Hello folks! I am looking for suggestions for a Rain/Sun hat that is lightweight, and packs down relatively small. I have looked onto the outdoor research seattle sombrero but, some have said that it is not really breathable. We usually take our trips in July/August so, some breathibility would be a plus. I tried the search function but it didn't seem to be working.

My favorite paddling hat by far is my Tilley Hat . I tried many other cheaper hats before I finally broke down and spent the money. Tilleys are guaranteed forever and they are extremely well made. Available at a lot of gear stores and not cheap, but not outrageously priced. I have used mine for 5 years in all types of weather and it still looks like new.

This one is also bird poop proof! Filson Shelter Cloth and/or Tin Cloth, somewhat waterproof, great sun protection, heavy and can become quite smelly!

butthead

I found a Tilley T3 hat on sale last year for about $54. Knowing they are usually $70 or more, I grabbed it based on recommendations I read here. I have used it around home and on a BW trip last August. In the August heat my head sweated, but if you want weather proof, that's a small price to pay. You can roll it up a shove it in your back pocket if needed. I remove it when portaging the canoe since the wide brim interferes with the yoke settling on my shoulders. Over all I'd give it 4.5 stars for an "all weather" type hat.

Whatever hat you settle on, make sure it has a chin strap otherwise it may wind up in the lake.

Cabela's GORE-TEX® Boonie Caps

best hat going. I wear it kayaking or canoeing. Best of all, if raining the water doesn't get you wet. Keeps paddle splash off of you as well.

Cabela's GORE-TEX® Boonie Caps

best hat going. I wear it kayaking or canoeing. Best of all, if raining the water doesn't get you wet. Keeps paddle splash off of you as well.

To the embarrassment of my daughter, I use a Tilley T3 also. The brim is large which is great for sun protection and shedding rain. In the rain, i wear the hat over my hood.

The tilley has a chin strap and a second strap the goes behind you head so the hat won't blow off from behind. The hat also has a thin foam disk in the top which helps it keep its shape and it floats if it blows off.

The hat is made of heavy duty cotton so it is not fully water proof, but it is very water resistant. It washes up pretty well. I wash mine often to prevent staining and stink.

Tilley made a nylon waterproof hat which is still on their website but i think it is discontinued.

My boonie hat has made every trip with me and will till it falls apart. I got it at a army surpluss store about 20 years ago. Still ticking.

It's water proof and can even be balled up. the strap did disinigrate, but I just sewed in a shoe lace.

And when the sun is really beating down, and it's hot, I just dip it in the lake.

A new Tilley hat is on my birthday short list. They are made for a lifetime of use.

quote AndySG: "I found a Tilley T3 hat on sale last year for about $54. Knowing they are usually $70 or more, I grabbed it based on recommendations I read here. I have used it around home and on a BW trip last August. In the August heat my head sweated, but if you want weather proof, that's a small price to pay. You can roll it up a shove it in your back pocket if needed. I remove it when portaging the canoe since the wide brim interferes with the yoke settling on my shoulders. Over all I'd give it 4.5 stars for an "all weather" type hat.

Whatever hat you settle on, make sure it has a chin strap otherwise it may wind up in the lake."

I second Andy's views.

quote butthead: " This one is also bird poop proof! Filson Shelter Cloth and/or Tin Cloth, somewhat waterproof, great sun protection, heavy and can become quite smelly!


butthead"

I've got the exact same hat. I bought it on my first trip to th BWCA, and it's been on every trip since. I love it, and I find the stink very satisfying.

quote Bwoods: "My favorite paddling hat by far is my Tilley Hat ... I have used mine for 5 years in all types of weather and it still looks like new. "

What Bwoods said. Yes, not cheap, but once I owned one (Christmas gift), I've never looked back.

Boonie.

Tilley Hat.

Adams headgear mine is starting to get really worn. I got it at the state fair a number of years ago. I have not ordered from this place, but it is the same hat. It is on my don't leave at home list.

I listed acouple places that have them. I just ordered another one from DorthyLee.

adams hat

Adams headgear

Adams headgear

Jrlatt

I have a Tilley T4 thats been all over. It's stained and a bit stinky but it's a superb travel hat. I sprayed mine with Scotch-Gard and it's now very water resistant...

quote Sierra1: "I have a Tilley T4 thats been all over. It's stained and a bit stinky but it's a superb travel hat. I sprayed mine with Scotch-Gard and it's now very water resistant..."

I soak mine in a bucket of permethrin solution and that works well for bugs. The cotton seems to absorb it well compared to nylon.

Tilly hat is number 1,except when it is real hot. I need a little more ventilation.

Another happy Tilley owner. There's mesh/vented models as well, but for me, if it's really hot, I dip the hat in the water to wet it and put it back on. Nice and cooling. I'll highlight what JH said, that Tilley's float.

I do know a couple of folks with the OR hat who love them, rain or shine. That would definitely be more packable in my opinion. Same idea, if it's hot, dunk it in the water.

Tilley here!!

Thank you guys very much for all the input. I know of no better place to get these types of suggestions. I am leaning towards a Tilley based on the replies. I will let you guys know shortly! Thanks again.

What do you guys think about a leather hat?

quote zachryan: "What do you guys think about a leather hat?"

If it gets wet it would be like wearing a giant piece of bacon on your head. Also heavy and hot. But hey if you like it wear it.

quote zachryan: "What do you guys think about a leather hat?"

You don't see alot of people wearing leather hats...probably a good reason for that :)

I think it would take on a smell of its own.

Tilley for warmer weather. By far my favorite hat. For spring/fall trips I also bring a Seattle Sombrero. It's perfect for cold rainy days.

For summer months, I have the Orvis Edgarton Crushable. Costs $39 but I get them 1/2 off using Orvis coupons I get in the mail. This hat is waxed cotton with lots of venting, so it's very breathable. Someone mentioned using a chin strap, but I remove it from the hat...just not comfortable for me. Have had it blown off once in the wind, but this hat floats...at least long enough to pull it out of the lake. I have two of these hats and each has been used 50 days or so in canoe country and still going strong.

it seems like well-vented and waterproof are mutually exclusive in hats.

so i buy a hat for sun and bug protection (and to hide my greasy hair). most any hat will deflect light rain and sprinkles. and i rely on the hood of my rain jacket in heavy/steady rain.

so for me the outdoor research sun bucket hat has been perfect. it has a bungee that cinches around the crown for a tight fit in windy conditions. it is crushable, lightweight, cool enough, has enough brim to protect my ears and neck, will shed a light rain, and has a low profile that doesn't catch as much wind and fits under my hood easily.

they are discontinued, but still available here and there (like altrec).

I was at Gander Mountain in Maple Grove. They are closing the store. They did still have some Tilly hats for 50% off. Fair amount of fishing lures left at 40%. Not much left in the camping section.

Jrlatt

I wonder how many more stores they are going to close?

I am not sure. I think it is just this store. I heard there lease was up. They were located in a strip mall with decent size but not huge. They are clearing out more of the gravil pit. Maybe they will build there own store, but Cabela's, Dicks and REI are not that far away. Then there is the the economy that is not that great.

Jrlatt

I wear a cotton fedora. I also take along a ball cap for use with my hooded raingear.