Outdoor Research Rando Cap

Initial Review
December 20, 2005

Tester Information

Name: Raymond Estrella
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 3" (187.5 cm)
Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Email address: rayestrella@hotmail.com
City: Huntington Beach
State: California
Country: USA 
Backpacking Background: I have been hiking for over 30 years, all over the state of California. I have also hiked in Washington, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. I hike year-round, mostly in the Sierra Nevada, and have put 555 miles (888 km) on my boots this year.  As I start my 4th decade of backpacking I am making the move to lightweight gear, and smaller packs.

The product

Manufacturer: Outdoor Research
Web site http://www.orgear.com
Product: Rando Cap
Style: 82050
Year manufactured: 2005.
MSRP: $45.00 (US)
Weight listed: 2.5 oz (71 g)

Verified weight: 2.4 oz (63 g)
Color tested: Black

Colors available: Black, Mojo Blue, and Deep Green.

Warranty: (Quoted from hang tag), “Outdoor Research products are guaranteed forever.”

Product description

The Rando cap is a “Bomber-style” cap constructed of a 75 denier Gore-tex fabric shell, and a 100-weight fleece liner. The fleece on my test unit is grey in color. It has a short brim that extends 1.7” (43 mm) from the front of the cap. Attached to the cap were two hang-tags. One from Gore-tex, and one from Outdoor Research with the name, style, color and size listed on it. Above the brim is the Outdoor Research “OR” logo in a reflective appliqué. At the back of the cap the “GORE-TEX” name is embroidered on the shell.

On either side of the cap are flaps that extend down. On me, they come down 1.25” (31 mm) in front of my ears, crossing my cheekbones. They can wrap around my chin and attach with the benefit of a hook/loop closure, a 2.75” (69 mm) piece of one or the other is sewn on the end of the each strap. Here is a picture of the cap with the flaps down, and a section of the hook/loop showing.

An elastic cord runs around the cap, about where the back of my skull stops its curve and joins my neck. This cord come through the back of the shell, passing through a cord-lock that is held in place by a loop of what feels to be rubberized nylon. The loop is sewn on to the outer shell. When pulling on the cord it tightens around my head. That, along with the under-the-chin flaps, are to keep the cap in place in windy conditions. Here is a shot of the cap from the side with the cord-lock showing.

The inner fleece is very soft. Sewn inside are a small Outdoor Research patch, and three tags. One tag lists the size (L, in this case), one shows that it was made in China of 100% polyester, and the other has laundering instructions.

The brim of the cap has a wire sewn inside of it at the outside edge. The wire is very malleable. I bent it into a dozen shapes. V’s, down-swooping curves, up-swooping curves (which make it look like a happy duck, by the way), it held them fine.

The stitching on my unit is very good. There are no loose threads, or rough edges. There is one small area of seam on the top portion of the cap that lifts away from the body. I will keep an eye on this spot to see if it leaks here. Otherwise it is a very nice job of sewing.

The fit is a bit tight. I have always had a problem knowing what size to get with OR’s products. (And I have a lot of their stuff) I have the Puffin Balaclava in XL and it fits great, but the Gorilla Balaclava I just got last month had to be a large. So I ordered the Rando Cap in large and am borderline too tight. Well it should fit under my helmet for sure now.

Testing

I will be taking this cap on three, 2 to 3–day trips in our local mountains. It will go with me to Minnesota for three weeks over the next three months for some very cold testing. And will go on a 7 to 10-day, 66 mile trek to White Mountain, CA at the end of January. I will also take it skiing to Mammoth Mountain, CA at least once. I will see how it handles wet conditions along with the cold. I will see if the 100-weight fleece is going to be warm enough for me. I will try sleeping with it on, and check if the brim will be comfortable in a sleeping bag, or if it will be in the way.

I will see if it will co-exist with climbing helmets and goggles. Also how it works with a face mask on.

I would like to thank Outdoor Research and Backpack Gear Test for allowing me to participate in this test.