(Even) wider brimmed walking hat

[MaxHelado]

More stress in the Helado household where Mrs H has decided that last year’s floppy brimmed walking hat is simply no longer “de rigor” and must be replaced. The old one has a brim of approximately 7cm/3 inches and the new one must be wider than that and allow for being rolled up and stuffed into a backpack.

Sleepless nights surfing t’Internet have failed to deliver and the tension is mounting.

Please help.

PS I will confess that she has a point. The current headgear does not quite shade all her neck or face in strong sunshine.

 

[GlendaMac]

Hello Max and Mrs H
As a Fair-skinned Australian I can empathise. I have found that Sunday Afternoon hats are excellent- wide brimmed, squashable, and they offer models with a fold down flap at the back to shade the neck. This flap is held up by Velcro when not needed.
Not sure if you'll be able to get them, but have a look. I found mine excellent on a 7 day walk in November in Western Australia.
cheers
Glenda

 

[MaxHelado]

Hello Max and Mrs H
As a Fair-skinned Australian I can empathise. I have found that Sunday Afternoon hats are excellent- wide brimmed, squashable, and they offer models with a fold down flap at the back to shade the neck. This flap is held up by Velcro when not needed.
Not sure if you'll be able to get them, but have a look. I found mine excellent on a 7 day walk in November in Western Australia.
cheers
Glenda

Genius. And yes, looks like they have a UK website too. I have passed the information on to Mrs H who will respond in due course.

 

[Former member 92300]

I have found the best hats to be those with a wide brimmed front, with a removable flap in the back. Why? They don't interfere with your backpack. I often wear something like this. There is even a snap on it so you can pull it forward in front of your neck or face. It is NOT a wider brim, but the flap extends the shade coverage. Also can't be rolled - I just clip it to the outside of my pack when not in use. The flap on this hat is VERY light and doesn't heat up my neck like others do. Also removable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GYIIEMM/?tag=casaivar02-20

There are also hats like these with all removable flaps - but I tend not to use mine often. But they are great when you really need to keep your face covered (I am a redhead who has had skin cancer already)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QQPK4B8/?tag=casaivar02-20

Alternatively - I always still carry a hat, but for days when it is hot, sunny, and not too windy - I also like a hiking umbrella with hands free attachments. Here is an article about hiking umbrellas - I have the gossamer gear on their list, but also have one from z-packs that is NOT on the list and I like them both. Also hear good things about the Euroschirm - but haven't tried that one. The advantage of an umbrella is it keeps you even more shaded and keeps you cooler, especially since you can skip the hat while using it if you position it correctly. And of course - are also great for rain.

7 Best Ultralight Hiking Umbrellas for 2024

Protect yourself from sun and rain on the trail with these 7 lightweight and durable hiking umbrellas. Learn about size, UV protection, materials, colors and types. Reviews for Montbell, EuroSCHIRM, Six Moon Designs, Helinox, S2S, Liteflex hiking Chrome umbrella. Also learn how to DIY a...

www.greenbelly.co

Also keep in mind - most Camino routes you are heading west and the sun is mostly behind you - so neck coverage is more important than face coverage. But again - depends on the route!

 

[Anhalter]

I used the Stetson STC205 "Mesh Safari Hat" (they changed the name for some reason, search for STC205).
I like it because from the sides, it is open, allowing airflow, and from the top, it is closed, protecting me from the sun. It comes in a variety of colours and i found it quite robust.
For reasons unknown they don't seem to sell it in Europe/Germany, so i had Amazon ship it to me from the US, which made it a bit more expensive and took some time.
But honestly, i like it so much i would buy it again in a heartbeat.

​

 

[MaxHelado]

Really appreciate your help.

Mrs H now tells me that she does not want a sun hat but a hat for the sun. The difference is obvious. At least to Mrs H.
Sun hat is a fashion item that gives protection from the sun. A hat for the sun is a walking hat that not only offers sun protection but also rain protection. Who'd have guessed that?
She is also settling on an ideal brim width of 10cm/4 inches.

Seriously considering walking on my own.

 

[MaxHelado]

I have found the best hats to be those with a wide brimmed front, with a removable flap in the back. Why? They don't interfere with your backpack. I often wear something like this. There is even a snap on it so you can pull it forward in front of your neck or face. It is NOT a wider brim, but the flap extends the shade coverage. Also can't be rolled - I just clip it to the outside of my pack when not in use. The flap on this hat is VERY light and doesn't heat up my neck like others do. Also removable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GYIIEMM/?tag=casaivar02-20

There are also hats like these with all removable flaps - but I tend not to use mine often. But they are great when you really need to keep your face covered (I am a redhead who has had skin cancer already)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QQPK4B8/?tag=casaivar02-20

Alternatively - I always still carry a hat, but for days when it is hot, sunny, and not too windy - I also like a hiking umbrella with hands free attachments. Here is an article about hiking umbrellas - I have the gossamer gear on their list, but also have one from z-packs that is NOT on the list and I like them both. Also hear good things about the Euroschirm - but haven't tried that one. The advantage of an umbrella is it keeps you even more shaded and keeps you cooler, especially since you can skip the hat while using it if you position it correctly. And of course - are also great for rain.

7 Best Ultralight Hiking Umbrellas for 2024

Protect yourself from sun and rain on the trail with these 7 lightweight and durable hiking umbrellas. Learn about size, UV protection, materials, colors and types. Reviews for Montbell, EuroSCHIRM, Six Moon Designs, Helinox, S2S, Liteflex hiking Chrome umbrella. Also learn how to DIY a...

www.greenbelly.co

Also keep in mind - most Camino routes you are heading west and the sun is mostly behind you - so neck coverage is more important than face coverage. But again - depends on the route!

I think that first hat looks fab!
But what do I know?
The information has been passed on to Mrs H.

Mrs H and I have hands-free umbrellas which I think are totally brilliant. Mrs H less so. Hence the problem.

 

[El Cascayal]

I use Frogg Toggs and look like a dork, and that’s just fine. They are made out of paper and are waterproof and good for sun too. Fit in my backpack for traveling and seem to last forever. A full 3 inches, they fall short for your needs.

 

[K_Lynn]

I have this hat from Columbia, I think I bought it off Amazon at a cheaper price. https://www.columbiasportswear.ca/e...oney-hat-1840121.html?dwvar_1840121_color=591

 

[Tammom]

Hello Max and Mrs H
As a Fair-skinned Australian I can empathise. I have found that Sunday Afternoon hats are excellent- wide brimmed, squashable, and they offer models with a fold down flap at the back to shade the neck. This flap is held up by Velcro when not needed.
Not sure if you'll be able to get them, but have a look. I found mine excellent on a 7 day walk in November in Western Australia.
cheers
Glenda

I love my Sunday Afternoon hat.

 

[malingerer]

I love my Sunday Afternoon hat.

And the world famous Tilley hat ?
surprised at it not getting a mention.

Samarkand

 

[Felice]

M&S does a packable Fedora hat. Any use?

 

[MaxHelado]

And the world famous Tilley hat ?
surprised at it not getting a mention.

Samarkand

I had never heard of the famous Tilley hat.
Unfortunately Mrs H has.
And she loves them.
And they do an extra wide brim version.
So she has ordered one.
I would like to say thanks but have you seen the price?

Never mind. We can always cancel the camino and Mrs H can walk round the garden in her new hat.

 

[MaxHelado]

M&S does a packable Fedora hat. Any use?

Sounds good to me! Going to take a look at that!

 

[Former member 92300]

Seriously considering walking on my own.

Laughing with you... she obviously knows what she wants! at least - in theory even if she hasn't found the perfect hat yet!

Mrs H and I have hands-free umbrellas which I think are totally brilliant. Mrs H less so. Hence the problem.

I wonder if it is the extra weight she doesn't like? Or the bulkiness' of carrying an umbrella? Or if it is just she hasn't figured out how to securely attach the handsfree straps in a way that the umbrella is still awkward?

I have had issues with the handsfree straps and making them more secure. There are some videos on youtube that helped me out. But - I also bought a couple extra straps so I attach it in more than 2 places to my pack so it is more stable.

 

[Judy T]

More stress in the Helado household where Mrs H has decided that last year’s floppy brimmed walking hat is simply no longer “de rigor” and must be replaced. The old one has a brim of approximately 7cm/3 inches and the new one must be wider than that and allow for being rolled up and stuffed into a backpack.

Sleepless nights surfing t’Internet have failed to deliver and the tension is mounting.

Please help.

PS I will confess that she has a point. The current headgear does not quite shade all her neck or face in strong sunshine.

Gossamer Gear has a lightweight sun hat on sale for less than $10. I have it, and I'm going to bring it on the camino this spring. Last time, I used a ball cap and fried my ears. I tried the Gossamer hat under my raincoat and it compresses such that I will have a nice bill in front when it rains. It also has a cord for wind and the brim is not floppy. Doubles as a bucket, too. https://www.gossamergear.com/products/bucket-hat

 

[Jan Jones]

And the world famous Tilley hat ?
surprised at it not getting a mention.

Samarkand

My Tilley is now 14 years old, about to do its third Camino . I love it because it stays on in the wind.

 

[Jan Jones]

I had never heard of the famous Tilley hat.
Unfortunately Mrs H has.
And she loves them.
And they do an extra wide brim version.
So she has ordered one.
I would like to say thanks but have you seen the price?

Never mind. We can always cancel the camino and Mrs H can walk round the garden in her new hat.

Please tell me that you and Mrs H are going to be on the Primitivo in May.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

I used the Stetson STC205 "Mesh Safari Hat" (they changed the name for some reason, search for STC205).
I like it because from the sides, it is open, allowing airflow, and from the top, it is closed, protecting me from the sun. It comes in a variety of colours and i found it quite robust.
For reasons unknown they don't seem to sell it in Europe/Germany, so i had Amazon ship it to me from the US, which made it a bit more expensive and took some time.
But honestly, i like it so much i would buy it again in a heartbeat.

​

Hi anhaler. I use the same type of hat, mine is a Redrock hat, it has great ventilation through the top mesh.

 

[Sharonih]

More stress in the Helado household where Mrs H has decided that last year’s floppy brimmed walking hat is simply no longer “de rigor” and must be replaced. The old one has a brim of approximately 7cm/3 inches and the new one must be wider than that and allow for being rolled up and stuffed into a backpack.

Sleepless nights surfing t’Internet have failed to deliver and the tension is mounting.

Please help.

PS I will confess that she has a point. The current headgear does not quite shade all her neck or face in strong sunshine.

I have a variety of Tilly Hats

More stress in the Helado household where Mrs H has decided that last year’s floppy brimmed walking hat is simply no longer “de rigor” and must be replaced. The old one has a brim of approximately 7cm/3 inches and the new one must be wider than that and allow for being rolled up and stuffed into a backpack.

Sleepless nights surfing t’Internet have failed to deliver and the tension is mounting.

Please help.

PS I will confess that she has a point. The current headgear does not quite shade all her neck or face in strong sunshine.

i have a variety of Tilley Hats which are incredible as they can be rolled, folded, washed and keep their shape.

 

[Mycroft]

Hello Max and Mrs H
As a Fair-skinned Australian I can empathise. I have found that Sunday Afternoon hats are excellent- wide brimmed, squashable, and they offer models with a fold down flap at the back to shade the neck. This flap is held up by Velcro when not needed.
Not sure if you'll be able to get them, but have a look. I found mine excellent on a 7 day walk in November in Western Australia.
cheers
Glenda

Ditto. I have used one of their hats for many years--I call it my umbrella hat because the brim sticks out so much.

 

[David Tallan]

I had never heard of the famous Tilley hat.
Unfortunately Mrs H has.
And she loves them.
And they do an extra wide brim version.
So she has ordered one.
I would like to say thanks but have you seen the price?

Never mind. We can always cancel the camino and Mrs H can walk round the garden in her new hat.

They do (or did) come with a lifetime guarantee and an insurance policy against theft. My avatar shows me in a Tilley, that I wear on Caminos. I bought it a while ago, do I have had a chance to save up again for a Camino. All my Tilley's are from before Mr. Tilley sold the company, so I can't speak to the new hats.

 

[Bradypus]

They do (or did) come with a lifetime guarantee and an insurance policy against theft. My avatar shows me in a Tilley, that I wear on Caminos. I bought it a while ago, do I have had a chance to save up again for a Camino. All my Tilley's are from before Mr. Tilley sold the company, so I can't speak to the new hats.

Have any of yours been put through the elephant test?

 

[David Tallan]

Have any of yours been put through the elephant test?

Not yet.

 

[Bradypus]

Not yet.

With global warming who knows what you'll find on the meseta in future...

 

[David Tallan]

With global warming who knows what you'll find on the meseta in future...

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

 

[KFH]

Hello Max and Mrs H
As a Fair-skinned Australian I can empathise. I have found that Sunday Afternoon hats are excellent- wide brimmed, squashable, and they offer models with a fold down flap at the back to shade the neck. This flap is held up by Velcro when not needed.
Not sure if you'll be able to get them, but have a look. I found mine excellent on a 7 day walk in November in Western Australia.
cheers
Glenda

I own around 8 Sunday Afternoons hats/caps. I use an "Aerial" cap for mild days but the best ones for me for hiking or long walks are the Adventure Hat and Sport Hat.

The Sport hat is really the best size and fit for the Camino imo because the back flap is a little smaller and won't interfere with a pack and the visibility is great.

The Adventure hat keep more sun off you but sometimes the huge brim gets in the way to see things and is also more liable to catch the wind. Both are very lightweight and dry quickly.

 

[JillGat]

Kuhl.com has a hat with a long brim in front, short in back or you can wear it the other way. Doesn't crush down tho. I have a brimmed hat with a hole for my ponytail that I love. Not sure of the brand.

 

[Acoupar]

I had never heard of the famous Tilley hat.
Unfortunately Mrs H has.
And she loves them.
And they do an extra wide brim version.
So she has ordered one.
I would like to say thanks but have you seen the price?

Never mind. We can always cancel the camino and Mrs H can walk round the garden in her new hat.

Love my Tilley Hat. I’ve worn it on 5 caminos and it still looks like new. The secret pocket is very useful for stashing $. Good choice Mrs. H!

 

[Texas Walker]

And the world famous Tilley hat ?
surprised at it not getting a mention.

Samarkand

They seem heavy to me. But what do I know?

 

[trecile]

This one's got a really wide brim.

 

[JillGat]

The famous Vicente Fernandez cannot be wrong. If you don't know him:

 

[trecile]

The famous Vicente Fernandez cannot be wrong. If you don't know him:

View attachment 144584

Now that's a hat!

 

[David Tallan]

The famous Vicente Fernandez cannot be wrong. If you don't know him:

View attachment 144584

That's a hat that can double as a parachute!

 

[MaxHelado]

I do love this forum! Especially when the sense of humour kicks in and we can have a bit of fun. Makes my day. Thank you all.

To conclude the story of "Mrs H and the Big Hat", she and I will be starting our Camino in 4 weeks time and she will be sporting her new Tilley LTM2.

She ended up ordering 3 hats with the expectation of returning 2 after trying them on and gazing into the mirror. One of them was the Tilley the other 2 were much cheaper brands. She then pretended for about a week that she could not make her mind up.
She also kept one of the cheaper hats as a back-up.

My own Tilley hat arrives on Saturday.

 

[MaxHelado]

The famous Vicente Fernandez cannot be wrong. If you don't know him:

View attachment 144584

I have only just see this. Thank you! You have made my day! Brilliant!
If only she hadn't already bought the Tilley.............