Caps

Reviewed by Andrew F.

Breathable sun hat for hiking. I like the fit, the sun protective yet breathable fabric, and that the brim is soft and easily washable. Ballcaps provide limited coverage, and they aren’t cheap, but that’s it for downsides

  By the Potomac River Having seriously beat up my Trailspace ballcaps, I purchased a Ciele Athletics hat during a visit to a local REI. Our son, who has become a seriously dedicated runner, commented he likes their hats for running. I liked it so much that I purchased a second one.  Things I like:  UPF 40+ to protect the dome. Fabric is lightweight, allows some air to pass through, and dries quickly. Adjustable sizing. Brim keeps its shape yet is soft, doesn’t get bent or easily mangled.  Comfortable to wear.

Read more: Ciele Athletics GOCap review (1)

Reviewed by Rick-Pittsburgh

Size-Large Color-Khaki I have two of these wonderful hats. I personally cannot rave enough about them. I have worn them in very warm temps (95+) and I am still impressed with the design and function of this product. As always I am all about keeping it simple(pros/cons) so here is low down on this hat. PROS: 1. Weight=Comfort- I know it's just a hat. It weighs 1.8oz. When wearing it I have actually forgotten that I had it on. If it wasn't for the brim(which is 2") I probably would have looked for it even though I was already wearing it.

Read more: Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap review (1)

Reviewed by KiwiKlimber

An excellent hat that is lightweight, dries quickly, and is comfortable on my big noggin. Made of 70D nylon ripstop fabric, this hat is ideal for taking on the summer heat and can be worn for a multitude of high or low energy output activities.

Conditions:I bought this hat in the spring of 2019 and have worn it regularly for six month since. It has quickly become my go-to hat, not only for outdoor activities like hiking and biking, but also for everyday casual wear.   Fit and Adjustability:I have a pretty big head, measuring 24.25 inches (61cm) or a 7 ¾ in hat sizes. A lot of times, when a hat claims to fit most head sizes, it doesn’t fit me. That’s why I was concerned that this hat might not fit, as the sizing is either S/M or L/XL.

Read more: The North Face Horizon Ball Cap review (1)

Reviewed by Shane

The Outdoor Research Swift cap is great for trail running, hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities.

I'm out and about in the sun quite a bit in the summer. I want to protect my head and eyes from the bright sun so I usually wear a baseball style cap. I've had some that were hot and didn't breathe. I've had others that weren't comfortable or got nasty really quickly.  However, one cap that I've used extensively and have come to really like is the Outdoor Research Swift Cap. The OR Swift cap has been with me on all sorts of adventures—from 12,000 feet mountains to sea-level hiking, this cap has been my reliable companion.  I've sweat buckets in it.

Read more: Outdoor Research Swift Cap review (1)

Featured review by Daniel Oates

Who doesn't want to look fly, feel cool, and represent Trailspace? It's a comfortable, lightweight, and well-fitting hat that drys quickly and wicks sweat very well.

Got this awesome hat from Trailspace as Reviewer of the Month. I've owned some type of running hat for the last 10 years. This one is by far my favorite. With a sweet TS logo on the front and "trailspace.com" on the back, it's actually a Headsweats brand hat, so you can find it in the store...though you may not look as sharp!   It is very lightweight and is 100% polyester. I have a larger-ish head and doesn't feel too tight, though I am using almost all of the band. The hat stays snug on my head and I'm never nervous about it falling off.

Read more: Trailspace Trail Runner Cap reviews (12)

Reviewed by Robert Martin

This is without a doubt the best lightweight, flexible cap I've ever owned. It can be completely folded (including the brim) and carried in your back pocket. At 2.2 oz you’ll forget you have it along!

I’m a hat hater! I rarely wear a hat even though I own many. Since I wear eyeglasses, there are times when a hat is required such as a sunny golf match, hiking into the setting sun, a hard driving rain, heading to a public place with “hat head”, morning camping with crushed hair... When a hat is really needed this is the one you want. It folds and stows away like no other hat. Smash it flat and put it in a pocket. When you put it on it’ll look perfect. The colors are conservative and I wear both the “slate” and “deep blue” colors.

Read more: Sunday Afternoons Eclipse Cap review (1)

Reviewed by Jeff Pettett

Super comfortable lightweight ballcap that excels in warm weather. Constructed with fabric that helps draw perspiration away from your head and keep it out of your eyes. Available in many colors.

Fantastic hats, have one in every color. This is my go-to hat for most of my outdoor activities. Super breathable and the fabric wicks sweat away easily. Adjustable sizing with rear buckle. The fit is perfect and when I'm done I just drop it in the washer. (Put the hat in a small laundry bag before washing to help keep the brim of the hat from becoming frayed.) After washing, just let it air dry. I've been running one or two marathons or 50K's a month since 2011 and have yet to find a hat that both fits and wicks as well as the Race Hat.

Read more: Headsweats Race Hat review (1)

Featured review by In2snow

Works very well in the rain.

I've used this hat for a couple of years now when hiking in wet weather. The hat repels water very well. The thing that I like most about it is that when the rain really starts to come down and you need to pull the hood of your rainjacket up the hat fits really well under the hood and doesn't feel like it's being pushed down on your head or blocking your field of vision. The hat works best in cool weather. Being that I shave my head and don't have the hair to absorb perspiration, when temps creep over 55 degrees or so it get quite humid underneath.

Read more: Outdoor Research Revel Cap reviews (2)

Reviewed by Daniel Oates

Athletic hat which can be used for camping, playing sports, or just mowing the lawn. Highly recommended for activities where you want the shade, but prefer wicking and breathability of lightweight fabric.

I received a gray model from my friend about 4 years ago. He played tennis in it for a season, just to give you an example of the "genre" of hat this is. It's been my go-to hat for most occasions.   That material is very thin and breathable, but at the same time durable. I have snagged this hat on thorns or bushes a few times bushwacking or geocaching. No issues or repairs needed.   It is not waterproof though I wear mine and don't think twice about pouring water over my head and hat when I'm done with a hike.

Read more: Nike Daybreak Hat review (1)

Reviewed by Alicia MacLeay

I’ve had the Mountain Hardwear Fast Pack Cap for about six months now and use it primarily for running (trail and road) and hiking and backpacking. I bought it because I wanted a lightweight, synthetic cap for highly aerobic activities, instead of my standard heavy cotton Red Sox hat. I also liked that the Fast Pack comes in both men’s and women’s versions, versus the usual one-size-fits all approach (more on this later).I use the Fast Pack Cap at least three or four times a week and generally I really like it.

Read more: Mountain Hardwear Fast Pack Cap review (1)