Accessories

REVIEW: Giro Merino Winter Cap

by Henry Peacock

Price	£27.99
Size	Small/Medium
Colour	Grey

Well made and well thought out. Keeps your head toasty even in the coldest conditions.

No one likes a cold head, along with your feet, hands and bum it is an important area to keep warm. We all know the old rule about heat loss through your head and in the depths of winter keeping that heat in is more important than ever.

This offering from Giro, the well respected Helmet manufacturer, who know a thing or two about heads have put together this hat. It comes in two colours; black and charcoal and two sizes, small-medium and large-extra large.

giro
Good Neck And Ear Coverage

The first impression is just how soft it is, that would be the winter weight Australian Merino wool blend then, highly acclaimed for use with sporty types for coping with sweat better than anything else. The style is understated and doesn’t shout about what brand it is, with just a small tab with Giro emblazoned on it.

I have some alternate brands of winter hat, some which whilst being warm lack the peak and flaps that a proper winter cap produces. A certain high profile brand produces a really good thick hat, which will stave off the worst winter chills, the problem however is that it won’t fit under a helmet. This cap provides just the right amount of protection for your skull and ears, the merino lets you sweat without letting you overheat too much. The flaps can be folded up for some temperature control.

giro
Subtle Detailing

One minor niggle is that the peak isn’t quite as stiff as I’d like for a cap type hat. If we stand by the stringent European style demands that I adhere to a wonky peak just will not do. They have however made it just the right length to block out rain and sun with better upper peripheral vision. If you decide to go without a helmet the merino wrinkles slightly on top, which is another problem for the style conscious. The other complaint could be that it is just a little too bland in its appearance, Giro could have given it more of an identity to stand out amongst rivals.

The grey merino got a soaking from a wet ride recently but it kept its shape well and my head still felt insulated even with cold air rushing over it. That’s one of the benefits of merino; it can hold up to 35% of its own weight in water before feeling wet. At £27.99 it is not exactly cheap but it is well put together and will last for a few winters in service.

A well made hat to keep the icy winds at bay, you’ll find it adorning your head slightly more than you thought it would.

Where to buy: Madison