Mountain Equipment Squall Softshell Cap

A Split Cap for the Mountains:  ME's Squall

Caps are useful. Whether you're walking head down and headlong into driving rain or hail or require a little shelter and shade from the raging sun, that little item capable of rescuing poorly designed hoods is a practical necessity.

The Squall cap from Mountain Equipment is a lightweight and highly breathable softshell cap that uses their excellent Exolite 125 stretch double weave fabric (as on their Echo Hooded Jacket tested by Scramble).

The Squall is really what you'd get if you wanted to make a Ronhill Split Cap for those who prefer the mountain ridge to the trail. Just like the excellent Split Cap it has a folding peak so it packs down small, but rather than being made from polyester it's made from 94% nylon, making it a more durable item that can handle plenty of abuse. The elastane in the softshell fabric also provides more stretch than the Ronhill cap (useful when worn over balaclavas etc.).

The Exolite fabric strikes a very good balance between wind resistance and breathability and this cap will operate well across all seasons, but is more suited to cooler summer evenings, spring, autumn and into winter rather than blisteringly hot summer conditions, where the Ronhill Split Cap would be more suitable.

Differences: Squall vs Tuolumne

The Squall and the Tuolumne are very similar; they use the same softshell material, they both have a split peak and velcro adjustment. There are a couple of minor differences:

1. The Squall has a slightly deeper peak (~1.5cm) which can be quite handy
2. The "head-band" liner is slightly different. Unlike the Tuolumne's which occupies the full circumference, the Squall instead features an equally comfortable mesh front panel.
3. The Squall doesn't have vent holes but the Exolite fabric is very breathable

Summary

If you want a light, packable cap like the Ronhill Split Cap, but fancy a more durable option for when you're sliding down scree slopes. The Squall and the Tuolumne are probably as good as you'll get. If you like a deeper peak, go for the Squall, if you want it for purely harsh winter conditions, the Tuolumne may be a fraction better, but the differences are marginal.   

Scramble will be testing this cap in their Summer Kit Test to see how well it handles the heat. So far they say they're impressed and have decided to stock them on SYSTEM as an alternative to the Tuolumne and the Ronhill Split. The Squall sits somewhere between the two: a good all-round option. 

Features   

• Durable EXOLITE 125 stretch double weave
• Deep folding peak
• Mesh front panel
• Rear adjustment (velcro)
• Packable
  

Sizing

Mountain Equipment's Squall Softshell Cap will adjust to fit most adult head sizes.