a helmet.
Outside of riding, "durag" can also mean the long-tailed silky wrap some folks wear to protect a hairstyle. That's a different item from a biker's cotton cap, so if you're shopping online, adding "biker" or "skull cap" to your search gets you closer.
What to look for
Whatever you call it, here's what matters when you're on the bike or on the job:
- A sweatband. This is the big one. A built-in sweatband keeps sweat out of your eyes on a hot ride.
- A good fit. It should sit snug without pinching under a helmet.
- Something that says who you are. If you're going to wear it every ride, it might as well carry a message.
Our Christian du rags
Our Christian biker du rags are made in the USA with a built-in sweatband, and one size fits most. You'll find John 3:16, Jesus Is Lord, Ride With God, Blessed Biker and more, plus military and POW/MIA designs for our veterans.
They aren't just for riders, either. One customer told us he wears his John 3:16 du rag as a scrub cap at the hospital because he likes the message it carries.
One honest word: our du rags are a limited supply, and once current stock is gone they'll likely be discontinued. If you've had your eye on one, now's the time.
Whatever you call it, wear it proud and ride safe.
"The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." — Psalm 121:8 (KJV)