Shaun Deller Alpine Caps

• Many who've visited the shop in recent weeks have enquired about my winter cap(s). I have a small collection of reversible, dual-layered merino wool Italian-style winter caps in black, red, orange, and grey. They're a little worn out these days, so I do my best to regularly rotate... made by Kucharik in the mid-nineties, I've never found a better design. Until now.

  Although I love my Kuchariks for their warmth and softness, the one thing that has always bothered me is that they simply don't cover my ears, especially when worn under a helmet. Shaun's Alpine design has a wonderfully deep ear flap that not only pins back my ears, but keeps them toasty too. This is the second batch of Alpine caps here at TATI, and it appears that Shaun's tailoring skills have improved. Either that, or he is using higher quality, stretchier wools. The caps are one-size-fits-most, and thus far this seems to work reasonably well.

  As always, Shaun works with recycled materials and a very sophisticated palette. The latest batch sports some wonderfully textured browns, burgundy, dark grey, tan, black, and mint blue. A couple are a bit thinner than the rest, and softer too, apparently layering cashmere along with the usual merino.

  You should always size up on helmets, so as to accommodate cotton caps in the summer, and wool caps in the winter. These Dellers avoid the pitfall thickness of many winter thermal designs, however, so even if your helmet is already tight, you should be able to fit one in by loosening the straps a bit. But best of all, due to the cap's profile and cut, these look even nicer off the bike than on!

  The Alpine caps are one-of-a-kind, 100% recycled wool, and $50. First come, first served. I fully expect that they will sell out by Saturday.