Trail running hats seem like they would be beneficial to wear for one purpose — when you’re running down a trail. However, they can be just as beneficial on a thru-hike. Thru-hiking or backpacking isn’t so much different from trail running in terms of weather. You’re still going to be facing the same elements: wind, rain, sun, and even snow (if you’re brave.) Neck gaiters can be helpful to keep hair out of your face or to keep sweat from dripping into your eyes, but they won’t help you very much in a rainstorm.

Rainy Days

On the Appalachian Trail, I was faced with rain for three or four days in a row. I wear glasses, and when they get rain on the lenses, it’s impossible to see where I’m going. There have been a few times where I just took my glasses off and stomped blindly forwards — only to slip and fall face first into a mud puddle. It wasn’t a good strategy.

For the AT, I chose to wear a Seattle Rain Cap from Outdoor Research to keep the rain out of my eyes. During a rainstorm, I would wear a rain jacket, put the hood up, and wear the rain cap underneath. This combination allowed me to shield my face entirely from the rain.

 

 

While my hat was completely waterproof, I also sweated significantly more while I wore it. My rain jacket and hat combination became the perfect sweat chamber. Even though I was shielded from the rain, I was just as wet with sweat by the time I got to camp. That hat also gave me a headache because the brim squeezed my temples. Anytime it rained, I had the choice between being able to see clearly out of my glasses or having a headache. Usually I picked a headache.

 

A New Kind of Hat

 

I decided to switch up my hat for the PCT, which I’ll be hiking this upcoming year. This time, I’ll be wearing the Long Haul Cap from Territory Run. For the ultralighters out there, the Seattle Rain Cap is 33.6 ounces compared to the 2.1 ounces of the Long Haul Cap. Even though I’ll be wearing it most of the time, less weight on my head is less weight on my feet!

The Long Haul Cap is pliable and easy to shove anywhere in my pack for easy access as I’m hiking. The adjustable strap in the back tucks into the hat itself so it won’t tickle your neck while you’re walking. This happened to me on the AT frequently and I was always slapping at my neck, worried there was a giant bug crawling out of my shirt.

 

 

I shaved my head before I started the AT, and throughout the trek, there were several awkward stages of hair growth. Trail running caps, similar to a neck gaiter, can help to keep hair out of your face. There is nothing that annoys me faster on trail than my hair whipping my face when it gets windy or sticking to me when it’s hot and sweaty. The Long Haul Cap keeps my hair back in any stage of growth.

It also stays securely on my head while I’m walking so I don’t have to worry about catching it in a wayward gust. Although the Long Haul Cap is not waterproof, it’s significantly more breathable. I barely notice I’m wearing it when I’m hiking. The fabric dries quickly and wicks sweat away from my head. The back half of the hat is made from soft mesh fabric that is lightweight on your head. My main complaint with the Seattle Rain Cap was that it trapped sweat. With the Long Haul Cap, I don’t have to worry about sweat running into my eyes anymore.

 

Sun Protection

 

For the PCT, I am most concerned about exposure to the sun. On the AT, I was hiking through mostly tree cover, so I was in the shade a lot. However, on the PCT, there is significantly less tree cover, so I’ll need to wear a hat more often to protect my face and eyes from UV rays.

Compared to other trail running hats, the Long Haul Cap has a significantly longer brim. This function will allow my face to have full protection from the sun. There were several times on the AT when I chose to squint rather than wear my sweat-inducing hat. This meant my face became incredibly sunburned on numerous occasions. One night, I even came down with sun poisoning. If this happened to me on the AT, which has significantly more shade than the PCT, then I need a hat I will actually want to wear on my next thru-hike.

 

Bug Protection

 

Trail running hats also come in handy during sections when you have to wear a bug net. Without a cap on, bug nets tend to plaster themselves to my sweaty face — creating the added pleasure of still feeling mosquitoes buzz around my ears, and constantly needing to pull the bug net away from my skin.

With the Long Haul Cap, the extended brim will keep the bug net off of my face and allow some distance between me and the bugs. When you’re surrounded by mosquitos every day, having some reprise from the buzzing in your ears, face and nose is welcome. 

Bottom Line

 

I’m excited to wear the Territory Run Long Haul Cap on my PCT thru-hike. The tiny pine tree on the front of it even reminds me of the PCT logo. Caps off to anyone attempting a long trail — may your face be shielded from the sun, rain, bugs and anything else the world throws your way.

 

 

 

 

Abby Evans, or S.W. Fireball Queen of the Salamanders, enjoys thru-hiking, jumping in mud puddles and catching salamanders. When they're not doing these three things, they love to write about their on-foot adventures. They recently finished the Appalachian Trail and they're looking forward to the Pacific Crest Trail next summer!