# What are these armbands?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 11, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730 "2007-05-11T17:40:27Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@CameronFrye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CameronFrye)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/1 "2007-05-11T17:40:27Z")
I’ve noticed these armbands on NFL players in the last year or so ([See this picture of Randy Moss for an example](http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/fantasy/04/30/moss.jackson/t1_moss_ap.jpg).) They are tight and seem to be worn just above the elbow / at the bottom of the bicep. What are they called, and what purpose do they serve?
---
### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/2 "2007-05-11T19:25:34Z")
Sweat bands?
---
### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/3 "2007-05-11T19:32:24Z")
They keep the arms from falling off of the robots. Ok, seriously, they are sweatbands hiked up above their elbows. Probably for dramatic effect/machisimo more than actual utility.
---
### Author:  [@Zambini57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zambini57)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/4 "2007-05-11T19:57:08Z")
[QUOTE=ShibbOleth]
They keep the arms from falling off of the robots. Ok, seriously, they are sweatbands hiked up above their elbows. Probably for dramatic effect/machisimo more than actual utility.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with that pretty much.
They may serve some purpose when the ball is caught and tucked for running.
---
### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/5 "2007-05-11T20:08:32Z")
According to Nike’s online store, these are sold as “bicep bands” ($5):
“Flash your guns during the game with these sweat-defying bicep bands.
Cotton and nylon blend with added spandex ensures super performance and a great fit.
Embroidered Swoosh adds sporty flair.”
---
### Author:  [@Your\_Ad\_Here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Your_Ad_Here)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/6 "2007-05-11T20:18:40Z")
They must not help your catching ability at all if Randy Moss is sporting them…
---
### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/7 "2007-05-11T20:23:20Z")
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ]
According to Nike’s online store, these are sold as “bicep bands” ($5):
“Flash your guns during the game with these sweat-defying bicep bands.
Cotton and nylon blend with added spandex ensures super performance and a great fit.
Embroidered Swoosh adds sporty flair.”
[/QUOTE]
I think the first sentence there pretty much tells it all.
---
### Author:  [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/8 "2007-05-11T20:53:25Z")
There can be a reason for sweat bands there, though. When I run and it’s warm out (especially if I’m trying to push myself a bit), I’ll suddenly have sweat dripping down to my elbow. Funny thing is that it’s not coming from my armpits. 😕 But bands like that would be useful, since I find trickling sweat on my arms to be ticklish and annoying.
---
### Author:  [@deadeyesdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deadeyesdad)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2007, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/9 "2007-05-11T22:28:46Z")
Like all arm/head bands they are decorative. I wore a big band on my right forearm in High School because Michael Jordan wore one on his left arm. He was right handed I am left so we wore them on our off hand. My son started wearing one of those small bands on his bicep because well all the other kids do.
---
### Author:  [@smhanse751](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smhanse751)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/10 "2007-05-12T02:12:46Z")
they help cover up their needle trac marks 😃
---
### Author:  [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2007, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/11 "2007-05-12T02:17:11Z")
[QUOTE=deadeyesdad]
Like all arm/head bands they are decorative. I wore a big band on my right forearm in High School because Michael Jordan wore one on his left arm. He was right handed I am left so we wore them on our off hand. My son started wearing one of those small bands on his bicep because well all the other kids do.
[/QUOTE]
Um, there’s a difference between a pro football player in a game, sweating his ass off… and just wearing one for the fun of it.
Sweatbands _do_ serve a purpose. This is wild, I know, but they: absorb sweat. I love my head one because it keeps sweat from going into my eyes, which stings really badly. Wrist ones are useful for wiping an upper lip or any possible spit/snot that might occur. And like I said in the post immediately above yours, I’d find those bicep ones pretty darn useful.
---
### Author:  [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2007, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-armbands/403730/12 "2007-05-12T11:15:11Z")
[QUOTE=zweisamkeit]
Sweatbands _do_ serve a purpose. This is wild, I know, but they: absorb sweat. I love my head one because it keeps sweat from going into my eyes, which stings really badly.
[/QUOTE]
I met a guy on a group bike ride that wore a piece of rubber or plastic tubing on his head. It didn’t absorb the sweat, but it kept the sweat out of his eyes and guttered it around back.