skull cap or other under the helmet head gear

[Sky King]

Help, for some reason my trusty scarf that I normally wear under my helmet to keep my head and ears warm is not comfortable this year. I think it is because I am wearing my hair longer and I have a ton of hair so the combination is causing pressure points and pain on the side of my head.

I tried on the DH's skull cap "Roxusa"? , but with my big head and big hair, it doesn't begin to cover my ears.

Option 1 would be to go for a thin head band, but that will just take care of the ears so hoping someone has some suggestions for a skull cap that is longer and has to be thin, If wool it has to be super high quality as I have itch issues with many wools.

[VeganBikeChick]

Have you tried a Buff yet? It can be worn a number of ways, to cover your whole head or not...and it comes in wool and non-wool types.

[gnat23]

Much love from me on:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_12950.html

-- gnat!

[TsPoet]

Someone posted suggesting these last year
http://shop.little-package.com/shop/category/earflap-caps
I love mine, bought the SO one, he's bought his father one... My SO wears his all the time on/off the bike. We are both thinking of ordering heavier ones for colder weather.

My second choice is
http://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Zing/Skimmer-Skull-Cap

I also always wear a wool buff, which can be pulled up over the ears or down around the neck as needed. I also breath through it to prevent EIA attacks.

[Sky King]

Thanks for the suggestions, the skull caps look just like the one my DH has so think they are too short.
My WD (wonderful daughter) wants to go black friday shopping so I will try on a buff somewhere, and hopefully the ibex cap as it looks like the ear flap section is longer, meanwhile the bike hermit just told me he ordered me a thin headband until I can find a better option,

[SadieKate]

REI will have Buffs. Maybe even Cabelas. There are lots of options from microfiber to fleece visor options to wool.

Me loves 'em.

They're great pulled over a visor or baseball cap (scrunched up headband style) for running amd fishing.

[Crankin]

I don't like buffs. I have 2, one special "junior" size, but it feels like a scarf for an Orthodox woman. I can't figure out how to tie it, except for one way. When I tie it in the back, the knot makes my helmet uncomfortable.
I have a couple of really light weight skull caps for coolish weather, or hot weather, that don't go over my ears. I also have a Headsweat brand slightly lined skull cap, that is big enough for me to pull over the ears that I wear a lot. I have another one my DH gave me, used to be his, but it was too small. I also have a fleece one, that's very lightweight and very small. It was DS's when he was 14. I hope it never falls apart. I have 2 balaclavas, one way too heavy from Terry and the other a Craft one that is thin, that I wear with the fleece skull cap when it's really cold.

[zoom-zoom]

I don't like buffs. I have 2, one special "junior" size, but it feels like a scarf for an Orthodox woman. I can't figure out how to tie it, except for one way. When I tie it in the back, the knot makes my helmet uncomfortable.

I wish I could explain how I wear mine. I always wear them the same way. I'll see if I can explain it... I turn it inside out, place my right hand in so that the bottom comes about down to my wrist. I then place my palm on my forehead and pull the side opposite my palm back over my head. You can see the back of it here...no knot. Fits great under my helmet:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/65855_1772282268922_1295237023_4012543_7342436_n.jpg

I have a merino one that I tend to twist in the middle, then fold it over to make a hat, since it's really thin and long.

[lph]

I don't wear Buffs full length on my head either, and don't like knots or twists. I either cut them in half, and use each half as a lightweight headband/sweatsoaker, or I fold them in two lengthwise so they're thicker. Either way I just fold the lower edge over itself a couple of times in back to keep it neat, with works with my helmet and (thin) hair. My wool Buffs/neck gaiters are a bit too thick to do this with, though.

For winter use I like this thin merino skullcap, it's a bit long but I just fold it up to get an extra layer over my ears:
http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=109&prod_id=370
This one is good when it's raining or very windy, but I can't hear a thing and it drives my dh crazy:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-helmet-iii-skull-cap/
And when it's really cold I add a thin wool balaclava.

[goldfinch]

Much love from me on:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_12950.html

-- gnat!

+1

Thin enough and warm

[nscrbug]

I have fairly thick, shoulder-length hair...so I've found that the best solution for me in the colder months, is to cut a hole in all of my winter headgear so that I can pull a ponytail through it. I have 3 different caps I wear under my helmet - a Sugoi, a Bula, and a Gore...all 3 have ponytail "holes" in the back. If I didn't poke holes in my hats, then my hair would just be too unruly under a helmet. It's the only solution that works for me at the moment.

Linda

[Susan]

I have a big head and a lot of hair too. I like the Icebreaker "chase beanie" very much. It's thin enough to go under the helmet and it's not too short for my big head.

[malkin]

I just got this little ibex hat. Covers ears and neck. The brim is really mostly only the idea of a brim.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodIB_852.html

[OakLeaf]

I wear a polypro knit cap (PI, but a discontinued style) under my helmet in moderately cold weather, but for the really cold stuff I have a thin polypro balaclava (don't know the brand). TE has several (http://www.teamestrogen.com/search.ep?keyWords=balaclava&search-form-submit=go) in both merino and synthetic.

I've never worn a Buff and don't know how warm it keeps your face or how much control you have over the size and shape of the opening ... but my balaclava lets me expose eyes and nose only to start a ride (I could do eyes only, but my glasses slide down and/or fog, so not for riding) - eyes, nose and mouth if I'm breathing hard through my mouth - or down under my chin when it warms up a bit.

[Sky King]

I have to get out and go try some on. I do have a thin balaclava that is great for when it is really cold. of course, talk about helmet hair times 10 when I take it off. I did get a new headband yesterday so will see how that feels today.

[jusdooit]

I use a skull cap in the summer and a smartwool beenie in the winter.

[Crankin]

I have a very thin balaclava that I wear with my fleece cap over it, for rides in the 30s, or at least the beginning of a ride. I find as soon as I put a balaclava on, I feel like I am gagging, suffocating, even if it's not over my nose. Same feeling I get when I try to use swim goggles. It's like if any sense is dulled, I feel claustrophobic. This thin one is a tiny bit better than my fleece one, but it's unisex and kind of big on the top.