I finally bit the bullet recently and ordered a couple of the Haute Hijab Sport hijabs. This decision came after months of being discouraged about working out but wanting to lose the weight I’d gained during the lockdown, and uncomfortable attempts at exercising in regular wrap-around hijabs. (Full disclosure: I have covered fashion for “The Haute Take” at Haute Hijab for nearly two years. This review is something my editor asked me to do, and do so with my honest opinion.)

I’d never tried other sport hijabs on the market because they always looked embarrassingly unflattering, and I value looking presentable, even when sweaty and gasping for air.

Immediately upon the launch of the HH Sport, I found myself scrolling through the options. I was unsurprised that the only sport hijab that looked both flattering and functional was designed by a team of actual hijab-wearing women led by a designer who immersed herself in the experience, unlike sport hijabs from other mainstream brands.

Despite this, I was unsure if they would be worth it for someone like me who does mostly intermediate workouts – nothing too intense, nowhere near being a hardcore athlete. Ultimately, I decided that the HH Sport hijabs would motivate me to workout more. I’ve now been using and loving them for two months and wanted to share my thoughts on them as a regular gal who does very regular workouts.

I tried out the Criss-Cross and the Tech Cap + Tech Wrap combo in Smoke. When I first tried on the hijabs, I couldn’t believe just how comfortable they are. The Criss-Cross fit like a glove and didn’t stick to my head in an unflattering way. The layered front suits my face and the color goes with all of my workout clothes. The Criss-Cross has no loose-ends – everything is tucked in or tucked away, so this hijab would be so convenient for intense team sports or runs. The hijab is so lightweight and comfortable that I almost forgot I was wearing it!

Perhaps the best thing about the Criss-Cross is the absolute unlimited mobility it allows. You can move in any which way without worrying about your neck showing or hair peeking through. The material is also sweat-wicking, so you can feel as confident as you are comfortable. Overall, I ended up liking the Criss-Cross much more than I had anticipated, and it’s become my go-to for runs and other more intense workouts.

The Tech Cap + Tech Wrap combination felt more familiar to me, as it’s more similar to the hijabs I wear daily. I used my HH magnet to secure it under my chin and looped the long part around my neck. I never imagined a hijab could be more comfortable than my HH Jerseys but this hijab somehow is. Despite being looser than the Criss-Cross (depending on how you wrap it), this hijab remains incredibly functional. The Tech Cap does not move at all and serves as a comfortable base for the Tech Wrap.

This hijab is perfect for activities like pilates, barre, yoga or other intermediate intensity exercises. Although I love both, I think this one is more versatile as it can also be worn inconspicuously to run errands, drop off the kids and even on casual days at school or the office on days when you crave comfort.

Overall, I was already impressed with the HH Sport hijabs before even receiving them because of the flattering and functional design and I found myself somehow even more impressed after using them for a couple of months now. They are practical without sacrificing style and above all, lightweight and comfortable. It makes a difference when women who wear sport hijabs are involved in designing them.