caps!

So I've been super naughty in not getting these hats ordered. A combination of forgetting and not-quite-really-wanting-to-do-it. I'm sure you know the feeling.

Anyway, I'm finally doing it. Woo-hoo.

So, I remember that most of y'all, when asked, choose the traditional "euro-style"cap over the "tech" cap. But unable to commit, I asked for samples. Champion was kind enough to oblige. I'm glad I asked, because now that I've tried both on, the tech cap is clearly superior.

I took some pictures, but I'm not sure how much (about the caps) you'll be able to glean from them. But here goes...

Tech cap:


Perhaps you'll notice the major flaw--and this was true with both caps--is that when you flip up the brim it brings some of the headband with it. You see that white strip... That's pretty lame. But with the traditional cap it was actually painful to do the flipping--just a weird, tight headband design--but with the tech cap it felt fine, it just looks funny.

Euro-style:


I don't know if you can see, but the euro-style cap puffs up all funny...it's one of the most poorly designed cycling caps I've tried on (and I have a lot of these).

But the tech cap is super sweet. The fabric is great (stretchy and breathable--like a jersey). It's more form-fitting over your head. All around better. The only drawback is that it seemed a touch shallower...meaning that the euro-cap came way down atop my ears, whereas the tech cap came almost there. So those of you with deeper heads (lower ears) may prefer the euro-style.

...

So this is the deal. Based on my experience with the two, I'm ordering the tech cap. Unless I hear a strong and sustained desire for the other. You've got like two days to voice your opinion.

I'm ordering about 40 (the minimum is 25). They'll be available to you all at cost and to anyone else at a modest markup. But no one need feel obligated to buy one. What's left over I'll put in In-Gear to sell and will use for giveaways at sponsored races and such.

...

I'm also ordering socks.


I'll order fifty (because that's the minimum). Four inch cuffs (because higher is better). Black w/ red (because euro-white is retarded...though the green sample sock they sent is pretty cool).

Something like this:


(The white checkered part will be black. The white dot thing on the back is the Champion Systems logo, which has to be on there. And now that I'm looking at the picture...probably the toe and heal should be black too. The boat logo--angle corrected, of course--on just one or both sides?)

They'll also be available to club members for cost, everyone else for a modest markup. And I also plan to use these for giveaways. (Getting a $14 check for winning a race would be kind of lame, but a Ship Cycling cap and socks...awesome.)