jmacdaununder2
Legend
Gorgeous! Wish I had that one!
A list of Rafa hats released through retail channels
- Thread starter miko
- Start date
Gorgeous! Wish I had that one!
Do you care whether the logos are Black or White? Asking because Nike basically rereleased this hat in Summer '23—same Vivid Purple, but with White logos instead. They're still around at decent prices.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Now, I wonder if Hoka will sell bull logo caps?
I’m still skeptical — Rafa’s never been seen wearing Hokas, there’s no mention of them in his sponsor list or on his academy shop. If he had signed with them during his final year, we’d probably have seen more signs by now. @GarrettHarrington showed me the two-year stock price graph of Deckers (Hoka’s parent company), and you can’t even spot the rumored 11% jump — which he said would have definitely made headlines. As it stands, it all traces back to a single unverified post on X ( ), which doesn’t carry much weight on its own.Now, I wonder if Hoka will sell bull logo caps?
There’s only one thing that worries me: Rafa’s been using in-house bull-branded practice shirts instead of the Nike-prepared ones he’s worn his entire career — though they’re still Nike, that’s a noticeable shift.
That said, even though it’s only been a little over a month since the last Team Red Rafa cap dropped, I keep wondering — will Nike sell more bull-logo caps? And if so, how long are we going to have to wait?
Now, I wonder if Hoka will sell bull logo caps?
Spotted just two days ago at the academy gym. I don't see him wearing anything Hoka. He is Nike top to bottom.
caltennisfn
New User
caltennisfn
New User
They're available on the biggest auction site. A word of caution: these hats have tiny pinholes on them at random places. We're guessing that they weren't released for general sale because of this production error. They've popped up now at a handful of clearance stores. They're tiny holes but salient. I bought a couple of each for myself. They're wearable. I'd put some clear nail polish to stop the fibers from fraying, but I doubt the fibers really fray all that much. So if you decide to buy one, ask the seller for additional photos. They might say it isn't damaged but they actually are. You might get lucky and find one that has only indents. Good luck!
caltennisfn
New User
The blemishes are negligible, really. They won't affect the wear on the hat. Clear nail polish does the trick. $70 is actually a decent price for an unreleased hat. Check out the other Rafa hats. You'll be even more shocked at the prices they're listed at.
caltennisfn
New User
The nail polish should stay. However, I strongly suggest washing these hats by hand in cold water with a mild detergent. The visor may get damaged in warm water and with all that tumbling. It's the fabric on the visor that seems to expand and then stay that way, creating a ripple. The visor itself is made of some kind or pleather. I wouldn't risk it. Just a little soapy water (dawn maybe), a toothbrush (preferably well used), to gently scrub any stains, otherwise just a quick wash with soapy hands and a quick rinse in cold water, then keep them upright to dry. Don't dry them with the visor pointing down. You don't want the water trickling down and accumulating in the visor because, again, it stretches the fabric. No heat whatsoever. It'll take a couple days. Reapply nail polish if needed. Nail polish goes on the underside, remember.
chichow
Rookie
Hear now the rites of preservation, passed down in whispers from the temple steps.
The polish upon the pinholes must remain, for ritualistic reasons that no one remembers. Yet the Rafa itself must be cleansed with utmost care, as it is the chosen maiden that ascends to the forehead. No warm waters may touch her, for heat angers the gods and causes the visor to swell and warp. The visor \ remembers every insult.
Thus, take only cold water drawn pure, and a mild soap—Dawn, if you must, humble but effective. With a soft, well-worn toothbrush, gently lift away the stains, as the priests have taught thee.
Wash the Rafa briefly by hand, rinse swiftly, and then set it upright to dry, facing the sky as never forget it is an offering. Never let the visor bow downward, lest water pool within it and stretch the fabric, dooming the offering. There must be no fire, no heat, no sun—only patience. The drying will take days, as all worthy rituals do.
The polish upon the pinholes must remain, for ritualistic reasons that no one remembers. Yet the Rafa itself must be cleansed with utmost care, as it is the chosen maiden that ascends to the forehead. No warm waters may touch her, for heat angers the gods and causes the visor to swell and warp. The visor \ remembers every insult.
Thus, take only cold water drawn pure, and a mild soap—Dawn, if you must, humble but effective. With a soft, well-worn toothbrush, gently lift away the stains, as the priests have taught thee.
Wash the Rafa briefly by hand, rinse swiftly, and then set it upright to dry, facing the sky as never forget it is an offering. Never let the visor bow downward, lest water pool within it and stretch the fabric, dooming the offering. There must be no fire, no heat, no sun—only patience. The drying will take days, as all worthy rituals do.
Al Czervik
Hall of Fame
Miko, first of all, insane work in this thread. I have a light aqua hat that I had no idea was different than washed teal. I think the Lagoon French Open 2018 is the GOAT. Anyway, I have a clarification. I just purchased this. I believe you have it as obsidian and white. The seller said navy and purple. I would say it's either navy or obsidian and light purple.
To the best of my knowledge, this isn't original Nike Rafa cap. The seller by the handle We Wrapped It took the commerically available Obsidian w/White [850666-451] and simply dyed the logo. He advertises it as sample but the product tag - a small white label under the content tags under the sweatband - doesn't feature the typical markings of a sample Nike product (i.e. the first of four lines usually ends with SS which stands for Sales Sample). For your particular cap, it is CHI which is the code for an Indonesian factory. If you look at the seller's other items, they offer another Navy cap with Pink logo yet they share the Nike product code (850666-451) and UPC number (193658065702) with the one you have and the original Obsidian w/White cap. The seller did the same with Naomi Osaka caps.Miko, first of all, insane work in this thread. I have a light aqua hat that I had no idea was different than washed teal. I think the Lagoon French Open 2018 is the GOAT. Anyway, I have a clarification. I just purchased this. I believe you have it as obsidian and white. The seller said navy and purple. I would say it's either navy or obsidian and light purple.
When my friend @caltennisfn and I first saw the inconsistencies (we were also hotly interested in this intriguingly looking colorway we had never seen before), we wrote to the seller and they temporarily took it down but came back after a while. We also reported them to the platform they sell it on but were ultimately ignored.
I am very sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I suggest you promptly take advantage of the money back guarantee. You can do such a custom paint job yourself at a fraction of $150 (+ tax and shipping) you paid for this item.
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Thank you. @caltennisfn and I live for these caps
Yes, sometimes the colorways may appear similar (esp. in bad lighting conditions) unless showcased side by side. This is the instance of what we like to call false friends. We have identified around 20 cases like that. Your Light Aqua vs Washed Teal wasn't on the list but I have just added it. We are planning to do a side-by-side comparison photos in a shadowless tent (in neutral light) to help people differentiate.It is a unique shade of blue, for sure. For me, it would be impossibly hard to pick just one cap. A friend asked me to compile my TOP 10 several weeks ago. Still haven't come back with it.
Fun fact about Lagoon Pulse w/Black H86 cap. Rafa usually wears custom caps made by Nike especially for him. But he didn't have the custom equivalent for this one. In the trophy photo session after winning the 11th Roland-Garros title, he wore the retail Heritage86 cap we could buy.
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Al Czervik
Hall of Fame
Thanks, great info. So, I got scammed in that it's not authentic. But, I give the seller credit for providing something I thought was cool. So, I am not going to report him for it. If I had bought it for collecting purposes, I would be upset. But, I am going to wear it and like how it looks. He should be more open about how it's an after-market dye job.
caltennisfn
New User
Even if he cheats the next person for $150? Where's the integrity in that? You have the unique opportunity (that none of us has) to report the guy that's unfairly driving up market prices and creating such 'unique' pieces.
If you're that interested, I'll make you some. I have great permanent fabric markers and a ton of hats - about 100 extra gathering dust.
I really hope you'll do the right thing. Or at least think about what I said.
