There are people who don’t exit the house without a good cap on their heads. Caps protect your head from the elements, be it rain, wind, or sun. They also shield your eyes from heavy winds or too much sun so you can see clearly. Along with all this, they protect your face from the sunlight, as exposure to the sun’s rays for a long time can cause painful tans in the short run and skin cancer in the long run.
Excessive exposure is hard to avoid for some people. Whether your job demands long hours working under the beating sun on construction sites or you are an adventure junkie who likes to travel to extreme locations, hike long hours, or go camping and hunting with your buddies, you know how crucial it is to invest in a good cap for regular use.
However, for people working and playing in a harsh climate, an ordinary synthetic or leather cap might not cut it. What you need is a tactical hat. Tactical hats are designed to provide extra protection, breathability, and comfort.
Investing in a tactical hat is a good idea even if you don’t have such extreme work conditions and hobbies. Even if you need a cap to wear for walking home from school in the blazing afternoon sun or for an occasional day at the beach, consider investing in a good tactical cap instead of a regular one. For a few more dollars, you can buy a superior quality cap that delivers on its promise of protecting you from harsh conditions outside the comfort of your home.
There are plenty of tactical caps available in the market. From rangers and military men to trekkers and on-site construction staff, all use tactical caps already, and there are several manufacturers catering to the market. The features vary according to the price, so you will find something reasonable. The pricier ones come with cooler traits than the others. You should know what facets you’re looking for; not everybody needs all the features. Buy a cap that suits your needs and requirements. But for that, you’ll need to do your research first.
Let this guide you on buying the best tactical hat for yourself, what you should be looking for, and what some of the best options available to you are.
Things to Consider When You’re Buying a Tactical Hat
With the various options to choose from, it could get tricky to select one if you don’t know exactly what you need. Here, we’ve compiled a list of things you should consider when buying a tactical hat.
Material
The first thing you’ll probably be looking at is the material the cap is made of. Since you’re going to be wearing it for many hours a day, it is imperative that the material it is made of provides protection against the elements, while being comfortable and breathable. Comfort is key; and it is dependent on a couple of factors like stitching, size, and most of all, material.
Tactical caps come readymade in all sorts of materials. There are cotton ones, ones made of leather, and a range of synthetic fabrics. Synthetic caps aren’t as practical as tactical hats, as they tend to get hot and sweaty. Most tactical caps are made of a mixture of cotton and polyester. The cotton provides breathability and coziness, while the polyester helps make the cap durable.
Size Adjustment
A lot of the caps are one size fits all. While one size does fit most, it is always best to adjust it according to your head size. Look for caps with an adjustable strap at the back and a Velcro or elastic band to help you fiddle with how the cap sits on your head.
Breathability
Breathability and comfort should be a given. You’ll probably be wearing your tactical cap for the better part of the day, and it’s extremely important that you feel airy and comfortable during this time. The breathability of a cap normally depends on the material of the cap. Synthetic fibers have little breathability, making you feel hot and sweaty with prolonged wear. Cotton works best for this purpose. The purer the cotton, the better the breathability. Several caps also include mesh panels on the cap to ensure more ventilation.
Patch Customization
The patch is what catches your eye at first glance when you go out to buy a cap. The visual appeal of the patch front matters, but it serves a greater purpose than that. The patch is the only place you can squeeze in a bit of customization. People like to have their names displayed there, for instance. Many caps come with a Velcro patch to give people the liberty to customize their caps as they see fit. Some people like to display their name there, while others prefer sticking their country’s flag or their favorite movie’s logo as their patch.
Construction
The cap’s construction refers to stitching, design, and durability. An ill-constructed cap will be uncomfortable, will not last you very long, and will not offer premium protection.
Most tactical caps are made of a combination of fabrics, which ensures their durability. While pure polyester sounds like a bad idea, a mixture of polyester with cotton will make your cap very strong and resistant to wear and tear. Most caps generally have 6-panel stitching. This makes them more spacious while giving them a good fit.
Judge your tactical caps according to these parameters, and we’re sure you will decide what tactical cap will work best for you. You will naturally factor in other criteria, like color, design, and print.