Review

Keep your head cool and your neck free of sunburn on those hot desert stretched with the REI Sahara Cape desert cap. I used this cap on the Pacific Crest Trail and it worked wonders for keeping the sun off my neck while also be a versatile cap to wear in cooler temperatures.

Why the Sahara Cape cap?

Many thru-hikers on the trail would use a dedicated sun hat which is perfect for keeping the sun off, but when I went into REI in San Diego before starting the trail I wanted a versatile cap which would double up as a sun-protective hat when I needed it. A multi-use item is always better than a single-use one when on an adventure, helping to reduce weight and pack size. Sadly they don’t sell them this side of the Atlantic so here’s a Craghoppers Desert cap which I tested on the South Downs Way which works just as well.

How well does it work?

It worked brilliantly in the southern Californian deserts when up at higher altitudes and the sun was beaming. It kept the sun off my face and neck and packed down very small. It was quite comfortable to wear, but a little fiddly when stowing away the cape. Once I got the hang of it it was fine.

Value for money

At $34.95, this isn’t a cheap cap, but the quality is good and usually, these things last for years.

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