Originally posted by amerpie
What is the origin of bicycle hats? Is there a special purpose to their design? I sometimes wear mine under my helmt, but weren't the hats around before helmets?
Do you wear them? Do you turn the brim up or leave it down. Is it true that the real reason the pros sometimes eschew helmets to wear hats is to provide more ad space for their sponsors.
Lou
The hats were around before helmets, but I'm guessing the leather "hair net" helmets, being a good bit older, may have influenced the design. The nice thing about cycling caps is that they are small (i.e., aero), and you can go with brim down for riding around in the sun or brim up for maximum visibility.
I doubt that pros really eschew the helmets for advertising, especially when you consider that;[list=1][*]Most helmets are provided by sponsors (helmet makers), and[*]A lot of the guys riding without helmets don't wear hats either.[/list=1]
I tend not to wear cycling caps anymore. If I want something under the helmet for warmth, I use a bandana. For sun, my glasses do enough for me, or I can snap on the visor that came in the box with my helmet.