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review

Octopus Caps Flapper cap

8
£25.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Snug fitting wollen cap that can be worn under a helmet and should stop your ears freezing off
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.octopuscaps.com

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This woollen 4 panel cycle cap from Octoput has ear flaps and peak is made entirely from recycled fabrics. Hand made in Columbus Ohio where they probably have the flaps permanently down, when ordering your cap you can choose the colour of every panel sewn into constructing this hat.

If you are follically challenged or maybe someone who is susceptible to getting a chilled head or maybe you just wish to decorate your noggin with a woollen bonnet then this offering from a little sewing factory in the Americas could be the ticket. These handmade caps are entirely customisable, you can choose the colour of every single panel that is sewn together, even the top and the bottom of the soft peak! Made entirely from recycled fabrics, they have an instant worn in feel making them comfortable and soft straight out of the box.

The fabric choices are shown on their website but you can always drop them a material suggestion. The cut of the cap is made to cover your head a lot more than a standard cycling hat, it is a bit like wearing a beanie hat with a peak and a couple of flaps that covers your ears. The flaps have a bit of a wind proof material on the inside which although do a jolly good job of keeping your wing nuts from freezing the rustling sound of the material take a bit of getting used to.

The flaps can be turned up and tied to let a bit of steam out if you are getting too hot. It is definitely a cosy cap which does a good job of preventing heat from escaping from your head and the peak does a token effort of keeping the low winter sun out of your eyes or the hard rain running down your face. Wool is a great material that works well in many conditions, its soft, it keeps you warm, it wicks sweat well and it dries fairly quickly.

A cotton lining band helps mop up sweat and grime off your brow and acts like a seal stopping your sweaty forehead dripping when things get a little hotter. The close fitting nature of this cap allows it to be worn under a helmet comfortably and the seams of the 4 woven panels aren't felt at all. There is a little silky nylon internal stash pocket on the inside of the cap which Octopus say you can keep things like your cash card in but with the close fit of the cap you look like you have a plate in your head and if you think you can get away with hiding your keys in there you will get your mates worrying that something scary is growing out of the side of your head. ​For a hand made garment this shows incredible value for money. One size should stretch over even the largest of swedes.

Verdict

A snug fitting woollen cap that can be worn under a helmet and should help stop your ears from freezing off.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Octopus Caps Flapper cap

Size tested: XL

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Keeping your head and your ears warm. It does this well.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Made from recycled wool

Every panel can be chosen in the colour of your choosing.

Ear flaps can be tied below the chin or on top of your head.

Slim stash pocked in the liner

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

It is all hand made but maybe not finished to the standard of say a Rapha or Dashing Tweeds cap.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

The wool can get a bit itchy but does well at keeping your head warm and the ear flaps are a god send in when there is a freezing cold wind.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

This is a hat that feels like you have had it years.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

The pre-worn in feel of the fabric and the natural stretch fit made it very snug. No pinching from elastic or uncomfortable seams. The only thing was the crinkly noise from the wind proof material used in the ear flaps, this didn't make it uncomfortable, just mildly irritating until you get used to it.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Fantastic value for this hand made cap.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

if you have ears that are particularly susceptible to feeling the cold then these ear flap do a far better job than pulling a beanie hat over them. The wool looks after heating duties very well yet doesn't slow cook your brain.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The ear flaps close the door on the chilling wind freezing your lug holes.

Did you enjoy using the product? yes

Would you consider buying the product? YES

Would you recommend the product to a friend? yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 180  Weight: 80

I usually ride: Bike that I am testing at the time  My best bike is: Giant CFR pro. Old school carbon converted to fixed. Kinesis Convert 2 fixed. Shorter cafe racer

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed, bare back

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