Papa Nui Cap Company
Welcome to the Atoll
Inspired by his fathers WWII service in the South Pacific, the Papa crafts a product selection, an amalgam for the Beach, the Sun, the Sea. Utility, uniqueness and authenticity create a product of exceptional quality. Fully made in Japan and Australia, anything else really, is just a cap.
C Woodcock is a proud to offer our customers access to Papa Nui Cap Co. products through our outstanding affiliate partner program.
CHESTY CAP
When the 1st Marine Division came down to Australia for furlough and refit after six hard months on the Guadalcanal campaign trail the Papa was there to lend a hand.
All new ‘Chesty Caps’, were outfitted to the ‘Old Breed’. Tough resilient and worn with a raggedy ass turn up.
Olive Drab HBT with all natural Japanese canvas visor liner to create an authentic flip of consequence.
- Medium 57-58cm
-Large 59-60cm
-XLarge 61-62cm
$110.00
Click HERE to purchase
SHOOTING STAR CAP
The Papa loves custom and the new Shooting Star cap is individual styling all the way.
Sage green cotton is the basis of the build and in true Korean War style the Shooting Star is a 1951 field cap profile that features hand cut Buzz numbers on the sides and the PN designation of the Papa’s own on the front. Add a Majors Oak Leaf rank badge and you’re mission ready to harass Migs over the Yalu.
-Sizes M-57-58cm L-59-60cm XL-61-62cm.
$135.00
Click HERE to purchase
THE PAPA A-3
On every airfield from the coral runways of the South Pacific to the muddied strips of embattled Europe , Combat Crews of the Army Air Forces wear the Papa A-3 designated caps.
Featuring new visor modifications and adding an Army Duck cloth into the liner produces superior vision and more styling options. No cheap re-enactors repro, this is the best A-3 money can buy.
-Sizes M-57-58cm L-59-60cm XL-61-62cm.
-100% cotton.
Click HERE to purchase
THE WINTER 2025 COLLECTION
MIKE FORCE CAP
On the outskirts of the conflict, under jungle canopies hundreds of meters high, there operates a secret cadre of individuals recognized only by their black caps, made available by special funding from CISO to the Papa Nui Cap Co.
-Original 1951 US Field Cap silhouette.
-Genuine Army Duck lined visor.
-Hand machined skull patch.
-Pure wool melton.
Click HERE to purchase
X-1 CREW CAP
From the Flight Test facility at Muroc Army Airforce Base comes an all new A-3 rocket powered crew cap.
Supersonic Orange coloured cotton pays homage to the original Rocket Ace and Jet Jockey, Chuck Yeager and his trusted ground crew.
-Supersonic Orange Cotton.
-Olive HBT sweatband and taping.
-Bell X-1 rocket plane embroidered patch
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THE X-1 WATCH CAP
The X-1 hissed like a serpent in the dark cold of the desert dawn. Leaning against the fuel truck, Jake pulled his wool cap down over his ears as he stamped his feet in the chill of the morning.
-Authentic A-4 mechanics knit watch cap.
-Khaki pure worsted wool.
-Printed cotton non-clementure tag with X-1 hand stamp.
-Japan made by John Lofgren Bookmaker.
Click HERE to purchase
MAQUIS CAP
Unofficially issued to the French Maquis via the OSS and the Papa Nui Cap Co, this beautiful lined winter wool cap has a dark olive hue, perfect as a natural camouflage in the rural Gallic terrain.
-Olive wool outer with khaki olive poplin lining.
-Japan made by the John Lofgren Boot maker.
-Sizes medium 57cm-58cm Large 59cm-60cm X-Large 61cm-62cm
Click HERE to purchase
PAPA NUI P-80 WOOL CAP
100% Japanese wool flannel is used to make the P-80 cap mission ready for any winter campaign. Available in Black or Royal, this cap provides an easy to wear A-3 styling that’s is set off with a subtle olive drab thread that’s thoroughly military and enhances the overall look and feel of this awesome cover. A perfect fit for all 1940’s and 1950’s base crews and pilots alike, that invites you to customise with a patch of your own choosing. Full army duck canvas visor lining provides superior flip up potential. Go jaunty!
-100% wool.
-Black and Royal options.
-Crafted in Japan by John Lofgren Boot maker.
-Sizes M-57-58 L-59-60 XL-61-62
Click HERE to purchase
PAPA NUI SIERRA HAT
Post WWII saw an increased interest in outdoor activities as returning servicemen sought peace and solitude in America’s National Parks.
Any period photograph found in National Geographic, will yield a wealth of visual reference showing gear worn in the great outdoors. Predominate is the use of surplus military, Army rucksacks, P-42 pants and M-43 jackets abound unconsciously mixed back with wool plaids from LL Bean and Eddie Bauer.
Adorning heads, the Papa Nui Sierra Hat is prevalent. A bright red cotton variant of the military’s Daisy Mae, the Sierra is built tough in Japanese twill and bridges perfectly the twin themes of Outdoor and Military styles, an iconic combination thats as relevant today as it was in 1947.
-100% cotton Japanese twill.
-Fully crafted in Japan by John Lofgren Bootmaker.
Currently Available in M & XL
Click HERE to purchase
PAPA NUI X RITE STUFF: SAILOR MOKU UTILITY CAP
The Papa turns up the heat with this beautiful N-3 USN utility inspired cap. Fully crafted from the same 10.5oz Amoskeag indigo cloth, detailed with an USMC Beach brown Frogskin camouflage underneath the visor for a dramatic look. Awesome original WWII fit pattern in a killer denim as only the Papa can interpret. Limited edition.
Click HERE to Pre-Order
PAPA NUI DIVINE ARROWS CAP
Much has been written about the incredible contribution made by Japanese Americans or Neisi ( born in the USA )during WWII. Specifically we tell stories of the 442 Infantry Regiment that fought their way through Italy and became the most decorated unit in United States Military history.
What we do not hear about however is those Neisi that served in the Pacific Theatre. Their’s was a dangerous game delicately played between allegiance of the new against those of their ancestors. A moment of confusion, of recognition on either side could mean instant death by M-1 carbine or cold samurai steel.
The Divine Arrows ( Kami Ya) unit was one such group. Recruited for their engineering degrees across American Universities, this select body of men were flight trained and then sent to the Pacific. Their task? To fly and evaluate captured Japanese aircraft and to report back to the Army Air Corps on performance, handling and combat tactics of Nippon fighter groups.
Their efforts closed the gap and allowed American Squadrons advantage in the skies and backed the attack all the way to Tokio.
-100% cotton herringbone twill.
-Made in Japan.
-Hand machined custom patch made in Vietnam.
-Smaller cockpit friendly visor ( ref: Tail Charlie Cap )
Each man who served in this unit wore a patch emblazon on his cap, a design featuring the tail feathers of four arrows arranged in an ancient sigil of another time and another culture. The Papa Nui Cap Company from their forward operating base on the Atoll crafted these caps and hand machine these iconic patches to create a legend of headwear as mighty as the reputation of the select and brave individuals who won the skies over the Pacific.
Click HERE to purchase
PAPA NUI A-26 CAP
‘In Korea, the Air Force used to take the F-86 jocks out onto the field before dawn, in the dark, in buses, and pilots who had not been shot at by a MIG in air-to-air combat had to stand up. At first Gus couldn’t believe it and then he couldn’t bear it - those bastards sitting down with their custom A-26 Papa Nui leather caps were the only ones with the right stuff! The next morning when they tumbled out there in the dark, he was sitting down. He had gone up north toward the Yalu on the first day and had it out with some howling supersonic Chinese just so he could have a seat on the bus and wear an A-26 Papa cap.’
Any Korean War flyboy who knew his mettle also knew that being a hotshot pilot meant having a style that stood apart from the mil-spec world of the airforce. After a tour of missions above the Yalu with the sky thick with Migs, R&R options were always welcome and a quick trip to Tokyo was an opportunity to unwind and visit the local tailor for a custom leather squadron cap.
Drawing inspiration from these Jet Jockeys and their custom caps, Papa Nui has worked closely with Japan’s finest leather facility in Himeji, Hyogo prefecture, and the John Lofgren Company to introduce the A-26 cap.
The A-26 is a beautiful limited edition mechanics style cap that is realised in front quarter veg tanned Shinki Hikaku Horse hide. Shinki has a naturally rustic and antiqued grain and is a textured luxury hide that darkens and smooths with time and wear. This cap is the perfect pairing with any A-2 aviators jacket and its new anniversary issue Widow Maker is a stand out.limited restock of this Black Tea core beauty. All cotton sweat band for moisture absorption and comfort and a fully pliable visor for a devil may care flip up styling.
This is truly the Ace of Caps and the best leather cap on the market.
-All veg tanned front quarter Shinki horsehide construction.
- black tea core with wear and show through the inherent horsehide character.
-Japanese milled Olive drab Herringbone Twill sweatband and silk milliners bow.
-New Papa Maru flag inner patch and Papa Nui rayon cotton labelling.
-Pliable flip up Visor.
-Special limited edition Olive drab Herringbone Twill keep bag with Black Widow print designed by Adrian McKay Graphics.
-Made in Japan by the John Lofgren Bootmaker Co.
Click HERE to purchase
PAPA NUI THE RED CAP
On the campaign trail an individuals preference for weaponry, webbing and clothing prevailed above military issue. Found, captured and confiscated, stuff sent from home, it was all completely normal at the front. Looking at any period war movie and you’ll see it.
We often forget about these nuances but the reality was it was more common than not and fortunately this authenticity plays right into the Papa Nui ethos. At the Atoll HQ we look at these things for inspiration and take note of the details that stand apart from the general issue, we’re not about fitting in… we want to be the out crowd, it’s what makes us different.
Recently we knitted up some WWII watch caps in an array of beautiful colors chosen for the way they sit back with the faded tones of field-worn utilities and inspired partly by nurses in the South Pacific. The selected hues are colors to offset your Combat Greens, the combinations original and sublime.
Now we have a fresh batch of these 2024 hand knits. Using patterns taken from Wartime vintage American Red Cross pattern books, our watch caps are handcrafted by Papa x Giggles and embody all the love, hope and prayer for safe passage that the originals did when sent abroad 80 years ago.
This supply represents 5 months worth of work and they’re ready to drop now, perfectly timed for the Autumns turn and the preparation for the winter ahead. Get the jump on the cold and get the color on your head.
-Completely Hand crafted.
-100% Perendale wool from New Zealand.
-WWII Red Cross pattern.
-1930’s Donor tinny badge.
-1940’s Red Cross Chapter patch sewn at customer’s request, please let us know.
-Authentic single fold length to fit under helmet.
Click HERE to purchase
ICE STATION PAPA WATCH CAP
In an all new release Papa Nui x @sleighknits have delved deep into the mystique of the watch cap to recreate a unique wartime variant. Reverse engineering from original product, each cap is handknitted ad currently available in the Traditional Navy Blue of the fleet.
Pure worsted wool provides superior warmth and the added pom pom adds as a protective buffer when navigating narrow gangways and bulkheads.
$135.00
Click HERE to purchase
MITCHELL BOONIE
From the craft shop of East Asia Supply Co, comes a new seasonal Papa collab. Limited release Vietnam Mitchell camouflaged Boonie. 100% cotton and unwashed this new hat will need a shrink to fit attitude. Hotwash and dry is recommended for a custom fit.
$100.00
Only available in Medium
Click HERE to purchase
THE CRAZY WATCH CAP
Papa Nui x Giggles collaboration of American Red Cross War Knits, this
take on the classic WWII pattern watch caps will hold you fast this season. Often in the rush to get as many knits out to the troops as possible, a knitter may have run short of yarn and so would finish out the project in whatever was available. The Papa Crazy Watch Cap captures this feeling in a hand knitted luxurious New Zealand 8 ply Perendale Wool. One size fits most
$120.00
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The Gunnery Range Hat
Hickory striped cover based on a Daisy Mae and a ‘what if’ USN piece of kit issued for Gunnery and Target practice at midshipmen’s school and to be worn with Naval Denims and Dungarees. A rugged hat for use in the field that doesn’t show dirt and grime like the traditional Dixie White and which offers a greater level of sun protection when outdoors.
$110.00
Click HERE to purchase
HELL CAT CAP
My first cap style released over a decade ago and still a classic.
Rugged HBT Twill in a timeless Aviators style made popular in the late war years and early 50’s when the realisation was reached that maximum protection from the suns harmful rays was all important in being able to successfully engaged the enemy.
-100% cotton herringbone twill.
-Army duck canvas visor liner.
-sizes M-57-58 L-59-60 XL-61-62
-Made in Japan by John Lofgren Boot maker.
$115.00
Click HERE to purchase