Winter caps

So I need to find something warmer than cotton caps over the next few months - I find that they keep my head warm, but I still sweat and eventually the hat gets too wet and then icy cold when the wind hits me.

Ideally I'd like something wool, though most of the hats I was looking at a week ago have suddenly gone out of stock. Does anyone have any experience with any of the following (or have other suggestions?):

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-risvolto-winter-cap/
It's not wool, but it looks nice and hopefully warm - £27

http://www.urbanhunter.biz/shop/catalogue.php?item_id=1054
This guy is wool and looks warm - but possibly a bit of a weird shape £32

http://www.rapha.cc/winter-hat
Have seen Rapha's offering in the flesh, it's a handsome chap and at £35 it seems that for once Rapha aren't demanding over-the-odds for a product.

Anyone else got any suggestions? I need a hat soon!

Bought the Rapha one a couple of years back, and it's still going strong coming up to it's 3rd winter. Recommended!

I actually have a sugoi walaroo that I'm not using.. PM if interested.

is a sugoi walaroo by the way

I actually have a sugoi walaroo that I'm not using.. PM if interested.

I'm all over that - I tried to buy one from Wiggle today but it took me to a page that didn't exist. PM on it's way

http://sonofson.bigcartel.com/product/huntr

The Rapha winter hat is excellent. Breathable and warm. Recommended.

http://www.swrve.co.uk/caps.html

More expensive than Rapha.

Given they are merino they're not going to be water resistant either. The Rapha caps have a fairly impressive degree of water resistance - at least the standard ones, I assume the winter ones too.

Wool is best as long as it isn't wet though, obviously.

+1 on the Rapha, after one winter I bought a second one so I can put one in the laundry basket for the magical laundry fairy while I wear t'other.
I will probably buy a third in the spring sale.

Chris Swrve showed me his batch of winter caps, I was really impressed!

EEI just bought some 24 pound winter hat from wiggle and said it was pretty good, was reading on his tumblr anyway.
the sugoi walaroo...And I see Wibble already posted about it. duh!

The Rapha winter hat is excellent. Breathable and warm. Recommended.

Agree

Are you looking to wear this under a helmet?

If so something like the Castelli would be good for fit, and would not absorb so much water to boot.

I use a merino skull cap or buff for ultimate heat regulation, with a helmet cover to keep snow out of my helmet vents. I look a complete tit though.

If not a softshell hiking hat might be a good idea. They reall take to edge off wet wind, without overheating too much.

(NB I'm not bothered about looking a tit if I'm warm)

@Smallfurry - I do intend to occasionally wear under a helmet (pretty much always have a helmet on when riding the road bike). However I do have a Pearl Izumi skull cap thing that fits nicely under my giro... just looks a bit weird without a helmet and is more of a wind blocker for the vents than a real insulator.

Wibble has sold me his Sugoi cap for a very reasonable amount - I'll report back when I get a chance to get hot and sweaty in it :)

Secretly quite glad I didn't have to buy the Rapha one —*I have an embarassing amount of Rapha kit after doing some work for them in the summer. I know I know, it's a hard life....

I actually have one of these^^ didn't think to wear it to the first tweed run though..

You are AICM£5.

here's where I go on an expletive filled tirade about the Manx then right?

Feel free, i could do with a giggle.

Them Walz wool caps are toasty

I got an orange and black one you lot just reminded me about,
its so rare and French and from Camden market theresnoneotherlikeitintheuniverse
so ner

In my quest for the perfect winter hat I have experience of the following:

Castelli winter hat - current, very good fit - a little warm sometimes, smells a bit after a lot of wear, ear flaps stay in place though -good value
Rapha - a year old, decent fit - good wicking, no smell at all, ear flaps ride up a bit though
Rapha full merino woolly- nice but went baggy, letting the air in, sold it.
Sugoi - sold it, ear flaps never stayed in place - apart from that a good hat merino too - bit disappointed I had to sell
SonofSon - sold it to Markyboy, too small for me, wind caught the flaps
Swrve merino - (new out)tried on but not used I might get one to test - could be a bit too warm for me - good fit though and the merino was thick!

bear in mind my ear flat problem may stem from the fact that I have long hair, worn up in a ponytail so that may be a factor in the ear flap 'creep'
the lads i've sold the winter hats too have been happy with their purchases sofar

I would have bought one of those campag ones from prendas but they were sold out.

the raleigh one from prendas that I posted earlier looks awesome I think :)

I have experience of the following:

Castelli winter hat - current, very good fit - a little warm sometimes, ear flaps stay in place though -good value
Rapha - a year old, decent fit - good wicking, ear flaps ride up a bit though
Sugoi - sold it, ear flaps never stayed in place - apart from that a good hat merino too - bit disappointed I had to sell
SonofSon - sold it to Markyboy, too small for me, wind caught the flaps

bear in mind my ear flat problem may stem from the fact that I have long hair, worn up in a ponytail so that may be a factor in the ear flap 'creep'
the lads i've sold the winter hats too have been happy with their purchases sofar

I would have bought one of those campag ones from prendas but they were sold out.

Awesome summary as always. Think I'll shoot for the Castelli then.