I recently got a Shelta Seahawk hat. The Shelta hats are sun hats with a stiffener in the front brim to keep it from flopping down and give you good visibility. Sort of like a baseball hat in front and a sun hat the rest of the way around. It also has a good, flexible cord to keep it on.

I just had a chance to try it out in the Florida Keys including a snorkeling trip that went 5 miles out to the reef at about 30 mph and then back through the Keys and mangroves to the Gulf. It was also pretty windy and had some rain. The hat was awesome with great visibility and stayed in well even at high speed. I wore it other days in heavier rains.

This hat may just let me retire my old faithful canvas hat in my profile pic. That one is over 30 years old and the makers went out of business a long time ago. But that’s gonna be a hard choice for the BW. That’s an awesome hat too. But the Shelta will be my go to hat for everything else and especially time on saltwater for sailing. That will extend the life of old faithful.

Note that they also have a model with small brims on the sides which they say is good for fishing. Hats are available from Amazon and I did that for ease in returning. And I needed to return my first one. Measuring said I was just within their smallest size but I needed one size up from that.

Sharp looking hat with good features. I am rather tempted but nervous about the polyester......you didn't bake in it?

Did not bake and it was pretty hot, mid-80’s most days and humid. It does have vents. I do remember it feeling a bit warm a few times but it was hot out. But I see the reason for your question. I do like to dip my canvas hat at times to get some cool water on my head. This one wouldn’t soak up any water. Overall, it didn’t occur to me that it was a problem.

Tilley Hat.

BnD: "Tilley Hat."

+1 I love my Hemp Tilley. It dries fairly quickly and stays on in a wind. The also stand behind their warranty. I had one that was probably 15 years old and it tore between the grommet vents. I sent a picture and was told to pick out my new one. That is amazing to me. Pricey but, buy once cry once.

BnD: "Tilley Hat."

Actually these are not a Tilly Hat despite a similar design appearance. I have a Tilley hat. if you need an extra let me know I will sell it cheap.

Geez, try and do folk a favor by posting what looks to be a good product and they start about what you should have instead. My guess is if the poster wanted a Tilley he would of gotten one thank you very much.

mastertangler: "

BnD: "Tilley Hat."

Actually these are not a Tilly Hat despite a similar design appearance. I have a Tilley hat. if you need an extra let me know I will sell it cheap. "

I'm sure it would be too large for me. Thanks anyway.

BnD: "

mastertangler: "

BnD: "Tilley Hat."

Actually these are not a Tilly Hat despite a similar design appearance. I have a Tilley hat. if you need an extra let me know I will sell it cheap. "

I'm sure it would be too large for me. Thanks anyway."

LOL........good one ;-)

I've tried Tilley hats. They are well loved but for some reason, they don't fit my head well. These do.

I also have the Shelta Seahawk and have been using it to paddle for two seasons so far, including 6 day trips up the Allagash and St. John in Maine. Also worn a great deal around Maryland, where I live. I can vouch that it is a good warm weather hat.

I prefer the classic look of the Tilley, but I love the Shelta's rigid front brim and the way it doesn't flop down in a head wind. Good sun protection, too.

Good looking hat. Looks more functional and just better looking than a Tilley hat.

I wouldn't be caught dead in a Seahawk's hat or jersey!

DownStrm: "I wouldn't be caught dead in a Seahawk's hat or jersey! "

Sounds like we might be a salty Packers fan! I’m a Bears fan living in Wisconsin. I hear the whining all the time! ; ) Oh , and the hat looks nice! But dang $65!

I will probably get one........but how do you slip into your portage yoke without the hat always getting in the way? That was the first thing I noticed with the Tilley.........it was always getting pushed off my head every time I would get into my yoke. Then I noticed the darn thing was hot. Blah! It went one trip and was forever retired safely stashed away in a cabinet awaiting possible use that will probably never happen.

So, nice Tilley in light minty green wore for about 10 days. Sorta like new ;-) Offers entertained.

Since the Shelta has that stiff brim in front and a cord I might end up using it as my new fishing hat which won't flop over or blow off while under power. Hopefully I won't bake.

Looks good... You'll be styling. Your wife didn't toss the old one did she?

I have Outdoor Research and Columbia hats of similar designs and materials, but the floppy brims are constant sources of annoyance. I need to investigate this further.

nctry: "Looks good... You'll be styling. Your wife didn't toss the old one did she? "

I keep it hidden so she won’t be tempted.

I always take my hat off for portaging. It gets attached to the seat with my pfd. Then I put on the big 17’ hat.

andym: "I always take my hat off for portaging. It gets attached to the seat with my pfd. Then I put on the big 17’ hat. "

A seventeen foot hat.........and I thought I had a big head!

Taking a hat off.........having to store it...........another motion, another task, another loose article. Plus the skeets can have their way. Just thinking out loud is all.

I bet the sides of that Shelta is flexible enough to just slide through the yoke? Or is it like the Tilley which was always getting knocked sideways? Only one way to find out. Where is my tape measure..................I will probably only need a 10' tape measure to measure my head though ;-)

They have another model with smaller side brims. That might help for getting through the yoke.

andym: "They have another model with smaller side brims. That might help for getting through the yoke. "

Yes I noticed that..............I didn't like the looks of it as much and figure a guy might just as well just wear a ball cap style hat.

Speaking of ball cap style hats I have an Outdoor Research Sunrunner hat which I am firmly attached to. Very lightweight so you don't overheat and it has a clip on cape which I find a lifesaver on a hot day when the deerflys are around. Dang things land on my ears or my neck at the worst times while portaging. Yank the cape out of my pocket and problem is solved.

Settling on the Shelta being my fishing hat. I won't have to worry about it blowing off my head like baseball style hats while under power. A bit more sun protection which for me would be a very good idea since I have been blasted for many years.

I keep coming back to this thread. Sorely tempted. My Tilley has been relegated to garden duty, and when I wear it I notice how heavy it is. I've been hiking and paddling with OR hats for a while, great character and light weight, but the brim does the flip/flop in wind and the sweat band folds down. The OR has a longer brim in back, which often hits my pack or PFD, so having it shorter in the back might be a good thing. I'm leaning toward the Fire Bird, which has the widest brim.

Haven't tried it with a pack, yet. Did go sailing with it on Sunday and the brim really helped me be able to look up to check sail trim. Not really an issue for canoe camping but important to me.

arm2008: "I keep coming back to this thread. Sorely tempted. My Tilley has been relegated to garden duty, and when I wear it I notice how heavy it is. I've been hiking and paddling with OR hats for a while, great character and light weight, but the brim does the flip/flop in wind and the sweat band folds down. The OR has a longer brim in back, which often hits my pack or PFD, so having it shorter in the back might be a good thing. I'm leaning toward the Fire Bird, which has the widest brim."

Do it! What are you waiting for? Start a "Go Fund me" page and we will all chip in for you ;-)

I have it bookmarked for next winters purchase. Gotta go with the camo!

Andy - I agree with you the floppy brims get real annoying. However, if it isn't really sunny I wear a baseball cap for normal days and with my rain gear. Does the rigid bill allow this to fold up still? I like the idea of the rigid bill and toying with the idea of getting rid of the ball cap. I guess I wouldn't have to fold it up into the pack if I wore it all the time but would still like the option. Just curious what your thoughts are on how foldable it is. Thank you!

It goes very flat and that works in a suitcase or big pack. It came folded in half which made it even smaller. I imagine that you could fold it a bit further. In the BW, I take one hat and wear it all the time. So, hadn’t worried about it for that.

Just ordered a Seahawk. I wanted the FT, but I didn't want a camo pattern.

Thank you, and darn you for sharing the link and planting the seed. I need more gear like I need a hole in the head :). Seriously though, it looks pretty great or I would not have ordered. Just hope the size I ordered works on my giant melon head. LOL

I was reading some of the comments on Facebook on Shelta hats and the Shelta people said that some runners cut the lining out of the top of the hat if they are getting too hot.

Oh, I waited too long. Went to order a Firebird (wider brim) yesterday and they are out of them. Sent them a message and if there are any cancellations they will let me know. I'm going to hold off on ordering one of the others to see if my preferred comes in.

Just got my Seahawk. It's great. I love the stiff visor part of the brim. This will be my new outside/in the sun hat. I'll be wearing it to the Rangers game tonight, even though I won't be in the sun.

Thanks for the recommendation. Solid.

BuckFlicks: "Just got my Seahawk. It's great. I love the stiff visor part of the brim. This will be my new outside/in the sun hat. I'll be wearing it to the Rangers game tonight, even though I won't be in the sun.

Thanks for the recommendation. Solid."

+1

Got mine today too. So far, it is a great hat. I like the stiff brim in front, and the side and back seem like they will be wide enough without getting in the way of anything. Sizing worked out pretty well and will just get better after breaking it in a little bit. It's also a lot more stylish than my old 'bucket' style floppy hat. Going to paddle a bit this weekend to give it the first test run for heat, etc.

Thanks for the post about it!