Imagine a ball cap that weighs one ounce, will fit just about anyone, and can be packed up into a fraction of its size in a matter of seconds. Imagine no further … it actually exists!
Parapack co-owner and creator Jai-Yu Fu said “We wanted to spread playful thoughts into the world. If we were going to create something, we might as well have fun and be a little nerdy and funky with it.”
Take one look at the Parapack P-Cap, an ultralight hiking hat, and it’s just that. A little nerdy, a little funky, but very playful, too.
Specs for the Parapack P-Cap Lite
Size: One size fits all (36-62cm or 14 1/8”-24 3/8”)
Weight: One ounce (29 grams)
Hat Materials: Polyester microfiber with UPF 30+ rating and ultra-lightweight monofilament Ripstop mesh (breathability)
Bill Materials: Dual density foam + Duraflex premium snaps + reflective cord
Things I Love About the Parapack P-Cap
Innovative
The packable P-CAP hat is the brainchild of Jai-Yu and her husband Ian Hughes, a self-described nerdy architect and engineer couple. They are professional creators by day and their prowess frequently escapes the office and flows into their home. Their endless sketches and doodles at the kitchen table led to the P-CAP’s origami-like design and evokes creativity, ingenuity and playfulness. The P-CAP is constructed with advanced materials and impeccably constructed.
Lightweight
Both the P-CAP and P-CAP LITE hats are constructed with lightweight polyester microfiber. The P-CAP LITE earns its name from the ultra-lightweight, durable monofilament ripstop mesh that’s used for a majority of the cap. This shaves a few grams off the standard hat’s weight, tipping the scales at a mere single ounce. Ultimately, both iterations are extremely portable and packable, and will easily fit in a pocket or pack no matter your adventure.
Simplicity
There are no bells or whistles on this lightweight hat. The P-CAP includes everything you need in a hat and nothing you don’t.
Ease of Use
It might be designed and engineered by highly skilled scientists, but it doesn’t take one to use it properly. Right out of the box, it was easy to adjust and re-fold back in its pouch.
Customer Service
If you have a question about the functionality of the P-CAP or struggle with packing it back up, the folks at Parapack have likely already addressed the issue in one of their short YouTube videos. Here they illustrate some common questions and quandaries one might experience with P-CAP lightweight hats, including how to fix an awkward, scrunched up hat brim. The videos are well made and equally helpful.
Things I Didn’t Love
Monochrome
With the exception of the vibrant Arcadia colored P-CAP, the entire product line is rather neutral. Among the black, gray and safari colors, I would love to see some bright colors and patterns in the lineup, to accentuate the FUN nature of these hiking hats! Note: the Navy Mix P-Cap Lite color reviewed here and shown in these pictures is a GGG exclusive color.
Verdict
The P-CAP is dubbed “transitional headwear” meaning it’s always there when you need it and out of the way when you don’t. While it certainly doesn’t have that super cool, trucker hat vibe, it gets the job done in an efficient, utilitarian and ultralight way.
