2 min readThe RW Takeaway: The Long Haul Cap is so versatile, it’ll protect your face from the sun’s rays, keep rain out of your eyes, and not make your head overheat.
- Full face protection from the sun with a wide brim
- Super light-weight nylon/poly blend for your sweatiest runs
- Dries fast for the post-run hang sesh with friends
Price: $32
Size: One size
Colors: Navy
It makes logical sense to wear less when you run hot, but I fully support the addition of one thing: a hat. When the sun is blazing and you’re desperate to stay cool, hats keep the sweat and sticky hair off your face and provide relief from the sun’s rays.
Protection From the Elements
Last year around this time I ran my first 20-miler in a monsoon. My running pal and I were 10 miles away from home when the skies turned black. I was so grateful she reminded me to wear a hat. It rained a lot last summer and wearing a hat became as routine as wearing shoes.
This summer’s weather is a different weather story: lots of sunshine, lots of humidity, lots of SPF 70. Despite my best efforts recently, I overslept and ran at high noon. I forgot my sunglasses, but I grabbed my Long Haul. Instantly sweating the minute I stepped outside, the moisture-wicking sweatband which goes all the way around the hat prevented salty droplets from stinging my eyes.
Much like all Territory Run Co. products, it’s designed for all weather and terrain. Though the company is based in Portland, which is known to have more rain than sun, someone there knew to give this hat a wide, pliable brim. It shielded my eyes from the harsh sunlight even though I forgot my sunglasses. And like all of Portland brand’s gear, the design touches are thoughtful; there’s blue and pink stripes underneath the brim, which I like to look up at as I run.
Weightless Style
You’re saying, hey, a visor can do that. But let’s be honest. A hat looks way cooler than any visor, and it’s so much more versatile when you aren’t sure of the weather conditions. It’s packable, too. I’ve traveled with the Long Haul and have crumpled it up between piles of shorts and t-shirts, knowing it always reforms back into shape.
This soft and light hat is made of a nylon mesh, which allows heat to escape, and dries quickly. I wear it a lot and have washed it a lot—in the machine! It retains its shape, stretch, and color. I thought maybe the cool mountain landscape design on the front would have worn off by now, but no! Good thing too, because I plan to wear it—pun shamelessly intended—for the long haul.
Pros
- Packable; retains shape no matter how much you scrunch it up in your suitcase or duffel
- Keeps your head cool and hair out of your eyes
Amy Wolff is the photo director of Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, and Runner’s World, overseeing visual content for print and digital. Though her first love is the visual image, she’s a dedicated runner, loves the bike and as a new homeowner, learning new skills everyday.
