My sun / rain hat of many years just self destructed. The top part completely ripped off of the brim. Feels like the sun light has degraded the fabric. It is a Columbia. Not fancy but it did it's job for many years.

I use the hat for general day-to-day use as well as camping, hiking and travel.

Over the years I have seen many fine hats but my requirements might be a bit strict. The most annoying feature of the old Columbia hat was the flexible brim. Even a light wind would blow the brim up exposing me to sun and rain. I was able to fix that somewhat by sliding a rigid plastic tube into the welt sewn into the brim around the perimeter. This stiffened it somewhat.

Good sun and rain protection may be difficult in one hat in that mesh panels are very helpful in hot sunny conditions while obviously not so helpful in rain.

Here is what I am looking for:
• large brim for sun and rain protection, most hats are just not large enough to provide sufficient sun protection for the ears and neck.
• preferably the brim should be stiff enough that wind will not flap it up.
• chin strap to hold the hat on in high gusty winds.
• packable, flexible enough top portion that it can compact down flat so it can be carried in a suitcase or in a backpack.
• light color, beige, off white.
• Stylish enough that it does not look like I am setting out across the desert.

The Tilley hats look good but I have only held one and it had a rather stiff top that would not flatten for packing.

Any suggestions? Or is my requirements list too strict?

All thoughts and suggestions are most appreciated!

Craig T.

I've got a Tilly that I've had for several years now 6-7+ I think. It has done the job you seem to want your hat to do for me. While it did cost more than most - it seems to have been worth it for me.

In the same token, I've been known to drag out one of my 'cowboy' hats when it's raining and I've always liked the way they have worked - going from the truck to the house or office building or even if I had to be outside all day. They sure don't pack worth a darn so going in a suitcase isn't going to work thus, the Tilly. Hope that helps some.

Trekmates Goretex Expedition Hat

pforeman, do you know what model of Tilley you have? I will search for any local stores that sell them, hopefully I will be able to see it before buying.

Will check out the Trekmates as well. A quick search found only black though.

Thanks folks. Further input always encouraged.

Craig T.

I have the Tilley TH5 (natural) for hot days when a lighter shade is best and a Tilley TWC5 in waxed cotton (British Tan). I like them both but wear the TWC5 Outback Hat more often. Both are very comfortable and work well providing shade. Not much rain here in SOCAL so I can't speak to one of these in the rain, but I s'pose the waxed cotton TWC5 would do well.

I'm thinking not crushable. If I were to pack it, I'd pack the inside with socks and T-shirts and take my chances. It would probably be fine.

I've got the "T-3" in olive.
http://www.amazon.com/Tilley-Endurables-T3-Traditional-Canvas/dp/B0033WRX8O

Do an internet search on it and you may find someplace close to you where they are on-the-shelf so you can check them out.

Depending on the model, you can take the closed cell foam pad out of the crown of your Tilley hat to make it more "crushable". Even with the foam in I've packed mine flat ion a suitcase with no issues. The body just accordions down so the crown fits into the brim. Rolling it up might be a different issue.

Well, I think that insisting that a hat that meets those technical requirements look stylish is getting picky. Still, here are 2 hats from Outdoor Research that have removable crown covers that are waterproof and breathable. So you can deal effectively with both sun and rain.

Outdoor Research "Ghost"

Outdoor Research "Sunshower Sombrero"

Realdeal Brazil hats could be another option.They are made out of truck tarps in Brazil so crushing only adds more character to them.The brim also has a wire in it for shapping.No afiliation or even own one.Have seen and handled one though.Do want...

BOATMAN
John

I have good experience with Propper boonie made of 65% polyester/ 35% cotton ripstop fabric. Propper call that fabric Battle Rip. Shields my neck and ears from sun and amazingly good in holding the rain away. I think it is beacause the cotton threads in
the fabric swell when wet and therefore makes the fabric almost waterproof.

Ditto Boonie hats. I have one from 20 years ago still going strong. You can usually find them in solid colors like OD or khaki/tan, not just camo patterns.

stylish, effective, packable - choose two out of three. I have used boonie type hats for a longtime - anything from generic cotton cheapos to Outdoor Research models.They work fine for me, and I think they are stylish enough, because I am often setting off into a desert, but my DW disagrees. The model she selected does not work very well for padding a rappel rope,a useful attribute of a boonie.

I don't bother with a specific rain hat in most situations. The cheapo boonies shed enough of the water most of the time. When their capacity is exceeded, it is time for a parka hood. A full size, all around brim is critical - ball caps are useless, unless maybe you are playing center field.

This is a nice looking hat which meets most of your criteria except for being a rain hat (although water won't hurt it).

Packable Fedora

It gets great reviews.

+1 on the Tilley hats, all four seasons.

Spring, summer, & fall is an LTM6. Stiff enough to keep the sun & rain off. Packing it is simple for me: hat goes on head. But seriously if you do have to pack it, put it on the bottom of the suitcase & pack everything on top of it. The hat will flatten & recover with no problem. Durability is superb. Tilley has a lifetime warranty on their unbleached hats if they ever wear out, mildew or shrink. One of the stories that they include with the hat is about one that was eaten by an elephant. The owner recovered it after it came out the other end. He wrote them about it, they offered to replace it & he turned them down.

Winter is a TW2. It won't flatten out as well for packing but I wear it anywhere & everywhere. It's a good weight wool hat & if the weather is really cold, it has an ears/back of head flap and forehead warmer.

Another Tilley hat user.

LTM6 wider brim synthetic with mesh vent at the top in the summer and the wool TW2 Tilley Winter Hat in the winter.

I certainly can't say I've tried any assortment of other hats, but I do like the Tilleys.

I do wash the LTM6 regularly to avoid rotting the sweat band area. I just fill a sink with mildly warm water and a bit of laundry detergent, swish and squeeze a bit, rinse very well, and air dry overnight.

If you like boonie hats, then have a look at the Hazard 4 hats.
Personally I am no fan of the Tilly hats. Don't get me wrong here: they are great hats, well made, stylish and nearly indestructible. Unfortunately my barnet is the wrong shape.

Wal mart has a nice tilley knock off. I bought one each in khaki and olive drab. cket mesh panel near the top of crown, foam brim. The tag said ten dollars but they were five at checkout. They've done well so far, I don't like the chin strap assembly which is just like tilley.

Lots of good options.

As far as "style" goes, I am not looking for "dressed up" style. I am not looking for a sun hat with flaps that drop down around the sides and back for extreme sun protection. I already have several and they do a good job when needed.

Many of your suggestions seem to fit the requirements. Now I need to find a store that stocks them so I can check them out.

The Tilleys look good. The Outdoor Research Ghost with the removable crown for rain looks practical, effective in rain, lots of mesh area for ventilation in hot conditions.

I never looked into all of the Tilley models and I must say, the TW2 is quite intriguing for colder weather. I am seeing one in my near future.

Thanks for all the suggestions. As always, any input is most appreciated.

Craig T.

Have you tried it with the chin strap tucked up into the hat and the back strap set up like a state trooper smokey bear hat? It works well unless it is VERY windy like in a moving open boat.

1 more chipping in -- with a T6 and an LT3. The only problem with the T6 is the lighter colour that keeps the sweat stain no matter what I do with it. I am looking at a darker version.

My wife actually has an almost whitish version of the LTM6 and doesn't have any problem with staining ...

... but then again, she doesn't sweat, she only glistens. ;-)

I had not tried that UTAlumnus. Ill give it a try. Thanks for the tip, I had tried a single string version and one where I used the string to roll up the sides sorta of aussie style.

I happened to be near Walmart a few days ago so I stopped in to check out the sun hats. There it was as Deathwind mentioned. A very Tilley-esque hat. Near the top of the crown is a mesh band all the way around, but only .75" (19mm) wide. I would prefer more mesh area but will see how well it works.

There is a small pocket in the inside of the top of the crown with a hook & loop closure.

It was marked $10. Unlike Deathwind I paid $10.

Seems like a good hat for the money.

My wife recently noticed a large sun hat in Costco. Sun Protection Zone . Looks well constructed but there is only one size and no adjustment. She will be trying it out this summer.

I bet a skeeter head net would fit in that pocket.....

BOATMAN

for more ventilation you might look at a Dorfman Pacific (Sports Authority)... I've used one for a lot of years for 3 gun

http://www.amazon.com/DPC-Outdoor-Design...man+pacific+hat

Tried on/handled one of these in South Dakota recently. About $50, wish I'd have purchased it.

You really can fold it flat enough to put in your back pocket (like you would a pair of work gloves) and it pops back into shape.

https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/Products/Detail/fold-up-hat

I bet it would hold a net, mine has cash, a photocopy of my ID with medical info on back and some small survival items