What's up with the hats?

[Miranda]

OK, this is a mindless fashion question I see in spin class (and with runners sometimes), but I just don't get it...

Why do people wear baseball caps in spin class?

Some of the instructors and participants do this at my gym. At first, I thought maybe it was a non-cyclist spinning only thing. But, one of the instructors is a tri-ath also. Now, for outside running I can see the hat would shade your face from the sun, so ok... that I get.

I can see the purpose of the hat maybe keeping your hair out of your face, but that's about it. I use a combo of hair barrets and ponytail holders for that. I look like I'm 6 years old, but so what. The room is dark, and we are working it from the neck down anyway.

My head literally looks like someone has poured a bucket of water on me when I'm done spinning. I would think the hat would just add to the heat. This would be one of the reasons why I paid extra for my Giro Pneumo helmet... more ventilation, less head heat.

Adding clothing layers on your head in a hot environment though???... what gives?

Thanks
Miranda

[bmccasland]

Miranda - can't answer your fashion question.

BUT yesterday while riding the levee, I saw a lady on a road bike (there are all classes of riders on the levee) wearing a straw brimmed ballcap thing, under her bike helmet. I imagine it's to keep the sun out of her eyes, but my helmet came with a little visor, and riding a road bike, my head is down enough that I don't get sun in my eyes. Besides that's what the spiffy biker-shades are for.

Straw hat under the helmet looked really silly.

[makbike]

The hat acts as a sweat band.

[KnottedYet]

+1
what Makbike said.

[Trek420]

Shouldn't they wear cycle beanies?

www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=31874

[Grits]

+1 on the sweatband

Also, I have short, layered, wavy hair that looks like crap when I get up. I very often just put on a baseball cap before I go do a spin class because I want to cover it up. I pull my hair in a little bitty ponytail through the little open space in the back. It looks lovely.

Grits

[mimitabby]

my DH wears a little cap often because it keeps his unruly hair under control. And when he takes it off, it looks like he combed his hair!!!

[Zen]

Why do people wear baseball caps in spin class?

Because they're so hip and happnin'
They also pretend they're riding a fixie

[Dogmama]

Because they're so hip and happnin'

Same reason people wear sunglasses in the gym.

[rachael24]

HAHA Sunglasses and a hat...Thats what Im wearing to spin class tomorrow!!

[Resi]

I sometimes wear a cycling cap, because the sweat runs into my eyes and this is not pleasant. Ok, you can also wear this sweatgutr deals...

Resi

[Miranda]

Because they're so hip and happnin'
They also pretend they're riding a fixie

Zen... I kinda thought, but didn't want to be a smart you know what. Now I am humbled that they do catch sweat for some folks. That's why I close my eyes. Besides Jonny G.'s intention of mind body connection, it keeps the sweat salt from stinging your eyes if they are closed. Outside my Pneumo is just... well, peeuu.

Same reason people wear sunglasses in the gym.

That just cracks me up... our weight room doesn't even have a window in it!

HAHA Sunglasses and a hat...Thats what Im wearing to spin class tomorrow!!

That might work for the ones that like the pitch black room when they attend the teacher's class that likes the lights on. Perhaps they can hand em out at the door. There's a beautiful compromise.

[SadieKate]

Hat to keep the sweat out of your eyes? But it's a fact that most heat escapes out of your head so why stifle it? What about trying a headband such as a halo?

My husband converts multiple people every year to its benefits.

[jesvetmed]

I usually wear a hat to the gym -- then I don't have to do anything with my hair when I get up! AND... the sweatband effect is excellent.

[julesey]

I agree it's a great sweatband...my hair usually looks like a rat's nest in the morning and is way too short for a ponytail, so the hat serves multiple purposes.