A hat?

K

Khalnath

Joined
Jun 12, 2005
Messages
284
Yup. A hat. I don't go out in the bush without a hat, but I don't really have a very suitable one. I used to have a MARPAT cover that seems to have disappeared... I couldn't really take the ribbing that came with wearing it around other people either. This means that I end up wearing baseball caps, which make me look like a complete tool.

I'm looking for something with a stiff wide brim with a bit of style to it. No external pockets or shell loops please. It also rains a lot here, so if it can't take the rain, it's no good.
 
Military-issue boonies are the best that there are, and are unequivocally my choice when out in rain or sun. If camouflage patterns bother you I suggest getting one in tan or OD.
 
Tilley. Best hat I've ever had. Guaranteed for life.
 
If you've got the scratch, pick up a Tilley. They're the best, and pretty well accepted as such. Several varieties that you can look into. Lifetime warranty, etc.

http://www.tilley.com/story.asp?catId=13&extractBy=CategoryId&gender=&id=1&hat_catId=14
4185KRKKHVL._AA280_.jpg


I don't have a Tilley. I wish I had a Tilley.
 
Raskolnikov said:
Military-issue boonies are the best that there are, and are unequivocally my choice when out in rain or sun. If camouflage patterns bother you I suggest getting one in tan or OD.
Click to expand...

I have a few boonie hats, but I find my Tilley hat gets the most woods time (well, not actually woods, since I live in the desert, but you know what I mean:D). Great in rain or sun. I have the LT5. It doesn't look as cool as the boonie hats do, but I think it works better. Besides, it floats, has a secret pocket, and a lifetime guarantee. If it was good enough for Hunter S. Thompson, it's good enough for me:thumbup:
 
What about the crazy Kavu chillba hat?

If people give you funny looks you can blast them with lightning bolts.

Good in rain and sun.

2b07c911.jpg
 
I was just looking at Tilley hats. They almost had me sold on their waterproof model, except for that stupid reflective strip. Because the hat is waterproof, you won't be able to remove it. :P They're stupid expensive, too. My father loves his Tilley, but I don't think I'll be going that route.

I do like the LT5, but I'm just not willing to pay that much for a hat, unless I decide to go whole hog and get an Indiana Jones style fedora.
 
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While I resisted buying a Tilley, not wanting to look like a tool, I finally relented and am glad I did. They are super tough - take a real beating. Just a warning though, I have the lightweight nylon model (don't remember the model #) and I find it really hot to wear.

Doc
 
I used to have a Mountain Hardware "taxi" that was a great hat. The brim was super wide and it had the cape to cover your neck. It was great for desert hiking. The new model doesn't have the wide brim. :thumbdn: I lost mine on a rafting trip.

Outdoor Research makes some good hats as well. The Seattle Sombrero comes in a lot of different models.

A company called Sequel used to make a hat called the Desert Rhat that was great...but they went out of business like so many other small American companies. :thumbdn:
 
Another Tilley recommendation. I don't think they're expensive considering that you're buying comfort, protection, and durability even though it is just some canvas and brass sewn together. It's very well designed.

I'm not familiar with the waterproof version with reflectors. That does sound a little garish. I just spray my cotton canvas Tilley with Scotch Gard and it makes it pretty water resistant. I imagine you could treat it with wax or oil to get an even better water resistant effect. Wash it in hot water a couple cycles to bring it back.
 
+1 on the boonie hat. I've had 2 Tilley's stolen; no one has ever stolen a boonie hat from me!
 
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I have a hat tree in my entry. No one else in my family even bothers trying to hang anything on it. I have baseball hats, a straw cowboy hat, several good boonies, even a funny looking wool cap I bought while in Ireland once. All get wear.

My favorite hat is by Minnetonka. It's leather, and I thought it would suck in the summer, but it really is okay -- sweat happens. Darn fine looking hat. Winter wear, it's great (of course, I'm far south of the snow line, nearly in Mexico). Tough, keeps stuff from scratching up my head and face, and is waterproof. I wear my own umbrella.

http://www.minnetonkamoccasinshop.com/minnetonka_hats.htm
 
sixgunner455 said:
I have a hat tree in my entry. No one else in my family even bothers trying to hang anything on it. I have baseball hats, a straw cowboy hat, several good boonies, even a funny looking wool cap I bought while in Ireland once. All get wear.

My favorite hat is by Minnetonka. It's leather, and I thought it would suck in the summer, but it really is okay -- sweat happens. Darn fine looking hat. Winter wear, it's great (of course, I'm far south of the snow line, nearly in Mexico). Tough, keeps stuff from scratching up my head and face, and is waterproof. I wear my own umbrella.

http://www.minnetonkamoccasinshop.com/minnetonka_hats.htm
Click to expand...

There are some fine looking hats there, and the prices seem quite reasonable.

Doc
 
Tilley - 100%

Find a style that you like, buy it a bit bigger than you think you need to. (Follow their instructions!)

You'll be happy with it - promise! :thumbup:
 
seeing how i've never owned a tilley hat, i can't say much for them... but i might have to look into one now... i'm all about the wool fedora hats...:cool:

check out www.noggintops.com great folks and a nice selection of hats...:thumbup:
 
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