Pearl Izumi Barrier Skull Cap
In the past few weeks I’ve run reviews of products for cool weather cycling. Once you find a way to keep your hands and feet warm everything else is a piece of cake! I always ride with some sort of cycling cap under my bike helmet—in the summer I use the Headsweats Shorty Cycling Skull Cap to keep the sweat out of my eyes, and in late fall and early winter I wear the Pearl Izumi Barrier Skull Cap to keep my head warm and my ears from freezing.
The Pearl Izumi Barrier Skull Cap is a soft, windproof and water-resistant insulated cap that provides excellent moisture transfer (i.e., it doesn’t trap water). It is also thin enough to fit comfortably under your helmet—even if you have a pony-tail (OK, I don’t have a pony-tail myself but obviously it will work).
This cap is constructed of two polyester panels. The panel that covers your forehead and ears is made from a windproof Barrier fabric—it is meant to be snug against your head to keep you warm and protect you from the wind. The rear of this cap is made from Pearl Izumi’s P.R.O. Thermal fabric—it will keep you warm without causing moisture buildup under the cap. This cap also has a couple of reflective elements for low–light visibility, but if your helmet is on no one is going to see it anyway. This cap is only sold in one size and should be suitable for most people. However, if you are petite it is going to be too big and if you have a large head it is going to be too tight.
The Pearl Izumi Barrier Skull Cap is only available in one color (black) and retails for $30 and if your local bike shop does not have it in stock you can get order one from Performance Bicycle, Bike Nashbar or Amazon.com. By the way, this cap is also great for skiing or cold weather running. If you are looking for something with to protect you face from the wind, I would suggest the Seirus Combo Clava (it is a fleece lined balaclava).
Chatter
October 5, 2012 at 8:51 AM
Being new to cycling, I never thought about a skull cap for winter or summer. Definitely need to get the headsweats one, as I sweat terribly. Wear a RoadID headsweats hat on my runs and I love it.
All Seasons Cyclist
October 5, 2012 at 9:11 AM
The skull caps not only keep the sweat out of your eyes, but for those of use with receding hairlins it keeps the top of your head from getting burned in the summer.
Chatter
October 5, 2012 at 9:16 AM
Or those of us who shower 3 times a day and rashly buzz their hair down to little stubs.
pilaketahoe
October 5, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Reblogged this on Pearl Izumi South Lake Tahoe and commented:
Two great reviews by the All Season Cyclist on our products in two days! If you’re interested in this, you should also check out the brand new Pearl Izumi Barrier Cycling Cap!
ichoosetotri
October 5, 2012 at 4:03 PM
Cool! Going to have to give that a try!
All Seasons Cyclist
October 5, 2012 at 11:33 PM
I hope you like it — I certainly do!
R.P.
October 5, 2012 at 7:05 PM
Hey dude. You inspired me to do my own personal challenge, and I’m hoping to hit 5,000km worth of road cycling by June 2013.
All Seasons Cyclist
October 5, 2012 at 11:18 PM
Fantastic! As for the world ending in December (as per your blog) — well, if it does no one will really know if you made it anyway.
Joboo
October 6, 2012 at 7:09 AM
“Some people call us crazy.
We call it passion.”
A quote from a little company in Mn. that makes some awesome COLD weather gear!
I realize it may be overkill for some, but then again, can one put a price on warmth?? Lol
Check them out!!
Peace
http://45nrth.com/products/category/softgoods
All Seasons Cyclist
October 6, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Joboo, Those new boots look great, but they do not come in a wide size — guess I am just going to stick with my Lake Winter Boots (and the Columbia Bugaboots when it really gets cold).
Joboo
October 6, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Read here……..
http://fat-bike.com/2012/08/new-45nrths-winter-cycling-boot-wolvhammer/
These are the be all and end all for winter cycling!!
No need to suffer with the Lake’s limitations!
Personally, i want a set of Rolling D’s before I get a pair of the Wolvhammers.
I will definitely own a pair sooner than later though!!
Peace
All Seasons Cyclist
October 6, 2012 at 9:42 PM
I’ve already placed an order at the local bike shop for a paid of 45NRTH’s Dillinger Studded Fatbike Tire, along with two pairs of their new pedals. Looks like they have some great winter products coming, now all we need is some snow — I mean, a LOT of snow.
John
October 8, 2012 at 9:56 AM
I got this cap last season and it’s great. Use it both for bikiing (mostly) and under my helmet skiing!
All Seasons Cyclist
October 8, 2012 at 11:09 AM
I’ve also used for cross country skiing as well (but I don’t wear a helmet while skiing).
Karen
October 8, 2012 at 7:24 PM
ah, something to cover my earlobes! Wonder if I can avoid taking my earrings out. Metal gets cold fast, and it’s really uncomfortable in pierced ears.
All Seasons Cyclist
October 8, 2012 at 7:30 PM
I don’t think you would have any problem with small earrings — the cap is not skin tight. You should be able to hold the cap by the side flaps and slip it on over your head (while pulling it away from your ears at the same time). On the other hand, I have never worn earrings, so my opinion is probably worthless anyway.