Here's a brilliant idea: take a traditional cotton cycling cap, favoured by many cyclists in the autumn and winter months whether worn under a helmet or on its own, and make it from a waterproof fabric for the ultimate wet weather protection. It's a simple idea well executed in this Showers Pass eVent cap.
The cap, from Portland-based Showers Pass, is constructed from a three-layer eVent fabric. This ensures it's completely waterproof, and will keep your head dry even in the pounding rain. It fits easily under a helmet, or can be worn on its own, whatever your preference. It performs well in both modes.
Showers Pass make just one size and it's good for heads sized between 52 and 60cm. The one size fits all approach might cause issues for those at the extremes of head size, but my regularly sized head fitted inside it without complaint. The stretch head band provides a nice snug fit, not too tight nor too baggy.
I'm a cotton cap fan. They're a regular go-to item when dressing for a cycle ride at this time of year. They're not much cop in the rain though. Not the case with the Showers Pass eVent cap, it is simply brilliant in the rain, keeping your head dry for the entirety of the ride. It's perfectly breathable too, and even on a ride when it didn't rain I didn't notice undue heat build-up.
It doesn't offer much insulation though, it's not lined, so it's not as useful on colder rides as it could be. That's perhaps its only fault, but it's not designed to provide warmth, it's designed to keep you dry in the rain. And that it does outstandingly well. A great investment for wet weather cycling.
If you're determined to ride in the rain, the Showers Pass eVent cap will keep your head completely dry. It's breathable enough to avoid overheating and is useful even on rides when it doesn't rain much, but you might get the occasional shower
Verdict
Simply brilliant waterproof cycling cap with good fit and breathability
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Showers Pass eVent cap
Size tested: n/a
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?
A fully waterproof cycling cap made from the highly regarded eVent 3 layer waterproof fabric, the Showers Pass eVent Cap is finished in a classic style with a one size fit, and is designed to fit under your cycling helmet for protection against mid-ride downpours.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
3 layer waterproof
Fits head 52cm - 60cm
One size fits (nearly) all
Brilliant in the rain.
Fits well under a helmet. Comfortable on its own too
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Avoids a soggy head which makes riding in the rain a little less unpleasant.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Fit and waterproofness.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
One size for all won't suit those people at the extremes of the fit range.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
Extremely useful for wet weather cycling and breathable enough to wear even when it's not raining
About the tester
Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67
I usually ride: 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: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.
13 comments
Is it really, really, really breathable?
I ask specifically because I've done the whole 'It's really breathable' thing to death; going through softshells, Gore Tex, Gore Tex Pac-Lite, e-Vent, and any number of fabrics inbetween, and always been somewhat underwhelmed by the claims.
I've been out today with just a cotton cap on, and even that was overwhelmed after half an hour; good job I took another spare.
So; is it really breathable or will I end up with lukewarm sweat gently dripping down my face?
That water has to go somewhere. Probably down your neck.
Not sure if this is progress...
They should have built in some guttering to catch all the rainwater, send it down a tube and into your water bottle.
Hmm, well I switched to my new Gore Oxygen rain jacket mid-commute home when the rain got too heavy. But it was very mild so I was concerned about overheating. But the jacket was most impressive. I stayed dry and it was definitely breathable. If you're saying you still overheat in these then perhaps this hat isn't for you?
So it's not breathable then?
Is this some sort of April fool's day joke?
Try it with a plastic bag over you and you know what breathable means.
The question of breathability is a tricky one. I did find this cap very breathable, even in the barmy weather we're enjoying at the moment. How breathable a piece of clothing is does depend on factors like how hot you run (I don't), the intensity of an activity, and your layering.
All waterproof clothing is currently a bit of a compromise though, and until there is a breakthrough in fabrics allowing 100% waterproof and 100% breathability, it'll remain that way
To me (and I do have some experience) eVent is by far the best membrane in terms of breathability. It's far from leaving your skin perfectly dry during intense workouts but it's far better at letting the sweat out than other fabrics.
Please note, however, that while water evaporates, salt and dirt don't. This means a lot of sticky residue after a long intense ride.
But still, like I said before, eVent is the best membrane I've tried so far.
Sounds appealing to me - one of the benefits of a cap, when worn under a helmet is the addition of a 'peak' to keep rain out of your eyes. A cotton cap becomes a miserable soggy thing after a downpour so this sounds like it could be just the ticket, especially on cool days.
If you went out with just a cap on, I'd expect the rest of your body to be REALLY breathable to compensate...
I have this cap and it's fantastic. As far as breathablity goes its great. I have worn it for commutes and longer 40 mile rides in the rain na d my head has stayed dry. I couldnt really fault it.
I considered a waterproof cap like this one for last winter. Think I was looking at Sealskin and Endura. Thought I would need to buy 2. One lined, and one unlined for different temps. Eventually ditched the cap route and went for a waterproof Sugoi helmet cover. Although my cycling chums ridicule me for looking a bit of a tit and a throw back to the 50's, the cover really works. It still allows air to pass over the top of my head through the base if the helmet (probably in the same way as the current trend towards aero helmets), and it allows me to either wear a cap or a buff or nothing on my head depending in the outside temperature. Additional plus is the ability to remove the cover as the weather conditions change. So overall I think my choice offers the max rain protection coupled to versatility. So if your ok putting up with your mates ridicule (mine is day glow yellow and I'm referred to as an angry pluke/zit) it's the way to go. Remember when you are sitting at the Saturday coffee stop looking comfortable while your mates are wringing out their saturated caps and buffs, you will have the last laugh.