The cycling cap or 'casquette' has deep roots within cycling, and like cycling bells or cycling gloves, their design and style have remained largely unchanged for decades.
Cyclists have long worn a cycling cap to protect their heads from the sun's rays - this was more common in the pre-helmet era - absorb some sweat on hot days, and add some warmth in winter. When the peak of a cap is worn pointing down, it does a great job of keeping rain out of your eyes and face too.
Safety is now a bigger part of everyday thinking and helmets are almost universally worn, and the technology packed in the best road bike helmets not only protects your brain but contributes to your performance as well. But there is still a place for cycling caps and they are still a useful bit of cycling kit.
I've included a range of caps here; there should be something for most riders and every season. My top tip would be to invest in a waterproof cap if you don't have one already. They make a big difference when riding in the rain and keep you feeling a lot more comfortable. You can't go wrong with a cap really. Look for what you think you need, in a style you like, take an accurate head measurement if the cap is sized and off you go. Head to the bottom of the page if you need more info from our how-to section.
Best cycling caps available today
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Summer Caps
Rapha Cap II
The Rapha Cap II has been in the line for several years. I have one that's years old and is just a solid, good quality cap. It's a little heavier than some superlight mesh offerings and is 100% cotton. You can choose from seven colours but I like the classic black and white that goes with most kit.
Assos Cap
The simply names Assos Cap is perfect for hot summer rides or indoor training session or just pulling on at the cafe. It's a polyester, mesh design that really airy and light. There are also eleven colours to choose from including pink and grey.
Waterproof Caps
Assos Rain Cap
The Assos Rain Cap uses a three panel construction that's fully waterproof. The taped inside seams let you know what this cap is about. It's a really cosy feeling being out in the rain and not feeling a drop of water on your head. The Rain cap looks stylish in black and is a very useful addition to your kit bag.
GripGrab Aquashield Waterproof Cap
The Aquashield Cap is GripGrab's waterproof cap offering, and GripGrab more or less makes its name in accessories for grim weather. Don't let the waterproof material put you off, It's very comfortable, and with a slightly more relaxed fit than the Assos waterproof cap.
Winter Caps
Galibier Flanders Winter Hat
The Flanders hat from Galibier is a toasty, soft winter cap that covers your ears and extends quite low down at the rear of the neck to cover more skin. It's fleecy inside and great value at under £20 / $25. Covering your ears on cold winter rides really makes a huge difference to on-bike comfort.
Endura PRO SL Winter Cap
The Pro SL Cap is Endura's winter offering and it fits a little more tightly than the Galibier offering. It may be a good shout if you have a slightly smaller head especially. It also covers the ears and neck and has reflective detailing front and rear, adding extra visibility in low light conditions. It's a slightly racier fit but doesn't extend as far down the neck as the Galibier.
Alternate Options
MAAP Evade 5 Panel Cap
The MAAP Evade 5 panel Cap is made from recycled polyester and works on or off the bike. It fits under a helmet comfortably due to its lightweight construction but works well off the bike or at the end of the ride. A nice option for travelling and more chilled-out rides with a more relaxed style than a dedicated cycling cap.
Endura Pro SL Skull cap
Non-peaked caps are another option if you need some protection. A scull cap is a viable option if you want some protection but don't want or need a peak. The Pro SL Skull cap from Endura has a more relaxed fit than the winter cap but is thick enough to offer good protection and warmth.
How to choose
How do I choose a cycling cap?
This is a simple one really. Find a cap you like the look of that's in your planned budget range. There are a range of colours and styles to suit everyone including modern versions of classic cycling caps from famous teams.
Some caps come in different sizes though most are one size fits all so measure up if this is the case.
Try riding in your cap and see what works and is most comfortable for you, backwards, forwards, peak up, peak down. You can always take it off and put it in a pocket if you need to.
How do you wear a cycling cap?
You can wear a cycling cap in a few different ways. We'll assume these days most riders are wearing theirs under a helmet. You can wear your cap peak forward with the peak itself pointed up or down. If it's raining point it down, it really helps keep rain out of your face and eyes. You can also wear it peak facing backwards. This used to be popular with time triallists who didn't wear an aero helmet back in the day.
Cyclists will sometimes also ride with a cap in their jersey pocket to put on at the cafe or lunch stop. Useful if you are sitting outside under the sun or just style it up.
There is also a great debate about how a cap should be worn on the head and like a lot of things in the cycling world this is down to aesthetics and point of view. Here's a fun video of Italian ex-world road race champion Gianni Bugno explaining what his style was like for wearing a cap.
Miguel Indurain was also famed for the way he wore a cap on the bike, looking particularly stylish.
Indurain wore his cap high on his head and peak forward (Image credit: Mike Powell)
Do you wear cycling caps in summer?
Yes. Some riders prefer to wear a cap in hot weather too. Mainly for using the peak as an extra shield from the suns glare or to help absorb sweat and keep their head feeling a little more comfortable.
There are no hard and fast rules, try some summer rides with a cap and see what works for you.
Are cycling caps useful indoors
Wearing a cap for an indoor training session can be a really good idea. A cap can limit the amount of sweat running down your face and into your eyes etc when your working hard. I have no hair, and a cap on the turbo helps keep the sweat out of my eyes. A lighter weight cap is obviously going to be better indoors, but anything will work.
Should you wear a cycling cap with an aero helmet?
You aren't going to see many riders, if any, riding with a cycling cap under a full-blown aero helmet. It would affect the fit, especially the peak. However, some riders do choose to wear a headband under a TT helmet to help fit, catch sweat and stop the helmet moving.
Riders will still use a cap on the road under one of the best aero helmets, but in racing circles, they tend to be reserved for colder, early-season races these days. I don't know if a cap is much slower and don't have testing data on it, but I expect a cap with the peak up will add some drag.
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Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as tech writer. Tom has over 10 years experience as a qualified mechanic with 5 or so of those being spent running an independent workshop. Tom has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track and has ridden and competed in most disciplines, even the odd bit of bike polo. Tom is as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike exploring the Worcestershire lanes.
