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Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat

rated 5.0 of 5 stars
photo: Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat sun hat

After trying on every hat in REI (I'm not a hat person), I decided on this one in khaki. It was pricey at $45 at the time I bought it. They are cheaper now. I think they are $24.95. At the time I needed a sun hat so I had to buy one that day. I ended up loving the hat and wear it on every sunny hike. It always is with me on every hike as well.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Doesn't make my head sweat
  • Customized sing elastic cord built in the hat
  • Neck adjusting cord
  • Breathable

Cons

  • None

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I bought this sun hat last summer. I don't wear hats, so just getting used to wearing a hat took a little while. I like the hat and it does come in handy on very hot sunny days. Sometimes I wear a thin scarf over my head and then wear the hat to keep neck from getting sunburned as well. I love that the hat has an elastic cinch strap built to customize fit around head. 

This hat serves the purpose as far as sun hats go. I will be using it this season too. It is pretty well made and lightweight. 

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $45

Makes me look like a mature fisherman. I forget I'm wearing it.

Pros

  • Great ultralight sunshade
  • My head doesn't get over-heated like it does with ball caps

Cons

  • A bit pricey like most OR gear, but worth what I paid

I've worn billed baseball type caps for decades and thought I'd try something different. This looked like it was worth a try and it is now my favorite hat. If it's not on my head, then it's hanging on my bedpost.

Super light and packable fisherman style crush hat for great shade from the sun. I checked OR's fit guide and measured the circumference of my head to get a perfect fit. I don't cinch the headband drawstring, but find that useful to keep it from blowing off my head on a windy day.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $23 on sale

Great hat for those sunny days in the Cascades.

Pros

  • Breathable
  • Light
  • Large brim

The first thing I'd do is size up one size when you order this great hat. I picked it up at the Seattle store and realized I had to bump up to a large. I wear this hat all summer in the Cascades while hiking.

This hat provides great sun protection with its wide brim. It's lightweight at around 2.5 oz and also works great as a bucket to dip into a creek and pour over your head. I don't even realize it's on my head.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: I don't remember

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Specs

Price MSRP: $32.00
Current Retail: $20.00-$40.00
Historic Range: $10.83-$46.00
Reviewers Paid: $23.00-$45.00
Product Details from Outdoor Research »

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