This ‘clamshell brim’ Sun Tripper Cap from Sunday Afternoons is a great companion for the traveller and active person, writes Mike Gormley.
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This is not just a cap – this is a folding cap… and in this aspect it is really handy. Most normal peaked caps have hard brims and therefore do not fold well. If you do fold them it is likely to mess up their shape on a permanent basis, but not this one.
With this cap one can just take it with you, folded and in a pocket or stowed away in your rucksack until needed. I took mine away on our long trip to the Antipodes where we encountered many varied situations with variable weather and it came in very handy indeed; even if only to have on me when I left an aircraft to find it sunny and I needed something quickly to hand to shield my eyes. Get it out, quickly reshape it and off you go!
The brim is a good one and offers good shade but is not overtly large. The hat itself fits well, is adjustable to secure on the head and readjust to sort out the troublesome rays. Or if the sun goes and it turns to rain it works well to keep the wet out of your eyes too. Since returning to UK winter conditions I have taking it to help against the low sun… if/when it comes out.
The Sun Tripper also comes in very handy if you are wearing a helmet when perhaps skiing or bike riding or, as I have been doing, wearing a warm hat and then the sun comes out requiring a quick change. Because of its design and low bulk you can easily take this cap with you as a ‘just in case’.
What might at first seem to be a simple item has a few handy features as well as its ‘signature’ folding peak. When not wearing them you can secure your sunglasses above the brim with arms tucked into the slots provided. There is also an internal pocket which could hold a note or two to purchase a drink or perhaps contain your identity in case you mislay your cap.
You can choose from a selection of five (mostly tactical rather than garish) colours, this one is Cream, and two sizes are available; further adjustment is possible with a pull cord at the back, which also comes in handy for added security if the wind gets up. This is a basically simple but extremely practical cap I reckon you will always take with you… just in case.
[images © Jean or Mike Gormley]
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