Sunday
Afternoons Sun Tripper Cap
Owner
Review by
Jennifer Koles
May
9, 2010
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Personal
Information
Name: Jennifer
Koles
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight: 140 lb (64 kg)
Email address: jennksnowy at yahoo dot com
City, State, and Country: Orange County, California,
United States
Backpacking Background
After getting into the outdoors
scene camping while 4-wheeling and day-hiking, I switched
to backpacking in the early 2000's. I have backpacked
extensively in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho along with California,
Pennsylvania and Nevada. I have slowly been cutting
my base weight to be able to go longer in duration and
distance. I have done so mainly by using better gear
and dumping heavy luxuries. I backpack year round in
all weather, and usually take a freestanding tent and
a gas stove on all my trips. I love trying out new gear.
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The author in the Narrows at Zion
National Park, Utah.
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Product
Information
Product: Sun
Tripper Cap
Manufacturer: Sunday
Afternoons
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Product Website: www.sundayafternnons.com
Guarantee: Lifetime
Listed Weight: 2.6
oz (74 g)
Measured Actual Weight: 2.45 oz (69 g)
Sizes Available: Medium 21.5-22.5 in (55-57
cm); Large 22-23.5 in (56-60 cm)
Size Purchased: Medium
Available Colors: Juniper/Gray;
Cream/Gray; Chambray/Gray; Tan/Gray
Color Purchased: Chambray/Gray
MSRP: $24.00 US
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Limestone Canyon Trailhead |
The Sun Tripper Cap
is a unisex cap and is made of 100% nylon. It
has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating
of 50+. In addition to its sun protection qualities,
this hat has many other unique features. The
key features of this cap are the folding bill,
mesh venting panels, cinch cord, wicking sweatband,
and the internal pocket.
The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating
system measures the UV protection that is provided
by fabrics. It is similar to the SPF ratings
that are used for sunscreens. The nylon
fabric of the cap has UV protection, as the mesh
vents do not. Even though the mesh vents of the
cap have small perforations, I have not found
this to be a factor with sun protection. There
has not been a time that I have burned on my
head while wearing this cap, even if some light
seeps through the perforation holes.
I like the styling of this cap. I would say
that it is a cadet-styled cap. In my opinion
it looks great on the trail, around town, at
the beach, and in public places after a hike. |
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The Sun Tripper Cap has a folding
brim that measures just over 2.5 in (6 cm)
at the folding point. The folding point is at
the central point of the brim and is reinforced
with stitching. The indentations of the fold
can be seen on the underside of the brim, which
is lined with a black fabric. This folding brim
is a unique feature of the cap.
It allows me to fold the cap in half and store
it in a jacket or a pack pocket.
There is a sweatband that runs along the
inner circumference of the cap; it has a width
of 1.5 in (4 cm). This sweatband is great.
It helps prevent sweat from running down my face
when I get overheated or on hot days.
Not only is this hat lightweight, it also has
some ventilation to allow some fresh air to circulate
inside the cap. Four mesh vents are on the sides
of the cap (2 on each side). They are 1.75 in
(4 cm) long and have a mesh lining. The mesh
lining runs along the entire circumference (on
the sides) of the cap.
Inside the top of the cap is a pocket with a
hook and loop closure. I found this a good place
to store some extra cash and a medical ID card
when I do not want to carry a backpack or use
my pockets. I do not use the pocket very often.
But, I think it is a handy feature when I have
the desire to use it. The pocket is 4.5 in (11
cm) deep at the deepest point and 6 in (15 cm)
wide at the opening.
Another nice feature of this cap is that is
has an adjustable pull cord in the back of the
cap. This makes the cap more versatile, as far
as fit goes for me. I can wear my hair in a low
pony tail or completely down and the cap can
be adjusted to accommodate my hair style. Or
if it is cold out, I can wear a head liner and
adjust the cap so it fits comfortably. It also
allows me to quickly cinch the cap tighter in
wind gusts.
On the inside of the cap is a fabric content
and care instruction tag. The universal fabric
care symbols are embroidered on the tag along
with instructions written in English. The Sun
Tripper has very basic care instructions: hand
wash cold, line dry, no dryer, and no iron. To
be honest I have placed the Sun Tripper in a
front loading washer (placed in a mesh bag) on
a gentle cold wash cycle many times. The cap
shows no sign of wear nor has the brim become
damaged from washing it this way. |
Inside the Sun Tripper Hat (the
pocket can be seen)
Sun Tripper folded in half (this
is not the smallest it can be folded)
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Product Use
Since I purchased the Sun Tripper
I have worn it as much as I possible could during
many types of activities. Generally I wear it while
hiking and backpacking, but I have also worn it
after my mountain bike rides, on the beach path,
and rock climbing. Sometimes I just carry it in
my pack, just to have it handy.
I have worn the Sun Tripper in temperatures
ranging from the low 50's F (10 C) to the high
90's F (35 C). It has also been worn in misting
rain. The cap is not waterproof, nor is it intended
to be. But, it does protect my head from becoming
wet in a misting rain.
The Sun Tripper has been worn in the following
locations while hiking or backpacking: Red Rocks,
Nevada; St. George,
Utah; Wasatch Mountains, Utah; Death Valley,
California; El Moro/Crystal
Cove State Park, California; Irvine Ranch Conservancy
Land, California (Limestone Canyon, Black Star
Canyon, Orchard Hills); Mammoth Lakes, California;
Yosemite National Park, California; and Whiting
Ranch Wilderness Area, California.
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Just before a sunset/night
hike
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Impressions and Performance
in the Field
The Sun Tripper Cap is my favorite cap! There
are many reasons why this is my favorite cap: the styling is
great, it has ventilation, it is lightweight, it can be folded,
and it has an adjustable pull cord. In my opinion the brim
is the perfect length. It is balanced with the rest of the
cap. It does not shield my entire face or ears from sunlight.
But, it shields my eyes and sometimes my nose. I wear sunscreen
on my face, so I am not necessarily concerned with having my
entire face protected when wearing a cap. I wear a cap to protect
my head and shield my eyes from sunlight. And the Sun Tripper
does the job for me.
I really light the mesh vents on the side
of the cap. I found that they allow air to circulate inside
the cap and help keep me cool. The hat is also made of lightweight
materials that allow moisture to wick away from my head. The
main material of the cap dries quickly and only becomes moist
from sweat when I am hiking/backpacking. The sweatband at times
becomes wetter than the material of the main body. But, it
does a good job of preventing sweat from rolling down my face.
The Sun Tripper Cap has held up well. It still
looks as good as new. There is no wear from use or washing
on the entire cap, even in high wear areas (like where the
brim is folded). This is definitely a cap that was designed
with quality and good materials.
I have the Chambray/Gray color, which is a
light blue/gray color. In different shades of light the blue
or gray color appears more prevalent to me. Outside in the
bright daylight it appears bluer. Under cloudy skies or
indoors the color appears more gray.
Things
That Rock:
- Ventilation
- Folds
- Light weight
- Quick drying
- Cinch cord
- Inside pocket
- Brim is not too large
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Things
That Are So-So:
- Nothing- This hat rocks! I just need
to buy more colors.
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Summary
I have enjoyed using the Sun Tripper Cap and
I will continue to use it on backpacking trips, day hikes, around
town, and at the beach. It is a lightweight cap, which is stylish
and offers quick adjustability. I found it to be comfortable,
stylish, and it offered great sun protection.
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