Wilderness hats?

A

aarya

Joined
Jun 21, 2006
Messages
514
I've been wanting a decent wilderness hat for quite some time, but i've always had difficulty deciding which hat to get.
I want something that i can scrunch up into a small ball and carry around in a pocket or bag, and then just retrieve it, fluff it a little, and wear it with pride.
Does such a hat exist?
I wouldn't really mind if it wrinkled, just as long as it doesn't hurt the fabric.
Must admit i've been eyeing the Tilleys, but i don't know how they'll hold up against scrunching. In the winter i wear a tuque/knitted cap or a chullo-type hat, but i don't really have anything decent to wear during the non-winter months.

I'll sum it up a little, so it'll be easier for you guys to make recommendations:

Crushable/scrunchable.
Rain-repellent.
Have a decent sized brim. (Not really big.. I guess medium-sized maybe?)
Cotton or hemp fabric preferably.

For those of you who have a Tilley, is it crushable, or is the fabric really stiff?

Thanks for reading!
 
I have both a Tilley and Filson. I dont think either would scrunch up into a ball, but both roll up nicely and can fit in a pack that way or in your back pocket. I think the Filson will repel water better, But is has the smaller brim of the two. My Filson is more of the bucket type, while my Tilley has a much wider brim and can be snapped up on one side or both depending on the style you wanna wear it. Both are slightly stiff when new, but after worn a few times, they soften up nicely. You cannot go wront with either, pretty much just depends on the style you want.
 
I wear and prefer the Boonie hat by 5.11 Tactical.

aeb1088656c0da4a912920e75a659b79
 
What about a military style boonie hat? That or a simple ball cap is my go to in the summer.

I've got an OD green one and a khaki one.
 
for days when i;m really cranking out the sweat, i like my WALZ wool cycling cap. Thin, rapidly vents moisture and keeps the noggin warm even if its pissing out. Plus it fits very nicely under a parka hood. Folds up flat enough that it can fit into a lapel pocket and you do not notice it.
 
I've been wearing the old standard military bush hat/boonie hat for over thirty years now, and it's never let me down. I think I've gone through about eight of them so far. Not because they don't last, but because I've lost them or given them away. The last one went to the cutest little girl (around seven or eight years old) who was getting sunburned. Way too big for her, but it kept the sun off of her head. I haven't replaced it yet, but when I do, it'll be the same thing. Great hats.
 
REI Airflyte Event cap.
I fold the brim in half and roll the back on top of it.
i also have a Seattle Sombrero. It doesn't cooperate with my current pack.
 
aarya said:
I want something that i can scrunch up into a small ball and carry around in a pocket or bag, and then just retrieve it, fluff it a little, and wear it with pride.
Does such a hat exist?
I wouldn't really mind if it wrinkled, just as long as it doesn't hurt the fabric.
Must admit i've been eyeing the Tilleys, but i don't know how they'll hold up against scrunching. In the winter i wear a tuque/knitted cap or a chullo-type hat, but i don't really have anything decent to wear during the non-winter months.

I'll sum it up a little, so it'll be easier for you guys to make recommendations:

Crushable/scrunchable.
Rain-repellent.
Have a decent sized brim. (Not really big.. I guess medium-sized maybe?)
Cotton or hemp fabric preferably.

For those of you who have a Tilley, is it crushable, or is the fabric really stiff?

Thanks for reading!
Click to expand...

I worked in a store that sold the Tilly's several years back. The company actually advertises a story about a man who worked with elephants who wore a Tilly hat. One of his charges developed a habit of snatching the hat off his head and trying to eat it. On three seperate occasions the animal succeeded. The man would wait a few days for the elephant to pass the hat then find it, wash it, and put it right back on. IIRC, the people at Tilly tried to offer the man a brand new hat after hearing his tale but he politely declined saying he was perfectly happy with his old one. Personally I never cared for the style much but that was before I got into this survival thing. I.e. they look like they would work great with a mosquito net. I may have to pick one up. -DT

Edit to add: Having handled a bunch of them, along with a bunch of other hats, I can tell you that they appear to be very very durable.
 
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I use the US issue boonies with the wide brim. I really like them. I also have a big huge floppy cotton hat I got at Wally world last year for when I was diving (boat time + shaved head = pain). Its become my all round "adventure hat". I think it cost 5.70.
 
dawsonbob said:
I've been wearing the old standard military bush hat/boonie hat for over thirty years now, and it's never let me down. I think I've gone through about eight of them so far. Not because they don't last, but because I've lost them or given them away. The last one went to the cutest little girl (around seven or eight years old) who was getting sunburned. Way too big for her, but it kept the sun off of her head. I haven't replaced it yet, but when I do, it'll be the same thing. Great hats.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
 
I think the best way to go about finding a hat is to go to a hat shop and try on every one you like till you find the one that fits perfectly and feels good. my bushhat is a baileys lite felt hate. it was relatively cheap and fits great. then i added a band to it and voila a personalized hat that i love and that fits me 100%
 
Stormstaff said:
I may not meet all the reqs but I LOVE my Tarp Hat
Click to expand...

I've been messing with the idea of buying myself one of those. Is it pretty durable, waterproof, light, chick-magnet, +10 to all atributes for 3 turns? I think I might just head over to their site and buy one now before you even get the opportunity to answer. :p
 
jeff_c said:
I use the US issue boonies with the wide brim. I really like them. I also have a big huge floppy cotton hat I got at Wally world last year for when I was diving (boat time + shaved head = pain). Its become my all round "adventure hat". I think it cost 5.70.
Click to expand...

Jeff
What is your source for the US issue boonie hat?
I have been looking, but the local Army/Navy store just sells crappy knock offs.
 
Blais said:
I've been messing with the idea of buying myself one of those. Is it pretty durable, waterproof, light, chick-magnet, +10 to all atributes for 3 turns? I think I might just head over to their site and buy one now before you even get the opportunity to answer. :p
Click to expand...


I've only had mine since Christmas but it seems pretty durable to me. As far as waterproof, I sprayed it with a couple of coats of canvas waterproofing. Light? Average weight I suppose. Chick-magnet? Well, it can start conversations I suppose. +10 to attributes? Only vs zombies.

Plus, since it's made from recycled tarps, you're helping the environment.
 
He's in Norway and nobody has made a Viking helmet joke yet? You guys are being gentle....;)

In wet climates I carry an Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero. It crushes and rebounds easily with no problems. I use it for canoeing and rafting in Alaska/Canada a lot. Excellent water resistance. The main drawback is that I find it does not breathe well enough for hiking in warm, dry weather.

DancesWithKnives
[I have a Scandinavian name and periodically attend Sons of Norway meetings, so I trust you'll pardon the joke.:D]
 
Viking helmet joke? You mean, like how all Norwegians are born with one? Because that's true.. Except most gets the horns removed before they enter kindergarten. Well, i say kindergarten, but it is infact a ten-year survival course where we live alone in the wilderness in a quinzhee amongst all the trolls, and learn to wrestle polar bears and moose. :D

I appreciate everyones input, and i hope to get more recommendations before i make a decision! :thumbup::thumbup:
 
I wear an OD Boonie, my dad gave me my first one for a father and son dear hunting trip in the 70's. Simple, comfortable and they last.
 
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