• Waterproof/breathable 70D Gore-Tex® PacLite® fabric
• Fully seam taped
• 100-weight fleece lining
• Foam-stiffened bill with moldable wire edge
• Dark fabric under bill reduces glare
• Fleece-lined earflaps with hook/loop closure
• External drawcord adjustment

Description [return to top] The Rando Cap is part of the Outdoor Research (OR) Cold Weather line. It is constructed with a Gore-Tex outer shell and a grey 100-weight fleece lining. A small wire-stiffened bill shields the eyes, while a hook-and-loop fastener connects the earflaps under the chin, and an elastic shock cord with a captive cord lock at the back can be used for further adjustments. A reflective OR logo is printed on the front of the cap, and a GORE-TEX logo is embroidered on the rear. A fabric care tag is sewn on the inside of the cap.

Field Testing [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 25 ºF (-4 ºC) to highs around 85 ºF (29 ºC) during the remainder of the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 First Class boy scouts (ages 14, 15 and 16), have scheduled additional camping/hiking without the scouts, and there are possibilities of more AT section hikes (two down, many to go!) in Pennsylvania – aka Rocksylvania – and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge.

Over the first weekend of January our troop attended our Scout district’s 43rd annual Winter Survival campout. Temperatures hovered around freezing the entire weekend, with negligible wind. I alternated keeping the flaps down and under my chin with folding them and attaching them over the top of my head, depending on my comfort level.

Over the middle weekend of February our troop attended the 94th annual Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment. Temperatures stayed well below freezing the entire weekend, with the overnight low on Friday about 20 ºF (-7 ºC) with winds of 25-30 mph (40-50 kph) gusting to well over 40 mph (64 kph), making temperatures feel like “dang cold” to “painfully cold” all weekend. I wore the cap down throughout the weekend, only folding the flaps up over the top of the hat when I was inside. The cap proved windproof, which was made even more noticeable in the high winds, and quite comfortable the entire weekend. I did not sleep in the cap, as I was quite warm in my sleeping bag.

My only issues – I don’t wish to call them problems – so far have been related to the bill of the cap. The bill is a little too small to shield my eyes (or, more specifically, my glasses) from much rain or sun. Also, with the short – and, therefore, stiff – length of the bill, it sticks straight out from my head, instead of drooping slightly, like many of my other hats. This blocks more of the light from my headlamp, forcing me to tilt my head further down to illuminate close-in objects. These are both minor issues, and I feel they are well outweighed by the benefits the cap offers.

Things I am/will be looking for: Fit. Does it fit me? Is the sizing on the web site accurate? Does it stay on well in windy conditions? Fabric. Is the PacLite durable (I have no prior experience with the fabric)? Does it stretch? Does it fade? Is it windproof? Waterproof? Does it pill, pull, or snag readily? Warmth. How cold can it get and still keep me warm? How much warmth does it add to my sleep system? Comfort. Am I constantly aware of the cap, or does it just seem to disappear on my head? Does the headband effectively keep sweat out of my eyes? Can I wear it comfortably while sleeping? Washability. Are there special instructions? Are they easy to follow? Does it dry well? Does it hold much dirt in the first place?

My findings so far: Fit. My experience suggests that the caps run just a bit small. The cap has not felt like it was going to come off, even in heavy winds. Fabric. Not a mark yet, after 2 months of nearly daily wear. It still fits the same as when I got it. Warmth. As noted previously, the cap kept my head – and ears – warm down to well below freezing with a wicked wind chill. Comfort. The cap is quite comfortable, and is barely noticeable except for its warmth. It does result in some muffling of my hearing, but not so much that I feel the need to uncover my ears to hear normal sounds. Washability. The cap has remained surprisingly clean, considering the mileage I have on it. I will endeavor to wash it prior to the Long Term Report.

Things I like [return to top] Light. Secure. Comfortable. Warm. It’s a small thing, but the hook-and-loop on the flaps – which feels like loop-and-loop to me – does not stick to anything (i.e. my fleece gloves) but itself. Nice. Things I don't like [return to top] Very slight muffling of sound. The bill is a bit small for sheltering my eyes, but still partially blocks my headlamp.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Outdoor Research Rando Cap > Chuck Kime > Field Report