The Best Cycling Cap: The Desire Selection

The Best Cycling Cap: The Desire Selection

Because there are fewer more distressing sights than that of a cyclist in a baseball cap

Gear Words: Joseph Delves

As anyone who has seen fans scrabbling for the free ones thrown from the caravan before a bike race will know; all cyclists love a cycling cap.

However, while their use on the bike is universally approved of, there is a po-faced segment among the cycling community that believes you should never be seen in one away from the bike.

The complete guide to the Desire Selection

This is an extremely boring attitude. Other occasions it’s acceptable to wear a cycling cap include; spectating at a bike race, clubbing in 1980s New York, or any time you want to shade your eyes from the sun, such as when sitting on a cafe terrace somewhere on the Riviera.

Here are seven of the best.

Isadore Climber's Albula

£19, Shop Isadore


This classically styled cotton cap features a pretty swirling pattern that could easily represent the brain fog that descends when pedalling your way up a big climb. Scoring extra points for being made in Italy, the traditional three-panel construction of Isdaore’s lightweight Climbers Cap is backed by an antibacterial liner tape that will keep you fresh when wearing it for multiple days.

Cinelli Tarsila Schubert

£18, Shop Cinelli


Milan-based bike and accessory makers Cinelli knows how to execute an effective collaboration. For proof, you can visit its Italian factory where you can still see a couple of million quid’s worth of Keith Haring paintings from the time that he did a few commissions for them. Its latest cap design has been created by another street artist, this time Brazil’s Tarsila Schubert. Outrageously bright, its fruity design will suit cyclists and Carmen Miranda fans alike.

Rapha One More City

£20, Shop Rapha 


This rather lovely floral cap from Rapha is not only attractive, it also supports an excellent cause. Each year One More City challenges riders to travel between two great European cities in support of secondary breast cancer research. In the process, it’s raised over £100,000, allowing it to fund a PhD student investigating a potential new drug at the Breast Cancer Resistance Lab at Imperial College London.

Cafe Du Cycliste Navy

£25, Shop Cafe du Cycliste 


Despite having the brand’s name down the side, this cap from Cafe Du Cycliste is otherwise pleasingly subtle in style. With polka dots on the top of its visor, flipping this up reveals a bright white underside with the French tricolour serving for a racing stripe down the centre. Made of a mix of cotton and polyester, it’s a fairly tough and breathable cap. Also available in red and navy, all three options are just the right shade too.

Paul Smith Artist’s Stripe

£45, Shop Paul Smith


If you’re aware of the existence of British tailor and designer Paul Smith, you’re also probably aware of his obsession with cycling. And stripes. Stripes and cycling. Combining the two, this classic-looking cap features his signature multi-colour artist’s stripe down the centre. Despite its appearance, it’s also surprisingly high-tech, having inside a mesh interior lining to keep it comfy and absorbent.

SealSkinz Waterproof All Weather

£25, Shop Sealskinz


Any cycling cap is a good accessory on a cold day. One that seals out the elements and stops water from dripping into your eyes is even better. SealSkinz’ nicely cut plain black cap looks like any other. However thanks to a three-layer waterproof construction it’s a whole lot better able to prevent you from getting brain freeze. Breathable and with minimal insulation, it’s also a good bet for merely cool conditions too.

Buff Pack Bike

£26.85, Shop Buff


While most caps can be easily slipped into a jersey pocket, this ultra-slim model can be rolled up into an even tinier package. Popping back up without looking the least crumpled, it’s also guaranteed to take up a minimum of space under your helmet. Being synthetic, it’s also breathable, easy to wash and quick to dry. Treated with silver to keep bacteria from multiplying, it’s great for repeated wear atop hot heads.
Gear Words: Joseph Delves

READ MORE

The Dilemma: Should Primož Roglič give away the Giro d'Italia pink jersey?

The Dilemma: Should Primož Roglič give away the Giro d'Italia pink jersey?

The Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe rider will next be able to take time on his rivals during stage seven's mountain-top finish and stage nine's gravel. Does he...

Leer más
La Reina: Demi Vollering is exactly where she belongs

La Reina: Demi Vollering is exactly where she belongs

The Dutchwoman’s victory in La Vuelta España Femenina is a product of exemplary teamwork from FDJ-Suez

Leer más
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage three preview: A tough Albanian farewell

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage three preview: A tough Albanian farewell

A stage full of climbing will keep the GC contenders on their toes, but it could be a day for an escape group to grab...

Leer más
Geoffrey Bouchard , Giro d'Italia

The Giro's opening stage was as chaotic and stressful as the peloton had predicted

It's the first time that Albania has hosted top-level cycling, and most teams and riders had been unimpressed by the host country in the days...

Leer más
Mads Pedersen Giro d'Italia

Insatiable Mads Pedersen keeps Classics momentum going at Giro d'Italia: 'I'm hungry for more'

The former world champion credited his latest victory to the tireless work of his Lidl-Trek teammates. Continue in this manner, and the Dane could rack...

Leer más
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage two preview: Against the clock

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage two preview: Against the clock

The first individual time trial of the Giro presents an opportunity for early gains in the general classification 

Leer más

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE