Dorfman Pacific MC50 Fishing Hat with Removable Sunshield

Like most hats, this one keeps the sun off your face. The bonus here is that it also keeps the sun off you neck with the attachable sunshield. However, the velcro sunshield is prone to detach and is far from stylish.

This is an inexpensive hat that I bought at a large sporting goods store because I wanted to keep the sun off my face and neck in the summer months without having to wear something around my neck, like my Original Buff or a bandana. 

The hat's adjustability is generous. I have a larger head and sometimes "one size fits all" doesn't do the trick for me. This hat had plenty of room left on the adjustable strap for me. The problem with the strap though is that it is velcro. This has already shown signs of wearing out and I've only had the hat for one year and rarely do I adjust the hat. The only times I undo the velcro are when occasionally strapping it to my pack or hanging it on a hammock line. 

Hat's interior. The band does a good job of absorbing/wicking moisture. 

The hat does function well. It is fairly breathable and does a fine job at absorbing/wicking moisture. I wish the hat were larger though and came further down my head. There is a lot of sweat that is produced below the hatline and therefore runs down my face and neck.

The sunshield attaches to the hat in five velcro areas on the side and back of the hear. With the sunshield is attached, it does a good job fully protecting my neck without it being hot on my neck. But that is when it is fully attached. The sunshield easily detaches at times, including in windy or wet conditions or when slightly snagged. It typically doesn't fall off completely, but at least one or two of the velcro areas will detach, causing me to stop and reattach. 

The sunshield. Five velcro points for attaching to hat.

Back of hat with velcro attach points for sunshield and velcro adjustable strap.

The one thing about this hat that I didn't realize when purchasing was that it gives me horns when the sunshield is attached. Of course, it's more important to keep the sun off my neck that it is for me to look good, but I've had a few people comment on the horns. I may in the coming months try to cut some of the fabric off to eliminate the horns. 

Without sunshield attached

With sunshield attached. Notice the horns. They can be much bigger if you don't attach the velcro at the lowest point possible.

I don't necessarily think this hat was a waste of money, but it isn't my go-to hat for summer hikes or other occasions when I need protection from the sun, like I thought it would be. With a little alterations (i.e. permanently sewing the sunshield on so it doesn't detach, cutting away some of the fabric to get rid of the horns and possibly upgrading the adjustable velcro strap) I could have a hat that I wear more often.