My Why / My Story
My Why / My Story
I created The Shandana because I needed it myself.
I’ve been playing tennis my entire life and teaching for more than 20 years, which means I spend a lot of long days outside in the sun.
One day, I was running behind for work and rushed out to the courts without putting on sunscreen. After nearly eight hours of teaching, my neck and ears were badly burned.
I knew I needed better protection, but I didn’t want to give up my favorite hats or wear a bulky sun hat with a permanent flap attached.
I wanted something I could put on when I needed it and take off when I didn’t.
That idea became The Shandana.
Sun protection that works with your favorite hat.
The Shandana is designed to help protect the areas that traditional hats often leave exposed—your ears and neck—while still allowing you to wear the hat you already love.
Made with lightweight, moisture-wicking UPF 50+ fabric, The Shandana is easy to put on, remove, and carry with you. On especially hot days, I soak mine in cold water for an added cooling effect.
When I’m finished teaching, I can simply take it off, wear it around my neck, or put it in my pocket.
Simple. Comfortable. Practical.
Made for more than tennis.
What started as a solution for long days on the tennis court quickly became something I realized could be useful almost anywhere outdoors.
Tennis • Pickleball • Golf • Fishing • Boating • Construction • Landscaping • Beach Days • Outdoor Events
The Shandana can also be customized with colors, designs, company logos, team logos, tournament branding, and event sponsorships—making it a practical option for individuals, teams, businesses, and organizations.
Made for life under the sun.
I still wear The Shandana for the same reason I created it: I spend a lot of time outside, and I wanted an easy way to add sun protection without changing the hat I wanted to wear.
Now I hope it can do the same for you.
— Brandon Blankenbaker
Creator of The Shandana
The Shandana is not a replacement for sunscreen. Always follow appropriate sun-protection practices when spending time outdoors.
