A hat?

Personally, I like Akubra all the way. They are made just like a traditional cowboy hat, with real fur felt and have the stiffness of a cowboy hat. They provide great protection and look nice.

The other thing is that they have MANY styles to choose from, so you are bound to find something you like. The one I have on in my avatar is the Banjo Paterson model.

In Michigan, I pretty much wear it year round. If I am somewhere really hot and humid, or backpacking (where the stiff rim interferes with my backpack) I switch over to the boonie hat. I have been thinking for a awhile to switch over to the tilley for that special purpose, but there is no way an Akubra will be replaced by one.

My 2 cents.
 
briangandrews said:
Personally, I like Akubra all the way. They are made just like a traditional cowboy hat, with real fur felt and have the stiffness of a cowboy hat. They provide great protection and look nice.

The other thing is that they have MANY styles to choose from, so you are bound to find something you like. The one I have on in my avatar is the Banjo Paterson model.

In Michigan, I pretty much wear it year round. If I am somewhere really hot and humid, or backpacking (where the stiff rim interferes with my backpack) I switch over to the boonie hat. I have been thinking for a awhile to switch over to the tilley for that special purpose, but there is no way an Akubra will be replaced by one.

My 2 cents.
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:thumbup: Agreed.

Right now, the only one I have is a Snowy River from Akubra. The Banjo Paterson is next on my list.
 
Yes on the Akubra. I introduced my brother to them. He went on to buy a Steson, figuring if Akubra was good, Stetson would be great. He went back to the Akubra.
 
I'm a huge fan of my boonie hats. They are inexpensive, take a beating, and wash well.
 
I have had three Tilleys, the first one was stolen, the second one I bought using the recommended guide lines and it turned out to be just a little tight after the first washing. Even after over the knee stretching. The third is the nylon model, and it has a strip of open weave ventilation, so no problems with over heating. The one that was a little snug actually fits OK now, I have had it for almost ten years, and my hair is a bit shorter.
 
I have a Tilley T3 and, though it is a very good hat, I'm not as fervently thrilled with it. It is very tough and wears well, but it is just too danged hot for me, even with the air holes. I think if I had to do it again, I'd would have bought their LTM3 AIRFLO hat, but given their price I doubt I do in the near future.
 
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Akubra.jpg

Here is another vote for the Akubras. I have two that I switch between and have enjoyed both.
 
The OR Seattle sombrero was mentioned above. Very waterproof, but very hot in the summer in warmer/hot climates.

I found that higher winds kept blowing the brim up and the velcro would stick, so I trimmed it off.

good value per $ and mine was made in the USA if that matter, but I don't know if they are still manufactured here. More of a 2 (perhaps winter 3) season hat depending on location.
 
I have a hemp T3 and T4 from Tilley. I'd recommend going with a small brim - T5 or T1, unless you need tons of sun protection. The larger brim flops around more in the wind, and can do inconvenient things in the hat. If you're going to lay out the cash, better to go to a real store and try it on - both for fit and appearance. Also, I've worn mine in the rain a few times and it's gotten soaked. Maybe the Scotch Guard would be a good solution.

Have an inexpensive wool hat, similar to Esav's, from Dorfman Pacific. It gets sodden in the rain, too, but I'm OK with that. I've loved it to death.

Given the rain requirement, I'd try the Filson tin cloth packer hat:
http://www.filson.com/product/index...36.2064999.2118241&view=all&parentPage=family
Waxed cotton, so it will be fine in the rain. They also make a bush hat with a larger brim, if that's your thing. My only reservation is that it doesn't look like a summer hat. Don't own this one, but have been seriously considering.
 
Another Tilley recommendation. You must experience this hat in order to appreciate it. They are worth every penny.
 
I love the look of that Kavu hat, and it did remind me of Mortal Kombat when I first saw it, lol!
 
Spooky, I don't know that I can elaborate much more than the REI website. I just got it recently to replace a boonie hat that my wife despises.

It has a large brim that is stiffer than a boonie brim, and does not flop around in the wind too much. It is less stiff than a western style felt or straw hat, if that gives you some reference.

Draw tie for windy conditions.

Interior pocket in crown for whatever you want to put there.

I don't find it too hot to wear, however, it has been pretty mild here in the bay area recently. Ask me again at the end of August.

S/M/L sizing, so your head size may be both too big and too small. The M was too small, and the L is ever so slightly too big for me, but it does have an interior elastic band that takes up most of the slack. Mine creeps down a bit and rests on the tops of my ears over time. But then so did my boonie, so that's wash for me.

I guess the main advantage for me is that my wife REALLY likes how it looks on me, and it is styled for general consumption- unlike the boonie hat.

UPF rating of 40.

Made in Honduras, from "ecologically friendly organic cotton." I did not know that such a beast existed.

Hope this helps.
 
hlee said:
Spooky, I don't know that I can elaborate much more than the REI website. I just got it recently to replace a boonie hat that my wife despises.

It has a large brim that is stiffer than a boonie brim, and does not flop around in the wind too much. It is less stiff than a western style felt or straw hat, if that gives you some reference.

Draw tie for windy conditions.

Interior pocket in crown for whatever you want to put there.

I don't find it too hot to wear, however, it has been pretty mild here in the bay area recently. Ask me again at the end of August.

S/M/L sizing, so your head size may be both too big and too small. The M was too small, and the L is ever so slightly too big for me, but it does have an interior elastic band that takes up most of the slack. Mine creeps down a bit and rests on the tops of my ears over time. But then so did my boonie, so that's wash for me.

I guess the main advantage for me is that my wife REALLY likes how it looks on me, and it is styled for general consumption- unlike the boonie hat.

UPF rating of 40.

Made in Honduras, from "ecologically friendly organic cotton." I did not know that such a beast existed.

Hope this helps.
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Thanks a lot! That was very helpful indeed. I think I'm going to break down and order one of those...
 
For people who have Tilley hats, what color is best? I am about to order one but the pictures do not show the true colors.
They have:

khaki
olive
gray
natural

What color should i go for guy?
 
hlee said:
Spooky, I don't know that I can elaborate much more than the REI website. I just got it recently to replace a boonie hat that my wife despises.
Click to expand...

Then why does she wear it? :confused:


hlee said:
Interior pocket in crown for whatever you want to put there.
Click to expand...

This is a great place to stash some vaseline and cotton wrapped in saran wrap or the like.

Doc
 
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