Band-Less Hat Improves Audio Clarity, Suppresses Engine Noise

A company called V1 recently came out with a new hat designed by pilots, for pilots, to reduce audio interference and long-term wearability. The headwear is now in production with more than 10 different styles.

Back in 2023, Ralph “Hetch” Hoetger began a 17-hour flight from Arkansas to California in his Rans S-20 Raven. He felt the typical symptoms of a hat-wearing pilot: uncomfortable head squeeze and poor audio quality. Luckily, the return flight gave him another 17 hours to brainstorm a fix. 

After playing around with his sewing machine, he came up with the V1 Hat. From the front, the V1 hat has the same profile as your typical ball cap. The primary difference comes with the micro-thin, breathable side panel, replacing the traditional sweatband. The V1 cap also has no top button to make it more comfortable.

The patent-pending design aims to improve the performance of passive and active noise cancelling headsets from various brands, improve audio clarity, suppress engine noise, and make long flights more comfortable.

These benefits, while most targeted to aviators, work for several situations. Headset-friendly hats are needed for video crews (as we found out at SUN ‘n FUN), shooters, gamers, and various other groups.

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