Lightweight sports cap for kids: what to look for when buying

The short answer: A good sports cap for kids is light, dries quickly, has a pre-curved brim and a closure for adjusting. That is exactly how the Soulbuddy KIDS Sports Cap is built: made of light, breathable fabric, with a snapback closure, in KIDS M (44 to 48 cm head circumference, from about 1 year) and KIDS L (48 to 53 cm, from about 2 years up to school age), in six colours for €27.50. The same cap exists for adults, as a matching set of 2 for €54.90.

Why a sports cap is different from a normal cap

A classic cotton snapback cap is robust and keeps its shape, but soaks up sweat when children run around and becomes heavy. A sports cap is made of thin performance fabric that wicks moisture outwards and is dry again by the next break. It is lighter, more flexible and can be folded into a sports bag without the brim creasing. For children who wear a cap while running, on the football pitch or at the beach, that is the decisive difference.

What to look for when buying

First, the weight: the lighter the cap, the more likely it stays on. Second, the material: polyester performance fabric or mesh panels dry faster than cotton. Third, the brim: a pre-curved, slightly shorter brim gets in the way less when playing ball and sits closer to the face. Fourth, the closure: press studs or Velcro give three to four centimetres of leeway so the cap fits for several summers. Fifth, the size by head circumference, not by age; how to measure is explained in our article Measuring kids' head circumference.

Which cap for which sport?

For running, cycling and the sports field, the sports cap with its light fabric is the first choice. For nursery, playground and beach, a trucker cap with an airy mesh back is often enough, and it is also available in KIDS S from about 3 months. If you want a sporty cap with a two-tone look, the performance cap is the one. All three models exist for adults in the same design, so parents and kids match on the Sunday run or the family day out.

The sports cap in detail

The Soulbuddy sports cap comes in Deep Ocean Blue, Light Mint, Dark Petrol, Bordeaux Red, Midnight Black and Light Grey. It is kept plain, without a big logo and without licensed motifs, so it goes with any jersey. The kids' version starts at KIDS M because the thin performance fabric only makes sense from about one year; for babies we recommend the softer trucker cap in KIDS S instead. Wash the sports cap by hand in lukewarm water; tips are in our article How to wash a cap.

Frequently asked questions

Which sports cap is recommended for kids?

A light, quick-drying cap with a pre-curved brim and adjustable closure, for example the Soulbuddy KIDS Sports Cap in KIDS M or KIDS L for €27.50.

From what age does a sports cap fit?

From about 1 year or 44 cm head circumference in KIDS M. Before that, softer models such as the trucker cap in KIDS S are the better choice.

Can my child wear the sports cap when swimming or at the beach?

At the beach yes, it dries quickly and protects face and eyes. In the water it should not be worn, like any cap, because salt and chlorine attack the fabric.

Is the sports cap also available for adults?

Yes, the ADULT Sports Cap in one size (54 to 60 cm) costs €31.90, the set of 2 for parent and child €54.90 and the family set of 3 €76.90.