View Full Version : Tilley hat? Anyone have one....
I was recommended by a friend to get one, but wow, the price was insane!
I was told it is very waterproof and the wide bream really protects against the sun....tell me, is the price worth it? It does have a lifetime guarantee...
i've got the airflow one, with the mesh around the crown... best hat i've ever owned... very well made, worth the $$...
M1 Thumb
07-03-2010, 18:18
I have a Tilley that I've worn for 12+ years. It is a really good hat, has held up really well, but mine is not even water resistant. Its made from 100% cotton. I'm guessing they have a couple of different models that may include a waterproof one. I don't hike with this one, its more of yard work or sitting on the beach hat.
I just went to the website and they look like pretty nice hats. I like the Outback but its $74! It would be a nice hat to thru hike with.
Did you read this:
"INSURED AGAINST LOSS:
We understand the anguish of losing this reliable companion, or of having your dog terminally gnaw it. Should that happen, we'll replace your late, lamented Tilley at half the catalogue price."
In hot humid conditions, I've found the Tilley to be woefully lacking in the comfort it is touted for. In a rain, its brim loses its shape rather quickly and it becomes pretty aggravating.
I bought mine for $12 at an REI scratch and dent sale. The return reason was "didn't feel it lived up to reputation or price". I can believe it. I'm fine with it for the $12 I paid, but I'd be really upset if I paid over $70 for it.
If I lived in a dry, arid environment I suspect it would work well for ventilation and sun protection.
Feral Bill
07-03-2010, 20:20
Another Airflow user here. I find it excellent here in the west. From eastern humidity I fear there is no escape.
FritztheCat
07-03-2010, 20:29
I had something similar for a while but found the back brim kept hitting my backpack. Drove me crazy. Regular ball cap works just fine for me.
Wise Old Owl
07-03-2010, 20:57
I have a Tilley that I've worn for 12+ years. It is a really good hat, has held up really well, but mine is not even water resistant. Its made from 100% cotton. I'm guessing they have a couple of different models that may include a waterproof one. I don't hike with this one, its more of yard work or sitting on the beach hat.
take it to the garage - put it on a glad tupperware bowl and paper and spray the waterproofer silocone bejesus out of it. Remember to hold your breath and walk away - come back in the morning.
You will thank me later.:D
My LTM6 airflow hat (has the mesh around the crown) is my goto hat for hot exposed to sun protection. It's cooler then wearing a baseball cap and I don't need to use as much sunscreen. However, I've only used it out west and not in humid conditions.
I thought the brim held its shape well in rain in comparison to other wide brim hats I've own. Though they do have several fabric options so perhaps some are worse then others.
I also own their TH5 Hemp hat. Though I normally wear it around town so I can't comment on how well it works for hiking. If you search carefully on the internet you should be able to find many of their hats for ~$20 off.
ChinMusic
07-04-2010, 22:53
My LTM6 airflow hat (has the mesh around the crown) is my goto hat for hot exposed to sun protection. It's cooler then wearing a baseball cap and I don't need to use as much sunscreen. However, I've only used it out west and not in humid conditions.
That's the clincher for me. I'm headed out to the JMT later this month and was torn between my ball cap and my LTM6.
Wearing the Tilley in my avatar pic.
FamilyGuy
07-05-2010, 13:21
Horribly overpriced. Best suited for Africa where it will survive ingestion nad pass through by an elephant.
ChinMusic
07-05-2010, 13:48
Yep. Trolling it is..............:rolleyes:
FamilyGuy
07-05-2010, 14:05
Yep. Trolling it is..............:rolleyes:
You are really a complete loser:
From the Tilley Website -
""Elephant trainer Michael Hackenberger of the Bowmanville (Ontario) Zoo, had his Tilley Hat snatched from his head and eaten by an elephant. Three times. Michael later would find and pick up his Hat, wash it thoroughly, and wear it. He had declined to accept a new Tilley Hat in order that we may have his well-traveled Tilley for our museum. (We were secretly pleased!)"
Horribly overpriced. Best suited for Africa where it will survive ingestion nad pass through by an elephant.
Sounds painful. :eek:
Jester2000
07-05-2010, 15:29
Best hat ever. Worth the price. Possibly my favorite piece of gear from my PCT hike.
Mountain Wildman
07-05-2010, 16:21
I have the Tilley TWP1 Waterproof Nylon Hat, Tilley T4IS Insect Shield Hat and the TW2 Winter Hat. I Just wore the T4IS all weekend at Dolly Copp Campground, A few miles North of Mount Washington. Awesome hat, Bugs hate my Insect Shield Hat. The Waterproof hat is just that and it has a waterproof zipper on the rear of the crown for venting when not raining. The TW2 Winter Hat is very warm and comfortable. All Tilley Hats are Water Resistant except for the TWP, Which is Waterproof.
Tilley guarantees their hats for life, If it wears out from usage, they replace it free of charge, If you lose it, They will replace it for half price within the first 2 years of ownership. I have been complimented on all three of my Tilley Hats and as recently as yesterday on my T4IS. I purchased the T4IS for my Thru-Hike next year and I fully intend to wear it for 2100 plus miles.:)
bigcranky
07-05-2010, 16:22
I have the hemp version. If I no longer need the sun protection, I suppose I could smoke it....
Works great out West in low humidity conditions. Hiking in the Grand Canyon, I could dip my hat in water, put it on my head, and have instant air conditioning for 20 minutes or so.
I've worn it on the AT in cooler weather, when there are no leaves on the trees, and it works well for that. But in the summer it's far too hot.
beartripper
07-05-2010, 16:38
I have a AirFlo Tilley hat that I use for hiking and also for gardening. It works good for sun protection, however it is a warmer hat then I would prefer. On a hiking trip earlier this year I was wearing this hat and it did a good job keeping the rain off of my head and shoulders. I did not experience the comment from an earlier post of the hat losing it,s shape. It is a big hat and sometimes I do experience a little bounce from the brim of this hat while walking.
tlbj6142
07-06-2010, 13:19
I own a Tilley (LT6), but would never wear it hiking for one reason. Wind. While I can tie-down the hat to my head, the brim is too soft and will flip up with any sort of "real" wind. Thereby removing any sun protection you thought you had.
I wear it just about everyday in the summer while outside around town, sporting events, family events, vacations, etc. But, unless I expect to be in the sun without any sort of strong wind, I'd never wear it while hiking.
What I find so odd is that Tilley's are suppose to be boating hats. Not sure what good they would do on a boat that is actually moving. I've tried mine while sailing and it was nearly useless.
ChinMusic
07-06-2010, 16:45
re wind:
I have just the opposite opinion. I prefer the Tilley while in exposed+windy conditions. My ball caps would just get blown off my head and gone forever. The tie-down, while somewhat uncomfortable, keeps it on my head. The flapping around hasn't been an issue for me.
I'm taking the Tilley on my JMT trip later this month because of anticipated windy conditions for extended periods of time. On the AT, from what I have experienced, the exposed sections are fairly short-lived.
I agree with others that for the warmer months on the AT it is just too dang hot. I suspect the hot/dry conditions out west is where this hat shines.
tlbj6142
07-06-2010, 17:00
The flapping around hasn't been an issue for me.The hat's brim doesn't flap around, or you don't care that it does flap around?
ChinMusic
07-06-2010, 17:05
The hat's brim doesn't flap around, or you don't care that it does flap around?
Oh, it flaps around. I just don't mind. It's just not stiff enough to hold its shape.
Now that you have mentioned it, it will probably bother me for my whole JMT trip................THANKS.........:D
Mountain Wildman
07-06-2010, 17:32
My Tilley T4IS Insect Shield Hat has a very rigid brim, It didn't budge in the winds up here and we had some pretty good gusts over the weekend. I have read reviews on some of the other models that had the floppy brim problem. The T4IS brim is rigid and thick enough to maintain a desired shape. It has a UV protection rating of 50+
and even though it is a little uncomfortable in hot weather, I have found that even my favorite ball cap is also. I prefer the wide hat protection in the direct sun.:sun
Feral Bill
07-06-2010, 18:05
I own a Tilley (LT6), but would never wear it hiking for one reason. Wind. While I can tie-down the hat to my head, the brim is too soft and will flip up with any sort of "real" wind. Thereby removing any sun protection you thought you had.
I wear it just about everyday in the summer while outside around town, sporting events, family events, vacations, etc. But, unless I expect to be in the sun without any sort of strong wind, I'd never wear it while hiking.
What I find so odd is that Tilley's are suppose to be boating hats. Not sure what good they would do on a boat that is actually moving. I've tried mine while sailing and it was nearly useless.
I use my Airflow sailing all the time. Works fine even in serious hard wind.
Got home from my Philmont hike with my son last week. Wore my Tilly hat (bday gift before a beach trip about 5 years ago) every day. Love it. Got home and it was stained, dirty, and sad looking. Put it through a wash cycle and it's almost like new. Best hat I own!
Ditto about loving the Tilley's anchoring system. It will stay on when nothing else will.
That said, I use my Tilley in sunny conditions, but not in the summer on the AT most of the time, where I'm walking in the shade, but the heat and humidity are high. Then I use a rolled bandana to keep some of the sweat from running into my eyes.
tlbj6142
07-07-2010, 08:32
Judging from the odd comments, I have to think Tilley's "heavy" old style hats must hold up better in the wind. Whereas the lighter weight hats do not.
One other point I should make, you must try on the hat. Do NOT go by sizing. Each hat style and hat material seems to fit differently. When I purchased my hat, I was able to find a local store (some bird feeder place) that had a huge inventory of Tilley's. I was amazed at how each style and material fit differently than the next.
FWIW, when I want sun protection in the wind (aka most backpacking trips), I wear a really dorky looking hat that has a really wide front brim and a large neck cap. It has strap to tie it under my chin if needed.
I got a Tilly Airflo for father's day. It is very light and very comfortable. I compared it to a straw Panama hat and they are about the same. Except the Tilly will keep off rain that the Panama won't. And the Panama doesn't have a chin strap like the Tilly.
I used the measurements off the Tilly "fit" link and it was correct. Except my head measurement was between two sizes! That said, I went to my local REI and bought the hat that was the larger and it fits wonderful.
I have a Tilley hat that I wear backpacking and kayaking. Nothing like dipping the hat in the water or a stream to keep your head cool. I have washed mine quite a few times and it still looks brand new.
Plus what other hat comes with an 8 page owners manual ;)
HeartFire
07-08-2010, 19:02
I have a Sunday Afternoon Hat, I'll be hiking the JMT next month. I love my hat.
http://www.sundayafternoons.com/ not nearly the cost of the Tilly hats.
I have a cotton Tilley and mostly wear it in the spring and fall where there isn't enough leaf cover to give proper shade. I switch to a breathable baseball cap or wear a bandana in the summer.