mconlonx

I'm thinking I should get some head coverage for use while riding my bicycle, in particular, a hat of some kind.

Characteristics would include some kind of shading for the eyes, i.e. a brim; either a tight enough fit or an adjustment system which would prevent a hat from blowing off my head while riding; and perhaps a bit of style/flair.

US-style baseball cap is what I have used in the past and while it does a good job with coverage and shade, it's not the best for staying on one's head at speed and sometimes blows off at inopportune times. Cycling caps, while extremely stylish and in vogue with the skinny-pants crowd does not have the sail of a bill which might lead to hat loss, but provides only minimal shade. I also considered visors, but stopped when I realized that they are favored by triathletes.

Affordability is another key factor -- while a bespoke bowler might be a great choice and very Clockwork Orange, I fear it would be beyond my budget.

So what kind of hats do y'all prefer while riding? Thoughts or suggestions for what might suit me best?

I-Like-To-Bike

I like this:
Big Accessories BA503 Mesh Runner Cap from Big Accessories All - JiffyShirts.com
No problem with blowing off; can be worn under headphones or other head covering such as a hoodie or styrofoam if desired. Bonus is a brim with a reflective strip in front. Other colors are available; I like white for sun reflective capability.

MMACH 5

In before the lock-down.

mr_bill

I prefer a sun umbrella.

-mr. bill

J.C. Koto

oh. my. god. They got everything at Party City... I was going to suggest this goofy and very culturally insensitive sombrero but after seeing many of the other choices I'm torn..

Leebo

Hard hat. Had chestnuts, the 2" kind with spikes on the outside dropping around me on yesterdays commute. Plus acorns in the wind. YRMV

02Giant 

Or, a recumbent with a canopy...

mconlonx

Pessimist.

I appreciate the refrence, but I'd prefer a hat. Maybe something like this? Although I fear I might have issues with it coming loose, the colorful "be seen" safety aspect should certainly not be overlooked.





I see no retention device for this magnificent contribution, so it is unfortunately out of consideration.


Would this be aero?

Booger1

Boonie hats work good....

mconlonx

Actually, this and I-Like-to-Bike's mesh hat are the best so far...

I-Like-To-Bike

I have one of these "hats"; doubt if it will work on a moving bicycle but is excellent for stationary outdoor activities like sitting in the bleachers watching a sporting event in the rain or bright sunshine.

BobbyG

You are not going to like this but any hat will stay on when you fasten a helmet over it.

Coal Buster

Jeez, now I'm getting hipster hats in the ad feed.

If I'm not wearing a helmet, I wear a ball cap. The brim material is what keeps it from blowing off in the wind. A proper band will stick to your forehead.

I-Like-To-Bike

So would duct tape, or a railroad spike, but there are effective ways to keep a hat on a bicyclist's head without such objects.

mconlonx

There's plenty of hats listed at the site JCKoto linked which would not... and the boonie hat listed above would be problematic, as would any wide brim hat, like a fedora or cowboy hat.

Also unsure of the efficacy of helmet safety while wearing a hat underneath one. But that would be something more appropriate for Helmet Thread -- here, we are discussing helmet alternative bicycle wear, specifically hats.

-=(8)=-

Im having a nice lolz at teh subtlety, but if you are even the slightest but interested, skate board web sites have these wool hats with little visors and stretch over yer lil ears too . . . Thats what I wear. Cabelas and other "outdoor" sites have these bangin' brimmed/flannel/ear flap things that look pretty cool too . . . Getting the color of whatever gang you want to be associated is something I might recommend too.

mconlonx

Hey now, don't blow my cover, still hoping to reel one in... I've worn such a hat in the winter, a Trek Bontrager branded one. The weather has turned colder so it's about time for a warmer hat than something like the mesh job ILTB posted. And, 'tis the season, so perhaps camo or blaze orange would be appropriate in order to be associated with the redneck contingent up here. Although camo/blaze + bike usually tends to = DUI rider...

KD5NRH

This is the one I wear to run. Race Hat - Hi Vis Yellow w/ Reflective Piping - Headsweats

CoolMax with a sweat pad and full 360 visibility on the reflective trim, and the fit is adjustable. I keep it pretty darn snug, and no problems with it blowing off in any wind I would expect short of bombing a long hill into a severe storm.
$16 at Amazon.

-=(8)=-

In Vermont, PA and KY, at the rate of hunters shooting each other on opening day, Im not too sure I would want to go with the safety orange. Might git mistook fer a kritter.

mconlonx

Nice one. I've used headsweat product before and very much liked the tech and quality. Hmm...

RPK79

A proper cycling cap is the only answer (and it can be worn under a helmet if you swing that way).

Robert C

I wear a wool Ivy "Driving" cap. I look Okay, it is made in the USA, and is very good quality. Further, It is not all too expensive.

Picture from here

JoeyBike

I was going to mention my Tilly but runs about the same price as a nice wool bowler. The Tilly does have a nice "double-shoelace" retention system as fine as any bike helmet once you get it dialed in. The front brim might blow up with cycling speed, but it will NEVER blow off your head. But....U gonna pay for it.

I-Like-To-Bike

Baseball type cap by itself is good til freezing, then in combo with a hoodie works best for me.

dynaryder

I've got about 4 or 5 different versions of these:
Cycle Cap - Headsweats

Including one that's about 7-8 yrs old and still wearable. My favorite cycling caps.