Review: Pedal Mafia Cotton Cycling Cap

(2022) A cycling cap is a carefully selected piece of flare brought out in specific conditions. Whether it’s rainy off-season rides or cooler morning commutes, the cap defines the rider. Normally when products come into the creakybottombracket.com office we send them out for testing. This time, I think I’ll keep the Pedal Mafia Cotton Cycling Cap for myself. This cap has defined me lately.

Cotton caps are the de rigueur in cycling history. Style and function has changed recently as new materials have entered the market. The cotton cycling cap was worn forwards for racing and backwards for time trialing. The lack of wicking from the cotton makes these caps unbreathable and heavy. That’s at least perfect for fall rides, not so much for summer Grand Tours. Over the years breathable wicking materials have taken the cap into the cooling territory as helmets have been placed over them. These are selected in warm conditions to keep the sun off exposed skin and bugs off the scalp.

Then there’s the notion of luft. Cotton caps are expected to nearly levitate over the wearer. Donning the cap barely to the scalp, one must make sure the cap poofs in all directions. Wearing it tight around the ears was considered unacceptable before the introduction of helmets. The higher the luft, the more stylish the rider was.

Australia-based Pedal Mafia seemed to have set out with the goal of producing an old school cap, a cap that has not been in circulation in years. Stated by Pedal Mafia to be made solely of cotton, the Cotton Cycling Cap is extremely soft and maximally comfortable. The brim is even reinforced with stiff material, a nod to the former days of stout cap design. In true form, Pedal Mafia has stitched their logo into the front of the cap. Don’t expect to lose letters from helmet rub any time soon. On the back is a simple yet sewn patch reinforcing the idea that this is a quality accessory. 

Since receiving the cap it has joined every ride. It’s been lufted onto the cranium early in the dressing phase for rides. It feels more than a cap, and it feels like one is touching history wearing it. If only there were crocheted cycling gloves, aviator glasses, and a massive time piece on the wrist next in the ride accessories. The cap is comfortable and beautiful. It is also hand wash only. It has not been washed out of fear of the cotton losing its velvety feel. Pedal Mafia nailed it with this cap. Its fair price makes this worth every dollar. The only option is black which is hard to clash with.

As a cyclist who loves caps - quality caps - the Pedal Mafia Cotton Cycling Cap has rocketed to regular usage. It sits on the dresser awaiting the next ride where it serves to keep the head warm, the early autumn sunset out of the eyes, or eventually the November rains that will sneak their way into routes. Each one of those conditions will bring a small touch of the brim in hopes the cycling gods of yesterday are pleased with the effort.