Swrve honey cotton four panel cycling cap

Los Angeles-based Swrve prides itself on making cycling gear that doesn't scream 'Cyclist'. How this comes across in that most cycling of cycling gear, the casquette, is in a classic design that could be paired with jeans and a shirt and not look screamingly odd. That's not to say the honey four panel cycling cap lacks in the technical stakes, mind.

> Buy now: Swrve honey four panel cycling cap for £19.50 from Swrve

The first thing you notice putting the cap on is the deep fit. Even on my relatively large head the seam comes down to my ears, when pretty much all my other caps sit well above. The elastic at the back feels perfectly tensioned to keep the cap in place, should you be wearing it sans helmet in a stiff breeze. The one-size-fits-all take might then be a tad deep or loose on a smaller head, particularly one lacking hair.

The second thing you notice is the brim. It's quite the over-engineered feature, being both thick and stiff. It responds well to being shaped, holding a new design and able to be remodelled without any memory effect. Swrve says that it's 'unbreakable', which bodes well for longevity – I've had any number of cap brims eventually die after being aggressively shaped or sat upon one too many times.

The brim is a perfect width for me at two inches, protruding long enough to keep rain or sun off glasses, but able to be flipped up without looking silly. The combination of a larger fit and thicker material means the brim doesn't 'snap' up or down the way most caps do, which you may or may not appreciate. While thinner brims can lose their 'snap' after a while, the Swrve take on things is that if you need it up or down, you mould it to the desired shape and it stays put. So possibly less one for the crit racer needing instant one-handed up/down brim action, more for the randonneur willing to sit up or pause road or trailside to get the perfect shape.

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The organic cotton is a relatively heavy fabric for a cap, so should stand the test of time, regular washing, and so on. It doesn't feel overly insulating, and absorbs a good amount of sweat when you're working hard.

With this 'honey' colour cap you get a choice of purple (more dark blue) or red racing stripes, good for Vanity Watts if nothing else. Swrve also does the cap in blue, black, dark grey and red base colours, with appropriately contrasting stripes, so you should be able to find one to match your desired look.

Price-wise, it's much the same as the £19.99 Chapeau! Cotton Cap 3 Stripe, but you don't need to spend that much if you're OK with some synthetic materials but still want the plain look: one of the £12.99 Prendas range might suit. 

Conclusion

These days, most cycling caps are synthetic, and tout waterproofness or breathability as key features. It's heartening to see modern brands like Swrve reinvent classic looks in traditional materials, with modern takes on brim function.

Verdict

Stylish and comfortable, with a shapeable brim for that perfect look