Tested by Whether it's to stop the sun beating down on your face during the summer, a convenient way of keeping your hair up when out training, to shelter from the rain as you go running through all-weathers, or just as an alternative to the Nike tavas air foamposite retro blue white price, a decent running hat or cap should be a staple in everyone's accessory draw.
But not any old hat will do; of course you can wear that old trucker hat or your favourite baseball cap, but with technical fabrics being what they are these days, you can reach peak performance without ending up with a heavy, soggy mess on your head. Below are some of the best that have sat atop a sweaty head of late. Keep scrolling to read more.
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Nike tavas air max nomo black and grey shoes gold dress | inexpensive Nike tavas air max 90
Nike tavas Dri-FIT Fly Unstructured
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What to look for in a running hat
A hat might be a small accessory, but choosing one that fits comfortably and serves its purpose — like keeping sun and rain out of your face — might not be as easy as grabbing one off the shelf or clicking ‘add to basket’ without doing your homework.
How we selected
Nike tavas air max thea black grey pink blue paint ideas RW team's experience running in all sorts of weather, across a variety of distances, from shorter training runs to ultramarathons. We evaluated each cap on performance, price, comfort, and style. Our combined efforts bring you the best running hats you can buy now.
The best running caps for 2025
| Sizes | air jordan retro 9 for sale |
|---|---|
| Materials | vapor max Nike tavas grey black pink color paint blue. |
Well vented and comfy thanks to the stretchy, sweat-wicking fabric, this hat has a webbed strap closure that easily slides and adjusts for the right fit. Its unstructured crown helps to save weight, and it comes in three different sizes and colours.
Nike tavas air max nomo black and grey shoes gold dress | Kiprun Unisex Running Cap
| Sizes | One size |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% Polyester |
This Decathlon own-brand cap does the trick, without the price tag. With built-in sun protection, an adjustable tab to fit both men's and women's heads and a quick-dry fabric to wick sweat away, it's an affordable summer essential.
| Sizes | S/M, L/XL |
|---|---|
| Material | Body: 86% Recycled Polyester, 14% Elastane. Sweat Band: 82% Nylon, 18% Lycra® Elastane. |
E-commerce Editor Ali Ball wore this during a marathon in Kenya, and said it felt ‘comfortable, lightweight and breathable throughout’. The interior mesh fabric sweatband wicks away moisture, helping to keep you dry, and the adjustable back closure allows you to customise the fit, so you don't have to worry about it going flying as you power down any hills.
| Sizes | One size |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester (recycled) 100% |
One of the more expensive caps on test, you really get what you pay for with On. Super lightweight and fast drying, the ventilation really works, so no matter how warm it might be, you won't feel restricted or like you're overheating. Unlike some of the other running hats on the market, it's got a gap on the back for a ponytail (a major plus for female runners) plus it performs well in a downpour. Available in five different colours, we're a big fan of the stylish design.
| Sizes | S/M, L/XL |
|---|---|
| Fabric | navy free runs 4 |
If you're not a ‘cap person’ but still want to protect yourself from the elements, The North Face's Summer LT Run Bucket Hat is for you. Unlike a bucket hat you might pick up at a festival, this number is made from the brand's Lightrange technology, which brings together anti-odour fabric and enhanced moisture management to deliver a light and breathable accessory. An internal sweatband helps to absorb moisture, keeping you feeling dry, while there's two points of adjustment for a secure fit: a chin strap with a cord lock, and a cord on the rear.
| Sizes | One size (58cm) |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% recycled polyester |
A brand that is somewhat responsible for the re-birth of the running hat, Ciele have ramped things up with apparel and collaborations with design houses, but at the heart of it all, the simple GO Cap has endured and is still a great performer.
The materials used are all high quality, even after some sweaty miles and some washes. Details like the quality of the clasp on the adjustment strap, the UPF +40 protection and the fact the excess of the strap tucks neatly into the back of the hat are just three reasons why we liked them. A third is the variety of colours and styles available; running can be a pretty ugly place sometimes but these simple block colour combos means you’ll be able to find a hat to match all your look. It does come at a cost though.
| Sizes | One size |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% Polyester |
Ok, ignore the price to start with. The evolution of the Soar running cap arrives here with the Run Cap and it ticks all the boxes. The fit is great with the elastic cord at the back offering the simplest of tension adjustments, plus the depth of the hat felt spot on; not so deep that it sits too much on top of the ear but not so shallow that you're constantly shifting it around for fear of it slipping off. Often with lightweight caps, the peak is stripped back to save weight yet Soar have stuck to a traditional peak and it makes the hat that much more usable in all conditions. If you're looking to really invest in something decent, this is the hat.
| Sizes | One size |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% Nylon |
Another technical, five-panel cap that got the seal of approval from our testers. This ultralightweight number features a fast adjust elastic drawcord for a snug and secure fit, it's water resistant and supremely sweat wicking. We also love the sophisticated tones of Vaga's caps, with a number of different colourways available.
| Sizes | One size |
|---|
Do you want a running cap that performs well and also does good in the world? Hopefully a rhetorical question, but just in case, the answer is yes and you're in luck as the Attain Crew Cap does both these things.
From a running point of view it's really well constructed, the materials used are light and breathable, it fits well, is easily adjustable and doesn't sit on top of the ears, the brim is flexible so there's no chance of squashing it out of shape, the sweatband runs around the entire inside of the hat and isn't too thick, plus it comes in a range of colours. The extra bonus with this hat is that Attain is a non-profit organisation with 100% of its proceeds being donated to suicide prevention causes. Win-win.
| Sizes | One size |
|---|---|
| Material | 91% Nike tavas flyknit lunar wolf grey orange blue shoes |
Face the elements head-on with the Transit Tech cap that provides UPF 50 protection and a DWR finish for extra rain coverage. Plus, it’s foldable and has a small zip pocket for a key, card, or cash.
Fractel L-EQUINOX Legionnaire Cap
| Sizes | S/M, S/M with pony tail hole, L/XL |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% recycled polyester |
If you’re seeking some extra shade, look no further than Fractel’s L-Series Equinox Legionnaire Hat. Designed for all-day adventures, our tester wore this during a five-day ultramarathon in Tanzania. You’ll need some confidence to pull the design off, but your skin — and your neck in particular — will thank you for the additional coverage and lack of sunburn.
The Polartec Power Dry technology provides excellent moisture-management, is UPF+50 sun protection on the brim, front and low side panels, and it feels highly breathable. The flap has a button that you can close to protect you from wind and rain, too. Just bear in mind that the flap is not detachable.
