Wide-brim Hat

[JetLag]

As a wannabe thru hiker at age 67, just successfully completed my 4th Mohs surgery for skin cancer - face and neck. My dermatologist said sunblock for nose and wide-brimmed hat for ears and neck. Seeking recommendations for preferred hat.
Second un-related question: when encountering over-crowded shelter, is there a protocol for securing tent sites in the vicinity; and do the tent sites disappear, as well?

[Wise Old Owl]

The problem here is style in Australia where just about everyone needs a hat as the sun is brutal... try these brands

Tilley
Dorfman http://www.rei.com/product/631470/dorfman-pacific-all-season-crushable-hat
Outdoor Research http://www.rei.com/product/745932/outdoor-research-helios-hat
Aussie http://www.australiangear.com/mens.html

[Snowleopard]

I use the OR hat woo listed, but if I had surgery for skin cancer I'd go with Sunday Afternoons, http://www.sundayafternoons.com/men/derma-safe-hat.html
Be especially careful with sunscreen on above tree line hiking or hiking on snow in summer at high altitude (i.e., PCT or colorado).

[DeerPath]

As a wannabe thru hiker at age 67, just successfully completed my 4th Mohs surgery for skin cancer - face and neck. My dermatologist said sunblock for nose and wide-brimmed hat for ears and neck. Seeking recommendations for preferred hat.
Second un-related question: when encountering over-crowded shelter, is there a protocol for securing tent sites in the vicinity; and do the tent sites disappear, as well?

Check out the Tilley Endurables Model LTM6IS. This hat has a built in bug repellent, neck protection hidden in the brim, and if you ever loose it, they will replace it free.

http://www.amazon.com/Tilley-Endurables-LTM6IS-Tuckaway-Protector-/dp/B001XR4CP8/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355604475&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=tilley+ltm6is+airflo+hat

I'm 69 and have your problem. I recommend this hat.

[Karma13]

I don't have a hat recommendation, but you might want to put your second question into its own thread so you get some feedback on that, too! :)

(Actually, I have an OR sombrero that I like, but it's too heavy for a thru.)

[4Bears]

The Tilley is a wonderful hat very durable, hence the reason for their warranty. I have owned a Dorfman for about 6 years and it still looks like new, very light and comfortable, a friend has had a Tilley even longer and it still looks great also. I don't think you could go wrong with either choice.

[joshuasdad]

This time of year, I use an orange brimmed hat from Cabela's.

[yellowsirocco]

make sure your wide brimmed hat doesn't run into your pack. if you got a small pack then all is good, but you might need a desert style hat.

[Prop Blast]

My dermatologist also admonished me to wear a good sun hat. I have had great success with the Outdoor Research "Sombriolet" hat. It is waterproof, floats and has excellent UV sun protection. The wide brim is also very useful for keeping rain out of your face. I have even carried water in it before. On the negative side, a wide brim catches the wind. There is an adjustable chin strap to prevent losing the hat in the wind. The brim is not too conducive to molding into cool shapes but that would defeat the purpose of protection. I recommend it! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012MCOL8/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00

[Wise Old Owl]

does anyone know which one had the magnet on the brim that holds the brim up to the side of the hat?

[Oslohiker]

Kavu Shilba hat is a very good choice. It looks funny, but read the reviews:

http://www.backcountry.com/kavu-chillba-hat

http://www.backcountry.com/images/items/large/KAV/KAV0285/RU.jpg

[Old Boots]

Go with the Tilley

[Odd Man Out]

I have the Barmah and the Tilly. Always wearing one of them.
Tilley advertises that an elephant trainer had his hat eaten by his elephant three times.
Each time he waited for it to come out the other end.
Each time when cleaned up, it was good as new.

http://www.australiangear.com/barmah-hats-1018-hs-squashy.html
http://www.australiangear.com/mens/tilley-ltb6-sports-hat-natural.html

[Maui Rhino]

I prefer the good old boonie hat. For extra sun protection, I will take a rectangle of silk and tuck it in the back so that it hangs down and covers my neck. I also use lots of sunscreen on my face.

[swjohnsey]

Yep, boonie hat. Tilley's are for bird watchers and kayaker.

[perrymk]

When I was in search of what I hoped would be the perfect hat I settled on this Blue Chair Bay hat. It has mesh sides and neck cover. As it turns out I never wear hats. I'm hanging on to it though. I kind of like it. I'm not sure where to find my particular model anymore. It's a version of a boonie hat.

1844518446

EDIT: I googled "boony hat neck flap" and found a very similar hat to mine.
http://www.amazon.com/JFH-Group-Safari-Outback-Summer/dp/B0088CXK9A/ref=pd_sbs_a_28

[Monkeywrench]

I wear a Tilley --- forget which model -- on all outdoor adventures. Mine has been to the top of Kilimanjaro, the length of the AT, through the Negev desert, and many other places. When it gets dirty I throw it in the washer and it comes out looking like new.

[DeerPath]

This time of year, I use an orange brimmed hat from Cabela's.

Must be all the deer hunting in downtown Alexandria?

[Hosaphone]

How do the Tilleys hold up to rain? Reviews I've found saw that the brim often loses form when it gets wet. I really like wearing a hat in the rain, but my rain hat is a bit uncomfortable to also use as a sun hat.

[oldwetherman]

I'm as bald as a cue ball. Not only do I need a hat for shade but need a hat that will keep the rain and sweat from running directly into my eyes. Spent some time in rainy climates compliments of Uncle Sam and was a boonie hat wearer for years. For a boonie hat to be truly waterproof it has to be mutilayered and it won't "breath". Tilley makes a model TWP2 that is totally waterproof...even seam sealed and has a vent in the back that you can just reach back and open and vents well. The brim is stiff enough that it stays in place even in a strong wind. They are expensive but come with a lifetime gaurantee. They replace free even if you lose it. Also has a nice sweatband in it.

[swjohnsey]

Yeah, free. . . 50% deductable.

[Mountain Wildman]

I have the Tilley T4IS,
Have not hiked in it yet but I've used it on a few
camping trips and the bugs definitely don't like the Insect Shield.

[Monkeywrench]

How do the Tilleys hold up to rain? Reviews I've found saw that the brim often loses form when it gets wet.

Not that I ever noticed. I especially like wearing my Tilley in the rain as it is so much more comfortable than wearing a rain jacket hood. I always found hoods too hot, and all I can hear is the hood rustling on my head. Also the brim of my Tilley keeps my glasses dry unless it is blowing really hard.

[bigcranky]

I especially like wearing my Tilley in the rain as it is so much more comfortable than wearing a rain jacket hood.

Yeah, agreed. I found my Tilley (hemp model) can handle a moderate-to-heavy rain without my head getting soaked. Yes, the hat gets wet, and so does my head, but not in a bad way. When it's raining *really* hard, then I start feeling drips coming through the seams on top of the hat. That can be a little annoying.

The Tilley brim generally stays in place except in very hard wind. Better than my Seattle Sombrero, in particular -- that thing flaps up and is useless in a mild breeze. (Don't they get any wind in Seattle?)

[joshuasdad]

Must be all the deer hunting in downtown Alexandria?

Actually we have quite a deer population in the West End of Alexandria -- bowhunting only I believe. Wish I was wearing that orange hat a few weeks ago when I came upon two grim-faced gun-toting hunters on the trail a couple weeks back (I often take it off for climbs--too hot).

[fwish]

I have had a Tilley T-3 for several years now and it works great. I also was told by my dermatologist to get a wide brimmed hat and use sunscreen (a result of spending my summers of my youth as a lifeguard). I have no complaints on this hat and it still appears to be in a new condition.

[Hosaphone]

Not that I ever noticed. I especially like wearing my Tilley in the rain as it is so much more comfortable than wearing a rain jacket hood. I always found hoods too hot, and all I can hear is the hood rustling on my head. Also the brim of my Tilley keeps my glasses dry unless it is blowing really hard.

I'm the same. A good hat makes hiking in the rain 500% more enjoyable. I like hearing the rain among the trees. When you put a hood up all you hear is WHAPWHAPWHAPWHAPWHAP of raindrops hitting the hood.

I don't think I would care so much about a hat being completely waterproof unless it's a very cold rain.

[max patch]

Urban sombrero.

http://www.onesecondleft.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0210seinfeld-urban-sombrero_fa2.jpg

[SunnyWalker]

Thread Resurrection: Hats like most of these are overpriced fashion statements(IMHO). Go look at SunBody.com hats. However, any opaqe hat will work except rain proof, all day?? You ARE gonna get wet.

[ChinMusic]

I wear a Tilley out west. I just wear a ball cap on the AT, but I don't have your Med Hx.

The Tilley has performed very well in wind and rain. I just prefer a ball cap when I can. I will be using a lot of sunscreen next week for the start of my thru. Until we have leaves the sun could be nasty.

[The Gambler]

duluth trading makes a collapseable wide brimmed hat that is awesome....springs back to shape even after being stuffed in a pack....www.duluthtrading.com

[The Gambler]

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/crushable-hat-mens-the-crusher-95873.aspx?kw=hats&processor=content here's a direct link to the hat

[SunnyWalker]

Good luck and blessings to YOU ChinMusic. Have a great time.

[fiddlehead]

I think you'll find that there is a lot less sun than you expect on a NOBO AT thru-hike.
OK, Chin Music is right that until the leaves are out, you will experience some.
But, it's called "the green tunnel" by many for a reason.
(PCT, or CDT hike of course is much different in this regard)
A ball cap with a handkerchief pinned to the back will suffice.

[Sly]

I have a Tilley (http://www.tilley.com/LTM6-AIRFLO-Nylamtium-Hat.aspx) which works great in the sun or the rain but the brim has problems folding in the wind.

[Hairbear]

Good luck and blessings to YOU ChinMusic. Have a great time.

plus...1.....

[Venchka]

I'll be the heretic. Welcome to the club. When my dad developed skin cancer on his nose and left ear, I bought him a hat from Watership Trading in Bellingham, WA. The lightest weight, widest brim hat I could find to protect him in Lafayette, LA.
Fast forward a few years. Same condition strikes me. Carcenoma and melanoma. I bought the same hat that I had purchased for dad. i also bought SPF 50 long sleeve fishing shirts from Columbia & SPF 50 lightweight pants from Mountain Hardware.
Sure, I'm a fashion slave. I have a reputation to uphold. I also plan to keep me alive. Watership hats work. finding them may be a problem. as far as I know, still made in the USA.

Wayne

[blackwater slim]

go to sungrubbies.com and check out the "santa cruz" hat. i have one and love it!

[Red Hat]

Another vote for Tilley. I have used a number of hats (of course, I am Red Hat)... from Columbia and a number of ORs. I liked most of them, but coveted a Tilley. Unfortunately Tilley's don't come in red (with the exception of one rain hat)... Well, I finally got a natural Tilley and love it! I don't care if folks ask me where my red hat is, this is the best hat ever! I can be "Red Hat" without wearing one... it's all in the attitude.

[fwish]

I have been using a Tilley T3 for the past few years and have been very satisfied with it. Light weight and it does block the sun. I would definitely recommend it.

[Rif]

I often use an Amish made staw hat. Light weight, super wide brim and holds up rain or shine. Paid less than $20 from the Amish family making them in Gordonville PA. Stay away from the tourist hats though, not Amish made and flimsy. There real thing is a study in durability.

Might not be too hard to find near Port Tobacco MD either as there is a large Amish community in Southern MD.

Rif

[SunnyWalker]

Hey Rif, that sounds like a good hat. Hats off to you!

[SunnyWalker]

Hey Gambler, I looked at the hat you recommended. Nice that it's crushable. It would be better than a straw hat. While I am talking about a SunBody.com hat please understand that these hats are not straw hats. They are made of Palm leaves and insdestructible, it seems. Other advantages: 1) Shed rain. 2) Shapable-get the hat wet (the portion you wish to shape), whle its wet you will notice it comes "hard". Shape it while it is wet to the way you want it. When it dries it is soft as a feather and will retain the shape you put it in. Really neat. Also you are helping a third world business. They are made by hand and the person who made it hat, they sign the hat on the inside on the label and its pretty neat. Very affortable, along the lines of your hat price Gamber.

[XANGO]

Get a Tilley! It's a durable umbrella/wallet you can wear on your head!

[SunnyWalker]

I need to apologize. My comments were in the context of a thru hike of the CDT wherein a hiker will be in the direct sunlight much more of the time for a longer and continuous journey. If I was hiking the AT I'd probably go with some kind of baseball cap!! ha, ha! Let's see, I know WORLDS GREATEST BASEBALL TEAM, THE T-E-X-A-S--R-A-N-G-E-R-S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the high and mighty priviledge of wearing such an exalted hat I would gladly suffer in the rain. On the AT. Now If I was on the PCT I would have to wear a wide Brim hat for CA and then when I began to hit trees It would be a hat of the Seattle Supersonics. Or If I was really desperate i'd wear the team hat from a certain Univ/College in Texas Team wherein the team is the "Frogs"!! Ha, ha. Havin' fun, HYOH.

[SMSP]

How about this one................http://www.kavu.com/Product/176-04-/Fishermans_Chillba-Pyrite.aspx. Its not waterproof, but light-weight. Was thinking some DWR to help with H2O repellency. Whatcha think?