Best place to purchase a summer hat

[CountryBoy]

I am at the age when sun can cause problems with my skin so I am looking to buy a straw hat for summer.

One place I have is this:

http://www.villagehatshop.com/product/s ... w-hat.html

Do people know of other places to buy a man's hat at a good price?

I need it to be broad rim so as to protect from sun for nose, ears, and neck.

Thanks.
cb

ps: i am not a guatemalan cattleman.

[DSInvestor]

REI is great for outdoors gear. Here's a link to hats at REI:
http://www.rei.com/search.html?ir=q%3Ahat&page=1&q=hat

[midmoder]

http://www.sunprecautions.com/

[CountryBoy]

Many thanks folks.

[cherijoh]

TravelSmith has this Panama hat that is packable and a little less cowboy-ish.

[rotorhead]

Your local golf shop should have a reasonable selection of hats.

[mhalley]

I saw some at the dollar store the other day. Very BogleHEADish.
BAZINGA!
Mike

[KlangFool]

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Bora-Boo ... 43913011_1

OP,

If this is acceptable to you, Costco has a different brand and similar design for about $20...

KlangFool

[CountryBoy]

There is no Costco anywhere near to us but thank you.

[livesoft]

The best place is probably while on vacation in the southern hemisphere while on a fantastic vacation. The hat will remind you of your vacation every time you wear it. In fact, buy more than one or two.

Macchu Picchu?
Uluru?
Capetown?
Patagonio?

[likegarden]

Some of those recommended hats do not seem to be washable. I need a hat for work around the house, like mowing the lawn, then touching it with dirty hands. Luckily most of the hats shown can be washed in a washing machine. Thanks for the links!

[jebmke]

here is another site

http://www.sundayafternoons.com/

[jaqueisse]

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research- ... 0026MMWJC/

Bought this recently for hiking after debating between this and Columbia Bora Bora hat. Decided on this as wanted mesh ventilation that was sun protected----some reviews on Bora Bora hat mentioned people being burned by sun rays that got through the side mesh, as that part wasn't considered fully protected. Quite happy with this purchase, though I it was on sale for Mid 20s when I bought it.

[autolycus]

The best place is probably while on vacation in the southern hemisphere while on a fantastic vacation. The hat will remind you of your vacation every time you wear it. In fact, buy more than one or two.

Macchu Picchu?
Uluru?
Capetown?
Patagonio?

Be careful bringing a straw hat back into the US from any of those places. It's organic material. If it's been heavily processed, dyed, etc., you can probably get away with it, but anything that looks natural might draw scrutiny from Customs/Ag. inspection.

I find the "technical" hats like those from Outdoor Research, REI, and similar places to be better anyway. They deal with sweat and moisture much better than straw, traditional felt, etc. The Helios Sun Hat has been very comfortable for me hiking, kayaking, and sailing on different trips. It is rinsed easily, doesn't have problems with sweat or salt water, and can be folded up without making the brim too floppy.

OR does have some straw hats too, FWIW.

[aeronina]

"Some of those recommended hats do not seem to be washable. I need a hat for work around the house, like mowing the lawn, then touching it with dirty hands. Luckily most of the hats shown can be washed in a washing machine. Thanks for the links!"

We bought some Columbia Sportswear Company beige-colored hats with a wide rim years ago. They recommend you wash by hand as needed. However, the trick to having them look continually great is to put the rinsed out hat on an upside down bowl that is roughly the size (and shape) of your head. Straighten out the 360 degree visor and let it dry. You will be surprised how good it looks after a washing.

[CountryBoy]

Many thanks; those look like a lot of good ideas.

[bobbyrab]

I am a Panama hat aficionado and there is a lot of junk out there; some of it made of paper! Try Panama Bob for one of his cheaper, internet special hats. You might get hooked, however!

http://the-panama-hat-works-of-montecri ... opify.com/

[Crimsontide]

Living in Texas and mowing acreage requires sun protection for sure. I used to be a straw hat man as well but I switched to this hat from Academy.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/magella ... ts&Ntk=All

It's like wearing an air conditioner on your head. The sweat wicking band is amazing.

[CountryBoy]

Your recommendation and experience leads me to think this is what I really need.

But since I am bald, I am not sure it offers enough protection to the top of my head..???

Please advise.

Thank you.

[Mrs.Feeley]

LL.Bean has some really nice sun-blocking hats:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/86630?fe ... utback-hat

A few years ago Consumer Reports tested sun-blocking garments from a variety of retailers and manufacturers and found that garments from LL.Bean and Land's End did the best job of blocking rays.

LL.Bean's sun-blocking hats go on sale at the end of the summer for usually about 40 percent off.

[YttriumNitrate]

When working out in my orchard on hot summer days, an Asian conical hat is my hat of choice. Some of them have a weave that slightly lifts the hat off your head for great airflow, and since they are made of bamboo washing them after a day of weed wacking is as simple as spraying them with a garden hose.

Amazon Link

[Norris]

http://www.tilley.com/us_en/

Click on the guarantee at the bottom of the page.

Norris

[JLJL]

http://www.tilley.com/us_en/

Click on the guarantee at the bottom of the page.

Norris

+1 Tilley, very comfortable and bulletproof.

[DonCamillo]

http://www.tilley.com/us_en/

Click on the guarantee at the bottom of the page.

Norris

Another +1 for Tilley. I have two, one winter weight and one summer weight. I have had skin cancer, need the sun protection.

[Aptenodytes]

The best place is probably while on vacation in the southern hemisphere while on a fantastic vacation. The hat will remind you of your vacation every time you wear it. In fact, buy more than one or two.

Macchu Picchu?
Uluru?
Capetown?
Patagonio?

That's what I was going to say! A benefit of the reminder-bonus is that it nudges you to wear the hat more often, which gives you more total sun protection. Another approach along the same lines is a hat from your father, though head-sizes and hat-styles may complicate that.

[jebmke]

nudges you to wear the hat more often,

All it took for me was my first trip to the dermo in 1997 and seeing all the patients in the waiting room with missing parts of ears and noses.

[CountryBoy]

I have already had an extensive Carac treatment for my scalp due to sun issues. My neighbor down the street has had skin grafting to correct his scalp issues.

The issue of a sun hat is important.