Pearl Izumi Barrier Skull Cap
This is a cap that’d have people thinking you’d time-travelled from an Elizabethan seminary if you dared to wear it without a helmet.
Once hidden away, though, the Barrier sits well under your helmet and, although not as comfy against the scalp and ears as some of the other caps, the brushed internal facing couldn’t be described as uncomfortable. It’s well made with excellent flat seams and a durable hemmed edge that’ll easily see you through a few winters.
However, where the Barrier really excels is when pitted against a driving winter wind. The windproofing is probably the best on test and, in combination with the snug fit, would protect you even in the foulest conditions. Considering there’s such a high level of windproofing, breathability isn’t too bad, but our tester did suffer a bit from sweaty, itchy-head syndrome after a sheltered climb.
Contact : www.madison.co.uk
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
