The Best Running Caps for Topping Off Your Training Wardrobe

• Materials: COOLmatic Mesh
• Reflective Components: Yes

Next to their shoes, our tester noted that their GOCap was the one running item they couldn’t train without. The soft COOLmatic mesh build of this Ciele cap is ultra breathable and dries easily, so there’s no fear of pooling sweat around your brow. And when you do get this hat dirty or disheveled, simply toss it in the wash like you would your running garb (just let it hang dry, no tumbling allowed). We also can’t ignore the plethora of available colorways and designs offered through Ciele. It’s almost overwhelming to scroll through and try to decide on the perfect hue.

• Materials: 100% Nylon
• Reflective Components: No

Noah isn’t a running brand at its core, but that hasn’t stopped the New York-based shop from creating a damn fine headpiece for all your upcoming mileage. We appreciate the more traditional bill length of this Ripstop Runner Cap, which does a great job of keeping our eyes, nose and mouth shaded during jogs under clear skies. Plus, the water-resistant nylon helps bead oncoming rain, which can be great at keeping your head somewhat protected when pacing in inclement weather (the mesh side panels aren’t the greatest at keeping precipitation off your dome).

• Materials: Woven Shell, Terry Sweatband
• Reflective Components: No

Outside of the bright colorways, this Headsweats cap keeps things simple with its adjustable rear buckle and classic fit. We do appreciate the black undervisor build of this Standard Race Hat, though, which can help manage glare that could impact your visibility on the road. This is a welcome perk to this headpiece, as some may find the lower-sitting brim to be a detriment to their field of view. For this reason, we classify this as a road only cap, as the risk of impaired vision on technical trails may be too much to sign up for.

• Materials: Body: 93% Nylon, 7% Elastane / Contrast: 91% Polyester, 9% Lycra Elastane
• Reflective Components: Yes

It’s no longer a secret — Lululemon isn’t just for yoga anymore. We love how breathable and personalized the fit is across this impressive running cap thanks to its multilayered design and easily-adjustable cinch-back drawcord. The protective fabric layer across the crown of this hat helps improve airflow for extended mileage, and the drawcord aesthetic provides quick access to that truly custom fit. We do wish Lululemon provided a little more information regarding their size breakdown of this headpiece, though — some athletes have said the S/M option fits very snug, so you might want to size up for a more cozy aesthetic.

• Materials: 91% Recycled Polyester, 9% Elastane
• Reflective Components: Yes
  

Need a cap that’s capable of combating the harsh elements? This All-Weather Transit Tech Cap was a darling on rainy days and gusty conditions, yet still retained excellent comfort and breathability. We also enjoyed how this classic silhouette transitioned into daily wear, as the coziness across the inner band was just something we couldn’t pigeonhole into training-only scenarios. There’s also a side panel zippered pocket, which the brand claims can house your house key or other small essentials. We found, however, that this pocket is more of a perk in theory — our key kept clanging against our head during paces, resulting in some immediate storage adjustments to alleviate the discomfort.

• Materials: bluesign-approved 60% Recycled Nylon, 40% Nylon
• Reflective Components: No

There’s nothing that quite beats logging your daily miles under sun-filled skies, but if your routes are extensive or you frequent these conditions day in and day out, you’ll want a cap that can help you save your skin from all that exposure. Thankfully, this Sun Runner Cap from Outdoor Research comes equipped with a removable cape that drapes your ears and neck for added coverage. Plus, we also admire the UPF 40+ fabric makeup of this headpiece, further adding to its protective profile. We do wish, however, that the black strap was something other than hook-and-loop. As anyone that runs in a ponytail can attest to, this closure style can lead to some uncomfortable tangles when it comes time to remove the cap post-training.

• Materials: 100% Polyester
• Reflective Components: Yes

A proper running cap can be a great addition to your ensemble if you’re constantly trying to keep sweat from soaking your brow. We found the Dash Cap from Black Diamond to be excellent for mopping up this output in a number of conditions, and also appreciated how quickly this hat dried when exposed to moisture. This allowed us to reap the benefits of its lightweight fit more often than not, keeping focus on our performance and less on our perspiration. The adjustable webbing closure at the back is also comfortable and secure enough for cozy fits, but we recommend dialing in your settings prior to hitting the road or trails. The more rigid material is less attuned for on-the-fly toggling, which can become a slight annoyance when trying to adjust for sudden wind bursts mid-training.

• Materials: Front Panel and Bill: 95% Nylon, 5% Spandex with a DWR Finish / Crown and Back Panels: 100% recycled Polyester Mesh
• Reflective Components: Yes

When powering through the muck and mud, the last thing you want to do is worry about your headwear. Boasting a comfortable mesh makeup with added notes of water resistance, this Duckbill Hat has become a favorite of ours for tail running sessions. The soft foam brim folds easily for compact storage in a pocket when conditions don’t warrant wear, and the low-profile sweatband can easily keep moisture at bay when traversing hills, gullies and technical trailways. While the short brim look isn’t for every athlete, if you’re more adventurous with your training, this can be a standout addition to your wild-focused wardrobe.

• Materials: Body: 100% Recycled Polyester / Lining: 79% Polyester, 21% Spandex
• Reflective Components: Yes

For those that take mileage at longer clips, this lightweight, performance-ready cap from Nike should be on your radar. We enjoy how breathable this AeroBill Tailwind silhouette is across the crown, giving every pace that comfortable ventilation needed for ultra running. Plus, the all-fabric back adjustable strap sits cozily across the forehead, which can make for a more comfortable fit when worn backwards. There is one emitted feature across this Nike profile that may raise concerns for some though, and that’s a lack of a sweat-wicking inner headband. To keep this sleek silhouette light, you’re relying on the laser perforations to blow away any pooling sweat, so there’s always the chance of developing moisture along your brow.

• Materials: 96% Nylon, 4% Spandex
• Reflective Components: No

If you’re looking for a cap that’s ideal for training and travel, look no further. The Global Hat from Topo Designs packs easily thanks to its unstructured makeup, which we found was great for rolling up and stowing away in our running belt or carry-on when not in use. It also has a buckle on the webbing strap and a small bungee loop, making it easy to clip onto your running belt or vest if you so choose. From a fit perspective, the mesh crown and panels give your cranium plenty of ventilation, ideal for those hot days on the road or sweat-producing jaunts through the airport. While we did notice a less secure lockdown, which we attribute to our lengthier hair, this is still a worthwhile cap that can tackle the trails and turnstiles with ease.

• Materials: 100% Recycled Polyester (excluding trims)
• Reflective Components: Yes

Maybe you fancy a bucket-style dome accessory for your daily jogs and sessions. Well, the B-Series from Fractel provides excellent coverage and comfort, with the all-new “Ravine” colorway serving as our go-to as of late. The Polartec Power Dry fabric keeps things cool and cozy during those springtime circuits, and we also can’t ignore the UPF +50 protection across the brim and body for added defense against harmful rays. The B-Series is available in S/M or L/XL cuts and comes with a drawcord band for added adjustments. In testing, though, we found this feature lacking in terms of noticeable lockdown, so make sure you order your proper sizing from the start.

• Materials: 97% Polyester, 3% Elastane
• Reflective Components: Yes

Style and performance mesh well across any Satisfy silhouette, and this PeaceShell Running Cap is no different. The brand’s proprietary PeaceShell fabric does a lot of lifting across this profile, giving your miles plenty of moisture-wicking, dirt-defending perks. Plus, we found the short brim design to still give ample coverage across our face, making this stylish cranium cover a worthy pick for sunny training days, too. The PeaceShell Running Cap does feature a shallower profile than other running caps in this guide, though, so those with larger heads or fuller hair may need to take full advantage of the adjustable MagicTape closure for secure lockdown.

• Materials: Mesh
• Reflective Components: No

Want that vintage look that gives your strides an extra bump in coolness? Well, this impressive trucker from Rnnr can do that in more ways than one. We love the breath of colorways and designs available in this retro profile, and the mesh back and sweat-managing materials do a great job of controlling sweat and warmth on the road. Plus, we admire the versatility baked into the soft brim, which allows for down, upturned or flat stylization. Just be sure to read the inner labels once you go to clean this jogging accessory — there’s no information to be found online about whether this cap can be tossed in the laundry with your other training garb.

• Materials: N/A
• Reflective Components: Yes

In our opinion this Momentum Cap is one of the best running caps for wear both in and out of training. The minimalistic logo emblazoned across the front panel gives your silhouette a hint of color and brand loyalty without taking over your wardrobe, and the performance-based features are efficient enough to give your mileage some comfort and cooldown. Plus, the Momentum Cap is quick-drying by nature, making it an excellent fit for athletes running through morning mists or those pacing through sweat-filled circuits day in and day out. We do recommend keeping this cap for daytime workouts, though, as we found the reflective tab at the rear to be too small for well-to-do visibility. There are other designs that can facilitate this low-light training environment.

• Materials: 95% Recycled Polyester, 5% Elastane
• Reflective Components: Yes

We typically opt for a visor silhouette during summertime jaunts, and we really appreciate the style notes across this Speed Visor silhouette from Buff. The ultralight profile rests comfortably across the skin while still retaining its placement during jogs. Plus, the stretchy polyester blend is also rated UPF 50 for optimal sun protection against harmful UV rays. We also enjoy the vast assortment of colorways across this visor profile, but do wish Buff would have kept them all under one product page online. Comparing the hues side-by-side can call for multiple tabs to be open during purchase, and while not an absolute dealbreaker, it is worth noting if you’re trying to find the vibrant colorway that’s best for your taste in a hurry.