Headwear

GripGrab's Windster Cap is a good option for winter riding. Keeping your head and ears warm can be a challenge when cycling at this time of year and the Windster has a windproof front panel with good insulation around the head that should give you a head start (sorry) when it comes to staying warm.

Giro's Ambient Skull Cap is a thin thermal fleece lined cap to keep your head and ears warm.

Sewn together from four panels of water resistant DWR treated material the front panel offers further protection from the winter by being made from Windstopper fabric, to stop the wind giving you an ice-cream headache. The inside of each panel is fleece-lined for warmth and there's an extra strip of fabric along the inside seam of the brim for sweat absorption.

The Castelli Viva Women's Cap looks a lot like most other cycling caps, in that it's made from cotton and sports the same sort of peak, shaped crown and elasticated section at the back, allowing it to qualify for its 'one size fits all' status.

We asked Castelli what makes this a ladies' cap, and they came back with this: "The Viva Cotton Cap is a Unisex option, sizing is the same as men's hats with a lot more elastic movement on the rear."

Seal Skinz Waterproof beanie hat made me look like a radioactive Smurf. Not the most flattering effect perhaps, but it's actually just what's needed for murky commutes and training runs.

Crudely, it's the same technology that goes into the brand's other waterproof, breathable kit which for the uninitiated is a three-layer system comprising a polyester fleece, Porelle waterproof/breathable membrane and knitted acrylic outer. On paper at least, this allows sweat an easy escape while keeping rain out. The membrane is crinkly, but easily ignored.

The Castelli Head Thingy is one of those beautifully simple products that you didn't realise you needed in your life until you give it a go. Now I can't live without it for early morning and evening rides.

The Prendas Ciclismo Belgian-style Winter Hat is exactly what it says: a Belgian-style hat made in Italy designed to protect your head from the elements with a soft and insulating fabric.

Drawing on the rich vein of Belgian cycling heritage and made in Italy, the hat is constructed from seven panels of a stretchy polyester fabric, with a soft mesh lining. A ribbed knitted flap extends from the sides and drops around the back, providing full coverage for the ears and back of head.

The Giro Classic Cotton Cap is exactly what it says it is.

A simple cotton cycling cap, made in the three panel way, providing shade from the sun, protection from wind and rain, an absorber of sweat and a style statement for some.

The cotton cap is thin enough to be worn under a bike helmet and with Giro giving you five different patterns to choose from it shouldn't be too hard to find one that matches your top/socks/bike/bar-tape, and it's smart enough to rakishly wear just on its own round the hipster streets.

Rothera are based in Philadelphia in that U.S.A and they make nothing but cycling caps. Your standard three panel cap, all-weather caps and Winter caps with lots of designs to chose from. Lots of designs. Each cap is hand made and all of the materials, from fabrics to brims, thread, and sewing machines are bought locally and from other small businesses. Local to Philly that is.

The Hincapie Equipe Cap is a lightweight nylon version of the classic cotton cycling casquette and it also differs from the norm in that instead of being sewn together in the more common three-panel construction the Equipe Cycling Cap is made from four panels that are darted and gathered centrally at the crown.

The Giro Peloton cap is a light polyester cap that performs well in warm weather, but it comes at a price.

I quite like the idea of wearing a cap under my helmet. It looks pro, for a start, and it's pretty handy for keeping the sun and rain out of your eyes. I've struggled with cotton ones - I find them too bulky, and they soak with sweat or rain pretty easily too.