As I googled for the hat of my dreams, it occurred to me that some ETS denizens probably have gone through the same search for the perfect all-purpose summer hat for travel.

I thought about what I need, and I think the hat I'm looking for:

-- should be crushable or easily packable, so I can fit it into my luggage for travel;
-- should have a big rim (around 4" or bigger);
-- should not look out of place in the city, and works on hiking trails.

I have a boonie hat from EMS, and it has a big rim (4") and can be packed flat. It just makes me look like I'm on my way to the great outdoors when I'm about in the city.

I also have a nice big sombrero (6" rim) that keeps me cool. It's hard to travel with it, though, since it cannot be crushed, flattened, or rolled up. I also look a bit... eccentric, since I don't live in a Clint Eastwood movie.

Googling found this for me, but I'm hoping you guys have better suggestions! Thanks!

http://www.villagehatshop.com/product/al...utback-hat.html

Tilley Hats

I have a classic Tilley and it holds up well to travel.

I recently ordered this one, but I had it delivered to the office, and I've been out sick for a couple of weeks, so I can't tell you anything about it, unfortunately. I'll give it a full review as soon as I get back to work next week. Good price though.

Woolrich Crushable Felt Outback Hat

I have a crushable felt hat for my Scout Master uniform, but it is hot in the summer. I just do not find myself using it much unless it is cool outside.

Hats travel easier on your head. None of my hats are crushed, although the Tilley cotton & hemp hats may be crushable, I don't pack like that. Fill the hat with soft stuff (socks) and then pack other stuff around the outside to help the hat maintain shape. $.02

+2 for Tilleys. I've got one of their Airflow hats for summer and their winter hat. If anything happens to either, it will be replaced.

I am soooo looking forward to digging out my winter hat and gear!!!! It has been a very hot summer.

I use a Dorfman Pacific mesh crown hat for summer matches

Hear! Hear!! I appreciate the daylight, but I am not built for the heat.

For the outdorrs, nothing beats a "boonie" style - crushable, cotton, with a full brim. in desert heat, soaking the hat in water makes high temps very tolerable. Granted, it does look a bit odd in the city, so just either stay in the boondocks or go hatless....

In my city - DC - I'd assume any guy wearing a non-baseball hat in summer is a tourist. So it doesn't necessarily look out of place in DC, I just would assume you weren't local.

I'm with the Tilley fans -- I have two for boating -- and am especially fond of this one, which seems to fit your parameters:

http://www.tilley.com/us_en/men/hats/tm10b-cotton-mesh.html


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I guess people don´t worry about getting skincancer on their ears?

as Herman 30 commented... my first basal cell (3 basal and one squamous so far...6month dermatologist check up tomorrow)was on my ear... many years playing baseball as a kid in the Florida sun with just a ball cap

I've been guilty of wearing a baseball hat a lot of the time, but I also slather on the sunscreen, ditto when I wear my bike helmet. Not so in my younger years.

My dad is fighting basal cells on his head, and since that war started, I've started wearing a knock-off Tilly/Boony hat regularly. Mine came from Scouts Canada a few years ago. It's soft, crushable cotton, with a full brim, and has buttons on the sides to pin it up Crocodile Dundee style. It has a generous chin string/lanyard that has come in handy when the wind has kicked up.

Both of my kiddos have army surplus beanies and baseball hats, but they are both terrible about keeping them on their heads, so I keeps lots of sunscreen on-hand and am religious about putting it on them.

As a hair-challenged individual, I have several hats; baseball, fedora, tilly.. depends on day and situation.

I have never found a hat such as you are looking for in city use without looking like a beek. So I usually just wear a baseball cap if needed. For more non urban outdoor activities, I have a old floppy brim style hat but rarely wear it unless it is very hot (+80F) and the sun is beating directly on my head.