Hats / Headwear

[nq111]

We came across these two Spanish walkers on NZ's Rees-Dart Track. The shawl/scarf "thingy" is made of merino, is cool, protects against both sun and sandflies, and is very comfortable.

Interesting. Two headsox / buffs arranged to similar effect is what i use. I have found it is the coolest, causes least interference with packs and rockfaces when scrambling, and gives much better sun protection than other options.

However I would be laughing hard if I saw me walking down the trail with this kit on - look like a freak.

[sailfish]

I use a legionnaire style hat, have had several over the years. Wearing glasses, I need at least a peak to keep them clear in the rain. Brim hats tend to blow off in the wind but these stay put even in a sail boat, kayak etc. The flap protects my neck, ears and cheeks from the sun and fishing fly hooks (instant ear rings) . I can attach a light under the peak at night. Sometimes I add a cammo buff for fishing, warmth or extra sun protection…. I water proof the hat which means I don’t need to use a shell hood unless it’s moderate to heavy continuous rain. I haven’t found what I would consider the ideal one yet. None are really waterproof, manufacturers only seem to think about the Sun. Detachable flaps are good if you need to use your shell hood but they always attach on the outside so some rain can run between the hat and flap. Don’t really need a detaching flap but it’s just a little more comfortable. Currently using a S2S H2Off which is light and compact for hiking, too light coloured for fishing. Also use a Frillneck cammo for day fishing but it’s too heavy and bulky for o-night hiking. The H2Off had good water resistance when new but not after washing and retreating, you do have to get the sweat stains out eventually.

Regards,
Ken

[Onestepmore]

I have a buff coloured nylon with mesh vents legionaires hat when I walk (and fish) due to the sun protection on the neck - I do amit it looks a bit daggy but mostly it's only my husband who sees me. I find if I use a full brimmed hat, the brim at the back keeps knocking against the back of my pack, especially waking uphill, and that really annoys me. As I wear glasses I need a brim when it rains. I have long hair and so ponytail provision is needed - my legionaires hat has a handy 'tail' hole.
I also have a squashy camo boonie (bucket) hat for fishing
I am eternally on the hunt for the 'perfect' hat!
If it's coolish I wear a black polarfleece ear muff headband
At night I wear a black polarfleece beanie (freebie from Metacam - a dog pain reliever)

[Wingnut]

This is the hat I want...I like the vagabond look.

[magichat]

I use a Barmah hat of some description that Ive had as a gardening/walking hat for about 15 years. I think it is a Foldaway Suede Leather one. I probably mostly use it for sentimental reasons, but also because whenever I look at right proper technical hats in shops they cost so much I never bother.

[gbagua]

Can anyone recommend me a shop in Brisbane that stocks this type of hat. I have been to a fair number of shops and nothing, not having any luck. I am after a simple hat, cotton made with a wide brim and a chin strap capable of resisting a hurricane on top of my head . Honestly why is it so difficult to find something this simple.

Cheers.

[Strider]

Can anyone recommend me a shop in Brisbane that stocks this type of hat. I have been to a fair number of shops and nothing, not having any luck. I am after a simple hat, cotton made with a wide brim and a chin strap capable of resisting a hurricane on top of my head . Honestly why is it so difficult to find something this simple.

Cheers.

The biggest problem with these is that when they get wet, they take days to dry out.

If you have a small head, try somewhere that sell school uniforms?

Seriously though, try the Cancer Council?
http://www.cancervic.org.au/store/shop_ ... outdoorhat

Last edited by Strider on Wed 09 Jan, 2013 9:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

[wayno]

Can anyone recommend me a shop in Brisbane that stocks this type of hat. I have been to a fair number of shops and nothing, not having any luck. I am after a simple hat, cotton made with a wide brim and a chin strap capable of resisting a hurricane on top of my head . Honestly why is it so difficult to find something this simple.

Cheers.

outdoor research make that design of hat... so find somewhere that stocks their product.

http://www.hiking.com.au/s/Keyword/hat/ ... SortItem/1

http://www.kellysbasecamp.com.au/s/Keyw ... SortItem/1

[Rob A]

Kellys basecamp is Hiking dot.

Before dealing with Kellys/Hiking you should make sure you are familiar with their terms and conditions.
They do have a return handling charge of about twenty, twenty five (do your own homework). This will only get you as far as them recieving back and evaluating the condition of the returned. Then you might get store credit for exchange. You will still be up for return postage and postage out on the exchange.

My experience was that if Hiking dot staff could not adequately describe the product in front of them, or it was too much trouble for them to check or find out, they were quite happy to tell you you could exchange or store credit, but when it came to sorting out something that just was not as described it they would treat you like the pariah, before going on to detail the charge and time to recieve and evaluate the return. The initial contact was so distasteful and laced with inuendo I walked away from it.


There are other vendors out there who will go out of their way to help you.

[wayno]

heres one in brisbane

http://www.k2.com.au/shop/OR

[Strider]

I bought one of these the other day. Not really a fan of wide-brim hats, and really wanted something airy and breathable as I tend to sweat a lot otherwise.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/echo-cap.html

[wildernesswanderer]

Kellys basecamp is Hiking dot.

Before dealing with Kellys/Hiking you should make sure you are familiar with their terms and conditions.
They do have a return handling charge of about twenty, twenty five (do your own homework). This will only get you as far as them receiving back and evaluating the condition of the returned. Then you might get store credit for exchange. You will still be up for return postage and postage out on the exchange.

My experience was that if Hiking dot staff could not adequately describe the product in front of them, or it was too much trouble for them to check or find out, they were quite happy to tell you you could exchange or store credit, but when it came to sorting out something that just was not as described it they would treat you like the pariah, before going on to detail the charge and time to receive and evaluate the return. The initial contact was so distasteful and laced with innuendo I walked away from it.


There are other vendors out there who will go out of their way to help you.

I think a few people need to know the law in Australia as far as exchange, not fit for purpose. Any item that is not described or not fit for purpose is allowed under the ACCC law to be returned for a full refund or store credit, which ever the customer requests. Failure to do so is in breach of the law. As a customer you need to know what your rights are so I suggest people to look it up.
I bought some computer parts from a store here in Melbourne, went home and assembled my computer to find it had a fault, could work out what it was so took it all back to the store and asked them to test what the problem was as I want to exchange the faulty product, They wanted me to pay $70 for them to test it, and said unless I knew what part was faulty they would need the technician to work it out and he charges $70. I laughed at them, told them that they sold the parts and under the ACCC they either replace it or I'm entitled to a refund, if they can't be bothered working out what part is faulty I'll take a full refund as the equipment is not suitable for the required application, as in working.
Funny mentioned the ACCC, they tested it found a fault in the MB and replaced it.
My point is know the law and your rights and no company in Australia is allowed to refuse a refund if faulty not not fit for the required application. Just saying

[wayno]

I bought one of these the other day. Not really a fan of wide-brim hats, and really wanted something airy and breathable as I tend to sweat a lot otherwise.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/echo-cap.html

mate , you were lucky all the reviewers said it was way too big....

[Strider]

I bought one of these the other day. Not really a fan of wide-brim hats, and really wanted something airy and breathable as I tend to sweat a lot otherwise.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/echo-cap.html

mate , you were lucky all the reviewers said it was way too big....

I had a poke around all the reviews I could find, and didn't find any mention to that effect. It is adjustable of course, and for once I am glad I have quite a large head!

*EDIT*
Didn't check the reviews on the website. Oh well, if its no good I'll just put it back on Ebay

[wayno]

i've got their gore tex peak cap its big as well but its good for fitting a warm beanie underneath

[Strider]

i've got their gore tex peak cap its big as well but its good for fitting a warm beanie underneath

Woah that is BIG

[wayno]

i've got one of these, light material lets air through, mesh sides to breathe better, http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens/ ... l-hat.html
good fit.

[Strider]

Not my kind of thing. I looked at the Swift Cap but decided the mesh sides could get a bit cold under some conditions. The Echo says it fits 57-61cm, and my head is 58cm so hopefully will be OK.

[wayno]

thats why i take multiple hats, hot and cold weather ones... cant be bothered taking an in between hat that can leave you too cold or too hot. they dont weigh that much, I"d rather just pack an extra one to cover the different conditions.

[Onestepmore]

I can't find it now, but someone was asking about cotton terry toweling bucket hats. I saw them recently at a chemists, but I found a link for one online
http://www.myshopping.com.au/ZM--122107 ... _Hat_White

There was also a request for a wide brimmed cricket style hat from gbagua
Hubby has a big head and most hats look silly on him, but I found a good wide one in a Workwear shop for roadworkers, chippies etc (used to be called Western Workwear in Campbelltown)
It may be one of these http://www.eapparel.com.au/winning_spir ... code=h1035 or http://www.eapparel.com.au/dnc/product_ ... &code=h791. There are a few listed there. I remember it was really inexpensive. There were navy, cream, white etc

For myself I recently bought a Nepalese made knitted hat with earmuffs for winter at Salamanca markets - it's a penguin!
I'll post a pic when I wear it in winter (yes I look very silly with it on.....) My son wanted me to buy an Angry Birds green pig hat, but I didn't coz it was synthetic. I kind of wish I had bought it now. Oh well, will have to wait until next trip to Tassie I guess!

Last edited by Onestepmore on Wed 09 Jan, 2013 3:37 pm, edited 3 times in total.

[wayno]

I want the Al Capone one!!

http://www.costumebox.com.au/Al-Capone- ... mpaign=Swe

[Strider]

I bought one of these the other day. Not really a fan of wide-brim hats, and really wanted something airy and breathable as I tend to sweat a lot otherwise.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/echo-cap.html

Well this arrived today, so I took it for a 2 hour round trip up the hill. Performed admirably, really breathable, and fits great. A bit of a weird shape for a cap but I didn't buy it to look cool.

[AlexB]

Yay, a hat thread (or three), just want I wanted!

I currently have:

* wool beanie (I knit so I actually have a wide selection of these and pick whichever one I'm in the mood for)
* large bandanna/scarf (flexible item with various sun-screening/sweat-absorbing/etc uses)
* Columbia brimmed hat, years old and model unknown because I cut the scratchy label off. It says "UPF30+" and seems to have a light nylon crown with foam brim and chinstrap

What I'm pondering at the moment is the trouble I have with raincoat hoods. They don't seem to work for me. They invariably fall down over my face and block my vision and/or hearing. The only workaround seems to be zipping the raincoat right to the top, which makes the hood a better shape, but then I feel claustrophobic around the throat. I like things a bit airier most of the time.

So I'm pondering the best way to augment a misbehaving raingear hood. I'm thinking either:

* baseball cap/peaked cap of any kind under the hood (will stop it falling over my eyes)

OR

* a brimmed rainhat, and don't use the hood at all (bonus: better for peripheral vision and hearing)

On the whole I'm thinking a fully brimmed would be more flexible, as it'll also provide sun protection when the weather is clear. I've looked at the OR Seattle Sombrero in a shop and thought it looked dorky but practical. I think I'd prefer something that would do better double duty as a general-purpose hat, that I could wear most of the time in mild weather and which looks reasonably non-dorky. I usually like a medium brim and not too "buckety" nor too curved.

I'm looking at:

* OR "Sunshower Sombrero" -- removable rain cover stows in small pocket on brim
* Sea to Summit "Kimberley" -- goretex medium brim hat

Does anyone have opinions/experience of either of these two, or could recommend something comparable?

[perfectlydark]

Got several beanies of varying warmth/thickness, all synthetic. Broad brimmed hat and a light flaphat that the flap can fold up into the hat if needed. Just take whatever works for the location, always take a beanie for overnight though

[slparker]

* OR "Sunshower Sombrero" -- removable rain cover stows in small pocket on brim
* Sea to Summit "Kimberley" -- goretex medium brim hat

Does anyone have opinions/experience of either of these two, or could recommend something comparable?

I have had two OR goretex hats similar to the sombrero. Both were a little on the sweaty side for hard aerobic activity. I still wear one around - they are waterproof, not too bad in the wind and the head sweatiness is traded off by being able to loosen the top of your jacket to let sweat vapour out. The one I have now is lined with fleece and has a fleece ear-warmer. very toasty in the snow but too hot for hard x-country skiing on a warm day.
They are not all weather though and are way too hot as a sunhat.

I had a sea to summit 'java' hat some years ago - which is a short-brimmed goretex hat. Unlined and not completely waterproof it didn't get much use.
If you buy a goretex one get a lined one and be aware that it gets sweaty and useless for hot weather. I have seen the one that you mention with a waterproof cover. It looks like a good idea. I thought about getting one as I use my hat for the kayak, snow, walking etc and OR have the best stiffened brims (and they float) in the business.

[Moondog55]

I may reply to this thread when I have the time to line them all up and take pictures

[stry]

I may reply to this thread when I have the time to line them all up and take pictures

Wide angle lens ?

Hats and gloves seem to breed.

[north-north-west]

Hats and gloves seem to breed.

Beanies and sunglasses in my ownership are subject to something akin to repeated cycles of mass extinction. So far my records for sunnies are (minimum duration of possession) 45 mins & (maximum period of ownership) approx 4 1/2 years. Beanies fare a little better but inevitably follow the sunnies down those freak wormholes that eternally chase my gear.

Gloves, on the other hand . . . only ever lost one glove (apart from the three pairs of scrub gloves that were inadvertantly left behind on summits). Well, it was a sheepskin mitten, actually. Damned shame because they were lovely and warm and comfy.

[cajun]

Yay, a hat thread (or three), just want I wanted!

So I'm pondering the best way to augment a misbehaving raingear hood.

I have the same issue and wear my much loved Greg Chappell cricket fielding hat under my MD shell's hood. Works a treat for this rough head.

The hat itself is light, absorbent and dries quickly enough for me. I have had a couple of Melanomas and too many to count other lesions, so a hat on my balding pate is a must.