Prendas Ciclismo Belgian-style Winter Hat

The Prendas Ciclismo Belgian-style Winter Hat is exactly what it says: a Belgian-style hat made in Italy designed to protect your head from the elements with a soft and insulating fabric.

Drawing on the rich vein of Belgian cycling heritage and made in Italy, the hat is constructed from seven panels of a stretchy polyester fabric, with a soft mesh lining. A ribbed knitted flap extends from the sides and drops around the back, providing full coverage for the ears and back of head.

It's discreetly styled with the Prendas logo along the brim of the peak and in a small folded red, white and blue striped ribbon at the back. On the side there's a Fatto a Mano Italia badge, a nod to its Italian manufacter.

It'll fit underneath a helmet, just about, though you'll probably have to re-adjust the retention device and straps a little. To be honest it's a little bulky under the helmet and you're probably better off with a skull cap or similar if you're going to wear a lid.

No, this is a hat better worn on its own, sans-helmet. It's far more comfortable this way, plus you get the full Belgian 'look' going on, providing you are comfortable with how it looks on your head. Not everyone can comfortably carry it off. It demands confidence...

The stiff peak manages the tricky job of being just the right size, not too large, not too small. Just perfect. The sides are just the right length to cover the ears, no more – well, the ears of everyone we got to try it, anyway. You can also adjust the hat during a ride if you're not wearing a helmet. Ears a little warm? Just turn the side flaps up a bit. Peak obscuring your vision? Flip it up out of the way.

Prendas offer it in one size fits all, which is probably fine for most people. I found it ever so slightly tight at first, but after a few rides it seems to have stretched a little, or perhaps I've just become used to it. The fabric is stretchy though so it isn't too restrictive.

After a handful of chilly early morning and evening rides with a range of temperatures from nudging zero degrees, I've found the hat offers brilliant insulation. I've not found my head too warm nor too cold. I thought, with its lack of fancy wind and water resistant fabrics, might struggle in extreme conditions, but that hasn't been the case.

The fabric handles moisture well, the mesh lining manages to avoid any dampness building up in the hat on longer rides. I've been wearing the hat a lot on recent rides and I don't think I'll be taking it off until the spring.

Verdict

A stylish hat that is incredibly warm and insulating. Best worn without a helmet though.