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The Outbound Paisley Bandanna is a versatile outdoor essential that combines practical protection with a timeless design. Made from 100% cotton, it provides a lightweight and breathable layer that can be worn in a variety of ways to help shield you from the sun, dust and wind during outdoor activities.
Suitable for camping, hiking, festivals, travel and everyday wear, this classic square bandanna can be tied around the head, neck or wrist, or used as a sweat band, face covering or lightweight cloth when required. Its soft cotton construction offers all-day comfort, while the traditional paisley pattern makes it a practical accessory that never goes out of style.
Features
- Made from 100% cotton fabric
- Lightweight and breathable for everyday comfort
- One size fits most
- Traditional paisley design
- Can be worn as a head covering, neck scarf or wrist wrap
- Suitable as a face covering in dusty conditions
- Ideal for camping, hiking, travel and outdoor recreation
- Genuine OUTBOUND product
Specifications
Product Code: BA0003
Brand: OUTBOUND
Product: Paisley Bandanna
Material: 100% Cotton Fabric
Size: 600 mm x 600mm
The Outbound Paisley Bandanna is a simple yet highly adaptable accessory for outdoor adventures and everyday use. Its lightweight cotton construction and multiple wearing options make it a practical addition to any camping kit, hiking pack or travel gear while providing comfortable protection wherever your adventures take you.
A 100% cotton bandanna is an excellent material for making char cloth because natural cotton chars evenly and catches a spark readily. Avoid synthetic or blended fabrics, as they will melt rather than char.
What you'll need
100% cotton bandanna
Small metal tin with a tight-fitting lid (an Altoids-style tin works well)
Nail or drill to make a small vent hole (about 2–3 mm)
Scissors
Heat source (campfire, wood stove or gas burner)
Tongs or pliers
Fire-safe gloves
Step 1: Cut the fabric
Cut the bandanna into squares approximately 40–50 mm. Smaller pieces are easier to use and fit neatly inside the tin.
Step 2: Prepare the tin
Make a single small hole in the centre of the lid. This allows gases released during heating to escape while limiting the amount of oxygen entering the tin.
Step 3: Fill the tin
Loosely pack the cotton pieces into the tin. Don't compress them tightly, as a little space helps the heat circulate.
Close the lid securely.
Step 4: Heat the tin
Place the tin on hot coals or over a steady flame.
As the cotton heats, smoke—and sometimes a small flame—will vent from the hole. This is normal and indicates the volatile gases are being driven off.
Continue heating until the smoke has almost completely stopped. This typically takes 5–15 minutes, depending on the heat.
Step 5: Cool completely
Using tongs, remove the tin from the heat.
Do not open it while it's still hot. Opening the tin before it has cooled allows oxygen to enter, which can cause the char cloth to ignite and burn to ash.
Allow it to cool naturally before opening.
Step 6: Check the finished char cloth
Properly made char cloth should:
Be deep black throughout.
Retain the weave of the original fabric.
Feel soft and lightweight.
Tear easily without crumbling into ash.
If the centre is still brown, reheat it for a few more minutes.
If it has turned to grey ash, it was exposed to too much oxygen or heated for too long.
Using char cloth
Place a small piece of char cloth on top of a piece of flint, chert or a ferrocerium rod (depending on your fire-starting method). Once a spark lands on the cloth, it will form a glowing ember. Transfer the glowing char cloth into a prepared tinder bundle and gently blow until the bundle ignites.
Storage
Keep finished char cloth dry by storing it in a waterproof tin or sealed container. If it gets damp, allow it to dry completely before use.
A single cotton bandanna can produce dozens of pieces of char cloth, making it an inexpensive addition to a traditional fire-lighting kit.