Assos Winter Cap P3

The Assos Winter Cap P3 is a helmet beanie designed for cold rides and solving one specific problem: preventing that dull headache that sets in when cold air blows against your forehead for an hour. Assos calls these "ride-ending headaches", and the cap's entire design is built around eliminating them. To this end, it features double-knit layers of fabric in the problem areas: your forehead and ears. The rest of the cap is single-layered, so you can release heat through the top of your head while your forehead remains protected. This helps maintain a perfect balance between insulation and breathability, so that you don't have to take off your helmet halfway through a climb because your head is overheating.

P3 refers to the third generation, and the difference from its predecessor lies in the sides, which now provide deeper coverage, so your ears are protected from cold airflow when the wind is blowing at an angle. Assos indicates that the Winter Cap P3 is suitable for temperatures between 4°C and 11°C, with an insulation score of 4 out of 5.

Double-knit layers in the vulnerable areas

The Assos Winter Cap P3 does not offer the same thickness throughout. On your forehead and over your ears, it features two layers of knitwork on top of each other; on the rest of your head, there is just one. Thanks to this construction, you can wear the beanie comfortably at 4°C, without breaking a sweat on top of your head – the heat can escape from there, while the areas most exposed to the wind offer extra protection.

Design with 84% polypropylene for excellent moisture management

The use of that much polypropylene is an unusual choice for headwear, but a clever one! Polypropylene absorbs virtually no moisture, so your sweat is wicked away to the outer layer rather than being trapped in the fabric, where it would cool you down as soon as you stop moving. This explains the 4 out of 5 rating for "Quick-drying"; if you hang the cap to dry after your ride, it will be ready for use again before you know it!

Compatible with:

• Any cycling helmet – this beanie is thin enough to wear underneath without leaving pressure marks.
• Temperatures between 4°C and 11°C, according to Assos’ classification.
• Cycling glasses – the cap extends to just above your eyebrows and doesn’t get in the way of your sports glasses.

Not compatible with:

• Rain – the fabric is not waterproof, so in persistent rain your head will get wet.
• Temperatures below 4°C – in freezing conditions, the insulation is not sufficient and you will want a cap with a windproof membrane.
• A tight-fitting helmet – if you have already adjusted your helmet to a tight fit, you will need to loosen it to accommodate the beanie.

What size do I need?

The Assos Winter Cap P3 is available in two sizes: S-M and L-XL. Measure your head circumference with a tape measure, just above your ears and across the widest part of the back of your head. Select that measurement in the size selector at the top of this page. If your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger one; a cap that is too tight will start to press against your ears after an hour, whereas one that is slightly looser will still stay well in place under your helmet.

Included as standard:

• 1x Assos Winter Cap P3 in the colour black (Assos' blackSeries)

Other recommended items:

• Overshoes – your feet will get just as cold as your ears in these temperatures.
• A neck warmer – to cover the gap between your cap and your jacket.
• Assos Active Wear Cleanser – a protective laundry detergent that ensures the fabric retains its moisture-wicking properties.

How to adjust your helmet with a beanie underneath:

The most common mistake cyclists make, is putting a helmet cap on and leaving the helmet as it was. This way, your helmet will sit too high and will slip as soon as you start climbing. It takes two minutes to adjust it properly:

1. Put the Winter Cap on: Pull the brim up to just above your eyebrows and make sure your ears are completely covered.
2. Put the helmet in place without fastening it: The front edge should still be two finger-widths above your eyebrows, no higher.
3. Using the adjustment dial at the back of the helmet, loosen the fit, then tighten again: The cap takes up some space, so the point at which the helmet now feels tight is different than before.
4. Check the chin straps: These now run over the fabric of the cap and are, therefore, often slightly too loose. Readjust them so that one finger fits between the strap and your chin.
5. Shake your head: If the helmet moves along with your head without slipping, it fits correctly.

If you ride alternately with and without the cap, remember how many turns you make of the adjustment dial. That way, the next time it is simply a matter of turning it back.

• Take the Winter Cap with you on every ride, even if you are not going to wear it straight away. It folds up into a small bundle that easily fits in a back pocket, and at the top of a climb you will be glad you can put it on!
• Wash the beanie at a maximum of 30 degrees with Assos Active Wear Cleanser. Do not use fabric softener because it leaves a film on the fibres that prevents your sweat from passing through.
• Leave the cap to air-dry. Polypropylene doesn’t handle heat well, so don’t put it in the tumble dryer or leave it on a hot radiator.
• When putting the cap on, pull the whole thing over your head with both hands rather than just by the hem; this will help the seamless construction retain its shape for longer.