Outdoor ResearchSun Runner Cap, Khaki, Large

Just buy it. You won’t be sorry.

I don't like most caps and hats. But I like messing around with sunscreen even less. Truly this is the first time in my life I found a cap or hat I actually like to wear around, and I wear this one more and more. It's the one cap that works great for almost everything I do outdoors. I wear it on long runs. I take it on hikes and on weeklong backpacking trips. I wear it for yard work. It's about the only cap I'll take just to wear in public too (that's a matter of personal preference and style). Some people criticized it because it's smaller than a ball cap. Yes, it is. Depending on where you live, what activities you do and who you spend time around, you may have noticed lots of caps people wear these days don't have quite as long a visor or stick way up on your head like a traditional ball cap. One said it looks goofy because it doesn't look like a regular ball cap. Well, other people may think traditional ball caps look goofy in public unless you're a fisherman or a farmer or a baseball player. It's personal preference, and for me the style is one of the reasons I wear this cap instead of one of the hats and caps that sit in my closet or trunk and never get worn. The bill sticks out 2 & 3/4 inches from the cap so just compare this to other caps you like to decide whether you think the bill is too long or not.I rarely wear the skirt to cover my neck (usually only if I'm out for a long day working in my yard), but it's great to have in the trunk along with the cap for those rare days when I'm going to be in direct sun for a really long time. And it takes almost no extra space. Great design how it snaps on, so much better than those caps with skirts that fold up into the hat and make them hot and bulky.I'd say most everything about this cap is near perfect for me, and certainly far better than anything else I've seen (and I've checked out at a LOT of caps in running and outdoor stores). It feels cool on my head even when I'm really hot from running on a bright sunny day in the heat of summer (that's what it's designed for after all) The visor is really rigid and won't get bent out of shape easily like so many others. The rest of the hat is superlightweight, made of nylon fabric that doesn't look all wrinkly if it's crammed into a bag in my trunk. If you do serious outdoor activities like backpacking or climbing, you may already know nylon clothing tends to be stronger than polyester.My only real complaint is they put the velcro on "backwards." Most clothes with velcro put the part with the sharp plastic hooks on the "tab" you adjust, so that no matter how large or small your adjust it, only the soft fuzzy part of the velcro is exposed. This cap is the opposite and it makes no sense. Every time I throw it in the washer I have to adjust it smaller than my head, or else the exposed sharp hooks will tear and rip at the soft vented fabric on the sides (and probably other clothes in your load too). The breathable vent fabric on the two sides can snag easily (like so many other breathable wicking active fabrics) but will still be totally functional even if it gets a bit of a "fuzzy" look to it if you wash it with the velcro hooks exposed. Everything else about the cap is really solid, durable, and well-made.

I am very satisfied with the material and shape. The lightweight hat has an adjustable belt on the back, which luckily fits well.

This hat looks better than most hats designed to protect your neck from the sun, and probably works better than most as well, but it's still a bit odd looking (even with the cape detached), and the cape isn't as quick or as easy to remove or to attach as you'd hope that it would be.So, yeah, the cap works well to protect you from the sun. It also looks better than most. That doesn't mean that it doesn't look a bit odd. Even with the cape removed, the cap still looks a bit off. The shape is a little weird. So, don't expect a cap that looks so great that you'll wear it anywhere other than hiking. It's not that. But again, it's better than how most hiking caps look.And the cape takes a bit longer to remove or attach than you'd expect. From pictures you'd think that you could just unsnap the two snaps at the front and it'd come off. If you look closely, though, you'll notice that the back strap actually passes through the cape to hold it in place. So, you have to undo the back strap. Not that big a deal when removing the cape, but it does take more time and attention than just unsnapping a couple of snaps. And attaching it is just complicated enough that you probably won't want to be walking while you're doing it. And since you have to undo the back strap, you may end up having to readjust the back strap for fit a time or two after removing or attaching the cape. Not a terrible thing, but a slight annoyance if you're not expecting it.So, yeah, not deal breakers. This is still a 4-star hat. Just don't expect a 5-star hat and you'll be happy. This hat is an improvement over the rest, but it's not perfection.

First the fit. My head is 23 inches around where I normally wear hats. I ordered a large and had to widen the Velcro adjustment on the back about 1 to 1.5 inches for a great fit. You could easily widen it another inch or more if need be.I usually only wear hats when hiking, working in the sun, or a bad hair day. However, I find the hat so comfortable, I just like wearing it. It's light weight even with the cape on. Of course all hats make your head a least a little warmer but the side vents help keep that to a minimum. It's no hotter and maybe even a little cooler than my military style boonie sun hat made of cotton. In 80 to 90 degree direct sun weather, the cape can make the back of your neck very warm, so a nice breeze helps.The cape is attached by snaps on the bill of the cap and are easy to remove. However, in the back it's looped through the Velcro adjustment tab making it a little more time consuming to get the cape completely off. I tried the cape just snapped on and not running through the Velcro loop in the back and it seemed to work fine, in case you prefer a quicker removal. The cinch cord works great and when tightened up will keep practically your whole neck protected from the sun. Some have complained that the bill is too short for a sun hat but it's about the size of any standard ball cap. I think a wide brim hat with a neck flap would be ideal. The cape seems to be about the right length and can be pulled down some if you feel it's to short. The more you pull it down the more the vents are exposed on the cap for cooling. If you are sensitive to noises, beware that the cape makes a low rustling noise when blowing in the wind or walking as it gently rubs against your ears. I thought it would be a problem because i don't like noise but I got used to it quickly and don't even notice it anymore.It is very light weight so not sure how durable it will be. However, Outdoor Research has a forever guarantee on it, so that shouldn't be an issue. The hat looks very well made.I tried both the white and khaki colors and went with the khaki. With the white I could see my ears through the cape.I wouldn't say it's the perfect sun hat, but if I could give it 4.5 stars I would. Below is the link for a review done by Outdoor Gear Lab, they liked it.http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Sun-Hat-Reviews/Outdoor-Research-Sun-Runner-Cap9/20/2015 Update: I've had the chance to use the hat in upper 80 to lower 90 degree humid weather without a breeze while working in the yard and I must say the hat can get very hot. Although it protects you from the sun, I couldn't wait to take it off. Maybe in a breeze or dryer weather it would work well at 90 degree temperatures.

I'm really pleased with the OR sunrunner cap. I have worn it so much it might as well be glued to my head. Very lightweight, excellent protection from the sun and comfortable to boot. I though I'd look like a plum with the neck shade on, however it's really well made and looks decent.

great fabric & light weight.

great colour, good coverage

The hat was purchased for the Marathon Des Sables through the Sahara. The hat was well made, ideally cut, light weight and provided excellent coverage and visibility. This is not overly expensive and was delivered promptly. The shade at the back didn't flap around too much and I would definitely recommend it to anyone doing similar hot endurance races.

Great cap and sun shade. Comfortable and airy keeping me cool. Well worth the extra cost. Better than an all round brim at protecting sides and back of the head and neck. Top product.