I hope I spelled that right ... shemaugh .... those middle eastern looking wrap things that go around your face or head I guess. At any rate, is there any good purpose for these in everyday life? I was at a shooting school a little while back and two young bucks (early 20's I think) were wearing them. For the life of me I couldn't figure out the purpose except to look tacticool. Kind of funny becuase they had all kinds of really nice kit including those surefire earplugs but their actual clothes looked like they just hit the local goodwill store and dressed on the way to the range.
Shemaugh
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
(Moving to Accessories as I can't think of any way to shoot one...)
They may be used as a simple filter or wrap to try to block a little bit of the airborne sand/dust which is such a universal part of life in the Middle East. Otherwise, they'd seem to work o.k. for any of the tasks one would commonly use a bandanna for (sweat band, head cover, sling, dressing, emergency t.p., hankie...). They have become popular in some "tacticle" circles because of the popularity of anything indicating or related to recent military service in that region of the world.
They may be used as a simple filter or wrap to try to block a little bit of the airborne sand/dust which is such a universal part of life in the Middle East. Otherwise, they'd seem to work o.k. for any of the tasks one would commonly use a bandanna for (sweat band, head cover, sling, dressing, emergency t.p., hankie...). They have become popular in some "tacticle" circles because of the popularity of anything indicating or related to recent military service in that region of the world.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Keeps the sand fleas & lice out, or in, as the case may be.
rc
rc
TimboKhan
Member
Well, I wouldn't just wear one around for style, but they are a pretty useful piece of gear that I keep around. Useful, yes. Cool, no.
As Sam indicated, they will do everything the bandana will do, but because they are bigger, they can do some of those things a little better. In terms of actually wearing them, they obviously provide superior protection to the head and neck from the sun.
Honestly, if I went back in time to high school were I spent a lot of time driving a tractor with no roof all day, this would replace the goofy sun hat I used to wear. Why, you may ask? Simple: Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping the sun off of you, the shemagh will stay in place in windy conditions, provide protection from biting bugs, and when wet can even help cool you (although that is a very temporary benefit). Frankly, I can totally get why these have been a piece of clothing in the Arab world for the last however many hundreds of years. It's a piece of gear that simply makes sense.
As Sam indicated, they will do everything the bandana will do, but because they are bigger, they can do some of those things a little better. In terms of actually wearing them, they obviously provide superior protection to the head and neck from the sun.
Honestly, if I went back in time to high school were I spent a lot of time driving a tractor with no roof all day, this would replace the goofy sun hat I used to wear. Why, you may ask? Simple: Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping the sun off of you, the shemagh will stay in place in windy conditions, provide protection from biting bugs, and when wet can even help cool you (although that is a very temporary benefit). Frankly, I can totally get why these have been a piece of clothing in the Arab world for the last however many hundreds of years. It's a piece of gear that simply makes sense.
Karl Hungus
Member
Aside from using it on my head to keep sun and sand/dust/bugs off my head/face/neck (a purpose for which no other headgear comes close), I also use them as a sun shade/brass catcher. Drape it over your scope and head when firing from the prone position - no sun gets in, no brass gets out. I couldn't give a rat's rump if some guy at the range considers it too "tacticool", to me they're very practicool. Invariably, the same guy who's chuckling at people for the "tacticool" factor is also firing an AR with six different electronic doo-dads bolted to his picatinny sextuple rails. This is part of the reason I prefer actual field conditions to shooting at a range.
I guess I need to refine my question. First off, it was April and it was chilly and damp so the idea of keeping sun and dust off their noggins seemed a bit overkill. More to the point they showed up to the class wearing them and left wearing them. I don't get it. Maybe that is the bottom line .... I just won't get it!
Thanks!
Thanks!
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Maybe they were on Jihad?
rc
rc
auschip
Member
When it is cold I use one like a scarf. Roll it up and cover my neck underneath the jacket.
Broken11b
Member
I have a few that I picked up over there, theyre actually pretty useful in the field. I usually carried one or a camo scarf.
Keeps the sun off, and can be used as a towel, a cleaning mat, lashing poles together to use as a makeshift tripod, hundreds of uses.
Never wore one at a range... but I always has one there.
What I dont get is the people wearing them in my college classes, but my girl says I just dont get fashion.
Keeps the sun off, and can be used as a towel, a cleaning mat, lashing poles together to use as a makeshift tripod, hundreds of uses.
Never wore one at a range... but I always has one there.
What I dont get is the people wearing them in my college classes, but my girl says I just dont get fashion.
Karl Hungus
Member
Would you have noticed if they were wearing baseball caps?
It's possible that these guys were plants by the instructor to see which of his trainees were easily distracted from thier shooting by little things like personal dress.
It's possible that these guys were plants by the instructor to see which of his trainees were easily distracted from thier shooting by little things like personal dress.
I had my dad bring me back a couple from over there and I think they are pretty cool
I haven't worn them in public but they are supposed to keep the sand and sun out of your face, may try them next time I go desert shooting. I'll let you guys know how that goes
I haven't worn them in public but they are supposed to keep the sand and sun out of your face, may try them next time I go desert shooting. I'll let you guys know how that goesI never saw the point in one of those styles specifically...but have worn actual ME headgear when wanting to blend in, at a distance (whilst in the middle east, of course ).
There is a point to a scarf/wrap and these serve a purpose. This style doesn't look authentic or local as far as that is concerned...but I don't care what people where or why. I'm still an old school fan of the "boonie" hat for general sun duty.
).There is a point to a scarf/wrap and these serve a purpose. This style doesn't look authentic or local as far as that is concerned...but I don't care what people where or why. I'm still an old school fan of the "boonie" hat for general sun duty.
possum
Member
i wear them at training courses, and training sessions on my range, it keeps the sun off your neck, and it keeps brass from going down your shirt.
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