View Full Version : Sun hat reccomendations
I need to replace my current sun hat (OR Helios) with a new one. I've used the Helios for a long time and it seems like inevitably (even when I follow all the washing instructions) the brim shrinks after a time. It happens slowly, but after a season or so, when I compare it with a new one, the brim is significantly smaller and no amount of soaking or stretching can get it back. I have had enough!
So, can anyone reccomend me a good sun hat (full brim) that they have experience with, and can confirm that the brim will stay the same size after many washings?
I see the Columiba 'Bora Bora Booney' quite a bit, looking at that one now.
A little expensive but guaranteed for life are the Tilley LTM series. They'll even replace them for half price (list) if lost or stolen for 2 years.
Here's some on sale with free shipping.
http://www.brandsonly.com/tiaiha.html
I'll second the Tilley.....great hat!
I need to replace my current sun hat (OR Helios) with a new one. I've used the Helios for a long time and it seems like inevitably (even when I follow all the washing instructions) the brim shrinks after a time. It happens slowly, but after a season or so, when I compare it with a new one, the brim is significantly smaller and no amount of soaking or stretching can get it back. I have had enough!
So, can anyone reccomend me a good sun hat (full brim) that they have experience with, and can confirm that the brim will stay the same size after many washings?
I see the Columiba 'Bora Bora Booney' quite a bit, looking at that one now.
Not necessarily full brim, but long brim:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/ODR0226/Outdoor-Research-Sun-Runner-Cap.html?CMP_ID=ODAT_HPFP2001&mv_pc=R223&CMP=BAC-SACHPReson&ATT=ODR0226
I like the OR Sombrero; that is full brim, I believe.
I'm currently looking for a hybrid type hat for keeping off that summer sun and also using on top of my hood on my rain shell for keeping a area space to keep water of my face and neck ..... So far i'm leaning towards the ...
http://www.backcountry.com/store/TNF2738/The-North-Face-HyVent-Hiker-Hat.html
I was gonna post a new thread, but seen this one ... thought i'd bring up the subject again .... Sun hat with enough brim strength to not give out under rain .... Not sure what hat to choose myself ....
Camping Dave
03-15-2009, 22:59
Tilley hats rule: http://www.brandsonly.com/alltilleyhats.html
Wise Old Owl
03-15-2009, 23:08
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kevinscatalog.com/images/14-4010.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kevinscatalog.com/Hats--Caps/products/1203/&usg=__gUGd5WBD9FVXp1Uun6q0A4sQ8jA=&h=350&w=350&sz=39&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=08mSoZbHD6HZDM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3DHelios%2Bhat%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGL G_enUS310US310%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
Live in Flag and you need a hat?
Walk down the street to an ACE Hardware and for about ten bucks you can buy a nice cotton / nylon Olive colored Bucket style hat. Take the 40 dollars you saved from the Tilly hat and put it towards a nice lite rain jacket.
Similar to the above post, I've used a generic military-style boonie hat of one sort or another for years. Avail at your local Army-Navy store...
Thru-hiking the PCT last year I used the same hat the jrwiesz recommended, the OR Sunrunner hat --- one of the sort of "French Foreign Legion" style hats, but convertible so you don't look like quite such a dork in town. I liked it a lot and will continue to use it (the same hat after minor stitching repair) as my trail hat in future.
One fellow I hiked with a while switched out of it, convinced it gave him heat stroke. I don't know why, as I was in the same heat as he with it, and liked it fine ... go figure.
Hat design is of course impacted by personal preference. It's good to have some sort of strap or other way to keep the hat on in wind. Making the hat tight isn't my favorite way as it can lead to headaches. The Sunrunner holds on fine in wind with the flaps fully deployed. It's adaptable to put the fabric around your face or just back behind your head. Or take it off, but it takes a moment to put it back on again.
I like this style hat partially so I can wear it under a poncho hood in blowing rain. If you prefer an all-around brimmed hat, you might want to select raingear that omits a hood.
One additonal benefit is in wind --- I found that the neck/side flap protected my ears some from wind, so that I could make do with just this hat rather than something else to keep my ears from freezing.
I've never machine washed this hat, don't see a reason to, just periodically hand-wash.
A request to posters: when providing a web link to a product, I really appreciate when the poster also briefly summarizes what it is that the link points to --- so I have an idea of what's being recommended without having to follow each and every such link.
so you don't look like quite such a dork in town. .
It ain't the hat that makes me look like a dork. ;)
Authentic Indiana Jones collectable hats. I've never owned one, but it's mother****ing Indiana. http://www.theoutfitteratharpersferry.com/servlet/the-3205/Authentic-Indiana-Jones-Wax/Detail
Live in Flag and you need a hat?
Walk down the street to an ACE Hardware and for about ten bucks you can buy a nice cotton / nylon Olive colored Bucket style hat. Take the 40 dollars you saved from the Tilly hat and put it towards a nice lite rain jacket.
I have a rain shell, Thanks ... And those tilly's are ugly.
Like the columbia bora bora, cheap and to the point ... I'll swing by campmor an try a few on i guess ... I'll also swing by army an navy or ace ... i keep forgetting about the small guys.
Desert Reprobate
03-16-2009, 20:07
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This is my favorite
Desert Reprobate
03-16-2009, 20:08
Try Try again
http://cgi.ebay.com/Western-Cowboy-5-Big-Gus-Palm-Leaf-Size-7-1-8_W0QQitemZ370142830696QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defau ltDomain_0?hash=item370142830696&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
hootyhoo
03-16-2009, 20:08
Tilley is the best hat I've ever had.
I have no doubt about their quality, i know friends who use their hats and love um .... Just from a personal stand point, i don't like any of their style's ... that i've seen to date that is ....
...plus there is something about the dirtbag aesthetic of a simple bucket or boonie hat. :)
(I had a Tilly..didn't care for it too much in the end..but that's just me).
...plus there is something about the dirtbag aesthetic of a simple bucket or boonie hat. :)
:banana
Feral Bill
03-16-2009, 23:59
If you do go with the Tilly, order a size larger than your usual. They are made to fit loosely.
Four bucks
It's light and folds into sections.
http://www.easleys.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=11933
http://www.easleys.com/browseproducts/Folding-Chinese-Hat.html
D'Artagnan
03-17-2009, 08:48
If anyone here is interested in a new OR Seattle Sombrero (Black, not positive but I think it's XL) for a decent price, PM me. I bought it because I liked the really wide brim but then realized I liked my old boonie better.