Article by Sam Winebaum
Ciele Athletics GOCap Solar - Elite - Shadowcast ($95)
S/M 56.5 cm +-. M/L 58 cm +-.
38 grams.
$95 for a running cap! Really? Well, I sweat a lot, always wear a cap and have tested innumerable run caps so I was intrigued by the long list of features below (and elaborate construction) of this seemingly humble but stylish all black cap. How has it performed? Very well indeed! Please read on.
Features/Materials
lightweight RAYaway mini ceramic ripstop woven fabric with cooling print.
COOLmatic | EXP SKAYAmesh™ knit with embedded carbon yarn for temperature control on top and sides.
270º rear and sides shield to protect your ears and neck in extreme temperatures. flip up when not needed.
PHORMrite super lightweight brim.
machine washable.
reflective detailing for night run visibility.
main fabric: 100% nylon. secondary fabric: 80% recycled polyester 14% elastane 5% polyester 1% carbon
From a distance the Solar Elite looks like a plain all black cap. Look more closely and one can see its elaborate construction and targeted use of materials as well as airy construction
The brim is a double sided mesh with denser mesh on the outside and more open mesh on the underside. Between the layers is a spacer layer red grid which clearly allows sweat to movefrom the the sweat band and more rapidly evaporate and not build up. While the brim will get very wet I have never gotten to the point where it cannot handle the moisture at the sweat band and drip onto my glasses , often the case with run caps for me.
The fairly thick sweat band works a charm and has never gotten oversaturated. It fully wraps the head.
At the center rear and extending about 6” is a pull cord. I have a fairly large head and never found the need to cinch it as it provided plenty of hold even in very strong winds but smaller heads may find a need to use it.
The front panel of lightweight RAYaway mini ceramic ripstop woven fabric with cooling print.
which provides some structure
It is see through from the inside denser weave mesh than the back of the head and rear fold down ear and upper neck panels.
The top and sides are soft knit with a feel similar to many run caps and are made of the COOLmatic | EXP SKAYAmesh™ knit with embedded carbon yarn for temperature control on top and sides. More specifically 1% carbon.
Fit / Style
The fit is impeccable: very secure and comfortable with just enough give to not feel binding yet with never any hint it would blow off in the many days of very strong winds I tested it in.
The style is fine by me but I typically prefer the baseball cap look. Modern and sleek with the rear fold up neck and ear protection flap not making the look goofy as “legionnaire” type caps can sometimes be.
Going all black is an advantage as it simplifies the look of what is a very elaborate construction. I count at least 10 panels!
Performance and Conclusions
Performance to date has been superb. Comfortable on the head and unnoticed on the run, the management of sweat is remarkable with the brim doing the heavy lifting while the rest of the cap’s mesh vents heat.
My runs to date have been in more moderate temperatures (up to 70F) in both sun and overcast so I have not as of yet gone “full solar” to see the full impact of both the temperature regulating meshes and the impact of the black color but i am confident that it will perform very well.
For sure the Solar Elite’s $95 pricing gives pause. Yet, given its elaborate, well considered construction and use of state of the art materials which function in concert and effectively, its sun protection and fit is well worth consideration as part of any runner’s essential daily kit.
Comparison
Soar Dart Cap: I prefer the Dart’s baseball cap styling which makes it not only a great run cap but also an everyday cap. Also high performing and light the Dart does not keep up quite as well with sweat or heat regulation as it is a more closed mesh.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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