Sportful Fiandre NoRain Cap

The weather comes in many forms, but the most unpleasant is rain. You know that of course, and you probably also know that there have been some significant clothing advances that make dealing with adverse weather much easier. One such is Sportful's extremely useful Fiandre NoRain cap, which shelters your head under a special layer of water resistant fabric.

We've tested waterproof caps here at road.cc in the past, and while they do indeed help to keep your head dry during a downpour, they usually suffer from poor breathability, which eventually means you overheat and the resulting discomfort renders them unusable in all but the coldest and wettest weather.

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Sportful's Fiandre (Italian for Flanders) range uses a proprietary fabric with a water-repellent technology that ensures rain beads off the surface. All seams are fully sealed, and Sportful describes it as a 'fully waterproof cycling cap for extreme conditions'.

I didn't find it to live up to those claims, and water does get through the fabric eventually, but it keeps you protected from the rain for much longer than a regular cotton cap. Where the cap really scores is that it deals not only with the rain, keeping your head drier than without a cap, or indeed a cotton cap, but that it also prevents overheating.

I found it dealt comfortably with a wide range of weather conditions and temperature fluctuations, making it a great cap for the changeable, and unpredictable, spring weather. I've even worn it when there's been no hint of rain on the horizon.

> Check out our guide to the best cycling kit for spring

It's an extremely useful thing at this time of year. The cap has been a regular part of my outfit for any rides where it looks like rain is forecast, and I've comfortably worn it for five or six hours in changeable conditions.

It fits really well, much like a high-quality cotton cap, and slips under a helmet no problem. The peak is robust and about the correct size for a cycling cap – helping to keep rain out of your eyes, but also able to be flicked up when you've got your head down.

At £32 it's not cheap compared with a simple cotton cap, but nevertheless it's something I'd definitely recommend buying.

Verdict

A great cap for rubbish weather