Yes, this pattern did start off life as a man’s kippah (yarmulke) but the cuff makes it better suited for wear under a helmet. The washable sock yarn and 3:1 rib makes it almost unnoticeable under a helmet (MC or hard hat) and helps the hair challenged user maintain a better heat/sweat environment inside the helmet. Since men are most likely to be the users of this item, simple maintenance is essential; washable wool is best since it maintains some elasticity after washing where synthetic fibers may not.