Hi All,
I received a Tilley Hemp Hat for Father’s Day. I had an older Tilley years ago that I wore to everywhere until it was lost in a tragic sailing accident. I used to keep a $20 folded up and forced into the band and then when I’d travel I’d keep some more money, maybe a travelers check and a copy of my passport, contact numbers, ticket information and any thing else that wouldn’t make it obvious that there was something in my hat. I’ve used a military type jungle hat (no pockets or adequate folds) between Tilleys and I tried to safety-pin a $20 to the inside, but after getting stabbed in the head a few I gave that up. What do you have for headgear? What, if anything, do you keep in it? What are some items that would make sense to carry in a hat?

I wear a waxed cotton hat or a barret. I decided not to put any important stuff in there. The items would have to be small soft and resistant against sweat. Sweat, tallow and hair would stick to the stuff. This would require frequent cleaning or be very unhygenic. It´s just not worth the hassle.
Just in case you wonder: Yes Itried it and was less than satisfied before I made this decision.

I'm a pretty simple person when it comes to my hats. I either wear a baseball cap with that nasty little button on top removed or a simple boonie cap. A couple of my older boonie caps had a map pocket sewn into the top, but I rarely carry anything up there (especially in the summer). I've carried a bandana up there before and a cloth (or silk) map fits well but a papermap is typically too bulky and just gets soaked with sweat.

If anyone knows where cloth maps can be found for the southwest...

I haven't explored the option of carrying stuff in a hat. I usually wear my dad's old BDU cap or a bandanna. I'm not really a hat person.

While perusing a Hammacher-Schlemmer catalog, I found this item that might be of interest to hat-wearing individuals on this forum:
Adventure Hat

What might be missed is that the Tilley hats have a pocket in them made to hold small amounts of money or paper work etc. I have a small zip lock bag in mine that can hold important numbers or money no problem. There is also a piece of closed cell foam in the top of the hat to keep it floating should you drop it over board. I have put a double thick piece of foam in mine to give me more protection from the sun or knocks to the head. This also helps it float better and keep its shape when wet. The Tilley’s are good gear and I would not want to be with out mine.

I keep a $20, and $5 bill in mine in the plastic bag with the Tilley sheets and a tiny wood block with firesteel. This along with the spare lace and foam piece are all that I keep in my hat. The firesteel on wood I took off another hat that used it as a chin strap slider. It could be laced on the Tilley too, but I have found it easier to just keep it in the plastic bag inside the crown. I have both a T3 and T4...The T4 is a great hat. I also have a 4 lace band I braided on mine.

I have a Silly Unbearable (as my Canadian wife calls it) and wouldn't be without it. It is a T5 and has a 20 Euro note in the pocket.

It has been 'hat overboard' countless times but thankfully, always recovered. My crew is fairly practiced in grabbing it now.

I shall have to pop in and see the latest lightweight range when I'm in Toronto in August.

What's in my hat ? nothing !

But around it, I have a few feet of paracord (see Slatt's rescue belt ) :

Either a baseball cap or if I'm going to be out in the sun long either a full brim hardhat or a boonie style hat I got @ the top of Pike's Peak. I haven't tried to put anything in it (yet).

I use a Barmah Cooler hat here in AZ. It has a wide brim is crushable and very ventilated for the "dry heat" of Arizona. Love it, but have not put anything in it yet.

I don't wear a hat on a daily basis but if my hair gets any thinner I may have to start. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

>>| if my hair gets any thinner <<

It will, LoL

I've never tried this, but it might work....

You can get "paper" that allows you to make iron-ons with an inkjet printer. Walmart, Staples, Office Max, they should have it. So.... you scan a topo map, or use something like TopoUSA, and print it (backwards?) on the paper. Add a cool iron, and volia! It isn't as good as a map printed on silk, but a lot cheaper, and you can customize for your area.

Cut your own map clothes from white cotton sheets, the twins are probably the best buy for this. If you want something a little less obvious (say, someone like Ben), you can get a tan sheet. Use a couple of the iron on sheets, make sure they are lined up, and carry it like a scarf or towel. If you wanted to be really spiffy, even though it might make the map a little harder to use, get neon orange or pink nyco from a fabric store. Map and signal panel!

My scalp and some hair. :P

I'm not a really big hat wearer, but in winter it is a simple wool watchcap.

In summer, my favorite for the woods is a dark brown digger hat. I have a three strand braid of paracord for a band, and the left side is up. I usually tuck a small bit of 2" wide, bright orange ribbon cut from a piece of cotton fabric I got for this purpose years ago. I can wind it mummy style for my lower face, or take off a bit with my knife for tinder or blazing a trail.

if you have a band inside, you can also put a lot of monofilament and some fishing hoods already prepared with leader, weight and swivel, amongst other things, like matches in jewelers zip lock bab.