Back in the day, riding a bike was a far riskier activity than it is now. Potholes were everywhere, cycle lanes didn’t exist, and half the drivers on the road were pissed. And to combat these treacherous conditions, cyclists put all their faith in wafer-thin fabric caps perched precariously on top of their heads. Sounds safe, doesn’t it?
But for what they lack in protection, cycling caps – or casquettes – more than make up for in coolness. The low-profile bill can be flipped up or down, the caps themselves can be worn forwards or backwards – but the undeniably most stylish way to wear a cycling cap is with luft: as high up on your forehead as physically possible. The style ritual originated in German cycle racing, where riders would race as fast as they could with their caps worn as high as they could get away with, without them falling off.
Not everyone can pull off a cycling cap. It requires a particular kind of confidence – the sort possessed by Robin Williams, and by the old-timers rummaging through boxes of rusty Campagnolo parts at your local bike jumble.
Below are six of our favourite cycling caps, each best worn shoved improbably high up the forehead – long live the luft!
Oakley has since gone on to make waves in just about every sport going, but their roots are firmly in cycling, which is probably why they make such fantastic cycling caps. This bumblebee-paletted one is our current pick of the bunch, and we’re praying that centre logo is reflective.
We’ve joked before about MAAP knowing their way around a nice cycling caap – but the reality is they really do. This collaboration with Public Possession crams a whole lot of personality into not a whole lot of cap, and we’re especially fond of the sentiment printed on the peak.
Before the luft purists come after us, we should point out that this isn’t a traditional cycling cap. But with that said, it’ll do the same job just as well. Potentially even better with that vented construction. Speed not coming at the expense of a sweaty scalp here.
Pas Normal Studios T.K.O. Balance Cap
Pas Normal Studios seems to split opinion in the cycling world, but we’re firmly in whatever camp thinks they’re top draw. And this T.K.O Balance Cap is precisely why. Nice colour, vented side panels, and some serious luft potential.
Another one from Oakley, we couldn’t resist. This Cadence Cap looks like something Martian cyclists would wear for the Tour De Uranus.
Santini Tour De France Cycling Cap
Polka dots might be very much in vogue right now, but the cycling world has been obsessed with them since time immemorial. Fantastic use of them plastered all over this Santini cap, which feels just as suited to a ride to your local brewery as it does the actual Tour de France.
