I Hated Every Running Hat I Tried Until I Tried This One From Ciele

Before trying the brand’s RDCap Elite, I exclusively wore a cotton bandana.

By Danny PerezPublished: Jun 05, 2025 5:16 PM EDT

While friends, coworkers, and more avid runners than I have recommended running hats to me time and time again, I wasn’t sold on any. I have a big head, and my hair used to go well past my shoulders, so hats either didn’t fit me comfortably or I’d get too hot in them (I also sweat a lot). For the longest time, I preferred a cotton bandana and a good pair of sunglasses, until recently when I tried Ciele’s RDCap Elite running hat.

Before waxing poetic on how much I love this hat, I should acknowledge that I know it’s expensive, which goes against my usual outlook on gear. The reason I got into running was it required no pricey gear, save for maybe a good pair of running shoes. But I tried a lot of hats before from brands that made my favorite running shoes and never found the right fit—not only literally but in terms of style and comfort. So I looked to Ciele Athletics.

Ciele is probably best known for its hats—I know I’m not onto something new—but they weren’t for me. They had large brims and still looked like they’d feel heavy. I decided to go all in on a hat that touted proprietary fabrics, was advertised to “serious runners,” and admittedly was quite expensive. The RDCap Elite is what I landed on and offered the experience I was looking for: It feels lighter than my trusted bandanas, wicks sweat more efficiently, and keeps the sun out of my face. It’s not a running hat I like; it’s the only running hat I like.

Breathability Strategically placed mesh kept me from getting too sweaty.

Except for the brim and front panel, the RDCap Elite is almost completely performance mesh made of mainly recycled polyester. The branded Coolmatic polyester is akin to Gore-Tex: a patented performance textile used by a lot of brands. I don’t know the exact science behind Coolmatic, but I can say I have apparel (both casual wear and performance) that employs it and it keeps me exceptionally cool. I do know that synthetic textile can get funky, even after multiple washes. The material used on the RDCap has carbon woven into the fibers to help fight that stink, and I’ve noticed my hat doesn’t smell after a run. In fact, I was able to leave it at the office for a couple of weeks for runs after work before it needed a good wash.

The mix of mesh helped effectively vent my sweaty head and hair.

The RDCap Elite uses different mesh strategically: the side panels have larger air holes than the top two and offer breathability around almost the entire hat. I like that the larger holes are on the sides because it feels like I’m getting more airflow while the top panels absorb sweat.

Other running hats I’ve tried have a mesh panel at the back but the front isn’t nearly as breathable. The front panel on the Ciele hat still wicksmoisture and is low-profile enough for good airflow.

Structure and Coverage It’s plenty flexible and packable.

The RDCap Elite is flexible with a bit of stretch but doesn’t feel flimsy. The crown is low yet doesn’t look small or goofy. Other running caps I’ve worn have the aerodynamic look I want but, once I put them on, it’s apparent I’m stuffing my large head into a hat that’s too small. This also leads to me feeling like my running hat will bounce off at any moment or blow off with the slightest wind gust. My head fits securely in the RDCap without it looking like it’s precariously placed on my head thanks to the sweatband that has a soft compression along the crown.

Another unstructured detail is the soft, pre-curved brim. It’s shorter than some of the brand’s other offerings but doesn’t look like a cycling cap. The length is just long enough to shield my eyes and nose from the sun, yet I still have my full view of my surroundings. Even in sunglasses, I sometimes feel like I don’t have a clear picture of what’s going on around me, as if accessories meant to enhance vision—like sunglasses and hats—are actually inhibiting. It’s my own neurosis I’ll figure out later, but the point is that the RDCap doesn’t have this limiting feeling. The flexible construction also makes this hat packable. I’ve stashed it in the pocket of my running shorts without it getting that unsightly crease on the brim that’s barely visible but you know you caused it.

Final Thoughts

The RDCap is supremely breathable while keeping me protected from the sun and keeping sweat and hair out of my face. It fits great, which is something I’ve never been able to say about a running hat, and has a flattering profile. Design details like the pre-curved brim and parachute-bungee cord strap add to both the function and form. I've read that some wearers have had issues with the mesh sides pilling, but I've had this hat for several months and haven't experienced that. Even with running’s rising popularity and the proliferation of gear that’s come with it, I still preferred my block-print cotton bandana until the RDCap changed my mind. That, really, is the biggest compliment I can give it.