A good running cap is a must all year round. If you’re going to be running in the heat, it’s vital for protecting you from the sun. Even in cooler weather, it’s a handy bit of kit to keep the sun out of your eyes and off your face. And when it’s raining, a hat can keep a lot of the water away from your head and eyes, making it a much more pleasant experience.

If you want to know more about exactly what to look for when buying a hat, keep reading for our buyer’s guide. If you’re ready to see which hats our testers loved, here are their picks:

• Best value: KIPRUN Unisex Running Cap
• Best waterproof: Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Fold Cap
• Best for windy days: Fractel E-Series Cap
• Best for visibility: New Balance Pro Run hat
• Best lightweight: Runr Technical Running Hat
• Best quick-drying: OMM Dyno Cap
• Best visor style: Runr 80s Technical Running Visor

Running hat buying guide

What am I looking for in a running hat?

Great running hats or caps may not look like your typical sports cap. You’ll want to opt for something made from a more technical fabric, with good ventilation to keep you cool. Hats made from thin, light fabrics like polyester are good. Keep an eye out for something with ventilation holes, too, for extra breathability. You’ll also want to your cap to be sweat-wicking and fast drying so you don’t end up with a soggy head.

It’s definitely worth selecting adjustable running caps – you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t fall off, but that it isn’t too tight for your head. Those with long hair will also want something with space for a ponytail. Most caps will be adjustable, but look out for those with an elastic and toggle back: this will allow you to get a perfect fit.

If you’re doing a lot of travelling with your running, or if you’re going to be running in mixed weather, you’ll also want your cap to be easily-packable into your bag or hydration vest. Look for caps with flexible brims and you’ll avoid any breakages or crumpling!

The best women’s running caps

Best value: Kiprun Unisex Running Cap

Kiprun Unisex Running Cap technical details

• RRP: £11.99
• Material: Synthetic, Polyester
• Weight: 48g
• Features: Flexible, breathable, lightweight and moisture-wicking

What our tester said:

“This is the kind of magic cap you wish for in the middle of a hot race, that could protect you from the sun without making you hotter. From Decathlon, the unisex design has the continental vibe of a cycling cap – you can flip the peak up or down as well as adjusting the back strap to fit. It’s totally flexible and can be folded into a pocket or backpack and only weighs 48 grams – the same as a Snickers but a bit more useful on a warm day. The ventilated fabric and soft hat band dry quickly and make the cap comfortable and cool. Overall, a technically excellent cap at a bargain price.”

Best waterproof: Sealskinz Salle All Weather Fold Cap

Sealskinz Salle All Weather Fold Cap technical details

• RRP: £35
• Weight: 69g
• Features: Waterproof fabric, mesh lining for breathability, foldable, easy-to-adjust buckle clip closure

What our tester said:

“This is a very stylish and high quality cap. If anything, it’s a bit too nice. What do I mean? It was immediately half-inched by my son when it arrived in the post and I had to wrestle it back to be able to test it. Not only does it satisfy the sartorial demands of a 17-year-old boy, it’s also breathable, SPF40 AND waterproof. I’ve used it on quite a few runs now and it’s been surprisingly breathable. However, my favourite function is the elastic bit at the back which can be tightened to really grip your head.

My son wore it up Pen Y Fan on a windy day and it stayed on nice and snugly even at the summit. The back clip is a real buckle like the type you get on a belt or bag; it’s fully adjustable and fits all sizes. If you need any further persuasion, check this out: there’s a seam down the middle of the peak so the whole cap folds down to a size that is utterly pocketable and it re-forms perfectly when required. Mine (aka his) is in racing green but it also comes in a dusky pink and grey. Excellent design and superbly made.”

Best for windy days: Fractel E-Series Cap

Fractel E-Series Cap technical details

• RRP: £40
• Weight: 60g
• Features: Recycled fabrics, UV+30 protection, machine washable, moisture-wicking, adjustable fit, wide ponytail opening

What our testers said:

“This high-quality cap range won all the love from our testers for practical design and superior comfort in the heat. It boasts excellent ventilation and an ingenious elastic tightening mechanism, ensuring a perfect, wind-proof fit. Highly functional, lightweight, and offering a practical, wider ponytail opening, it’s a worthwhile investment for serious runners.

Mel noted: “I absolutely loved testing this cap during the summer. I even dunked it in streams as I ran along and it kept me cool for miles.” Sophie said what we were all thinking: “Finally, a running cap that won’t blow off in the wind!”

Best for windy days: Fractel E-Series Cap

Fractel E-Series Cap technical details

• RRP: £40
• Weight: 60g
• Features: Recycled fabrics, UV+30 protection, machine washable, moisture-wicking, adjustable fit, wide ponytail opening

What our testers said:

“This high-quality cap range won all the love from our testers for practical design and superior comfort in the heat. It boasts excellent ventilation and an ingenious elastic tightening mechanism, ensuring a perfect, wind-proof fit. Highly functional, lightweight, and offering a practical, wider ponytail opening, it’s a worthwhile investment for serious runners.

Mel noted: “I absolutely loved testing this cap during the summer. I even dunked it in streams as I ran along and it kept me cool for miles.” Sophie said what we were all thinking: “Finally, a running cap that won’t blow off in the wind!”

Best for visibility: New Balance Pro Run Hat

New Balance Pro Run hat technical details

• RRP: £32
• Features: Lightweight, adjustable clip, packable, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, reflective detailing

What our tester said:

“This hat offers everything you would want for summer running. The material is super-light and each panel has plenty of venting holes to get the heat moving away from your head as quickly as possible. The peak is firm but not too sturdy to adjust, and it offers good coverage from the sun.

It feels great on, and stays in place throughout my runs. I’m not really a hat person, but even I feel a little bit swish in this one! The thing I love the most is the reflective detailing on the back strap, logo and all across the rim of the peak, which helps with visibility in all directions.”

Best lightweight: Runr Technical Running Hat

Runr Technical Running Hat technical details

• RRP: £25.99
• Weight: 39g
• Features: Perforated ventilation holes, sweat-wicking, lightweight, foldable, patterned underside

What our tester said:

“Stand out from the crowd with Runr’s gorgeous colours! I’ve never tried a Runr hat before and I love this light-weight, (just 37g) adjustable hat. I really love the funky, geometric design on the underside of the peak too. The light material and side holes meant that when I was running I barely noticed I was wearing it and it kept my head cool. It’s super comfortable and being able to adjust the size meant it would even fit my tiny head without any moving around – it can be adjusted from 53cm to 63cm. I can’t wait to rock this on my summer runs or in the British summer rain!”

Best quick-drying: OMM Dyno Cap

OMM Dyno Cap technical details

• RRP: £30
• Weight: 35g
• Features: DWR finish to protect against the elements, 4-way stretch for fit, SPF 30 protection, moisture-wicking, elastic toggle adjuster, water-resistant

What our testers said:

“This technical running cap was celebrated for being supremely lightweight and quick-drying, making it ideal for mandatory race kit. Our gang loved the simple fastening system, which accommodated a ponytail well. Chrissie loved how it stayed put no matter what and Anna praised its light weight which made it a no-brainer to shove in her pack on long runs.”

Best visor style: Runr 80s Technical Running Visor

Runr 80s Technical Running Visor technical details

• RRP: £21.95
• Features: Extremely lightweight, adjustable clip, packable, quick-drying

What our tester said:

“I have never worn a running visor before and I wasn’t sure if I would like it as much as my normal caps. The design of this one is really funky for an 80s kid with bright primary colours for the lettering and the under peak design which really caught my eye. The logo is a rubberised and printed on rather than a stuck on label like some visors and hats. There are loads of bright designs on their website – I loved the London and Mexico designs too.

Feeling the breeze on my head when running in the sun whilst still having the sun off my face was great. I will be taking this along to my summer races when I can just chuck it into a bag and know it will still come out looking just as good due to its flexible peak. I also liked that with a visor I don’t need to worry about the height of my ponytail before putting it on – I can just grab and go!”