Keeping your head (and face) covered with a good running cap can be vital for surviving hours on sun-cooked roads and trails. They also serve purposes beyond just shelter from the sun, with the best running caps also able to wick sweat away from your head, and capable of protecting you from light rain too.
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Because of the active nature of running, airflow is a vital feature for running caps – it’s important to consider how breathable the cap will be when it’s boiling outside and you’re hours from the finish line.
For longer-haired folks, it’s also a very handy way to keep your hair out of your face when on-the-move. From our experience, there’s nothing more annoying that when you’re focusing on the terrain beneath your feet, and some long strands of hair start sticking to your sweaty forehead, obstructing your vision of the trail.
They’re also sometimes used as a less breakable alternative to running sunglasses, or on the flip side, as an extra barrier of protection for your eyes. As always, it’s very much down to your individual preferences, and what makes you feel most comfortable out on your run.
To help you weave your way through the huge amount of options out there in the big, wide world; we’ve narrowed our reviews down to eight of our favourite running caps on the market right now. For trail running and road running alike, there’s something for everyone here.
The Best Running Caps for 2025
Here’s our gear team’s pick of the best caps for running. Each item has been fully tested by one of our experts on various routes and races throughout the UK. We’ve picked a mix of well-known and lesser-known running brands here, suitable for a whole bunch of outdoor adventures. Here are our highlights:
- Ciele GoCap – Best Overall Running Cap
- Buff Five Panel Cap – Best Value Running Cap
- Adidas Terrex Aeoready Five-Panel Graphic Cap – Most Sustainable Running Cap
- On Lightweight Running Cap – Best Lightweight Running Cap
- Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Cap – Most Versatile Outdoor Cap
1. Ciele GoCap
Our top pick – the best running cap overall in our tests.
Price: £45
Weight: 55g
Pros: recycled materials, UPF protection, quick drying
Cons: a bit pricey
It’s fair to say that Montreal-based Ciele Athletics have blown up in recent years and it’s all largely thanks to their extremely well-designed and unapologetically fashionable designs. The Ciele GoCap is the original running cap from Ciele, featuring UPF +40 UV protection with plenty of mesh fabric built in to keep you cool in warmer climes.
One of our gear testers Jazz said, “I’ve been using the GoCap for a range of outdoor activities for number of years now and it’s never let me down. I even used it for a season of tree planting in Canada actually, during some very intense heat waves where we were planting non-stop for 8 hours or more a day. On particularly sweaty outdoor adventures, I’ve found that it always dries really quick and, crucially, doesn’t smell too bad afterwards. During my tests, I’ve also always been impressed with how well it handles strong winds – it hasn’t blown off once!”
Another big plus of the GoCap is just how many design variations there are to choose from. Including discrete colour options, designs with larger or smaller logo options, as well as more in-your-face designs that make you really stand out on your run – there’s something for everyone here.
Buy The Ciele GoCap: £45 at Eu-cieleathletics.com
2. Buff Five Panel Cap
This is the best value running cap in our tests.
Price: £13
Weight: 39g
Pros: very breathable, good price point, highly functional
Cons: the peak is a little small
Buff are perhaps best known for their protective neck tubes, but they do also make a great range of running hats. This, the Buff Five Panel Cap features a streamlined design, with stretchy mesh to promote airflow across the head.
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OM editor and gear tester Will said, “I’ve worn this through a lot of different conditions and it’s been great in all of them. In the sun, it kept the light off my eyes, kept me cool and the breathability was absolutely excellent. In wet weather it sheltered my face from the rain and while it got damp it seemed to dry up really quickly. I never had any issues in windy weather either actually, with the elastic keeping it secure around my head but without ever feeling tight. Lots to like here, for sure.”
The materials used in the Buff 5 panel are predominantly polyester and elastane, a bi-stretch fabric which keeps clothes adaptable and lightweight. It also has a stretchy and adjustable fit to make it both suitable for a variety of head sizes, and for everyday use when you might not need it as tight.
Read our full Buff Five Panel Cap review.
Buy The Buff Five Panel Cap: £13 at Amazon.co.uk
3. Adidas Terrex Aeoready Five-Panel Cap
Our choice for the most sustainable running cap, according to our tests.
Price: £25
Weight: 80g
Pros: very adjustable, recycled materials, great sun coverage
Cons: a bit large for smaller heads
If optimal airflow, adjustability and flexibility comes at the top of your running cap buying choices, then you can’t go wrong with the Adidas Terrex Aeroready Five-Panel. With loads of unique colour options and 90% recycled materials, the Aeroready cap features a moisture-wicking, adjustable headband, as well as targeted mesh zones throughout. There’s also a firm brim that provides more than adequate protection from the sun, and a brushed interior with flat-lying seams that reduce the risk of chafing against your head.
“I’ve got a narrow face and pink isn’t my colour so this looks pretty terrible on me”, said our tester Will. “At least it performed well though! It’s quick-drying, it holds really well thanks to the adjustable rim and the somewhat oversized peak gives really good coverage. Breathability/ventilation has been top notch too.”
Read our full Adidas Terrex Aeoready Five-Panel Cap review.
Buy The (Updated) Adidas Terrex ClimaCool Five-Panel Graphic Cap: £25 at Gooutdoors.co.uk
4. On Lightweight Running Cap
This is our choice of the most lightweight running cap.
Price: £40
Weight: 34g
Pros: ultra lightweight, packable, breathable
Cons: tricky to adjust on-the-go
This is top quality and we wouldn’t expect anything less from Switzerland-based On. Their Lightweight Running Cap features an extremely streamlined design that carries a good level of protection with minimal weight penalty.
Made from tear proof fabrics, and featuring ultra-soft sweatbands and laser cut ventilation holes, the On Lightweight Running Cap is more than capable of keeping you comfortable over long miles on the move.
Buy The On Lightweight Running Cap: £40 at On.com
5. Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Cap
Most versatile outdoor cap: This cap is ideal for a whole range of activities including hiking, running, cycling and bikepacking.
Price: £40
Weight: 41g
Pros: very secure, breathable, easily adjustable, nice look
Cons: could benefit from some anti-odour treatment
In terms of versatility, the Fjällräven Abisko trekking cap wins hands down. Our tester (and editorial assistant) Jazz has been using it for the past few months and has been very impressed. “I’ve used this cap for everything from multi-day hikes and everyday walking, to cycling, climbing and even on long gardening days” she said. “It’s my go-to hat at the moment for any outdoor activity that will work up a sweat.”
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“In particular, I love the discrete look and the secure elastic drawstring that keeps the hat well and truly on your head. I recently used it on a windy ascent up Benbulbin in Ireland actually, and am happy to report it didn’t budge once. I think the breathability is fab too, and it dries really quickly. My only qualm is that I wish it had some kind of in-built anti-odour treatment as I’ve noticed it does get a little bit stinky after a few days without a wash. But then again, don’t we all?”
During our tests, we also found that the foldable brim was very handy when stuffing the cap away into your pocket or backpack. It barely takes up any space at all and doesn’t lose its shape. It’s worth noting that this cap has a slightly shorter brim than other caps on this list, but that’s partly what gives it its versatility. “The shorter brim made it great for transitioning from peak to pub, and also made it a good fit for wearing under a cycling helmet,” said Jazz.
Buy the Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Cap: £40 at Alpinetrek.co.uk
6. Coal Provo UPF Cap
Price: £30
Weight: N/A
Pros: easily adjusted, UPF protection, very breathable
Cons: hard to find/ purchase in the UK
To put it simply; if you’re a fan of a five panel cap, then you’re going to get on with the Coal Provo, whether that’s on the walk into the crag, chilling at the pub or lapping your nearest hill rep. Thanks to the technical yet casual design, the Coal Provo is built to keep up with you through fast-paced activities in the hills.
On top of this, the Coal Provo UPF is sporting a ‘double diamond jacquard polyester’ that’s moisture-wicking and quick drying fabric for those warmer days. This fabric will also help to keep the cap looking and smelling fresh even after big milage days.
“I’ve worn this through a lot of different conditions and it’s been great in all of them”, said our tester. “On hot and sunny days, the breathability was absolutely excellent, the sizeable peak kept the light off my eyes, and I didn’t overheat. In wet weather it kept the rain off my eyes and while it got damp it seemed to dry up really quickly. I never had any issues in windy weather either actually, with the elastic keeping it secure around my head but without ever feeling too constricting.”
Read our full Coal Provo UPF Cap review.
Buy The Coal Provo UPF Cap: £30 at Coalheadwear.com
7. Patagonia Duckbill Cap
Price: £30
Weight: 43g
Pros: recycled content, super breathable, nice aesthetic
Cons: doesn’t offer the best sun protection due to the mesh
The Patagonia Duckbill Cap was developed following a request from Patagonia’s ultrarunning ambassadors to create a breathable running hat to serve their needs. Featuring an almost fully mesh build, the Duckbill Cap certainly isn’t short of ventilation.
And of course, being a Patagonia product, the Duckbill Cap is eco-friendly, using a lightweight 100% recycled nylon that’s sewn together by Fair Trade Certified fabrics.
Buy The Patagonia Duckbill Cap: £30 at Ellisbrigham.com
8. Fractel Calypso Cap
Price: from £30
Weight: 59g
Pros: UPF protection, mesh venting, eco-friendly company
Cons: drawcord straps are always a little fiddly to adjust on-the-go
The people behind Fractel set up their brand with the stated ambition of “creating the world’s best headwear using our own experience and passion, in a style that promotes adventure”. With each of their running hat designs featuring a whole new design from the last, the company have built up a varied range of colourful caps to choosen from.
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The Fractel Calypso features a UPF +50 sun protection, mesh venting across the main body of the hay and a built in sweat absorbing headband. Top top things off, Fractal are a member of 1% For The Planet, meaning at least 1% of the company’s profits goes towards environmental causes.
Since our tests, the Calypso running cap has gone out of production. Still, we thought we’d leave this review in here as Fractel’s new running caps have very similar features, with even more designs and colourways on offer. They’ve also included a lot more recycled content in their manufacturing which is always good to hear. Here’s the link to their site.
Buy The Fractel Calypso: from £30 at Uk.wearefractel.com
Original article written by Jordan Tiernan with further edits made from the Outdoors Magic team.
