What hat for HOT weather?

[Rigged]

I have a straw "panama" hat that I bought at the San Jose Flea Market for... I think $1.50. I've had it for years. It looks good, keeps the sun off, and its loose weave gives plenty of air flow.

[Randy]

.......... My question to the group is: What hat do you wear when the weather is really hot, especially hot and humid? ......
Your thoughts - - -

Hot is my tilley, hot and humid is a ball cap, or balmoral with kerchief inside.
My lovely bride prefers I wear the glengarry no matter what.
I am looking at a a solid tan boonie and a Tilley AirFlow.

A fellow can not have too many hats.

[James MacMillan]

Hot is my tilley, hot and humid is a ball cap, or balmoral with kerchief inside.
My lovely bride prefers I wear the glengarry no matter what.
I am looking at a a solid tan boonie and a Tilley AirFlow.

A fellow can not have too many hats.

I realize that I live a sheltered life. Up until mentioned here, I had never heard of a Tilly.

They're pretty good - Huh?

What makes them so great?

[Mr. MacDougall]

Here in the desert, hats are important... they're sort of portable shade. And I don't care how dry the heat is, you're going to sweat at 100F+, so the issues you mention about damp headgear are familiar to me. The best solution I've found is a straw hat. They're light, and sweat-absorbant, and you can get them in a number of styles. Mine is in the shape of a cowboy hat, for instance. They're relatively inexpensive, so if you lose one, or the cat pees on it, or it just gets too grody, you don't have to feel guilty about disposing of it.

[mudd]

You should really look for an all-around brim, if you're looking for protection from the sun. It's not just the top of your head. The most over looked places to protect include your nose, forehead, sides and back of the neck, and especially the tops of your ears.

I like those Boonie hats myself. But, when it's hot and I'm working in the yard, I've got a nice wide straw hat that works well.

[James MacMillan]

Here in the desert, hats are important... they're sort of portable shade. And I don't care how dry the heat is, you're going to sweat at 100F+, so the issues you mention about damp headgear are familiar to me. The best solution I've found is a straw hat. They're light, and sweat-absorbant, and you can get them in a number of styles. Mine is in the shape of a cowboy hat, for instance. They're relatively inexpensive, so if you lose one, or the cat pees on it, or it just gets too grody, you don't have to feel guilty about disposing of it.

No, a cowboy hat and kilt, just won't do.

Cowboy hat, jeans, cowboy boots - sure. Cowboy hat and kilt - nope, not for me!

The Tilly with a shorter brim looks pretty good, but they sure want a lot of $$$.

Their website says a bunch of amazing things about their product, but I'm not sure what to believe.

[Mr. MacDougall]

No, a cowboy hat and kilt, just won't do.

Well, what can I say? I'm one of those dang Sonoran Scotsmen, so...

On the other hand, I've also been known to wear an Asian-style bamboo umbrella hat with my kilt. I really like not getting sunburned on my nose. I guess I'm just a dork.

[oldsoldier]

Me, I have a lightweight scally cap. Works great. My heads been bald since I was 18, and I prolly sunburn it al LEAST once a year. You look kinda dorky swimming with a hat on... ;)

[Nick]

I'm partial to fedoras. I need a light weight one, my every day hat is a little heavy for hot summer weather. Panama straw fedoras are also an option, but I don't fancy them myself. I'm more of a wool felt guy.

[Kid Cossack]

I'm without a Tilley now, and it's a thing that needs must be remedied. I wore out two of them in Kazakhstan, '97-99. Great hats, they do float, I like the secret compartment (great place to keep your fishing/hunting license, for instance), very good in the heat and humidity.