After a horrific hard drive malfunction, resulting in some serious photo losses at the iJS offices, we promptly scheduled a re-shoot of some surf sequences at one of Oahu’s popular beaches. Our recent review of the watersports head wear WavzCap got a burst of impromptu reviewers as the brightly colored neoprene caps drew the attention of the usual morning crew … and we thought it would be great to share some of the opinions we got as the caps were passed around and tested by stand up paddlers, shortboarders, longboarders, and body surfers!

PRODUCT SYNOPSIS: WavzCap is a new entry into the watersports head wear line-up, and has a few unique qualities that make it one to watch as it progresses and grows into the market. The line-up of hats come in a variety of colored neoprene material, making it resistant to bacterial and microbial growth … a definite plus for something constantly soaked in the ocean! (official website here)

Like an eager pack of product testers, these experienced (and some nearly new) watermen and women had questions about the WavzCaap at first … curious to find out about the brightly colored caps. Once settled in their curiosity, the morning crew took liberal turns trying out the WavzCap, trading it back and forth like a new toy out in the early dawn lineup, and they certainly did not hold back on the comments and suggestions!

COMFORT and FIT: The overwhelming consensus amongst the unofficial testers was the comfort and softness of the WavzCap for the wearer. Made completely of neoprene, the WavzCap rated high on the comfort scale, as compared to other hats and caps that our testers have worn in the past. Being tested by a crew of surf veterans, the WavzCap received bonus points for the flexible visor, which allowed it to bend and flex with the wind and onslaught of whitewash … all the while serving as an effective foil to redirect water away from the face as it splashes through the surfer during paddles out. Rated positive for comfort and fit 9/10.

SECURE and STEADY: This is where the largest disagreement occurred with our impromptu testers, with some rating the cap as easily removed by errant waves or larger duck dives, and most agreeing that the fit is fine, and that the only area of improvement would be to create a more secure and snug fastening system. Once again, the variations in the opinion could very much be a result of the varying head sizes and surfing styles … but the overall need for a more secure and adjustable fastening system was across the board. During smaller waves (waist to chest high), the WavzCap performed adequately in the face of the North Shore’s waves … but the single Velcro fastener proved to be a little unsteady for larger waves. The primary suggestion was a move towards a “V” style strap that goes on either side of each ear and then fastens at the bottom near the chin. DESIGN NOTE: We contacted the designer of WavzCap, and the quick release strap was conceived as such in order to avoid having a possible choking hazard – in the form of a lariat around the neck – during a wipe out or an errant wave. Rated as needing improvement 7/10.

OVERALL USAGE: Another notable feature of the cap is that it actually floats in water for a period of time, allowing the wearer to retrieve it if it comes off or gets washed away from the head. This feature is a great one to have since the WavzCap designer wanted to ensure that the cap can be retrieved after it comes off! (The COLORS also allow you to easily see the cap even in rough whitewater or dark waters)

Lighter, softer, and more flexible than most made-for-water-use hats, the WavzCap is excellent for non-critical water activities such as Stand Up Paddleboarding, Kayaking, and light to moderate wave heights for activities such as surfing and body boarding. The “made-to-release” design of the chin strap makes the WavzCap a hassle to retrieve during large waves or multiple set waves … so make sure you hang on to the cap at those moments!

That being said, don’t let that discourage you from getting the WavzCap for sun protection and cold weather warmth for your head! Rated as Good and Satisfactory 8/10.

OVERALL DESIGN: WavzCap is a great initial entry into the surf hat market, with some minor bugs to work out … such as the chin strap system, and the bulky lip around the brim of the hat where the neoprene is folded over. That being said, it does function rather admirably in the open ocean irrespective of the design mods needed! The colors are bright and vibrant, making it quite easy to retrieve once it slips off your head during a wipe-out … a great feature as compared to some of the camouflage type colors of other water hats.

On the flip side, the fashion mavens and divas out at the line up felt that the visor was a bit too long, and that it could be an inch or two shorter for better field of vision. But this can be easily credited to the hat’s primary purpose: sun protection! Rated as Satisfactory 7/10.

[iJS would like to extend a great 'Mahalo' to the North Shore morning crew for their time and expertise in helping us rank and rate the WavzCap!]