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review

Velobici PBP Seamless Cap

8
£22.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Very simple, very useful bit of headwear from Leicester's Velobici
Weight: 
9g
Contact: 
www.velobici.cc

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The PBP Seamless Cap is part of Velobici's PBP collection. It's a skull-tight beanie made from a Merino-mix material: 42% Merino, 51% polyester Thermo-cool, 4% Nylon and 3% elastane. PBP refers to the Paris-Brest-Paris, of course, and the collection comprises "essential items for the long distance traveller, marrying durability with comfort, practicality and European chic." Though a PBP reference may be over-egging the pudding, there's no doubting that this is a very useful little hat.

Velobici is a knitwear specialist based in Leicester, that has recently turned its attention to cycling apparel. According to my well-informed colleague, it has got specialist machinery that can knit complex shapes and patterns without the need for seams - so you can use CAD in the same way with knitwear as you would with metal or any other material.

Anyway, back to the hat; first off, it's designed to sit comfortably over the ears. Unless you have a large 'fro it should remain firmly in place, keeping your ears cosy all ride long - something that too many winter hats do not achieve. The elastic is just tight enough to keep it on, and it's very comfortable. Secondly, the material is very thin and soft, so it's a treat to wear under a helmet. It has a small embroidered Velobici logo, but aside from that, it's dead simple, with no seams (other than where the material gathers at the crown). It's one of the least intrusive hats I've ever worn - you can almost forget you're wearing it - and doesn't muffle your hearing too much either. Finally, it's warm, but not too warm. Although it's thin, it kept my bonce warm even on an all day ride in sub-5C temperatures, and it's not so thick that you'll overheat, even in warmer weather.

Price-wise, you could definitely buy cheaper, but for a UK-designed and sewn hat that performs so well, I reckon it's totally justifiable price.

Verdict

Very simple, very useful bit of headwear from Leicester's Velobici.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Velobici PBP Seamless Cap

Size tested: Black

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 warm. Road riders, I'd imagine, as it's so thin and close-fitting it works best under a helmet (to my eyes).

Says the website:

 

"To honour one of cycling's graeatest endurance events, The Paris - Brest - Paris, we have designed a collection of essential items for the long distance traveller, marrying durability with comfort, practicality and European chic.

 

"This cap is super lightweight and beautifully fitted."

I'd agree with the last bit, if not with the hyperbole.

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

"All the PBP Collection are made using seamless technology, with a composition of;

 

* 42% Merino wool

* 51% Polyester Thermo-cool

* 4% Nylon"

* 3% Elastane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Beautiful and seamless.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

I thought it was great - balanced warmth, no bulk and not to muffling, sound-wise.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

It's lightweight, and seems delicate, but it's lasted well during the

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

Very lightweight.

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

Great

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

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

Very well

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The light weight, the fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing

Did you enjoy using the product? Very much

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 65kg

I usually ride: Cinelli Strato road or fixed commuter hack.  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

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

 

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3 comments

Avatar
dave atkinson | 12 years ago
0 likes

funnily enough, he doesn't seem to keep any of them

Avatar
Fringe | 12 years ago
0 likes

ah Olie the Imelda Marcos of hats.  4

Avatar
jezzzer | 12 years ago
0 likes

lol. that is all.

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