Can a stylish cycling cap stand in as a technical performance piece? For sure, especially if it’s made from the same stuff as high-end waterproof/breathable shell jackets.
That’s the case with the eVent Cap by Showers Pass. I’ve worn the close-fitting cycling cap, which costs $40, over the past few weeks when the winter weather gives a glimpse of spring.
As the name says, its base fabric is eVent. A competitor to Gore-Tex, I’ve used this waterproof/breathable material on jackets for years.
Showers Pass, a Portland, Ore., company, is no stranger to riding in the rain. Its name says as much. In addition to jackets and waterproof commuter pants, the eVent Cap can make a nice addition to a ride-in-the-rain kit.
Under a bike helmet, the cap provides a layer of protection against raindrops. I wear it around as a normal hat, too.
eVent is a membrane-based fabric that blocks water but breathes well. For sure, the eVent Cap feels a bit clammier than a cotton cap, but for being waterproof it is comfortable enough to wear for hours on end.
With a thin fabric, a comfortable elastic band, and a short brim, the eVent Cap has become a go-to piece for me this year, on the bike as well as off.
—Stephen Regenold
