Arctic Hats...or something better to recommend?

Marbe2

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Dec 5, 2015
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I am seeking a hat that can keep sustain coolness for a bit longer period of time. Right now I use a Boonie hat. When it is hot I wet the inside of the hat and repeat this as necessary. This hat usually dries within a half hour. Has anybody used the artic hats? Do they provide more protection from the heat? i I am open to other suggestions but no umbrellas please.
Thanks for your feedback!
 
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Marbe2

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Dec 5, 2015
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Just saw those advertised on US tv station yesterday 2 for $19.99 USD. Seems reasonable and not much to lose in trying one.


There were not 3 or 4 reviews I could find and the reviews were not particularly encouraging. I was hoping someone online marketing might have purchased one...
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

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dougfitz

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The web site is not accessible here in Australia, but from what I can glean there might be two techniques being used by this product:
  1. evaporative cooling, which is really no different from wetting your hat or a bandana. To make a difference, some form of water reservoir is needed that has a high water carrying capacity. I have a neck scarf that uses a water absorbing bead similar to a product I have seen florists use. Such a layer would absorb a substantial amount of water quickly and then release it slowly through evaporation.
  2. Reflection - the pictures I have seen appear to show the crown and brim have been made of a highly reflective material, which presumably reflects a high proportion of the light, and it won't then heat up the hat material and in turn your head. This layer would also need to be permeable for the evaporative cooling to work.
The reviews I have seen are very cynical that the manufacturer's claims for cooling effect are realistic. That doesn't mean that it won't work after a fashion, but whether it works any better than regularly soaking a hat or bandana might be debatable.
 
Last edited:

Marbe2

Active member
Dec 5, 2015
2,885
6,751
Time of past OR future Camino
2015-2023 walked all or part of CF 11 times
The web site is not accessible here in Australia, but from what I can glean there might be two techniques being used by this product:
  1. evaporative cooling, which is really no different from wetting your hat or a bandana. To make a difference, some form of water reservoir is needed that have a high water carrying capacity. I have a neck scarf that uses a water absorbing bead similar to a product I have seen florists use. Such a layer would absorb a substantial amount of water quickly and then release it slowly through evaporation.
  2. Reflection - the pictures I have seen appear to show the crown and brim have been made of a highly reflective material, which presumably reflects a high proportion of the light, and it won't then heat up the hat material and in turn your head. This layer would also need to be permeable for the evaporative cooling to work.
The reviews I have seen are very cynical that the manufacturer's claims for cooling effect are realistic. That doesn't mean that it won't work after a fashion, but whether it works any better than regularly soaking a hat or bandana might be debatable.

Thanks Doug!
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
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I purchased a Tilley hat last summer on a trip out west. A friend I walked on the Le Puy with had one and I was very impressed the way she could scrunch it up in her pack and it would hold its shape perfectly the next time she pulled it out to wear. I usually wear a ball cap on the Camino, but purchased this one in gray.
 

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