Cyclists get a lot of flak from the non cycling fraternity for wearing the “uniform” of lycra shorts, tight fitting hi-viz yellow jersey (or dayglo/aero, add your own social media insult, usually from a post reporting a collision between a motor vehicle and a cyclist, their clothes somehow proving it was the riders fault!) and a cap and it’s a shame that even though lots of us don’t wear that outfit for riding we get grouped into the same tired stereotype.

However, one item on that list I’d say while not essential to riding, can enhance the experience much more than the latest carbon wheelset or electronic shifting gizmo. That item is the humble cycling cap or if you want to be really pretentious, a casquette.

Caps are great for wearing under a helmet when it’s cold, hot, when it’s wet or when it’s sunny. they also work for all these reasons without being under a helmet. At the cafe stop, the pub, the campsite etc etc. i take one on every ride in case I need it for any of the above reasons and not just because I’m folically challenged. I also did the same when i had enough hair to flick out of my eyes…..did i say they’ll keep hair and sweat out of your eyes too?

Uncle Pete THIS IS UNCLE PETE on instagram sent me a message asking if I’d like to review one of his handmade cycling caps. Being a big fan of the humble cap I of course agreed. Pete asked me to measure my head where the rim of a cap would normally sit, easily done with a tape measure and a mirror or a piece of string and a rule. Even easier if you have someone to measure it for you. He asked me what colour/pattern material I wanted and to look at his Etsy site for ideas. Now, I am lazy and colour blind so I said I’d leave it to him to decide.

A few days later a parcel arrived for me and the cap in the pictures was the result. This navy blue cap is very understated, i was expecting something much more jazzy but I have to say it looks classy and not out of place in the non cycling side of my life, then i checked the lining material which was covered in a skull and crossbones material! A hidden treat.

The cap is super soft with a shallow stiff brim, I much prefer the smaller brim, it fits with helmets much better and looks so more stylish than the usual long brim seen on most caps which i always find hinders vision when on the bike unless you push your helmet too far backwards. The cap doesn’t have an elasticated rim because it doesn’t need one, it’s made to measure. This cap wins massively over off the peg caps because of this. Off the peg caps in my experience are either too big or too tight if you don’t possess an average size head and not many of us do.

The cap has served me well the last few weeks and is so comfortable and it’s been tested in some of the best weather the UK has had in a while. It’s kept my head from being sunburnt and you can see from the pictures it’s been sweated in a few times. It’s made of cotton with a cotton liner and so is quite breathable but obviously in really hot weather the cotton does soak up any moisture. It does however wash really well.

I really wish I’d taken the time to choose a brighter colour as this cap has quickly become my favourite and it deserves to shout “look at me!” the quality and finish is top notch and many many times better than the run of the mill caps available. Yes, its currently £30 for a cap, but thats only £5-10 more than the will it/won’t it fit cap with a big brand name on it that probably cost pennies to make in china.

I’ve even experimented with wearing it with the lining on the outside!

The quality of construction, the comfort, materials used and the fact it’s specifically made for your head by hand is worth every penny, just choose your colour and pattern wisely and treat yourself.

Pete’s Etsy shop can be found here Uncle Pete’s Handmade