hat Multi men cups 13 polo-shirts running headwear. Caps now are breathable, fashionable, and lightweight. Sure, you can rely on a headband to keep hair out of your eyes or a visor to keep the sun off your face. But hats offer better coverage. They won’t slip over your ears, unlike headbands, and they won’t tempt fellow runners to ask if you’re hitting the tennis court.

Buff Pack Speed Cap

Pack Speed Cap

Kate felt fedora hat | Buff Pack Speed Cap

$50 at buff.com
    • Packable and Machine Washable
    • logo patch baseball cap Arancione
    • Sizes: S/M and L/XL
    • Available in 5 colors

    A prime example of what headwear for runners should be like is Buff’s Speed Cap. It checks off what I look for in a hat: ultralight, easily adjustable (a looped drawstring makes tightening a literal cinch midstride), and stretchy. Its Servant is UPF 50 certified, which means shady coverage from the brim and sun protection from the fabric.

    by the numbers

    9 TESTERS

    335 MILES

    9 U.S. STATES

    5 CLIMATE ZONES

    But the major draw is the cap’s packability. RW+ members and I have crumpled this hat into a fist-sized ball and tucked it into our shorts’ pockets when we still have a few miles to go. And it retains its shape; the polyurethane brim won’t stay veiny and bent up after scrunching it down. Lastly, a major win for a sweaty, smelly head like mine: The cap is machine-washable.

    As a runner who wears hats year-round—rain, shine, snow, or wind—I appreciate the Speed Cap’s ability to stay secure, keep bangs from tickling my face, and even win me a compliment after a 5K. “I like your hat,” said a fellow runner postrace.


    Age: 38 – Phoenix
    woman wearing buff speed cap
    Nicole F.

    ‣ Head Size: 21.5"
    ‣ Size Tested: S/M
    ‣ Miles Worn: 100
    ‣ Favorite shoe: Brooks Ghost
    ‣ Preferred Headwear: Cap
    ‣ How I Tested: I tested Buff’s cap mostly on trail runs, with the longest being 18 miles. I even tested it in 110+ Arizona heat! Living here, you want something that keeps the sun off your face and is light.

    One day on rocky trails, it was extremely hot and humid, but this hat really kept my head dry and the sweat out of my eyes. I also brought it along on a vacation in California for runs along the coastline and tested it in cooler temps, around the low 70s. This hat is so light, it doesn’t feel like you are wearing a hat at all. It’s also easy to adjust, though it does fit a little lower than most hats. I loved the light gray color; it goes with everything.

    Age: 51 – Nashville
    woman wearing blue buff speed cap
    Lorraine S.

    ‣ Head Size: 22.5"
    ‣ Size Tested: L/XL
    ‣ Miles Worn: 20
    ‣ Favorite shoe: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080
    ‣ Preferred Headwear: Cap, visor
    ‣ How I Tested: This summer, the weather was super hot in Nashville, and I wore the cap while I started my buildup for the Berlin Marathon in September. It was perfect timing to try out this hat, as it provided me with great protection from the sun and heat.

    Usually, for me, running caps don’t fit completely over my natural hair, and most hats I’ve tried usually have an adjustable Velcro band that pulls it. This cap has an elastic band instead and fits great. In the past, I’ve used visors since they fit better over my hair, but I was surprised to find that this hat worked for me, big hair and all.

    Age: 30 – Holland, MI
    man wearing buff speed cap
    Michael P.

    ‣ Head Size: 22.5"
    ‣ Size Tested: L/XL
    ‣ Miles Worn: 40
    ‣ Favorite shoe: Nike Alphafly
    ‣ Preferred Headwear: Cap
    ‣ How I Tested: I look for light caps that are great at wicking sweat from my forehead. I tested Buff’s cap in mostly hot and sunny conditions with some humidity. I was able to take it on a trail run but spent most of my time testing it on the road.

    The hat fits wonderfully. I loved the cord-lock system that allowed me to cinch the cap with infinite adjustability better than Velcro because it removes bulk as well. I have thick hair, and most hats do not keep my head cool, but this was so thin that I could feel the breeze through it. I loved the neutral style, too. It fit in with any kit I chose to wear on a given day.

    Age: 45 – Milwaukee
    man wearing buff speed cap
    Tony C.

    ‣ Head Size: 22.5"
    ‣ Size Tested: S/M
    ‣ Miles Worn: 30
    ‣ Favorite shoe: Reebok Floatride
    ‣ Preferred Headwear: Cap
    ‣ How I Tested: I tested this cap on one- to five-mile runs in Midwest-summer humidity. Temperatures were in the 70s and 80s and the terrain was paved. I also wore it on the occasional beach run. The cap was comfortable due to its weight and the ease of cinching the back to ensure snugness while on the run.

    The hat generally kept the moisture at bay, but over a long run, sweat found its way down my face. Still, its absorption was above the norm. For the everyday runner, adding this feather-weight cap to your rotation is a no-brainer. A race-ready hat that can survive most conditions. Winner winner, chicken dinner!



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      Headshot of Amanda Furrer
      Amanda Furrer
      Test Editor

      Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.