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Cycling Cap & Helmet Help

Old 07-30-20, 07:21 AM
  #1  
voyager1
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Cycling Cap & Helmet Help

So I am needing a new helmet and well I am getting a bald spot. My wife is worried about me getting sunburned on the top of my head. The idea of putting sunscreen up there seems weird.

So I am looking at getting a cycling cap to help with some sun protection. Many of them say “one size” or “universal fit”. I wear a medium/large size Bontrager helmet.

So I guess my question is this. Anyone have a preference for a cap. I saw Castelli has one with SPF50. Do these caps really help? Do they fit like a regular cap?
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Old 07-30-20, 07:30 AM
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Like most clothing/accessories, you'll have to try them out for yourself and see what you like. I like Giro Peloton caps - they fit me well and wick/dry quickly - but I can't say that I've tried a lot of caps; if I find something that works well and is reasonably-price, I tend to stick with it. I'm sure that there are plenty of comparable products available.
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Old 07-30-20, 09:44 AM
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I have a few different helmet liners but like the Pace the best. It has an adjustable elastic band so should fit pretty much anyone. No issues with sunburn or overheating for me. I think I got mine on Amazon. I also have a Giro moisture wicking cap but the bill is inconvenient when in the drops for me so rarely ever use it.

Pace helmet liner
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Old 07-30-20, 09:50 AM
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I like the light weight skull caps better than cycling caps with a brim. The cycling caps look cool, IMO, but it bothers me to look out from under the brim. Avoid sunscreen above your eyes. When you sweat it will run down and hurt you. https://www.jensonusa.com/Headsweats...e-Skullcap-Hat
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Old 07-30-20, 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by voyager1
So I am looking at getting a cycling cap to help with some sun protection. Many of them say “one size” or “universal fit”. I wear a medium/large size Bontrager helmet.
I'd be leery of spending too much money without being able to try on something in the store first. I have a large square head and most caps fit me too tightly and/or tend to "ride up" and fall off or blow off in the wind.
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Old 07-30-20, 11:15 AM
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To answer the OP's question, cycling caps fit close to the skull and have a nice brim to keep the sun off your eyes. They're meant to slip under a helmet easily.

I personally use a Specialized Down Under or Pear Izumi Transfer Lite cap depending on the kit for the day; got to match! Generally you'll want one with a technical fabric so it absorbs sweat and breathes well. You've got to try them on since most are one size fit all or sized as S/M or L/XL.
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Old 07-30-20, 11:28 AM
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I don't wear a brimmed cap as much anymore, as I do prefer no brim, for reasons mentioned above about having to crane neck up that bit more to clear your view from being blocked by the brim.

The Giro UV Ultralight SPF30 skullcap works well.

Otherwise, for just a bald spot in the back.. use the aerosol sports sunscreen.. easier and less messy than trying to rub lotion up there. If you need more coverage all over the top of your head, then yeah... watchout for stinging eyes if it runs.
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Old 07-30-20, 12:05 PM
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I used to put sunscreen on my head, but have since gone with skullcaps in white - I figure they'll reflect light rather than absorbing, so they'll be cooler. I haven't actually tested this hypothesis, though. I've got one Pearl Izumi and one Castelli. The Castelli fits much more snugly. They both stay in place pretty well, because there's a helmet holding them there. The Castelli is lighter fabric, so I wear that on warmer days.
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Old 07-30-20, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
I like the light weight skull caps better than cycling caps with a brim. The cycling caps look cool, IMO, but it bothers me to look out from under the brim. Avoid sunscreen above your eyes. When you sweat it will run down and hurt you. https://www.jensonusa.com/Headsweats...e-Skullcap-Hat
I find that the size of the brim matters a lot.
In fact, when I order from Walz, I always order the small brim option.
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Old 07-30-20, 04:10 PM
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I use a thin Lycra skull cap under the helmet

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193049869258
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Old 07-30-20, 05:38 PM
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i use these

Halo skull cap for protection includes sweat gutter...that comes in handy.
https://store.haloheadband.com/Halo-Skull-Cap-p/sc.htm

Craft with windstopper for protection and warmth.
https://www.craftsportswear.com/B2C%...2851-8baf3613/
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Old 07-30-20, 06:30 PM
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I have a pearl izumi transfer I like. I actually wear it backwards under my helmet for reasons. It does a great job keeping sweat out of my eyes. I can't speak to it's sun protection qualities.
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Old 07-31-20, 10:11 AM
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Giro Peloton, 'tho wish the brim was a bit smaller.
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Old 08-02-20, 09:21 AM
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I have pretty thin hair on top and never got scalp burn. I do have tanned “tiger stripes” on my upper forehead and scalp, which I wear as a badge of honor. They do look a bit goofy but point is that if you have gradual sun exposure you may not necessarily get burned and/or need a cap.
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Old 08-02-20, 09:26 AM
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Caps with visors tend to make the helmet rotate toward the back and you lose some your forehead protection.

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Old 08-02-20, 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by voyager1
So I am needing a new helmet and well I am getting a bald spot. My wife is worried about me getting sunburned on the top of my head. The idea of putting sunscreen up there seems weird.

So I am looking at getting a cycling cap to help with some sun protection. Many of them say “one size” or “universal fit”. I wear a medium/large size Bontrager helmet.

So I guess my question is this. Anyone have a preference for a cap. I saw Castelli has one with SPF50. Do these caps really help? Do they fit like a regular cap?
I'll do you one better - I had a Bell Helmet with longitudinal vents in it and I would get tan strips. If I had to go our anywhere I would wear a cycling cap or a hat depending on occasion. Otherwise I considered it a mark of honor.
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Old 08-03-20, 12:55 AM
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Smith Koroyd or Bontrager WaveCel. They seem like they'd be hot and heavy to me, but several friends wear them in Texas summer daytime rides and say they won't wear anything else. The liners would seem to offer more sun protection.

I prefer regular Bell and POC helmets, but I have long hair and often wear bandannas. Depends on the heat and humidity. I prefer no bandanna when it's hot and dry because the sweat evaporates quickly. When it's humid the bandanna helps absorb sweat.
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Old 08-03-20, 03:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Nachoman
I find that the size of the brim matters a lot.
In fact, when I order from Walz, I always order the small brim option.
Walz caps come in two different head sizes, not brim sizes. And that's really good for people with smaller heads.
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Old 08-03-20, 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Lazyass
Walz caps come in two different head sizes, not brim sizes. And that's really good for people with smaller heads.
Try the "build a cap" option. I just hit their website, randomly selected the 4-panel build a cap option, and they give you a choice between 2 .25 or 1.75 size brim.
You can also get the cap in four different sizes.
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Old 08-05-20, 04:35 AM
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Originally Posted by voyager1
So I am needing a new helmet and well I am getting a bald spot. My wife is worried about me getting sunburned on the top of my head. The idea of putting sunscreen up there seems weird.

So I am looking at getting a cycling cap to help with some sun protection. Many of them say “one size” or “universal fit”. I wear a medium/large size Bontrager helmet.

So I guess my question is this. Anyone have a preference for a cap. I saw Castelli has one with SPF50. Do these caps really help? Do they fit like a regular cap?
Rapha. one of the only things not uber costly.
went to the nyc store.
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Old 08-06-20, 04:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Nachoman
Try the "build a cap" option. I just hit their website, randomly selected the 4-panel build a cap option, and they give you a choice between 2 .25 or 1.75 size brim.
You can also get the cap in four different sizes.
Woah, I didn't even know that. Mine has the 1.75 brim.
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Old 08-23-20, 12:08 PM
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Hey all, I just wanted to pop back on and thank everyone for the answers. I went ahead and bought two Bontrager skull cap style caps since I needed some more bib shorts (and some were on sale). I was finally able to go on a ride yesterday with the new skull cap, and it was nice. It seemed to work and I did not feel hot or anything. Thanks again everyone!
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