Recommendations? Preferable with bits to cover your ears, as my normal buff always ride up, and my ears end up freezing.
Also I have big head... only a L in diameter, more larger fod..
Castelli Pro thermal 2 skully if we're recommending what we have. There is a windproof estremo but it's too warm for me and takes quite a bit of space up.
If you wear specs then I recommend the caps with the wee slots above the ears. I have one off Amazon that cost £6 or £7. A mate subsequently bought one and loves it too.
If you wear specs then I recommend the caps with the wee slots above the ears. I have one off Amazon that cost £6 or £7. A mate subsequently bought one and loves it too.
do you have a link to the jungle website for that?
indeed a link would be helpful for a fellow 4 eyes but saying that, something like this? Amazon search
They look good, cheers
I was going to recommend my rab infinium beanie as it has a thin layer of infinium round the head and over the ears and a thin thermal fleece on the top of the head so it is just perfect if you are working hard. Alas though they have stopped selling the stupid thing
Edit - found one https://www.castlebergoutdoors.co.uk/rab-transition-windstopper-beanie
The Rab Filament Beanie gets my vote.
I also own a Rab Infinium Beanie (got it earlier this month for my birthday) but it feels a bit tight and I haven't worn it yet. Also had a gap the stitching. Pah!
For years I have been using a Sugoi skullcap (bought in Prince Edward Island, where they do proper winters) but it has a seam right down the forehead !
Assos winter cap. Covers ears. Two sizes. Warm and breathable.
indeed a link would be helpful for a fellow 4 eyes but saying that, something like this? Amazon search
They look good, cheers
Got it. Mine is labelled VULKIT but they all seem to be preetty much identical.
Cold but not freezing - cut a ring off a normal buff and wear as an ear height headband. Without it gathered over your head it doesn't pull off your ears. Plus you look like McEnroe.
I've tried a proper skull cap or two, but anything thicker than a buff, even in sub zero, is just to hot and sweaty for me. The best thing I've got is a really thin Vaude skull cap that's made of a really thin material, not fleece and not windproof.
Bandana. 75cm by 75cm for the full pirate look 😉
Job, Jobed.
I’ve got a cheapo one off eBay which keeps my head warm but the ear tabs make it very difficult to hear. Not a big deal on the mtb but dangerous on the road bike
a really thin Vaude skull cap that's made of a really thin material, not fleece and not windproof.
@matt_outandabout - does this still exist to buy? Sounds exactly what I want for the same reason.
EDIT: Probably this
https://www.vaude.com/int/en/04988-uv-cycling-cap.html#?colour=547
Also
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/aquafreeze-helmet-liner-500-white/12137/c227m8300693
Assos cycling caps. Don’t cover the ears but are the very beat I have used. My ears, u like hands and feet, never really get cold.
I've been riding this winter in gore skull caps.
I bought a warm one an have now bought a thinner one.
https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/essence-light-beanie-101100?variant=15479
https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/essence-thermo-beanie-100990?variant=15750
They are great, the warmer one is for sub 5C for me.
I found a Castelli cap on the old Severn Bridge years ago.
It was recovered and served well. Probably cost a fortune.
Recommended.
I have a large head, and tight caps give me a headache.
As a fellow larger headed gent, I can say the L/XL Sealskin skullcap fits fine, as does the L/XL Spesh one. Both are fine with glasses IME but both struggle with aftershokz headphones.
a really thin Vaude skull cap that's made of a really thin material, not fleece and not windproof.
@matt_outandabout - does this still exist to buy? Sounds exactly what I want for the same reason.
EDIT: Probably this
https://www.vaude.com/int/en/04988-uv-cycling-cap.html#?colour=547
Also
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/aquafreeze-helmet-liner-500-white/12137/c227m8300693
That looks similar.
. It's not fleece - I found that just too warm in any form.
The Gore ones have an extra 20% off at the moment too. Just picked up a headband for the exceptionally good price of £8 with free postage.
Cold but not freezing - cut a ring off a normal buff and wear as an ear height headband. Without it gathered over your head it doesn't pull off your ears. Plus you look like McEnroe.
+1
It's enough to keep the windchill off your ears down to ~-5C or so.
It's also my solution to eeking another 6 months out of a roadie lid where the pads have compressed and become uncomfortable.
Thhe real answer is a belgian winter cap.
Cozy under the helmet ans stylish off the bike. Peak up or down, flick up the cuff of it gets a bit warm
Yeah no, that more nonce like, than the cheap and cheerful skull cap I ended up buying off amazon. Tested last night: as it a thin softshell material, it didn't hinder hearing, but other than being chilly just around the edges when going fast, it kept my ear warmer than any buff has, so very pleased. Also the glasses slots do work well...
I have a a Gore, Sealskinz and Lusso one - slightly prefer the Lusso as it's more stretchy but they're pretty much of a muchness.
I hadn't seen those ones with the glasses arms slots before, interesting idea but I'd be concerned if not exactly in the right place it could squash the arms onto the tops of your ears (something I hate if a helmet does it). I'm also not really sure it's needed for sports glasses (mine sit and stay fine over the skull cap) but I guess with normal glasses it could work well.
I only wear normal glasses unless it's sunny, and it was a concern, but they did line up fine (for me)
I have a large head, and tight caps give me a headache.
Me, too, even though I have of the biggest caps I could find.
Whereas I've a couple of Buffs and they've been fine and I don't have a problem with cold ears, so I've no idea what the OP is doing wrong with his Buff that it "rides up"
I've no idea what the OP is doing wrong with his Buff
Not all "Buffs" are made by Buff. Generic copies - the ones you pick up for a couple of quid or receive as a gift - are not genuine Buffs and tend to be a wee bit smaller.
I use a Cannondale balaclava that I got in a sale back in the mid 90s. Really good balance of warm yet breathable. They look like they've not been available since 2013 but a quick Google shows plenty of alternatives (Rock Brothers look particularly good). It works fine with glasses too in my experience. It wasn't so good with bone conduction headphones but is fine with the "open ear" headphones I'm currently using.
I've no idea what the OP is doing wrong with his Buff that it "rides up"
I am the owner of an elongated cranium, that's also rather large. Even proper Buffs slowly ride upwards under a helmet for me.
Buffs are great as neckwear but I've never got on with them under a helmet. I seem to have two skullcaps I use - a Pearl Izumi one that has very defined 'drops' for the ears and a RAD8 beanie style that came free with some glasses. They both work and both cover my ears.
Its probably something you're best off trying on in a shop but I'd be amazed if many places stock more than one brand/design
I tried a full skull cap type thing a few times and always got too hot. Never ridden in super cold weather though.
I got a Lusso thermal headband thing a few years ago which is much better for me (similar to moab's idea of cutting down a normal buff into a hoop). It takes the sting off my ears & forehead without allowing my head to freeze. They don't seem to do it anymore though, but there are other manufacturers doing them.
Gore, assos, rapha and castelli may have 2 sizes, but their Large or XL (however they label them) are still real world quite small.
I have found gribgrab to do real world large sizes.
I've got a fairly large head and this Gripgrab one fits me very nicely -
https://www.gripgrab.com/products/merino-blend-lightweight-beanie?variant=20154679820384
I've no idea what the OP is doing wrong with his Buff that it "rides up"
I am the owner of an elongated cranium, that's also rather large. Even proper Buffs slowly ride upwards under a helmet for me.
I guess I ride with my helmet cradle wound in pretty tight then. You live and learn!
I am a cap man! I find more versatile than a pure skull cap.
Different caps for different temperatures.
Fan air with the peak as well. Easily stashed and carried.
I never really got on with a buff which i used before my first cap!
For the really cold days the Rapha merino winter cap, covers tops of ears, windproof front panel is a must have on winter rides.
I often switch caps during a ride to get temperature just right. The Rapha winter cap is warmer than it looks and saved my ears from frost bite !
For me a full the Belgian winter cap I think the Rapha one is called or it maybe called Pro Team winter cap would probably be too warm for most occasions.
On a tangent a bit , I think there is a market for base layers with a hood. I remember seeing round the world cyclist Jenny G wearing one on a video.
Snug under the helmet when and around the neck, looks nice and warm and cosy when needed.,
I've never understood why hooded bases aren't more common, really does seem like a gap in the market.