Ciele Athletics GOCap

Breathable sun hat for hiking. I like the fit, the sun protective yet breathable fabric, and that the brim is soft and easily washable. Ballcaps provide limited coverage, and they aren’t cheap, but that’s it for downsides

Having seriously beat up my Trailspace ballcaps, I purchased a Ciele Athletics hat during a visit to a local REI. Our son, who has become a seriously dedicated runner, commented he likes their hats for running. I liked it so much that I purchased a second one. 

Things I like: 

1. 1. UPF 40+ to protect the dome.
   2. Fabric is lightweight, allows some air to pass through, and dries quickly.
   3. Adjustable sizing.
   4. Brim keeps its shape yet is soft, doesn’t get bent or easily mangled. 
   5. Comfortable to wear.

The brims are pretty flat.  

Things I wonder about: 

• There are many seemingly different models of Ciele ballcaps, and I’m not sure why some cost more than others, what’s different about the fabric, and so on. For example, I think the fabric of these two hats is a little different—the multi-color one with the red seems to have more visible tiny holes in the fabric. They both vent well, so I don’t really care, but check the company website—you’ll see what I mean. 
• Price. I guess $45 for a basic hiking cap isn’t terrible, but still…and some models are $65 or more. For a ball cap. 

HOW I HAVE WORN THEM

I have worn these hats for hikes all summer, including an impromptu hike up Mount Washington in New Hampshire and my favorite local trails, both by the Potomac River and through local wooded areas. I lean toward Tilley hats when I want better sun coverage or potentially protection from rain; I like ballcaps in hotter, more humid weather and days where I expect to really be working hard, because I think a good hiking ballcap is cooler, temperature-wise. 

I have nothing but positive things to say about how these hats perform. I have absolutely drenched them with sweat, machine-washed them several times (I line-dry them), crumpled them into a pack pocket, and they perform extremely well. It’s nice that the brims are relatively unstructured—no hard piece of plastic in there to get deformed from heat or getting crushed. They’re easy to adjust in the back for a perfect fit. 

Background

4-5 months of consistent wear.