Arc'teryx  Norvan Mesh 5-Panel Cap

Super light weight, wanted to show how it looks on the side when adjusted to small heads! Since I wished more reviews showed how it's worn close up Size s/m

Okay, so this hat is expensive - let's get that out of the way. Still, I took a chance because I wanted an all-mesh hat with a size option that would fit over my very dense afro hair. And I didn't want a plastic snapback or velcro adjuster. While I wish the hat was more in the $30-$40 range, I snapped it up (in the bright green to stand out), and I'm glad I did. It is super lightweight but at the same time sturdy on the head because of the shape and back adjustment. And the L/XL fits over my hair without squeezing my forehead like other caps. Feeling the air through this thing has me ready for summer. Some things are just worth it.

Coming from any other hat the brim will seem very small and oddly round but you do get used to it. Unfortunately if you're jogging at any speed or if there is any wind the bill flips up. When the sun is out it will shine in your eyes above your sunglasses because the bill is flipped up. This hat has been out for a few months now and has been my go-to, but the black color is already seeing significant discoloration. I'm used to turning black hats brown/purple from sun damage but even the brim and front panel have different discoloration from wearing a sun hoodie a couple times. The mesh is great, the hat absorbs and wicks sweat well. On paper this hat is solid, but it's a bit more annoying than useful.

Judging by the features, this should be a perfect warm weather cap. The construction quality is what you'd expect from Arc'Teryx, the materials are excellent, it's very light and unlike the Aerios, it's extremely breathable. My mistake was that I imagined the Norvan was essentially a 1 for 1 with the Aerios. Looking at the photos, they appear identical save for the mesh fabric. Holding them both in my hands (both are sizes l/xl) tells me that the patterning is nearly identical and the adjustment mechanism is the same BUT the Norvan fits like a Rasta Cap while at the same time having a bill that's closer in size to that of a cycling cap rather than matching the Aerios.

For the most part, this hat is a winner. Super light and breathable, plus I like the flat/short bill. I would go for the s/m if you're unsure what size to get. I tried both on in store and the large is really quite large. For reference I have a ~59cm head which puts me in the range for that size, but I found the overall fit of the s/m to be great. The only improvement I would make to this cap would be a refinement of the adjustment mechanism. I have other caps that use similar shock cord adjustments that I like, but the Norvan slips a lot more easily than those. This means I can't really get the hat as tight as I would want at times - it just slips back out to medium/light tightness

Geared toward the ultra-light backpacking crowd. Very low weight, and unstructured. I was hoping for a more aesthetic and durable hat. I was mislead by the pictures. Basically a mesh bag with a very short brim.

It’s light weight; provides reasonable shade and ventilation. It’s compact and I don’t have to worry about misshaping it if it’s compressed.

Great product, very light and very good looking for city walking also