Here’s something you might not know: Our bodies lose heat equally through all areas of exposed skin. So although most of us grew up to believe-or being told by our mothers-that most of our body heat escapes from the top (i.e. our heads), those knees you have poking through your jeans are cooling down at about the same rate as your noggin.
When it comes to cold-weather riding, we put forth a great effort-and lay out a healthy chunk of change-to ensure that we stay warm in the chilliest and wettest of conditions. We invest in winter tights, waterproof jackets, insulated gloves, even cozy socks. Now it’s time to add a good winter cycling cap to this list. But before you buy the first one you see, here are some things to consider.
Some Fit Better Under a Helmet
While every cap and balaclava on our list can (technically) fit underneath a helmet, some are more conducive than others. The POC AVIP Road Beanie is made of a four-way stretch fabric for a slim fit, the Pearl Izumi Barrier Skull Cap comes with a ponytail port, and the Craft Skull Hat covers just enough of your ears to keep them warm without getting in the way of helmet straps. But if you’re the type who ditches the helmet when the temps drop in favor of a nice, cozy cap, your options are endless, as it eliminates the threat of the cap being too bulky or loose to fit underneath it. The fleece-lined Sealskinz Belgian Cycling Cap is extra thick, with an earband and short brim, but it’s also wind- and waterproof, making it a good option for helmetless days.
A Balaclava Covers More Skin
On the coldest, windiest days, the more skin you can cover, the better. A balaclava is at once a cap, an earband, a face mask, and a neck gaiter. Advantages to these one-piece options include more coverage without the bulk of overlapping multiple accessories. A downside is that they’re not as easy to remove or pull down if you start to overheat. The Performance Hinged Balaclava is designed so you can pull the hood back to cool down, and the Gore Windstopper Balaclava is perforated where you breathe for better ventilation.
It’s Important to Protect Your Ears
There’s nothing pleasant about the feeling of frigid air whipping into your ears as you’re flying down the open road on a bike. Look for a cap with a dedicated earband, like the Castelli Difesa Thermal or Louis Garneau Winter Cap. Conveniently, this style of cap adds a little extra protection at the back of the neck, as well.
Wind- and Waterproof Options Exist
As is the case with all cycling apparel, there are wind- and water-resistant options and wind- and waterproof options. They are not one and the same. If you truly want to keep wet weather and cold wind from working their way in, look for the latter. Sportful’s Fiandre Norain Cap is minimalist-no earband, no thermal lining-but it’s wind- and waterproof, making it a good option for cool, rainy days.
