Hey Overstreet, I hope you’re saying JACK is the man. He’s the real mountain man as far as I’m concerned. If I’m not mistaken he completed the Assault 17 times. A very appropriate paddling/pedaling hat to be buried in I think.
I was there three weeks ago. Plenty of climbing turns on a narrow hwy with the likes of me in my big truck loaded with sea kayaks, being passed by sporty cars that must go twice the speed limit. Brave if nothing else. But quite impressive.
Only pic I have of summit in this phone.
I use two different hats. On calm days I use the Columbia Breezer Two. They don’t last as long as Tilleys but are cooler. The three inch brim is rather floppy.
I also have a Cabela’s flats cap. It is a long billed cap with a cape on the back. The oddly placed mesh panels actually work well and the cape is good for keeping the sun off of you ears and neck. The bill doesn’t fold down on windy days or in the fast boat. The cape can also roll up and store in a pocket in the hat, when not needed.
What hat depends on your paddling venue and water time. Tampa has a need for a larger amount of sun protection and coolness than most places.
I’m a big fan of the “Real Deal Brazil” hats. They look good, are almost indestructible and are cheap. They have cool history too.
The addition of a cord for wind would be a good add on. One thing bad is that they don’t float.
Tilley needs to put the stiff brim in their regular hats OR keep the double strap in their paddling hat model. Why would they do something so stupid? They built their company on a hat that sailors could use with dual straps for windy conditions. Then they take their paddling hat, add the stiff brim that has been needed for years, and then REMOVE the double strap? Gawd.
I emailed them about this, they did not seem interested.
Timely discussion! I had been leaning towards a Tilley but was having problems finding one locally that was big enough (need size 8). Saw the comments about the floppy brim in the wind and decided to look at other options. Learned about the Shelta’s from this thread and found a local dealer so I could check them out. Ended up getting a Shelta Seahawk, no way that brim is going to get blown around and the XXL fits just right.
The reason I wear a Tilly is because a size 8 fits me and I couldn’t find an off the rack hat that did, except the Seattle Sombrero and it isn’t a summer hat.
The Sombreros come in a nylon lined version that works OK for summer (I have one of each, the nylon for warm weather and the fuzzy-lined for cooler,) So far they have been my favorited paddling hat but I must admit that Shelta Seahawk looks pretty good, especially the venting grommets. Though the 3" brim on the Shelta is an inch narrower than the 4" newer Sombreros (my first Sombrero, 8 years ago, was 3" and I prefer the wider one).
I recently purchased an Outdoor Research Sun Runner. Most expensive hat I’ve ever purchased, at about $CAD 40. Though it should cost less for what it is, I really like it. I just got back from paddling 5 days of open water hot sun. Wearing this hat I didn’t feel “baked” at day’s end.
Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero. Decent brim, waterproof, wears hard and it floats.
I just got my Grandson an OR Sun Runner for his BD. He wanted a Tilley , but they are a bit pricey for someone with a growing head.
I have one of these:
https://www.columbia.com/bora-bora-ii-booney-CU9107.html?dwvar_CU9107_variationColor=363#start=0
and I can’t recommend it. The brim flops around and blows up in a headwind, and the chin-cord is annoying because it rubs my ears and won’t stay tight. I mostly wear it in the truck, to keep the sun out of my eyes. Great ventilation.
Actually, the only reason I got it was because Columbia gave me a big discount coupon for opening an account, and I couldn’t find anything else of theirs that I wanted. The hat cost me about five bucks.
I’m liking the looks of that Shelta.
I’ve worn wide brim hats in the past. What I like better about the cap/cape style is that they still provide ample protection of the neck, jaw, and cheeks when the sun is low in the sky.
Side note: I have rolled numerous times now with the Sun Runner and it stays on well without being so tight as to give me a headache. It only requires a slight adjustment and flipping the cape down the back.
@gstamer said:
The best no-flop, large brim sun hat that I have found is the Shelta. The brim is very stable, won’t budge in the wind. I like the Seahawk model, but they have a few models: https://www.sheltahats.com/ . Some people don’t like the “boonie” look, works for me.My second favorite is the REI paddler’s hat. Looks good, brim is pretty stable but it can’t handle the wind that the Shelta can:
https://www.rei.com/product/126628/rei-co-op-paddlers-hatI’m in Florida, so the hats need to not only be wind-stable, but not trap too much heat either. That’s the reason I usually don’t like sun-runners and other “neck cape hats”. My head bakes in them. I prefer a brim that allows you to feel a breeze,
Greg
A few months back Facebook was putting Shelta ads in my feed every 20 posts. After a few months they quit. I clicked on your link, and now the ads are back
Nobody has mentioned the US military sun hat or “boonie”. Inexpensive, full brim, not too floppy, chin strap, can take a beating. I love mine.
I also live in Florida and agree with Greg that a brim hat is much cooler than a caped hat. I also agree that the Shelta is the best hat out there, especially in warm climates. While they costs more than most, they keep a stiff brim in the wind, keep your face shaded and have good ventilation. The only thing we disagree on is the model as Greg prefers the Sea Hawk but I like the wider brim of the Firebird.
@Bill_in_TR said:
Nobody has mentioned the US military sun hat or “boonie”. Inexpensive, full brim, not too floppy, chin strap, can take a beating. I love mine.
I have one. I think it always looks slovenly, and if I get caught out in the rain, it will get soaked and then the brim droops and the whole hat drips on me.
I guess I will have to pay better attention to my fashion consciousness. Never thought of myself as slovenly. They aren’t waterproof as they come. But you can apply a treatment if someone feels they need it. I have worn mine in the rain without finding it too objectionable.
@Bill_in_TR said:
Nobody has mentioned the US military sun hat or “boonie”.
Not true. Three people mentioned boonie hats in this thread before you.
I guess I should have been a little more specific in my reference. Yes several people used the term “boonie” when referring to a particular hat. But I checked the links and other descriptions. None of them is the actual U.S. military sun hat that can be found fairly cheap as surplus. My son brought the one he gave me home from Afghanistan. They called it a “boonie” too. Sorry for any confusion.