PAP-Cap Short Review

PAP-Cap Short Review

I bought the PAP-Cap. Here are a few observations.

It's a good chinstrap, better than the 3 others I have tried. The material is fairly stiff, not too springy. There is no constant pressure on the chin. Only if the chin starts to drop open does it hit the strap. I don't get itching from the constant pressure like I did before. The material feels good and breathes well. It is nicely made.

It does stabilize the headgear, but the fit doesn't seem completely ideal for me. I have a problem with the rear strap of the headgear riding up during the night. The back of my skull doesn't stick out much so there is not much for a strap to hold on to. I also have a big head. I can't seem to get the PAP-Cap as far down in the back as I would like. If the dome of the cap were larger I think it would fit my head better and I could get it to snug down back and front. It does stop the rear strap from riding all the way up though.

Shipping was fast and the item is well-made. Overall I am satisfied and would buy it again. If you use a chinstrap I think you will like this one and it could help with slipping straps as well.

Bret has some "Beta" models with DEEPER caps. When I test-drove the PAP-CAP for him, I said the cap was too deep for my head.

You might email him and see if you can get one of those older models with the deeper cap. He might have some left.

Everyone's different - I think two sizes of cap depth might be a good idea. But it's just tough to know at the get-go which one you will need.

I'd be interested in seeing if we could come up with a head measurement chart that might point users to the deeper cap vs. the newer shallower cap.

I could measure my head a few points and post my measurements and preferences, and maybe others could do that to, and help Bret get an idea about who might need a bigger cap.

Cheers,
Babette

Babette, is the newer size better for you?

I've actually been thinking about this very issue for the past week and going to two sizes might be the best solutions.

How is the current size working for others? Would it be appropriate to call it the "regular" size or is it still too big? It would be nice to know the hat size of the people for whom it's just right so I could have a frame of reference.

*******************

Starting today I will be working on a larger size prototype to exchange for those whose cap is too small, so stay tuned. Measurements and other specific suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On the larger cap one of the big issues I had was that it covered the top inch of my ears. After wearing it all night my ears would be really sore so I had the side strap piece narrowed up. She also narrowed up the two middle panels, but that makes it ride a bit high on larger heads (including mine).

SleepGuy wrote: How is the current size working for others?

SleepGuy, the size is perfect for me.

I think this a great product.
The chin strap works very well.
I think the best thing about it is that the
headgear is on top of the cap.
It makes it so much more comfortable.
I hated the way my hair was mashed by the straps.

.....plus, those stars on the voyager model
just put me in a sleepy mood as soon as I put it on.

Great product and outstanding service.

oooh, i really want to try this product!!!

...i will await further reviews before i decide

babette, are you going to start a papcap relocation service like you did with interfaces? LOL

Sharon - same offer to you. If you buy it, and hate it, you PM me, and I'll buy it from you.

I would like to put one in the NAII Test Drive.

Bret - Yes, the smaller cap, and the elastic sides works MUCH BETTER for me.

I wore it for several hours last night watching TV, but then fell asleep before I sewed the velcro loops onto it, so I didn't SLEEP with it yet. TODAY!!! I swear I'll sew the loops on today!!!

I'll take some measurements and post them to you.

Cheers,
Babs

Last night was my second night with the papcap.

My experience has been overall very positive. The cap is purposefully not stretchy, and that the chin strap has just enough stretch to allow for jaw restraint without feeling like a vise. I'd buy it again.

First I put on the papcap and the chin strap. It takes a little jostling to get it just right. I have to put it just under the jaw, not too far forward or back, not too tight or loose - just enough to keep the jaw slightly slack, but close enough to keep my pie hole from opening. Too far forward pushes the chin back. Too far back can feel like choking.

Next, I put on the mask. It can compete a little with the straps from the papcap, but a little fiddling around can remedy that. The mask fits a little differently with the papcap on. Places that leaked pre-papcap don't leak now and places that didn't leak have a slight tendency to leak a little if the mask isn't placed right. However, once the mask and papcap are amenably situated, the stability of the seal while turning over at night is superior to any previous method I've tried. I don't have to keep my mind on the seal anymore, thus getting better sleep.

My head circumference is a little over 23 inches. The circumference for the bowl of the cap itself seems for someone with a cicumference of about 21 inches. While the strap at the base of the cap can accomodate a larger head, it fits a little funny at the top and as ca_hosehead suggests, it tends to ride down over the eyes as the night progresses if the chin strap isn't set just right.(See before and after graphics below)


On my head, the band wraps around the top of the back of the head rather than down near the first neck bone. The angle at which the strap pulls adds a little torque that spins the cap forward just a little. I keep wanting to pull back on the 'HairTamer' tail. The 'belt' part of the cap narrows toward the back. It might be nicer to have it the same width as it is at the front of the cap. Positioning the hard velcro just a little further back, in combination with the larger bowl and a wider band in the back might stop the tendency for the cap to pull forward on a larger head.

Bret, tell me what measurements would be useful for you.

DD - GREAT GRAPHIC! Thank you for that! Very helpful!!!!

Cheers,
Babs

Babbs, how about head circumference for starts.

I'd like to know at what point the riding up problem starts so I can provide sizing guidance.

DreamDiver, you're rendered me speechless and that's saying a lot since my day job is as a lawyer. Holy Cow, that's FANTASTIC! Do you freelance graphic design? Please let me know.

Anyone who wants to be on the list for trading up for the larger size please send me an email. I can still use the other caps for demos so don't worry about that. I really want to get the sizing right etc.

Also I have an edited version of the YouTube video if anyone is interested. The completely new and improved version is still a month or so out.

http://www.youtube.com/user/PurSleep

SleepGuy wrote:DreamDiver, you're rendered me speechless and that's saying a lot since my day job is as a lawyer. Holy Cow, that's FANTASTIC! Do you freelance graphic design? Please let me know.

Bret,

Thanks! I'll contact you off list.

DreamDiver

Bret - I highly recommend DD's graphics skills. I've seen his professional work.

Cheers,
Babs

O.K. After reading this and wondering. I just ordered mine.
Wish me luck

I will post a review after I recive mine and give it a try.

[quote="DreamDiver"]Last night was my second night with the papcap.


My head circumference is a little over 23 inches. The circumference for the bowl of the cap itself seems for someone with a cicumference of about 21 inches. While the strap at the base of the cap can accomodate a larger head, it fits a little funny at the top and as ca_hosehead suggests, it tends to ride down over the eyes as the night progresses if the chin strap isn't set just right.
On my head, the band wraps around the top of the back of the head rather than down near the first neck bone. The angle at which the strap pulls adds a little torque that spins the cap forward just a little. I keep wanting to pull back on the 'HairTamer' tail. The 'belt' part of the cap narrows toward the back. It might be nicer to have it the same width as it is at the front of the cap. Positioning the hard velcro just a little further back, in combination with the larger bowl and a wider band in the back might stop the tendency for the cap to pull forward on a larger head.

Update:

After revisiting the pattern and layout etc., I have a new, larger size cap that I would like to designate the "standard" size because from what I can see it is the one that is going to fit most everybody, including larger size heads. For now this will be available only in the Voyager fabric. I will add royal blue as well and perhaps black.

Then I want to retain the existing size / pattern but designate it at the "small" size.

Anyone wanting to exchange a previous cap can do so free of charge (I will cover re-shipping fees). Just send it back with a note or email me and I'll send a replacement and then you can send the old one back. All I ask is that you wash it up so I can use it as a "demo" cap.

I'm very happy that you all helped me revisit the pattern and sizing. I want it to be "just right" for as many people as possible!

Shave your head, put a piece of velcro on your scalp, attach mask to it