Paddling hat recommendations

I carry two hats when I paddle in Sarasota, Florida. Most of the year I wear my OR Sombriolet. It’s the lightest, coolest (temperature wise), biggest brim hat I own (and I own two Tilley hats). I use the REI Paddlers hat or a Tilley when the wind kicks up. I personally find the Tilley’s too thick and hot to be my primary paddling hat in Florida.
I will admit that the Sombriolet is not a good hat in the wind or rain as the brim is not as rigid as a Tilley. But the REI Paddlers Hat works fine in both of those conditions. As stated earlier, it’s a personal choice (as is boats to paddles to just about everything kayaking).
https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/en/mens/mens-hats/mens-sun-hats/sombriolet-sun-hat/p/2434410008009
https://www.rei.com/product/126628/rei-co-op-paddlers-hat

I use the REI bucket hat. I like it because I don’t like big wide brims (I don’t like to see the brim when I’m wearing it), and I do like the look of it on my head (which I can’t say for most hats). It is reasonably priced at $30 and although not billed as a floater, it has in my experience floated well enough for me to retrieve it the few times it has come off (I don’t like strings or ropes dangling around and cut the chin strap off my hats - I have gotten them entangled in my strobe on my rear lashtab before). The only time it has come off though is during a roll and even then, it usually stays on. It retains its shape after being stuffed into my gear bag. https://rei.com/product/110955/rei-co-op-bucket-hat

I’m gonna have to check out those Shelta hats though.

I have been on a quest for a full brim hat for a while and picked up the Sunday Afternoons Compass hat a couple months ago. Its one of my favorite hats so far.

Large brim, light top color, dark under brim, chin strap, elastic cinch, floats, has convertible vents for hot days. Not waterproof, but water seems to roll off it pretty well, not soak in right away.

I wore it for 4 hours in mid-day california sun a couple weeks ago with no sunblock on my face or neck and did not get burned at all. A+ in my book.

https://www.sundayafternoons.com/p/compass-hat/

Am liking the Shelta options due to internal brim stiffener and configurable chin strap. The Firebird V2 is most similar to my existing Boonie style’s brim which is slightly more wide than any Shelta models. Nearest dealers are in Charleston, a good 60 mile drive from lovely Beaufort. Will likely save the fuel and drive time with on-line order V2 and Sea Hawk and return less suitable one.

Hi, Andy,
I’ve been using a Dorfman Pacific hat (Safari model) for more than 30 years. It’s still going but looking rather beat up these days. I purchased another Safari hat several years ago to replace it. The hat has a nice wide full brim that is stiff enough to hold up pretty well on windy days but a gust will collapse the sides temporarily. A chin strap keeps it on my head in the wind. The sides are made of mesh so it’s not a rain hat. (I use a baseball cap under my rain jacket hood for those days.) The mesh lets it breath well during hot weather but it’s probably not a good hat if you don’t have all your hair. The brim soaks up sweat and ends up getting stained even if you wash it. It looks a bit urban at first but takes on a lot of character over time, =)

For high traffic areas I wear one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Ergodyne-6650-Absorptive-Moisture-Wicking-Visibility/dp/B002M0TZ20/ref=sr_1_9?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7_W4vImR4gIVBr3sCh2xQwkKEAAYAiAAEgIMh_D_BwE&hvadid=241913724408&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=2840&hvnetw=s&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4853988818697499601&hvtargid=kwd-301197457419&hydadcr=24662_10400879&keywords=ergodyne+hats&qid=1557495134&s=gateway&sr=8-9

I have an REI hat similar to the one in the link. But the cape folds into the back of the brim, and has a pocket in the top that I keep a seperate head net and buff stored when they aren’t being used. since i almost always leave the cape down the one in the link might be able to store those two Items in the top also. Paddled in high winds and rain It has done passably well though the brim could be stiffer.
https://www.rei.com/product/126630/rei-co-op-sahara-outback-cape-hat

Andy, the Shelta hats are available on Amazon. Customer service has been excellent. I had one hat that developed an issue (the steel mesh over the vent holes rusted) and they replaced the hat with no questions asked. The replacement is doing fine, one year later.

I have tried both the looser fitting “boonie” crown and the form-fitting five panel (baseball cap style) crown. I prefer the “boonie” crown as it seems a little cooler but it’s a subtle difference. That said the Firebird style wasn’t available when I bought mine. I do like the option of a larger brim on the Firebird, but haven’t had any issues with the brim coverage on the Seahawk.

My wife loves her Tilley. She found it at a yard sale for “1 or 2 dollars”. Brand new; never worn.
I wouldn’t wear one if somebody gave me a new one.
If I want a hat to wear when it’s raining; I wear an REI rain hat.
If I want full coverage to save my face from UV wear & tear; I wear a straw hat, which I think cost me 25 or 30 bucks, and I look so damn good in it! :slight_smile:
Cloudy to partly sunny, no rain…ball cap.
Cold days it’s one of a variety of wool or fleece, stocking hats.



BOB

PS. I never pass up an opportunity to attempt to aggravate Tilley lovers. But if it works for you; go for it!

“I love the way you wear that hat”!
“You don’t know nothing”!
James Dickey’s Deliverance dialogue.

I have a Seattle Sombrero for old rain.

I found a Watership on sale at West Marine years ago.
It is my go-to paddling hat.
I save my Tilley for date night…

OR fantastic hat at an unbelievable price. Super light weight.
https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/en/gear-and-accessories/hats/sol-sun-hat/p/2434360081009

@string said:
I have a Seattle Sombrero for old rain.

Cold rain

Recommendation: wear one regardless of brand with a full brim.
Or have bad things burned or cut off your head every 6 months so they don’t become really bad things.

@string said:
Recommendation: wear one regardless of brand with a full brim.
Or have bad things burned or cut off your head every 6 months so they don’t become really bad things.

I always hated hats… now they are cutting on me… now I wear hats…

Me too.

Spur of the moment purchase at a local outfitter a couple of summers ago. Wide brimmed Patagonia. It works.

String, love the Seattle Sombrero for rain and cold, but it doesn’t matter how “old” the rain is.

I use visors because even vented hats are too hot. If I decide to wear a sun hat due to needing more of a brim (for weeding), I bought a straw “lifeguard hat” from NRS. It is not what you might assume. It is almost as brimmy as a Mexican sombrero. Not waterproof, so I won’t use it for paddling.

Visors aren’t much use if there is no hair on your head

@string said:
Visors aren’t much use if there is no hair on your head

Like mine.