A Thumbs Up for Tilley Hats!

B

bkwilson

Joined
Mar 22, 2007
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5
Just got back from Uganda where I was able to test out two Tilley hats. I used both the T3 and the LTM3 Airflo. Both hats performed great and held up to the harsh environment. Here's a couple of pictures.

This one is of me and my daughter at the base of Murchison Falls - I'm wearing the LTM3 and she's wearing a TH9:
MurchisonFalls.jpg


Here I am working on clearing a well wearing the T3:
UgandaWell.jpg


These are great hats and I highly recommend them!

Brian
 
I pretty much don't leave the house without my T6 Airflow Tilley on.

Over 2 years, and countless trips through the washing machine (but never the dryer), and just 2 weeks ago someone thought it was brand new.

They really hold up!
 
Do you know if they make sizes for gigantic heads? Thats the prob I always have. I've tried some knockoffs, but I guess I need to try the real thing, eh?

Edit: after looking at the website, it appears that they do accomodate huge craniums. Their largest size, which is larger than 2x (size 8) is "beyond huge". Just what I need.
 
powernoodle said:
Do you know if they make sizes for gigantic heads? Thats the prob I always have. I've tried some knockoffs, but I guess I need to try the real thing, eh?

Edit: after looking at the website, it appears that they do accomodate huge craniums. Their largest size, which is larger than 2x (size 8) is "beyond huge". Just what I need.
Click to expand...

(Mike Meyers Scottish accent...) "HEEEEED! Look at the size of that melon!"

Yep Powernoodle... they make an 8. Which incidently... is the size of MY Tilley, model T3. Great hat, wear it as my main sun hat.
 
I have my dad's hat. I don't know what model it is, just that it is about 30 years old. I barely remember being dragged along with him when he bought it from the store that was attached to their factory on Don Mills Road. He was rather excited to be buying such a world renown high quality product that was made so close to our home. I wanted out of that clothing store. How times have changed...

The hat is still in great condition despite the lack of care and maintenance it has endured over the years. Heck, a couple years ago I was trying to get the nasty sweat stains out of it and nothing was working. I didn't want to use bleach on it, as had been done in the past, fearing that it would yellow the hat more and possibly damage the material. So I used hydrogen peroxide. White! And apparently no damage was done. Solid materials and workmanship, for certain.

My father-in-law sent his hat back for warranty due to some fraying around one of the brass grommets. Not only did he receive a replacement hat at no charge, but they sent him his original hat back as well. So now he has a spiffy new hat for those dressy time, and his well used old one for when he is doing chores.

Apparently, buying quality IS worth the price.

Dave
 
I've been eyeing the TWC3 for a litte bit now. It's hard to swallow the initial cost, but it seems they're something that'll last a lifetime. I guess I'll have to get one sooner than later. Bonus that they're locally based for me.
 
I love my Tilley, just get the Airflo model if you're anywhere hot and humid. I have a cotton duck Tilley and it's too bloody warm--and it's too humid here to simply dunk it in water and use evaporative cooling.
 
I think tilley recommends buying one size up tho, so you still might want to try before buy.
I think its because of those ear flaps inserts
 
Last edited:
JimSocks said:
I think tilley recommends buying one size up tho, so you still might want to try before buy.
I think its because of those ear flaps inserts
Click to expand...

As far as I know they recommend buying a half size up to help with ventilation. I don't have ear flaps on either of my Tilley hats.
 
6shooter said:
I've been eyeing the TWC3 for a litte bit now. It's hard to swallow the initial cost, but it seems they're something that'll last a lifetime. I guess I'll have to get one sooner than later. Bonus that they're locally based for me.
Click to expand...

Same here, I went through countless other hats before taking the plunge and buying my first Tilley, but it has more than paid for itself. Rain, snow...etc. and still not showing any real wear.

Duzzy said:
I love my Tilley, just get the Airflo model if you're anywhere hot and humid. I have a cotton duck Tilley and it's too bloody warm
Click to expand...

+1, my first Tilley is a T4 made of hemp and Mocha in color, and I can only wear it a few months in winter, otherwise it is just to hot and does not "breathe" well.

Airflow models are worth it!!!
 
Mongo said:
(Mike Meyers Scottish accent...) "HEEEEED! Look at the size of that melon!"

Yep Powernoodle... they make an 8. Which incidently... is the size of MY Tilley, model T3. Great hat, wear it as my main sun hat.
Click to expand...


I can vouch for the 2x. Works great for those in the "I don't usually wear hats because I am abnormal" category. Tough to beat.

These are issued to us here at work as protective gear for working in the sun. Doesn't help with the radiation, however :).
 
I'm having a hard time deciding between the LTM6 or the T4MO. Anyone own one of those? Basically cotton or nylon.
 
I have a very large head (7 3/4+ depending on the maker). The one Tilley I tried out didn't sit well on my head... it stuck up way too high. Looked silly.

I went with an Outdoor Research Transit Sun Hat instead... fits me well and looks good. Very lightweight and very cool in the heat. Heat index hit 111 today and it was as comfortable as could be hoped for. SPF 50 protection (except the vents).
 
I have a large head 7 5/6 (I think) an my Tilley's fit great. My T3 is over 10 years old and still looks great. I also have a Airflo but in Arizona the nylon doesn't breathe enough and it's too hot to wear.

Chad
 
I wear my "work" Tilley every day.
IMG-20110505-00471.jpg


I have another I wear for dress occasions.

I used to wash them in the washing machine, but now run them through the dishwasher. Much less deformation over time and they still get nice and clean. If you run them through the dishwasher, put them in upside down.

Andy
 
Echodawg said:
I'm having a hard time deciding between the LTM6 or the T4MO. Anyone own one of those? Basically cotton or nylon.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have the LTM6. It's the only hat I've had that is truly bearable to wear in the FL summer.
I got the Khaki with Olive underbrim (you want the dark underbrim to keep reflected sun out of your eyes), and it reflects sun well, the venting on top allows heat to escape and when there's a breeze, the convection evaporates the sweat on my head quite well -- amplified by the fact that I shave my head.

The front and rear retention works very well too. I've been in serious wind -- like being in my friend's Jeep hauling balls with the roof off and the windshield down. Felt like my head was going to come off and I made the mistake of turning my head and off came my glasses (thank God for retention lanyards), but that hat wasn't going anywhere.

The secret pocket in the top is a nice touch. I like that they not only put it there, but throw in a little plastic baggie to keep things dry. A lot of thought goes into their products.

I too have a mastodon sized head, and I followed their directions for sizing. When it came, it was very loose on my head, but after a while it shrunk a bit to being a perfect fit. It's held on by retention straps, not pressure on your head, enhancing the comfort.

As for looks, they are distinctive and like the old time fedoras, they look better as they age a bit.

Nothing Tilley makes is inexpnsive up front, but if you amortize the cost over the years of use, they end up being dirt cheap.
 
Do any of these have a crown that does not stick up too high?

Andy, do you know which version you are wearing?
 
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