I always read a few reviews before buying and in this case I was really skeptical. The hat was described as `hard` and what not. But once again you can see how different people`s feelings are! I really like this hat. The knit is thick and feels a bit stiff when you unpack it, but when you wear it - as is usual with cotton - it becomes nice and soft. With other cotton hats, I find that they become so loose when worn (and before they have shrunk back into shape after washing) that they would slip off my head when cycling, for example. This cap closes well and does not wear out even when worn for long periods. The color is as in the picture and I would also buy more caps in other colors. Greetings from the north.