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review

Vulpine Thermal Storm Cap

9
£35.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Great winter staple; keep your head when all others are losing theirs - to frostbite
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 

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Vulpine take their popular Storm Cap, and give it added winter protection.

Apparently I can't write 'I love this hat' 500 times and submit that as my review, so here is the lowdown on Vulpine's latest winter offering.

The Thermal version of the Storm Cap adds a fleecy inner and lower band to the original Storm Cap, thus keeping both bonce and ears toasty. I have particularly low slung ears (apparently) and this is the first winter cap which has managed to pretty much cover them.

The fleece is not waterproof, or even water-resistant, but it is two layers thick so it took some time for the rain to penetrate through to my neck in heavy weather use.

The outer skin of the main cap is billed as a water-resistant nylon and this doesn't really do justice to its waterproofness. No, it's not totally waterproof but for that you would have to lose some breathability, so I think Vulpine have got the mix about right between protection and comfort. For total waterproofing, you need to look like Dave and Vulpine customers try to avoid that look at all costs. It does bead off even heavy rain and under a tap test only the fleece neck let anything through, not the main cap outer.

The cap itself is black, with a distinctive Vulpine green band running down the centre, trimmed with silver and a finishing reflective strip. It has a deep peak which I found very effective at keeping the rain off my specs. Both the peak and the ear-warmers can be flipped up out of the way when not needed.

It comes in three sizes and I found the medium to be roomy but comfy. It is for 57-61 cm heads, and with a 56-57cm head myself this shows the sizing to be true. The hat is not gender-specific and my partner with his 60cm head kept stealing it for the morning school run.

It's billed as warm down to -10 degrees. I certainly never, ever felt cold in this, even on -3 or -4 degree morning starts. Riding upright did tend to push the fleece section up a little, but I found it to be immensely adaptable due to its foldability to get the right coverage for each type of ride.

Verdict

Great winter staple; keep your head when all others are losing theirs - to frostbite

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Vulpine Thermal Storm Cap

Size tested: Medium

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Mine had a stray thread connecting the two sides.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

I have never been this warm!

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Still on daily wears.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Very toasty and comfortable.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

You won't need to buy another winter hat. Except for the person who keeps stealing yours.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The deep fleece band.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

A wet neck in heavy rain.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, bought one for a present.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

I love this hat  1

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Thermal Storm Cap is a fleece lined Storm Cap for cool to freezing weather. The wonderfully warm and cosy, quick drying fleece lining is lightly elasticated and extends down low on the skull and over the ears. It will also fit under your helmet. We've added a reflective centre strip for low-light or night riding, and the ear flaps fold up out of the way if required. The water resistant outer fabric provides extra weather proofing and wind resistance and, as ever, the detailing is second to none. This will be the hat you reach for on every frosty start, every snowball fight or trek into the far reaches of the Dolomites as the snow line beckons. Use in temperatures from -10°C - 8°C.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Plush absorbent, quick-dry fleece lining Water resistant outer layer Reflective centre stripe Tough triple stitched peak Vulpine contrast size tab Ear flaps can be flipped up Lightly elasticated All care instructions printed on inside

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 5'7  Weight: size 16

I usually ride: Trek 7.5 WSD  My best bike is: Turquoise Cruiser

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Novice

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, general fitness riding, Leisure

 

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
Tin Pony | 9 years ago
0 likes

I like the style and looks very comfy. Nice colours too. Perhaps the reflective fabric if that's what it is May encourage people to wear it without a helmet but generally those who ride without would do so regardless. It's handy to have the ear flaps as cold ears can ruin an otherwise good winter ride. Like
www.tinpony.co.uk/shop

Avatar
Meaulnes | 9 years ago
0 likes

I love this hat. One thing not mentioned in the review is the sturdyness of the peak. After having the plastic peaks in two Rapha winter hats snap I'm delighted with this Vulpine one.

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rjfrussell | 9 years ago
0 likes

presumably not photographs of the reviewer

Avatar
Dr_Lex replied to rjfrussell | 9 years ago
0 likes
rjfrussell wrote:

presumably not photographs of the reviewer

But it does remind me to watch the latest season of "Sons of Anarchy".

Avatar
Al__S | 9 years ago
0 likes

I use mine a lot, both under the helmet for the cold rides to work and without for the short trips to the pub (where it gets cooed over by road.cc product testers who then go on to get one and write it up...)

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bollandinho | 9 years ago
0 likes

Mine has been incredible in the snow up here in Scotland. It's a Christmas present that keeps on giving.

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Scoob_84 | 9 years ago
0 likes

Condor and look mum no hands do great versions of these hats too

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crikey | 9 years ago
0 likes

This style of hat is a great option in the winter, but it works even better if you put the arms of your specs on the outside; no drafts!

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