Survival hat

FortyTwoBlades said:
Call me crazy (you won't be the first!) but I have an aluminum hardhat that has a removable harness. I can boil water in it and the harness keep it off my head so I get great ventilation. :)
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Does it keep your head warm? Or shade you from the sun? Or is the point to just run around with a pot on your head, like Johnny Appleseed?
 
Sort of. It's better than a booney hat for sure, but if you boil anything in it you're likely to draw out the temper. I hear it's really to F things up with aluminum like that but could be wrong. Anodizing might be an answer, but would reduce heat reflection resulting from the bare metal surface. It sure is comfy, though, and you can get older ones that don't meet current safety requirements for super cheap off the 'bay. Just make sure the harness is removable and doesn't leave behind any plastic hardware. :)


hollowdweller said:
That's a cool idea. Insurance against deadfalls too:thumbup:
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EMT_Lee said:
Does it keep your head warm? Or shade you from the sun? Or is the point to just run around with a pot on your head, like Johnny Appleseed?
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It keeps my head decently cool and shades my face and neck quite nicely. Loggers prefer aluminum hard hats, and it's probably because it's cooler than plastic. Your milage may vary of course. I don't spend tons of time in direct sun exposure as there's usually some pretty good canopy coverage up here. I plan on getting a genuine pith helmet for really hot weather though. General opinions seem to indicate that a real pith helmet is like an AC for your head. :p

Apologies for the repeat posts but I'm on a mobile device and it's easiest this way.
 
Real Deal Brazil tarp hats are a bargain; probably won't hold water though. I would think any hat that will hold water will also trap heat and perspiration which sounds mighty uncomfortable come summertime.
 
Those are canvas aren't they? If so, the fibers expans when wetted to make a waterproof seal. Canvas buckets have been around for ages.
 
Yep, recycled canvas tarps. But they include air vents and seams. I guess those could be blocked with duct tape in a pinch.
 
The seams would swell and be ok, but the vents would need to be covered. Could be taped, but perhaps it's possible to just find a can as hat without vents :p
 
Well, I guess Fortytwoblade's has about the best solution to the OP. Want to carry water in your hat? Wear a pot as a hat! But, really. It's not that novel of an idea. It's just more practical for most people to carry a separate container for storing/carrying/prep'ing water. You can get a steel bottle with a D-ring on the lid, and hang it from your belt loop. And, then you can get a more comfortable hat. Despite what some might say, a metal helmet is not the most comfortable head-attire for romping through the woods. Those are my thoughts, anyways. That is a solution looking for a problem.
 
I've seen a roly poly pouch used as a water holder by fitting a twig to the bottom drain grommet. (seanmullhall/silver fox on youtube)

You could probably do the same with a boonie or other style hat if the grommets are substantial enough. For example, I have a filson shelter cloth packer that this would probably work with. I hadn't really thought about it 'til I saw this thread topic.


I really like the sturdiness of the tin cloth. I have used it to gather tinder and fan a fire (too much a couple of times). I also frequently use it to shade things or keep things dry, either off the ground or from getting wet from rain. It is hot in the summer and doesn't breathe all that well. On the flip side, it may be the perfect hat for that 25 - 50 degree, cold & wet weather that we get in the spring, fall, & winter here in the midwest. It looks a little more woodsy than the folks around here are used to, so I'm trying to get used to the looks I get.

I have a lightweight boonie hat that I wore in the field for several years. Not waterproof at all, nor warm, but it kept the sun off great and you could use it for evaporative cooling or to put some ice on your head to cool down. The good & bad thing about it is that it doesn't really hold its shape, so you can stuff it well, but the brim will flop down in your face in the wind or water.

I wear a ball cap quite a bit as well, but I am generally concerned with getting skin cancer on the ears & head (since a number of outdoor guys i've known have had issues with this), so when I'm out for a long time, I try and wear a hat with more coverage.
 
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A Platypus bottle would be another good solution, as long as you don't try to cook in it! :p But for compact water storage it's a lot better than a condom! :D
 
If one gets separated from his gear, a billy can or canteen won't be of much help for water use, which is why the redundancy of a hat intrigues me.
 
What about a foldable canvas bucket instead?

RCO-9005_d.jpg


That would fit into the thigh pocket of BDUs, no?
 
I tend to wear a marino wool skull cap in winter unless I need to go up to a full beanie. These are great for when it's cool but not freezing, or if it's freezing but you are moving. And they weigh next to nothing.

Surprisingly warm for something so thin. I tend to sleep with it on too.
 
bladerique said:
What about a foldable canvas bucket instead?

RCO-9005_d.jpg


That would fit into the thigh pocket of BDUs, no?
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If you wear BDU's regularly into the woods, then this is a fine solution. :thumbup: It would probably also fit folded into the back pocket of jeans.
 
As I previously mentioned, for water storage or transport I suggest something like these.

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In winter I usually wear my blaze orange fur-lined Mad Bomber hat or polar fleece watch cap, and in summer it's usually either a cadet cap (I like it because of the short brim) or that aluminum helmet of mine.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
As I previously mentioned, for water storage or transport I suggest something like these.

plusBottle.jpg


In winter I usually wear my blaze orange fur-lined Mad Bomber hat or polar fleece watch cap, and in summer it's usually either a cadet cap (I like it because of the short brim) or that aluminum helmet of mine.
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I wish they still made the larger ones. 2.5l??
 
Carry several! That way if you pop one you have others! :D But yeah it would be good if they made gallon ones or something.
 
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