Lusso Repel Belgium Hat

The Lusso Belgian Hat is ideal for riding in wintry weather (even in spring) especially when things are really extreme: the colder and wetter, the better it performs.

• Pros: Very warm, great coverage
• Cons: Not that breathable, you'll need plenty of helmet space

The Belgian cap design is a tried and tested one so you'll find most manufacturers have one in their range, but the Lusso is definitely one of the better ones that I've used.

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Riding in temperatures as low as -7°C during the recent snowy weather, the Lusso has been my go-to piece of headwear. It is just so warm and the soft material gives you a really cosy, snug feeling.

I'd say the top end temperature you'd want to be wearing this hat in would be around 5-6°C – any higher and your head can start to get a little clammy and the Lusso isn't massively breathable, especially if your effort level is high. For a short commute on cold mornings it could be just what you need.

It feels completely windproof, and being part of Lusso's Repel range, rain water beads off as you are riding. I've washed the hat a couple of times over the test period and the water repellent coating is still doing the business.

The main section of the hat is made up of four segments which all meet at the top centre and these give a great fit as the cap stretches evenly all around your head. There is plenty of give in the fabric too, so you can get a nice close fit without it being restrictive in any way.

The bottom section of the cap covers the ears easily and it also doesn't ride up and reveal your lobes to the elements as you go about your training – like some I've worn.

The peak sits almost vertical when the cap is on, and does a really great job of keeping rain, snow, grit and so on out of your eyes, but it does take a little bit of getting used to if you've been wearing a hat with a more horizontal peak. It can feel like it is obstructing your field of vision a bit and you have to move your head a lot more when negotiating busy junctions or roundabouts. You soon adapt, though.

This Belgian cap can be worn on its own or it'll fit under a helmet without obstructing straps or buckles. All you need to do is adjust the cradle to accommodate the cap. It's quite thick, though, so you'll need a decent amount of adjustment available and if you are right at the top end of your helmet's sizing you might struggle.

When it comes to value, the Lusso is well priced against the competition – especially when you take quality and performance into account.

> Read more road.cc reviews of cycling caps and headwear here

We haven't actually tested any caps of this style for a good two or three years, hats like the Prendas Sublimated Pro Winter hat or the Pactimo Alpine Thermal Cap. Both were similarly priced to the Lusso, and a look around various internet stores sees prices range between £20 and £30 for this style of hat.

Overall, I think the Lusso Belgian hat is great despite a few little niggles, and definitely worth the investment if you ride or commute no matter what the weather.

Verdict

Excellent Belgian hat for keeping the weather off your bonce