Since I started riding as an adult I've always had an aversion to the cold in winter. Maybe this is a reaction to all those days as a teenager freezing in a racing kayak, literally breaking the ice to enable training. Back in the early 80s, fleece as we know it did not exist, nor did Gore-Tex or any of the modern fabrics that we now all take for granted. So, fast forward thirty years and we have a plethora of high-tech, warm, breathable, waterproof fabrics available, and innovative companies who craft amazing kit for us all to wear.
Five years ago I spent money on some brilliant Assos winter tights and jacket and they are beyond reproach. Since then the only issues I have re cold and winter are with hands, feet and head. After extensive testing and, it has to be said, spending, I feel I have solved these issues and have found kit that keeps me warm and happy through the worst of the winter. As we're not through winter yet, I'll review all three items to set out the pros and cons if you're teetering on the verge of a purchase.
Starting from the top, quite literally, I'll take a look at Rapha's deep winter hat.
I like to wear a peaked hat under my helmet at all times. In summer I wear a cycling cap, one of the cottons ones. I find it keeps the sun and/or the rain out of my eyes, and makes the whole riding experience a whole lot better, and in some circumstances, safer. In winter I used to use a one of the fleece skullcaps; however, these don't have a peak.
I was out for a ride one cold winter afternoon and called into one of my usual haunts, a cafe which is popular with Cheshire riders as it is welcoming to riders. It is offset from the road and therefore safe for bikes, and is relatively cheap. I got talking to a rider who I knew vaguely and when she put her gloves and helmet on to ride home I noticed she had a winter hat with a peak, almost a cross between a skullcap and a peaked cap. I asked about it and she said it was called a 'Belgian winter hat'. I'd never heard of them, so did a little research. A Belgian style winter hat is a sort of insulated cap with longer sections at the back and sides, so ears and neck are kept warm. These are manufactured by a number of different suppliers, and there are many variants. Most of the big names make them, including Rapha.
My Rapha deep winter hat came via Santa last year, just in time for the worst of the winter weather. While there is no definition of exactly what 'deep winter' means, most riders take this period to be November to March, although given climate change this varies widely. I wore it for the first time on my Christmas day ride 2013, and have ridden with it on cold winter days ever since.
The hat is 'one size fits all'. I have a large head and it only just fits around my ears, so this sizing is not exactly true. If you have a very large or small head then it might not fit. In use, the hat is warm and comfortable, and is insulated but not too bulky so that it should fit under a helmet easily. I find I need to loosen the helmet cradle tensioner slightly, so if your helmet only just fits and won't adjust so that it is looser then the hat will probably not fit underneath. The lining is comfortable and does not condensate too much. In light rain the hat will keep you dry, in heavy downpours all bets are off. Anyway, if you are going for the 'Belgian hardman' look then a spot of rain won't bother you, obviously! Sunglasses need to be worn with the arms on the outside of the hat, and wearers of hearing aids find that they can still hear conversations, but as with any material between the aid and the subject there is a muffling effect.
So, does it keep you warm? The answer to this is a resounding 'yes'. However, it can be too warm, so really this is a bit of kit I reserve for very cold days. On late autumn days it is too warm for me. However, in the middle of winter the hat is worth its weight in titanium. I don't need a warmer hat than this. If this hat is not warm enough, then it will be too icy on the roads and trails and I'll be found on the turbo trainer in my spare room.
Rapha have changed the spec of this item since last year, amending the colour scheme. They have added loops on the side panels to allow easy placement of your sunglasses. However, the main product spec is the same. The hat can also be worn off the bike, and has that Rapha style that means it will not look out of place in everyday situations.
This is an expensive item; there's no getting away from the fact that £50 is a lot of money to pay for a hat. However, as it will only be worn for probably the coldest four months of the year then you can convince yourself/significant other that it will last for decades. Hats don't wear out like other cycle kit items, and the timeless classic looks will allow this to remain your hat of choice for deep winter riding for the foreseeable future.
Rating: 9/10 (Would be 10/10, but £50 for a hat is pricy)
The Rapha deep winter hat is available at Rapha.cc priced £50.
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