Australian Hiker

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Sunday Afternoons Sun Guide Cap Review

From my perspective the is no such thing as  a perfect hat. There is always some small issue that I just find annoying. Over the years I have moved a way from rigid broad brimmed hats as they often catch on fully loaded packs and will often ‘scrape’ creating an annoying noise as I walk that tends to drive me insane. I now favour the hats with a cape as I find this to be the most versatile, regardless of the weather. I am currently flipping between two hats for my outdoor activities deepening in the time of the year. These two hats are very different in appearance but are from the same company.

The first is the Sunday Afternoons Ultra-Adventure Hat which is my preferred hat for hot weather when sun protection is critical.

Then there’s the Sunday Afternoons Sun Guide Cap which is a peaked cap rather than a broad brimmed option. This cap has a long removable ‘cape’ that clips together to keep it in place in windy conditions. In addition it also has a feature that the Sunday Afternoons Ultra-Adventure Hat has which is a split in the brim. This may seem to serve no real purpose at first but what this split does is allow one side of the brim to flatten in high wind conditions rather than catch the wind and blow off. I’ve really learned to appreciate this feature.

This cap also has vents which allow airflow and minimises sweat build up so again a big tick for this model. Inside the cap there is a band of absorbent mesh that is soft and extra absorbent, which makes this hat a real winner in hot conditions.

This cap does away with the neck lanyard and replaces it with a press stud. This stud works well in keeping the cap on and the cape under control on windy days but you can’t really pull the cap down on your neck when you feel like it. The cape is also a good length and will protect much of your bare neck. The cape is removable and if your aren’t usable needs to be stored in your pack or pocket when its not being used which means that there is a potential to loose it. The cape

The only really annoying thing about this cap is the pony tail friendly hole at the back of the cap which means that there is a potential for a small gap to be present in the back of your head. If you have hair this presents no real issues but if like me you are bald then there is a big potential to end up with a burn spot on the back of your head if you don’t position the cape properly. As careful as I am sometimes this just happens. This issue won’t bother most people.

For me this is my hat of choice from mid Autumn through to mid-late spring and I only switch over the the broad brim Sunday Afternoons Ultra-Adventure Hat when it very bright and hot which in most case is from late spring to late summer.

We Like

• UPF 50+ providing great block out protection for your whole head and neck which helps to prevent sunburn
• Water-Resistant and stain resitant fabric means the peak will keep water off your face during rain
• Ponytail friendly (see negatives below) so will suit both short and long hair
• Flow through ventilation limits the amount of sweating on very hot days
• An internal absorption band that that absorbs excessive sweating
• The cap is made of a breathable fabric which ensures you won’t sweat heavily on hot days and if you do sweat, the moisture will be wicked away which means you stay dry
• The cap is quick-drying so if you do get it wet, it won’t be long before it dries
• Foldable brim allows you to pack the cap away into the smallest of pockets
• Dark under-brim fabric reduces glare on sunny days
• The removable cape converts the cap to ensure face and neck sun protection
• Two sizes (M and L) ensures most people are accommodated
• Lightweight so it won’t weigh you down. Great for those ultra lighters

We Don't Like

• The ponytail friendly design may mean that you end up with a gap at the back of the cap which potentially means a sunburnt spot if you have no hair
• The wind fastening clip is not as ideal to sit around your neck as a lanyard present on other brands
• The sun cape on this cap needs to be stored in your pack when not being used.

Best Uses

• Sunny warm to hot days

Buy One

You can purchase the Sunday Afternoons Guide Cap in store or online from Snowys or from Wildfire Sports

Disclosure:  We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

If you have used the Sunday Afternoons Sun Guide Cap or have questions, we’d like to hear from you. Post your comment or question below

Investment

AUD$49.99 RRP

Other Versions

The Sunday Afternoons Guide Sun Cap

The cap without the cape attached

The cap vent allows air to move though minimising sweat

The fold in the peak is very obvious and allows you to get just the right angle to suit

The cape clipped up at the front

The cape unclipped and viewed from the side

The Ponytail gap in the back can be easily fixed, if you remember. If you don’t then you end up with a sunburnt head

Disclaimer

This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker

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