Hat

[Tad]

I'm new here and new to the camino. While I've done some hiking in the past, I'm far from an avid or experienced hiker.

I plan to walk the Camino Portugues in April/May of this coming year and am starting to put together equipment lists so that Christmas and my birthday can be profitably employed. *smile*

I have a question about hats. Normally, when out of doors in sun or inclement weather, I use an Akubra Territory felt hat (http://akubra-usa.com/territory.html). I like the super-wide brim and the rain resistance. However, they don't roll up at all; I'd have to hook it on the back of my pack if I didn't want to wear it. And, while they are great at shedding water, if they ever do get soaked, they take quite while to dry.

Is this asking for trouble or likely to be a non-issue? I used similar when I hiked the Inca Trail, but that was a few decades ago and, at 17, one is far more uncaring about inconveniences.

Has anyone worn something like this or does everyone go with something like a Tilley hat?

 

[wayfarer]

Hi Tad, its the Tilley for me, great for rain, heavy or light and great for the sun as well. Folds nice and flat for packing and doesn't take too long to dry.
I'm sure others will advise you on alternatives.
Buen Camino.

 

[pilgrim b]

Hi Tad, its the Tilley for me, great for rain, heavy or light and great for the sun as well. Folds nice and flat for packing and doesn't take too long to dry.

Buen Camino.

Never sure that I would wear anything that's allegedly been passed through an Elephant!!! Sorry wayfarer

 

[wayfarer]

Never sure that I would wear anything that's allegedly been passed through an Elephant!!! Sorry wayfarer

You will have to enlighten me on that one pilgrim b.

 

[Magwood]

Hi Tad. I too am planning to walk the camino Portuguese next April/May. I walked the Frances during the same period this year and encountered all weather conditions from snow and hail, serious rain and strong wind, to beautifully sunny. I wore a home-made sun visor every day, which kept the sun, perspiration and my hair off my face, and was great for keeping my raincoat hood in place (otherwise they tend to slip down the forehead and obscure any side view). I made it from a baseball cap visor and a band of fabric from a 'Buff'. I continue to wear it for walking and working in the garden and it will definitely be coming with me next year. I have to admit that my daughters were not at all impressed with such an 'uncool' accessory, and whilst my elder daughter had to put up with it because we walked the camino together, my younger daughter would whip it off my head as soon as she saw me wearing it. It vied with my ever useful bum bag (fanny pack) as least acceptable 'mum wear' of the century!

.....Camino Frances with my daughter: http://magwood.wordpress.com

 

[StuartM]

What about a Barmah? They have a wide brim akubra style, good against rain and roll up small without getting crushed.

 

[pilgrim b]

You will have to enlighten me on that one pilgrim b.

The legend of the Tilley Hat see the link below:
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=scJmBMpWzBIC&pg=PT248&lpg=PT248&dq=Elephant legend on Tilley hats&source=bl&ots=e9TflCJqZR&sig=ODaAxHUyu1v-1UAeYf8PwJ3DUQQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=awl5UqTlHOjA0QWG3YHoDw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Elephant legend on Tilley hats&f=false

Now you know the legend wayfarer what do you think ,I think their good but the smell

 

[wayfarer]

I may have been "elephants" a few times but none have eaten my hat..... yet.

 

[Tincatinker]

It is worth testing the hang of your hat... One of the curses of a wide-brim hat and a back pack in combination is that a high set pack, usually more comfortable on a long trek, will constantly nudge your hat forward over your eyes. Either that or the pack crumples the rear brim into a gutter that can funnel the blessed rains of Galicia straight down your neck. Much though I love Tilleys, and Panamas, I wear a shooting cap on the trail - keeps the weather off my spectacles.

 

[dougfitz]

Well, @Tad, at least you are not asking whether or not to wear one! I have worn a sombrero style OR waterproof for a number of years, but this year bought a Tilley. The OR is a wide brimmed had similar to the Akubra range, and its normally not possible to pull a rain jacket hood over your head with the hat on. The Tilley is a medium brim, and it can be worn under a rain hood. Other than vague suggestions of indestructibility, it has lived up to its claims so far in over six months of regular wear travelling and on bush walks.

That said, the Tilley is not the only medium brimmed hat available. There are many others. What I think you should avoid are the narrow brimmed bucket style hats. These just don't offer the same sun-protection. Even a medium brim is a bit of a compromise there.

As for getting a fur-felt hat soaked, it will clearly take more time for it to dry out completely. But my experience is that fur felt still offers substantial protection even when it is wet.

I travel with my Tilley packed flat (rather than rolled up, but that might be possible too), and give the crown a stretch over my knee to restore its shape. Works every time.

Regards

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Well, @Tad, at least you are not asking whether or not to wear one! I have worn a sombrero style OR waterproof for a number of years, but this year bought a Tilley. The OR is a wide brimmed had similar to the Akubra range, and its normally not possible to pull a rain jacket hood over your head with the hat on. The Tilley is a medium brim, and it can be worn under a rain hood. Other than vague suggestions of indestructibility, it has lived up to its claims so far in over six months of regular wear travelling and on bush walks.

That said, the Tilley is not the only medium brimmed hat available. There are many others. What I think you should avoid are the narrow brimmed bucket style hats. These just don't offer the same sun-protection. Even a medium brim is a bit of a compromise there.

As for getting a fur-felt hat soaked, it will clearly take more time for it to dry out completely. But my experience is that fur felt still offers substantial protection even when it is wet.

I travel with my Tilley packed flat (rather than rolled up, but that might be possible too), and give the crown a stretch over my knee to restore its shape. Works every time.

Regards

Doug I am going to take a look at those Tilleys. A bit expensive I hear though.

 

[wayfarer]

Doug I am going to take a look at those Tilleys. A bit expensive I hear though.

They are expensive but worth every penny IMO.

 

[Tad]

Thank you all.

@Magwood - Perhaps I'll see you on the road. I'm enjoying reading your blog. I'm starting one of my own, even though it's well in advance of the trip, just to capture feelings of the "process" going on here. I agree with you about hats over rain hoods; I hate the loss of peripheral vision when the hood creeps forward.

@Tincatinker - That's a good suggestion. I probably won't see my pack until Christmas, but I can borrow a very similar one from a friend and see what happens with the rear brim.

@dougfitz - No, I have no question about needing one: fair skin, glasses that get wet in rain, etc. However, you're right. Even when it's wet the Akubra is quite good at keeping me shaded and dry. I'm not sure what my concern is...perhaps the additional weight of a wet hat? Hmmm, perhaps I should figure out my concerns, walk around in a rain storm a bit, borrow a Tilley and see how it compares, etc.

 

[jmcarp]

Here's another alternative:
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-gear/hats/seattle-sombrero.html
This one is similar, but without the Goretex lining:
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-gear/hats/helios-sun-hat.html
If you like a baseball-type cap, here's one that has a snap-on sun skirt:
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-gear/hats/sun-runner-cap.html

Jim

 

[David]

Hats! All the above are good, Dougfitz makes valid points (though I think the Australian government issues a Tilley to all those going abroad and there is a steep fine if it isn't worn - errmm ... I might be wrong about that).

A flexible brimmed hat is the way to go - and if you can roll a Tilley through the intestines of an elephant .. well .. but there are cheaper versions. Go Outdoors in the UK has a couple that are wide brimmed but roll up.
Two things - the sun on ones neck - a good brim helps there, but so does a handkerchief slipped up under the edge of your hat. And, the hood on a waterproof - cape or jacket - is much more comfortable with a hat underneath, otherwise the hood brim can fall forward or blow back.

Also - there is a place for a straw hat. Sure, it doesn't roll but it is light and allows air to move around. When not in use it can be nappy-pin (diaper pin) pinned to the backpack. And if it is hot then soaking it in a fountain or stream and then putting it back on is fantastic! - as the water evaporates it really cools the head ... the problem, of course, is that one cannot predict the weather.
All seasons a Tilley style has to be the best, and if you get a stunningly hot period, well, that can be rolled up into the pack and a cheap (and they are cheap in Spain) straw hat bought (but don't put it through an elephant) .....

... but your felt hat? I don't think so.

Buen Camino!

 

[hecate105]

If your hat is worn in and comfy and isn't impeded by your pack - then take it. If the only problem is rain I'm sure you can pop it in a plastic bag - or even better a 'not so rustly' dry bag. You could even find a cover like a rucksack cover, waterproof and elasticated, then you could wear it in the rain. (this is assuming, like me, you don't give a hoot what others think of your appearance...) I used one to cover my food basket on my bike and it worked well. Still easy to clip onto the back of your pack too.

 

[hecate105]

Forgot to say - if buying a hat - Tilley!

 

[backpack45]

Hi, Congratulations on your upcoming Camino trip. I carry two hats because the weather varies. #1 is the Sunday Afternoons, which has a wide brim and great coverage on the back of your head. It is sun-protective and water-resistant, too and a lot less expensive that the Tilley (and I think lighter). They have several models (I usually wear the Adventurer) including some that are designed to be folded and those that I fold anyway I often sit on it when we are having a lunch break alongside the trail. Magwood, My kids do not think it is cool, either, but I don't care! #2. I also wear a fleece cap that covers my ears--weather in April & May can be wet and chilly. http://www.sundayafternoons.com/

 

[Magwood]

@Tad, thanks for your kind comment re the blog. It did take a bit of discipline to write it every day, and I probably missed out on some socialising as a result, but it was important for me to get the day's experience committed to words each evening, and since I've returned home I really enjoy dipping into it , and reliving my camino.

Are you starting your camino Portuguese from Lisbon or Porto? I'm planning to go from Lisbon, and walking alone, which is a big step outside my comfort zone.

 

[Tad]

@Magwood - My thought is to write once a week until the walk, and then try for once a day. I won't have anything easy to type on (iPad or computer) with me and I don't want to spend my time in Internet cafes (should they exist)...so I plan to use something like the Dragon Dictation app on my phone to capture spoken journaling into written words. I can then edit them when time permits or I get home.

I'm also going to walk it alone but I'm starting from Porto. I can't take enough time off from work to walk from Lisbon to Santiago and, for some reason, it's important to me to get to the end on this first go-round. Plus, if I'm going to be honest, I have no idea how I'll fare on the journey and the 2-3 week journey seems doable. I admit to a moderate degree of nervousness. Fortunately, my wife and children are supportive, as is my sister, who walked the Camino Frances a few months ago.

 

[dougfitz]

Hats! All the above are good, Dougfitz makes valid points (though I think the Australian government issues a Tilley to all those going abroad and there is a steep fine if it isn't worn - errmm ... I might be wrong about that).

I think it would be the Canadian government issuing a Tilley. In Australia it would be an Akubra, and we would all be wearing R.M. Williams boots. They might make a concession and let us wear Paddy Pallin gear, just because R.M. Williams doesn't make lightweight and quick drying clothing. Most of the rest of the iconic Australian gear manufacturers (Blundstone, Rivers, Flethcher Jones, etc) all seem to make their gear in Asia or Fiji these days.

Back to the topic, I did see one or perhaps two pilgrims wearing fur felt hats. I know that the wider brims on my felt hats all knock against the top of my larger packs, and I tend to use a medium width brim in those circumstances.

 

[Diogo92]

I use a similar to a Tilley hat, from Sportsdirect:

http://pt.sportsdirect.com/ygvh/karrimor-hunter-chapéu-sn30-393023

They are great for folding and to keep them in your backpack

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[susanawee]

I'm new here and new to the camino. While I've done some hiking in the past, I'm far from an avid or experienced hiker.

I plan to walk the Camino Portugues in April/May of this coming year and am starting to put together equipment lists so that Christmas and my birthday can be profitably employed. *smile*

I have a question about hats. Normally, when out of doors in sun or inclement weather, I use an Akubra Territory felt hat (http://akubra-usa.com/territory.html). I like the super-wide brim and the rain resistance. However, they don't roll up at all; I'd have to hook it on the back of my pack if I didn't want to wear it. And, while they are great at shedding water, if they ever do get soaked, they take quite while to dry.

Is this asking for trouble or likely to be a non-issue? I used similar when I hiked the Inca Trail, but that was a few decades ago and, at 17, one is far more uncaring about inconveniences.

Has anyone worn something like this or does everyone go with something like a Tilley hat?

Hi, I walked the Camino in May/June of this year and I wore my old (had this hat for 20 years or so), faithful Akubra hat but sadly, it got stolen somwhere after Logrono. Whilst I did have it though, it kept my head dry, sheilded me from the sun and kept my head warm when the outside temperatures dropped.

 

[David]

I think it would be the Canadian government issuing a Tilley. In Australia it would be an Akubra, and we would all be wearing R.M. Williams boots. They might make a concession and let us wear Paddy Pallin gear, just because R.M. Williams doesn't make lightweight and quick drying clothing. Most of the rest of the iconic Australian gear manufacturers (Blundstone, Rivers, Flethcher Jones, etc) all seem to make their gear in Asia or Fiji these days.

Back to the topic, I did see one or perhaps two pilgrims wearing fur felt hats. I know that the wider brims on my felt hats all knock against the top of my larger packs, and I tend to use a medium width brim in those circumstances.

Oopps! I just assumed that the Tilley was Australian, perhaps because of the name. Canadian? They have elephants in Canada?

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Hi all.

I have been looking at the Tilley hats and see there are some different modals. Can you of you please post which model you think is best for the Camino and which one you like best. Two Models I have been looking at are The Tilley LTM3 and LTM6 Airflo Hat. There are others as well.

Thank you!!

Ed

 

[whariwharangi]

I like the versatility of the OR sun runner that Jim mentioned. The skirt works to protect ears and neck from from sun, wind, and rain. You can tuck the skirt up high when you only want to wear the cap. It's light weight and dries quickly after the rain stops. I've used a hat like it for many years hiking and sea kayaking in weather from -10 to +30 C.
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens/hats/sun-runner-cap.html

 

[wayfarer]

Hi all.

I have been looking at the Tilley hats and see there are some different modals. Can you of you please post which model you think is best for the Camino and which one you like best. Two Models I have been looking at are The Tilley LTM3 and LTM6 Airflo Hat. There are others as well.

Thank you!!

Ed

Hi Ed, I use the Tilley T4, it has a broad brim, I think its one of the classic Tilleys. Find it great in rain or sun.
http://www.tilley.com/The-T4-Cotton-Duck-Hat.aspx

 

[wayfarer]

Hi all.

I have been looking at the Tilley hats and see there are some different modals. Can you of you please post which model you think is best for the Camino and which one you like best. Two Models I have been looking at are The Tilley LTM3 and LTM6 Airflo Hat. There are others as well.
Thank you!!
Ed

Hi Ed, had alook at The Tilley LTM3 and LTM6 Airflo Hats and I would think they are more suited to warm/hot conditions than wet conditions. If it gets very hot I wet my head and the headband of the hat at a fountain or from my water bottle and with the evaporation it keeps me cool for about an hour then repeat as necessary.

 

[dougfitz]

Hi all.

I have been looking at the Tilley hats and see there are some different modals. Can you of you please post which model you think is best for the Camino and which one you like best. Two Models I have been looking at are The Tilley LTM3 and LTM6 Airflo Hat. There are others as well.

Thank you!!

Ed

Ed, I bought the T5. It has a medium width scallop shaped brim, and looks to be a good compromise. The brim doesn't brush against my pack, is stiff enough to retain its shape, even when I pull my rain jacket hood over the top of it, and the brim offers fairly food sun protection.

Regards

 

[dougfitz]

Hi Ed, had alook at The Tilley LTM3 and LTM6 Airflo Hats and I would think they are more suited to warm/hot conditions than wet conditions. If it gets very hot I wet my head and the headband of the hat at a fountain or from my water bottle and with the evaporation it keeps me cool for about an hour then repeat as necessary.

I am not sure this is a big issue. I have found it easy enough to pull my rain jacket hood over the top of my Tilley in heavier rain. This makes it less an issue if the hat is waterproof or not.

(edited some spelling mistakes)

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Well---Super response from everyone and loads of great info here. Thank you all VERY much. I am still undecided but starting to lean towards the
"Tilley LTM6 Airflo" Hat as REI handles it locally here and it sounds like it will work for me. Once again, I really do appreciate everyone taking the time to help this newbie out. Cheers and Buen camino..
Ed

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Just put the LTM6 on my Christmas list.......

 

[emonty]

Well---Super response from everyone and loads of great info here. Thank you all VERY much. I am still undecided but starting to lean towards the
"Tilley LTM6 Airflo" Hat as REI handles it locally here and it sounds like it will work for me. Once again, I really do appreciate everyone taking the time to help this newbie out. Cheers and Buen camino..
Ed

I am late to the discussion! I have three Tilleys. My T4 is my choice for the Camino since it is my 3 season hat. I also have an Airflow with the shorter brim I would be taking if I was going in the summer rather than next week. This will be the T4s third trip across the pond, best hat I have ever had.

 

[godslamb]

I finally found the hat I was looking for at a great price! Sundayafternoons.com is having a huge sale right now! I was able to get a hat that doesn't comprise style for only 10 bucks! Whoot whoot!!

 

[Sheesh]

I am still undecided but starting to lean towards the
"Tilley LTM6 Airflo" Hat

I took the earlier version of this hat in May 2009 when there were some blistering hot days of 35 degrees Celsius. Although the version I took did not have the airflow mesh, it did have grommet holes in the crown and was the same fabric and brim size as the current version. I found the hat too too hot for me. The wide brim seemed to prevent any air movement/breeze from cooling my face, and the wide back brim kept hitting my backpack which caused the hat to constantly shift about. I resorted to pinning the back brim up.

I would suggest if you are considering this hat, that you take your pack to the store with you and see what the clearance at the back is.

In 2013 I took a peaked cap, which I liked, as it allowed for a lot more air movement around my face, BUT had the problem of the tops of my ears being over exposed, and that wasn’t a good situation either. Maybe a little headband over the tops of the ears would have worked.

I’m rethinking the whole hat situation for a possible return to the Camino in 2015. I might look at the Tiley LTM3 which has the snap up on either side so that it can be worn Australian Outback style.