MODERN DAYFARER CAP: REVIEW
FOREWORD
Right off the bat, I want to confess that I have never been intro caps or trucker hats. Since high school, I had a strange notion that the shape of my head (or face?) just doesn't work with this type of headwear so until very recently I have not considered wearing a cap or owning one.
I was, however, very intrigued by Modern Dayfarer, a brand that was on my radar since their first successful Kickstarter campaigns for Sling and Backpack, so when I had a chance to test their apparel (check out my review for Modern Dayfarer Shorts) I decided to give the Cap a chance.
And oh boy do I have things to share.
WHO IT SUITS
Anyone looking for a minimal, low profile cap
Someone who wants the best and appreciates quality over quantity
Those who think that caps are not for them and want to give it one last chance (that’s me!)
WHO IT DOESN’T
Someone who wants flashy design and needs to have a brand logo clearly visible
The cap has 6 set magnetic adjustment points, I can imagine someone who might not find the perfect fit between those positions. But those would be few and far between
If you are looking for a packable hat with the smallest possible footprint Dayfarer Cap might not be the best option with its rigid visor.
Someone who wants to securely attach the cap externally on their backpack or jacket might find the magnetic closure easy to open which could lead to the loss of your precious cap.
ABOUT THE CAP
* PRICE: 45 EUR (~$55)
* COLOR OPTIONS: Grey, Black, Dark Navy
The cap is as simple as you can imagine. Essentially, this is a modern take on a classic 6-panel cap, made from 100% Ventile® high-performance cotton.
The materials ensure a high level of water repellency while maintaining excellent breathability. I have been wearing this cap daily for the past 10 weeks (and only stopped recently due to very cold weather) and have been very impressed with its durability and comfort.
COMFORT
I won't beat around the bush - the comfort is superb and relies on two pillars:
Excellent materials used across the board (breathability and water repellency make this cap my go-to option for any weather except for cold winter)
Unique closing/adjusting mechanism - magnetic buckle from renowned magicians at Fidlock is a joy to use and easy to adjust
As you can see from the photos, I am bold as a knee and I did not find the magnetic buckle to be uncomfortable. However, those who are used to soft fabric against their skin might need a bit of time to warm up to the plastic buckle of the Dayfarer Cap.
In my experience, the default 6 adjustment points of the cap were enough to find a good fit for myself. In extremely windy conditions I was trying to tighten the cap a bit to prevent it from flying off and noticed that the next adjustment point is a bit too tight. Basically, in 95% of the cases you should be totally fine with the adjustment range the cap offers, but do not expect the same precious as in velcro-adjusting caps where you can tailor the fit with extreme precision.
The hard plastic of magnetic Fidlock buckle might require a bit of getting used to but was still comfortable in my experience.
DESIGN & FEATURES
There are no flashy logos, crazy design choices, or “in your face” features - and that’s what I love about this cap. It is simple, reliable, unassuming which makes it perfect for just about anything you can imagine - casual meetings, workouts, hikes, parties, or travel. Of course, you can’t wear it to the wedding or board meeting but if you can imagine a scenario when wearing a cap is acceptable - you can count on Dayfarer to look the part.
Apart from clean looks and pleasant lines, the standout feature in Dayfarer Cap is the Fidlock buckle used for adjusting the size - as mentioned already, it has 6 settings which cover basically the full range of human skull sizes. As with all Fidlock buckles - operating the magnetic buckle is easy, effortless, and simply fun.
I did not have any issues with the strength of the magnet when wearing the cap, but I would not recommend attaching the cap to your backpack - the magnets might open in motion and there is a risk of losing your cap.
MATERIALS
When recalling my experience with the caps I realized that most of them were made out of synthetic materials which made them look cheap but more importantly made them uncomfortable to wear - heating up under direct sunlight or not offering enough warmth and protection in chilly or windy conditions. I am happy to report that Modern Dayfarer cap is made out of cotton, and not some run-of-the-mill stuff but one of the best the market has to offer - Ventile® that boldly claims to be “the world’s most effective, natural, all-weather cotton textile”. Bonus points - it is also sustainably sourced and manufactured.
The cap looks simple and does not scream “I am the best there is”, which is exactly what I like about it. Also, the Grey color I picked works basically with any outfit I wear, great neutral color and a bit more interesting that plain Black.
Anyone can bore you with marketing mumbo jumbo, I will simply say that in 10 weeks of constant use the materials proved to be comfortable, durable, and performing exceptionally well in a range of conditions - from being under the blazing sun to chilly November nights that like to remind us that winter is indeed close.
One note - my grey cap did develop a bit of patina from constant use, but after a splash of water, it looked almost brand new.
The inside of the cap follows the same minimalist approach - a simple logo inside and just excellent stitching to enjoy
COMPARISON
I am no expert in caps and, as mentioned already, my experience using them is very limited, but I did try a couple of other options to make sure that the Dayfarer Cap is not tested in isolation, but compared fairly to some alternatives.
Here’s what I had a chance to try during my 10 week testing of Dayfarer cap:
1. No Name black tactical cap with velcro patch ($5)
Surprisingly very decent fit but the fabric quickly started to show the wear and in just a few weeks and after 1 wash the cap started to look terrible. The materials are also synthetic (ripstop nylon) so comfort-wise it was far from stellar. The upside - very low price, customization option with Velcro (if you are into these things) and high level of adjustability thanks to velcro strip on the back.
Verdict - decent for fast-fashion and just for one season wear but totally not worth it if you are conscious and trying to practice sustainable consumption.
2. Goruck Performance TAC Hat ($25)
This is the option praised by many friends of mine in the carry community and I did order it right in time for Dayfarer cap to arrive for my testing. As much as I enjoy Goruck durability and build the TAC Hat left me unimpressed with thin synthetic materials. Decent fit, similar to a previous cap, excellent adjustability thanks to velcro strip, and very good build. However, I was not in love.
Verdict - perhaps it is more geared towards workouts or “rucking” but as a daily driver it did not fit the bill for me mainly because of synthetic materials (there are no details on Goruck website on exact fabric composition)
3. Carhartt WIP Black Logo Cap $35
Carhartt is a legendary brand and their Work in Progress line has been very popular among fashion aficionados.
Advertised as stylish and robust, this cap promised to be a good everyday option and I had very high hopes for it.
Even though the materials were great (100% cotton) and I have a soft spot for the brand, the cap fit me terribly and reminded me again why I stayed away from caps for decades. Also, the premium price for this cap was a hard pill to swallow considering it looked poorly on me.
Verdict - good materials and build, but won’t work for all shapes and sizes.
Left to right: Goruck TAC Hat, NoName Ripstop cap, Carhartt WIP Black Logo cap, Modern Dayfarer Cap
WHAT’S HOT
Excellent build and materials
Timeless classic look with a modern twist
Fidlock closure make this cap a clear product of its era
I love the way it fits me and my big bold head
Supremely comfortable with excellent breathability and protection against elements and wind
Clean minimalistic look with zero branding
WHAT’S NOT
The 6 adjustment points on the Fidlock buckle might be limiting for some folks
Beware of attaching the cap on your backpack or clothes - you risk losing the cap in case magnets accidentally get undone
If you are looking for a packable cap that can fit in your pocket - you might have to look elsewhere
VERDICT
In just 10 weeks I went from someone who stayed away from caps to a huge fan who cannot imagine not having a cap in my wardrobe. As you can tell Modern Dayfarer is to blame. I was taking this cap off basically before going to bed or when I needed to take shower :)
While definitely not cheap, this cap fully justifies its price not just with the materials and quality but thanks to its promise to be the only cap you actually need. I can highly recommend Dayfarer Cap to anyone who already owns other caps or was just giving it a try - it can very well become your one and only.
Disclaimer
Dayfarer Cap were provided by Modern Dayfarer as a sample for review purposes, the content of this review was not shared with Modern Dayfarer before publishing.
My goal is to share an honest, unbiased review that is not tailored to keep the brand happy.
