A visor is the coolest thing you can wear on a pickleball court, but it is not the only choice, and for a lot of players it is not the right one. A cap covers the top of your head, which matters if you burn easily, have thinning hair or simply prefer the look. The best caps for pickleball are light, perforated and quick-drying, with a sweatband that keeps sweat out of your eyes.
This guide compares seven caps sold in the Philippines through PickleballPH, from ₱1,770 to ₱2,360. It is a research guide based on the product listings, not a hands-on test, and the fabric and feature claims are the brands’. My earlier guide to visors, hats and towels covers three visors and one trucker, and this one focuses on caps.
Cap or visor
A visor keeps the sun off your face and lets heat escape through the open top. A cap does the same job for the face and adds coverage for your head. In hot weather, a good perforated cap is not much hotter than a visor, and in strong midday sun it is a clear win for sun protection. If you play mostly early in the morning or in the evening, a visor is fine. If you play at midday or are sensitive to the sun, choose a cap.
| Cap | Style | Key feature | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PADDLETEK Performance Icon Hat | Cap | 100% polyester, six colorways | ₱1,800 (sold out) |
| CRBN Quick-Dry Trucker Hat | 5-panel trucker | Water-repellent, snapback | ₱1,770 |
| CRBN TruFoam Trucker Hat | 5-panel trucker | Gray, water-repellent | ₱1,770 |
| CRBN 5 Panel Runner Hat 2.0 | Runner cap | Laser-perforated side panels | ₱1,890 |
| JOOLA Essential Cap | Cap | Interior mesh sweatband | ₱2,190 |
| JOOLA Perforated Cap | Cap | Side perforations, silicone tab | ₱2,360 |
| JOOLA Perforated Rope Cap | Cap | Rope detail, triangle perforations | ₱2,360 |
Prices are the peso prices listed at PickleballPH at the time of writing. All but the Paddletek were in stock.
CRBN Quick-Dry Trucker Hat and the TruFoam version
The CRBN trucker hats are the cheapest caps here at ₱1,770, and they come in two styles. The Quick-Dry Trucker comes in black and white, and the TruFoam Quick-Dry Trucker comes in gray. Both are five-panel structured hats with a firm visor, an adjustable snapback and a Stay-Dri performance sweatband, made from a quick-dry multi-spandex material that fits 21.25 to 24 inches.
CRBN describes the hat as water-repellent, floatable, breathable and anti-microbial, designed to bead off moisture instead of absorbing it. If you like a structured, firm-visor look, these are the ones. The firm visor holds its shape better than a soft cap, and the snapback adjusts easily.
CRBN 5 Panel Runner Hat 2.0: the lightweight one
At ₱1,890, the Runner Hat 2.0 is a low-profile, runner-style cap made from 100% polyester that is ultra-lightweight, quick-drying and breathable. It has laser-perforated side panels for airflow, a softer structure and a slim fit that sits closer to the head, with an adjustable strap-back closure and subtle CRBN branding. It comes in black and white.
The look is minimalist, and the light, soft structure means it sits nicely under a pair of sunglasses and does not feel heavy. If you wear sunglasses on court, or you want the lightest cap here, this is the one. The listing photos show a person wearing it with sport sunglasses, which shows how well the profile works with eyewear.
JOOLA Essential Cap: the one with a sweatband
The Essential Cap costs ₱2,190 and is the best-featured of the simple caps. It has an interior mesh sweatband that wicks sweat to keep you cool, an adjustable strap with a branded pull tab, embroidered JOOLA branding and a moisture-wicking finish. It is made from 97% polyester and 3% spandex and is hand wash only. It comes in navy, gravity gray, club green, black and white, in small/medium and large/extra-large sizes.
The sweatband is the reason to pick this over a plain cap, because a sweatband catches sweat before it runs into your eyes. It also has the widest color range here, which is useful if you like to match your outfit.
JOOLA Perforated Cap: the airflow one
The Perforated Cap, at ₱2,360, is built around airflow. It has lightweight, breathable fabric with precision side perforations, a silicone JOOLA logo patch and an adjustable closure with a silicone tab for a secure fit. It comes in black and white in small/medium and large/extra-large sizes.
It is the cap to choose for hot days, since the perforations let heat out. The silicone tab keeps the strap from slipping, which matters on a long session when sweat can loosen a standard strap.
JOOLA Perforated Rope Cap: the stylish one
The Rope Cap is the same price as the Perforated Cap but with a two-tone look, a contrast bill and a classic rope detail across the front. It has a structured crown with a bold silicone JOOLA logo patch and triangle-shaped perforations along the back and sides, an adjustable closure, and lightweight construction. It comes in latte, black and white in small/medium, large/extra-large and 2XL, the widest size range here.
It is the dressy option, and the one you can wear off the court without looking like you came from a game. If you have a larger head, it is the only cap here with a 2XL size.
Paddletek Performance Icon Hat: the colorful one
The Paddletek hat, at ₱1,800, is a lightweight, breathable cap made of 100% polyester with moisture-wicking fabric and an adjustable one-size fit. It comes in white and black plus black with purple, red, blue, yellow or pink accents, with the Paddletek icon on the front and the name on the side. It was out of stock.
If you want a bright logo color and a simple cap, it is the cheapest of the colorful options, and it is worth checking whether it comes back in stock.
What the caps are made of
All of these caps are built from polyester or a polyester blend, for the same reason as shirts: polyester does not absorb much water, so it dries quickly. The JOOLA Essential Cap adds 3% spandex for a little stretch. The CRBN trucker hats use a quick-dry multi-spandex material and add water-repellent properties, which means sweat and light rain bead up instead of soaking in. The CRBN Runner Hat and the Paddletek hat are 100% polyester.
What the fabric does not tell you is how breathable the cap is, and that depends on perforations and panel construction. Laser-cut perforations, as on the CRBN Runner and the JOOLA Perforated caps, give direct airflow through the fabric, while mesh panels, as on a classic trucker, do the same job in the back of the crown. A solid cap with no perforations will be the hottest of the lot, which is why the perforated designs here are the better choice for the Philippine climate.
Caps and sunglasses
If you wear sunglasses on court, the cap you choose matters. A low-profile, soft cap, such as the CRBN Runner, sits close to the head and leaves room for temple arms, and a stiff, high crown can push glasses forward. A curved bill shades your eyes more than a flat one, which helps when you are looking up at lobs and overheads in strong sun. Try the cap on with your glasses, and make sure the strap sits above your ears and not on them.
Hair, heads and comfort
A cap has to work with your hair. If you have long hair, a strap-back or an adjustable closure lets you pull a ponytail through or adjust over a bun, and a cap with a back opening is more comfortable. If your hair is short or thin, the cap needs a sweatband that does not slip, and a snug fit that keeps the sun off your scalp. The sweatband on the JOOLA Essential Cap and the CRBN Stay-Dri bands are there for that reason.
Do caps help in the heat or hurt?
It depends on the cap. A cap with perforations and light, quick-dry fabric lets heat out and keeps the sun off your head, so it can feel cooler than going bareheaded in direct sun. A thick, dark cap with no airflow will feel hotter. If you are choosing for heat, pick a light color and a perforated design, and rinse it after play so the fabric stays clean and breathable.
Caps for beginners and casual players
You do not need to spend ₱2,000 on a cap if you play occasionally. A basic cap from a sports shop will do the same job at a lower price, though it may not wick or dry as well. The value of a pickleball cap is in the sweatband, the perforations and the way it holds up to repeated washing. If you play more than twice a week, those features are worth paying for.
Sizing and fit
Cap sizing is less exact than shirt sizing, but a few numbers help. CRBN’s trucker hats list a circumference of 21.25 to 24 inches. The JOOLA caps come in small/medium and large/extra-large, and the Rope Cap adds a 2XL. If you have a large head or a lot of hair, check that the strap has room, and try the cap on with whatever sunglasses you wear. A cap that sits too high on the head lets the sun in, and one that is too tight causes headaches in the heat.
Keeping a cap fresh
- Rinse it after sweaty sessions and let it air dry on a flat surface, not in a hot car.
- Hand wash with mild soap, as the JOOLA Essential Cap label says.
- Do not machine dry, which can warp the bill.
- Rotate two caps so each one dries fully between games.
- Store it where it keeps its shape.
Which cap should you buy
- Best value: CRBN Quick-Dry Trucker (₱1,770).
- Best lightweight: CRBN 5 Panel Runner 2.0 (₱1,890).
- Best sweatband: JOOLA Essential Cap (₱2,190).
- Best for heat: JOOLA Perforated Cap (₱2,360).
- Best style: JOOLA Perforated Rope Cap (₱2,360).
- Best colors: Paddletek Icon Hat (₱1,800), when it is back in stock.
Whatever you pick, wear sunscreen on your face and neck, because a cap does not cover them. My guides to shirts and shorts cover the rest of what to wear.
