What are the benefits of cycling hats, and how to wear them
Nothing is worse than your bike ride being ruined by sun glare, rain or sweat falling in your eyes, or gusts of cold wind chilling you through your helmet holes. If you’ve ever experienced these, fear not! There is a solution: the humble cycling cap.
Take your cycling experience to the next level with a cycling hat under your helmet. A cycling hat or cap will protect you from the elements while on the bike and make your bike rides more enjoyable.
Not convinced? Discover all the benefits of cycling hats in this guide. And if you’re new to them, we’ll teach you how to wear them to maximise the use of this exemplary piece of cycling kit.
What hat should I wear under a cycling helmet?
If you’re looking for extra protection against the elements while cycling, a cycling cap is the best hat to wear under your bike helmet. Their thin material will protect you from the elements without being too bulky. Ideally, cycling caps are best for warm to mild weather as the technical fabric will wick away sweat and stop it from running into your eyes.
However, if you’re cycling in the winter, you may need something thicker for extra protection. Nothing is worse than feeling the biting air rip through your helmet on a cold cycle. If you’re braving the cold weather, opt for a thermal or specific windproof winter cycling cap or skull cap.
Avoid wearing regular hats, baseball caps, and beanies, as these are too bulky to fit under your bike helmet and could compromise your safety if you fall off your bike.
The benefits: Why wear a cycling cap?
Protection from the elements
Cycling caps are a great option for protecting your face, head and eyes from the elements in warm to mild weather, like spring and autumn. The peaked cap features a brim that sticks out underneath your helmet, shielding your face from rain and protecting your eyes from the sun.
Sweat absorption and temperature regulation
In the summer, cycling caps wick away sweat and prevent it from falling into your eyes. In winter, they help prevent cold air from chilling the top of your head through the holes in your helmet.
Reduced chafing
The thin material also fits well underneath your helmet, so you won’t have to use a bulky hat that will bunch under your helmet. Cycling caps also prevent chafing from your helmet.
Additional safety
Cycling caps also feature bright colours and sometimes have reflective features to enhance your safety on the road.
How to wear a cycling cap
Wearing and positioning your cycling cap is straightforward. However, as cycling caps are worn under helmets, they could slip down and distract you from cycling if you don’t secure them properly. Wearing a cycling cap incorrectly can also reduce functionality, so making sure you wear yours correctly is important. Follow the steps below for a carefree and comfortable cycle with your cycling cap.
- Position your cap. Place the cycling cap on your head with the bill facing forward. Ensure the cap sits comfortably on your head and is not too loose or tight.
- Cover your forehead. Position the cap to cover your forehead slightly, protecting it from the sun. The front of the cap should sit just above your eyebrows.
- Adjust the fit. Most cycling caps feature a small elastic band at the back to adjust the size and fit. Pull the elastic band and gently adjust the cap to fit snuggly on your head.
- Tilt the bill. Depending on your preference and needs, you can tilt the bill upwards or downwards. Some cyclists tilt the bill up for a fashion statement when not cycling or wearing sunglasses. In contrast, others keep it down for the best sun protection.
- Put on your helmet. When your cycling cap is secure, place your helmet on top and make sure it doesn’t move and is comfortable before you begin cycling.
How to keep ears warm when cycling
Unfortunately, cycling caps don’t usually cover your ears, so if you want to keep your ears warm when cycling, you must invest in a cycling headband to warm your ears or a balaclava for complete coverage.
Cycling caps at Swinnerton Cycles
Now that you know the benefits of wearing a cap under your helmet, we’re sure you’ll want to put this piece of kit on your cycling attire wish list.
Whether you’re looking for a summer cycling cap to keep the sun and rain out for your eyes or a winter cycling hat to keep your head warm while cycling, our collection has an extensive range of cycling caps to browse.
We also have cycling caps with quirky designs to suit your style and cycling caps to showcase your favourite cycling clubs to brands.
Find your new favourite cycling accessory in our cycling caps & hats collection here at Swinnerton Cycles.
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