robostudent5000
Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2011
- Messages
- 877
howdy.
these are instructions on how to make yourself a better Zebralight headband. this headband doesn't bounce or flop when i run and doesn't leave dents in my forehead like the Zebralight headband with the silicone holder. it is essentially a variation of the Niteize headband, but improves three problems i had with the Niteize: 1) the Niteize is a little small for my size 7 3/4 head, 2) the Niteize's velcro size adjustment makes fine tuning the fit on the fly difficult, and 3) the Niteize's elastic light holder is too wide to allow the headband to conform to the shape of my forehead naturally; this causes a round dent in the middle of my forehead and pain during extended wear. this headband fixes all three problems and retains the Niteize's stability.
inspiration was drawn from the Niteize and the headband on the Petzl NAO.
things you'll need:
1 inch wide tubular webbing - 20-22 inches long (20 if you have a small head, 22 if you have a big head)
1/8 inch shockcord - 16-20 inches (depends on how much adjustability you want)
cordlock
3/4 inch or 1 inch wide elastic - 2-3 inches long (2 for smaller Zebras, 2.5-3 for larger Zebras) - heavier duty the better
needle and thread and/or a sewing machine.
step 1: take the ends of the tubular webbing, measure about an inch in from the ends, then fold the ends over. stitch the ends down securely. you should now have a 18-20 inch piece of webbing with loops at either end.
step 2: take one end of the the shock cord and loop it through the two loops of the webbing to form a U shape then mate the two ends of the shockcord and slide the cordlock over the mated ends of the shockcord. tie the ends of the shockcord together. i recommend a diamond knot. or you can use a zipper pull tip. you should now have a complete, adjustable headband.
you can stop here and use this headband with a standard Zebra silicone holder. it would probably also work well as a more stable headband for heavier single unit headlamps like the Princeton Tec Eos and Black Diamond Storm. if you don't like the Zebra silicone holder, go on to the next step.
step 3: take the 3/4" - 1" wide elastic and take your Zebralight. wrap the elastic around the Zebra to estimate how much material you'll need to get a good fit. you want it to be snug, but not too snug. getting the tension right is the key. too loose and the light will flop around. too tight and the headband will be uncomfortable. i think the temptation here will probably be toward making it more snug than it needs to be. make it just snug enough to hold the light and no more. once you've determined the length of elastic that is right for you, either cut the elastic to size with a hot knife to get a clean edge or cut it a little longer so that the ends can be folded over to prevent fraying. once you have the elastic properly sized and prepped, find the mid point of the tubular webbing and sew the elastic on the webbing in the shape of a half loop, the same way as it is on the Niteize, except sew the stitches about 1/8 of an inch in from the edge of the tubing. this slight offset allows the elastic to wrap around the Zebralight better and also allows the tubing to lie flatter against the wearer's head.
step 4: check your work. make sure all your stitches are good. then enjoy.
dead pic link removed
finished headband w/ H60. not by accident, the blue webbing came from a Niteize.
these are instructions on how to make yourself a better Zebralight headband. this headband doesn't bounce or flop when i run and doesn't leave dents in my forehead like the Zebralight headband with the silicone holder. it is essentially a variation of the Niteize headband, but improves three problems i had with the Niteize: 1) the Niteize is a little small for my size 7 3/4 head, 2) the Niteize's velcro size adjustment makes fine tuning the fit on the fly difficult, and 3) the Niteize's elastic light holder is too wide to allow the headband to conform to the shape of my forehead naturally; this causes a round dent in the middle of my forehead and pain during extended wear. this headband fixes all three problems and retains the Niteize's stability.
inspiration was drawn from the Niteize and the headband on the Petzl NAO.
things you'll need:
1 inch wide tubular webbing - 20-22 inches long (20 if you have a small head, 22 if you have a big head)
1/8 inch shockcord - 16-20 inches (depends on how much adjustability you want)
cordlock
3/4 inch or 1 inch wide elastic - 2-3 inches long (2 for smaller Zebras, 2.5-3 for larger Zebras) - heavier duty the better
needle and thread and/or a sewing machine.
step 1: take the ends of the tubular webbing, measure about an inch in from the ends, then fold the ends over. stitch the ends down securely. you should now have a 18-20 inch piece of webbing with loops at either end.
step 2: take one end of the the shock cord and loop it through the two loops of the webbing to form a U shape then mate the two ends of the shockcord and slide the cordlock over the mated ends of the shockcord. tie the ends of the shockcord together. i recommend a diamond knot. or you can use a zipper pull tip. you should now have a complete, adjustable headband.
you can stop here and use this headband with a standard Zebra silicone holder. it would probably also work well as a more stable headband for heavier single unit headlamps like the Princeton Tec Eos and Black Diamond Storm. if you don't like the Zebra silicone holder, go on to the next step.
step 3: take the 3/4" - 1" wide elastic and take your Zebralight. wrap the elastic around the Zebra to estimate how much material you'll need to get a good fit. you want it to be snug, but not too snug. getting the tension right is the key. too loose and the light will flop around. too tight and the headband will be uncomfortable. i think the temptation here will probably be toward making it more snug than it needs to be. make it just snug enough to hold the light and no more. once you've determined the length of elastic that is right for you, either cut the elastic to size with a hot knife to get a clean edge or cut it a little longer so that the ends can be folded over to prevent fraying. once you have the elastic properly sized and prepped, find the mid point of the tubular webbing and sew the elastic on the webbing in the shape of a half loop, the same way as it is on the Niteize, except sew the stitches about 1/8 of an inch in from the edge of the tubing. this slight offset allows the elastic to wrap around the Zebralight better and also allows the tubing to lie flatter against the wearer's head.
step 4: check your work. make sure all your stitches are good. then enjoy.
dead pic link removed
finished headband w/ H60. not by accident, the blue webbing came from a Niteize.
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