Warm enough for cold water. A brim that actually works. Stays on in wind. Fits under a helmet.
These four requirements sound simple. For years, no single hat met all of them. The Soli by Nobdody’s was built to solve exactly this problem.
The Brand Behind the Hat
Nobdody’s is a waterwear brand based in White Salmon, Washington — on the edge of the Columbia River Gorge, where the White Salmon River and Little White Salmon River meet the Columbia. If you’re a whitewater paddler, you know these rivers.
Co-founders Sam and Sarina are both dedicated whitewater kayakers. The product idea came from a specific moment: a kayak expedition through the Grand Canyon, wearing a skull cap for warmth that offered no sun protection, and realizing that layering a brimmed cap under a skull cap under a helmet was simply impossible.
The first 12 prototypes were sewn on Sarina’s home sewing machine in a spare room. The production-ready version came together with help from the team at Immersion Research (IR) — the whitewater apparel company based across the river in Hood River — who brought manufacturing expertise and industry knowledge to the design process.
The Soli is what came out of that collaboration.
Soli — Fall 2025 Model
The Soli is Nobdody’s signature product: a 5-panel natural rubber skull cap with a flat brim, designed to fit under a helmet.
The Fall 2025 model is a collaboration with Hailey Thompson (WaterColorWoods), an Alaska-based artist and kayaker, featuring Alaska wildlife-inspired illustrations.
Key Features
Natural rubber construction This season marks a material change from neoprene to natural rubber — a step toward reduced environmental impact, with the added benefit of higher stretch. Both sizes fit reliably under a helmet.
Helmet-compatible design The 5-panel skull cap construction sits comfortably under a paddle or climbing helmet. It also works as a standalone hat — styled well either way.
Flat brim Protects against sun and rain. The flat profile works with the helmet rather than against it.
Rear drawcord with buckle Keeps the hat in place in strong wind conditions.
Chin strap included For kayakers who don’t need the chin strap, the strap loop is a convenient place to clip earplugs.
Who It’s Built For
The Soli is designed for cold water and cool-season outdoor use across multiple disciplines.
| Use case | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Packrafting and kayaking | ◎ Helmet-compatible, warm in cold rivers |
| Surfing and kiteboarding | ◎ Cold water sports across the board |
| Canyoneering | ◎ Helmet-compatible, wind-resistant |
| Cool-season outdoor use | ◎ Stylish with or without a helmet |
In Hokkaido’s cool spring, fall, and early winter conditions — on rivers, lakes, and coastal water — the Soli fits naturally.
Sizing
| Size | Reference head circumference | Fit style |
|---|---|---|
| S/M | 55cm | Tight fit, skull cap style |
| L/XL | 57cm | Looser fit, beanie style |
Both sizes are designed to fit under a helmet in the same way. The natural rubber construction stretches to accommodate either size under most helmet models.
If you’re unsure which size to choose, send us the following:
- Your helmet brand, model, and size (e.g. Sweet Protection Wanderer M/L)
- How your helmet fits without a hat underneath (snug or with some room)
Nobdody’s and Packraft Hokkaido
Packraft Hokkaido became the Japanese distributor for Nobdody’s through connections within the paddling community. The products we carry are ones we’ve used in Hokkaido’s conditions — and chosen because they fit Hokkaido’s climate and the way we paddle here.
Product Link
→ Nobdody’s Soli 2025 — Packraft Hokkaido Web Shop
Related Articles
- Packraft River Gear List — 13 Essentials
- AlpackaRaft Rendezvous — The Fishing-Optimized Two-Person Packraft
コメント