Rain Caps: The Best Wet-Weather Gear You’re Not Using
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It was after a wet nighttime cyclocross race that I became obsessed with rain caps. The evening started with a drizzle, but within minutes after we left the start line, that drizzle became a steady downpour—which progressed into an all-out deluge. Water was coming from all sides. I made the mistake of removing my glasses, and when I put them back on for the second race of the evening, they were totally fogged. Forced to take my shades off, I had to squint and blink constantly to keep the water out of my eyes.
After the race, the organizer awarded one of the racers an Assos rain cap. I admired its water-resistant fabric and protective brim, which I imagined would shield my face from pelting droplets. It was like a rain jacket for your head! Where had this awesomeness been all my riding life?
I tested some rain caps this fall through rainy bike rides; not only did they keep my head warm and dry, but the caps also shielded my lenses and eyes for better visibility—on one chilly and rainy afternoon ride, my eyes felt like they were sheltered in a cozy little air pocket. And never underestimate the power of style: wearing a rain cap made me feel pretty dapper, which always helps get me out the door when conditions are less than ideal.
Here are my three favorite stylish models that will shield your head (and face) from the elements.
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GORE Bike Wear 30th Equipe Gore-Tex Cap $46
Of the three caps I tested, the Equipe ($46) looks and feels the most like a “normal” cycling cap . The Gore-Tex fabric is matte black, eliminating that shiny, plasticky look. More importantly, it works: My head stayed dry through one hour-and-a-half-long rainy ride, and the brim was wide enough to keep my eyes dry, too—the water just rolled straight off. Excellent breathability, gold accents (which are also reflective), and the attractive 30th-anniversary decal make this a cap I’d wear sans helmet and on a dry day, too.
Buy it Now: $27.96 at Competitive Cyclist
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Assos rainCap_S7 $49
Taped seams provide extra waterproofing and helped the rainCap_S7 ($49) keep my head dry through a downpour, but it was also breathable enough to do double-duty as a normal cycling cap on a 60-degree, sunny lunch ride—my forehead never got overly sweaty. The water-resistant TRITON fabric itself has some stretch to it, too, though this is the only one of the caps I tested that comes in three size options for those with extra-tiny or big noggins.
Buy it Now: $48.95 at Competitive Cyclist
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Showers Pass eVent $40
The thin, three-layer eVent fabric, designed to be waterproof but breathable, is the same stuff used to make rain and snow jackets—making the Showers Pass eVent rain cap ($40) the most techy-looking of the three rain caps I tested. But it still gets style points for the classic stripe down the middle, and if you like an understated look, you’ll appreciate the subtle Showers Pass logo on the side. A 360-degree wide elastic band gives this cap a snugger fit around the head than the Assos or GORE models; I also found it to be the toastiest.
Buy it Now: $40 at Amazon
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