Hats & Headwear

Reviewed by Sheila Bergin Goss

The Bug Barrier Convertible Sun Hat is a unisex sun hat, designed for outdoor activities where bug and sun protection are desired. It is a comfortable and lightweight hat that I have worn canoeing, camping, and hiking. It has a wide 4" brim, and is treated for insect repellency, and also has a 50+ UV sun protection value. A very positive feature is an integrated head net that can be tucked away alongside the crown when not in use. I have enjoyed using this hat, a change from my usual ball cap style, and feel it can be recommended for those looking for good sun protection while engaged in many different activities.

Introduction: The past six weeks have been the perfect time to test out this Royal Robbins Convertible Sun Hat! I have encountered record-breaking heat while camping, canoeing, and bird watching at home in Vermont and while visiting Colorado. The sun protection afforded by the large 4-inch brim has been appreciated, and on some of my buggier camping and paddling outings, I have relied on the integrated insect head net to protect me from carnivorous bugs. A Buggy Bog! Though I am a long-time aficionado of wearing ball caps while canoeing, hiking, and engaged in other outdoor pursuits, I am convinced that this Bug Barrier hat is well made, comfortable, and can be recommended for those seeking to avoid uncontrolled exposure to sun or bugs.

Read more: Royal Robbins Bug Barrier Convertible Sun Hat review (1)

Featured review by David Drake

The USPS creed, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom…” may have been close, but they apparently weren’t referring to the Tilley LTM6, otherwise known as the Airflo Hat, when their proposition was adopted. It would have more closely resembled, “Bring on the blinding snow, drenching rain, and scorching heat…”

The USPS creed, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom…” may have been close, but they apparently weren’t referring to the Tilley LTM6, otherwise known as the Airflo Hat, when their proposition was adopted. It would have more closely resembled, “Bring on the blinding snow, drenching rain, and scorching heat…” I’ve respectively boasted upon many hats in my day; the Tilley LTM6 Airflo Hat (Airflo) has outperformed each and every one! Cochise Stronghold Hiking Oak Creek Canyon, Bassett Peak Hiking Aravaipa Canyon Backpacking Aravaipa Canyon Backpacking Handcrafted in Canada, with “persnicketiness”, adds Tilley, of nylon, polyester mesh and polyethylene foam, this hat is designed to perform with outstanding results, or it...

Read more: Tilley LTM6 Airflo Hat reviews (4)

Featured review by PhilNC

The Tilley LTM2 provides the most sun protection of any hat I have owned, is extremely durable, water resistant, and very light and comfortable. It is expensive, does heat up a bit (Airflo works to a certain extent), and the wide brim doesn't work that well in wind or with a bug net. I expect to be wearing this on sunny trips for many years to come, backed up by the excellent Tilley lifetime guarantee.

My Scottish genes mean I burn easily so I can't begin to estimate the amount of sunscreen I have slathered on for backpacking trips over the years. I have migrated to long sleeve shirts, pants, and sun hats for a lot of my outdoor pursuits and now use them a lot for backpacking as well (supplemented by a small tube of sunscreen), except in midsummer forest trips where I go back to t-shirts and shorts. I finally splurged last year on a good sun hat—the legendary Tilley. I went for maximum protection with the LTM2 broad brim, and it didn't hurt that it had the venting Airflo design.

Read more: Tilley LTM2 Airflow Hat reviews (3)

Featured review by Twig

At first glance, this is a simple neck gaiter that serves a pretty basic function. Yet this humble accessory has been an essential part of my various activities for almost 10 years and thousands of miles of outdoor travel. The merino wool version demonstrates superior performance over synthetic and cotton offerings. Breathability and temperature control make it much more tolerable in hot conditions, while it performs equally well for thermal protection when it's cold. Most importantly, it keeps the sun off my neck, face and head.

  In the times of COVID, I thought it apt to review a product that has been an essential part of my kit long before face coverings ever became a (controversial) subject. It's my hope that this review sheds some light (pun intended) on other objectives for outdoor face coverings.  I cover my face (and many other parts) to keep the sun off...why else would I look so silly? Background: Growing up in Colorado, fleece neck gaiters were a childhood essential for warmth...think Kenny of South Park.

Read more: Buff Lightweight Merino Wool Buff reviews (2)

Featured review by Sean Van Cleve

This neck gaiter is a winter companion that will keep you warm (and happy) for years! Made of soft/non-itch Merino wool, this accessory is an easy way to adjust your internal thermostat in moments. Combined with headwear, a neck gaiter is a great alternative to a balaclava.

Now that I have had this neck gaiter for a second year, I found it time to write a review on this little goodie…  I typically wear the neck gaiter folded in half, lengthwise. Here is the neck warmer not folded.  I personally find making small adjustments to my head/neck, wrists/hands, and torso the easiest ways to regulate my internal temperature, and therefore prevent sweating. This neck gaiter can easily be modified in a number of ways to keep you warm, without getting too warm. I have used this neck warmer countless times, fall through spring, from daily use to dayhikes, and approximately 6-8 backpacking trips along the East Coast Mid-Atlantic region.

Read more: Icebreaker Merino Flexi Chute reviews (2)

Featured review by Rob0brown.

If you like a separate hat/ jacket combo this hat's pretty awesome. I've edited my original review because I'm becoming a hoody convert (flip on/off climate control and loss prevention).

Over ten years with still little of signs of wear. Worn midwinter on watch in the Sea of Japan also near Korea, in bitter Upstate NY winters, early spring on the Puget Sound for training ops, and in New England for mountain and urban use in winter. For a modular hat system found nothing better for the price, weight, warmth, coverage, and wind stoppage. Worn with a neoprene face mask provided the best coverage that stayed put without becoming annoying this combo was better than the OR Gorilla Balaclava and compared the setups on two sub-zero windy days.

Read more: Outdoor Research Peruvian Hat reviews (4)

Featured review by KiwiKlimber

An all-around great hat for keeping the sun off my bald head and neck. Very comfortable, breathable, and lightweight.

After many years of wearing ball caps, this summer I switched to a full-brim hat for summer hiking, canoeing, and other adventures. The main reason for the switch was because I was tired of lathering up my ears and neck with sunblock, only to get fried anyways. The OR Sombriolet has solved my issues and much more! (Very) leisurely paddling the Allegheny River. Fit and Comfort:I have a rather large head, measuring 24 1/4 inches or 61.6 cm or 7 3/4, depending on which measurement you use. I tried on the XL, because that is usually the size hat my head fits, but to my surprise, it was too big without liberally having to cinch it down.

Read more: Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat reviews (2)

Reviewed by Sheila Bergin Goss

What a great winter hat! Being from New England, I was unfamiliar with the historical legacy of this Midwestern hat company, and had seen the hat only on photos posted on social media by fellow winter adventurers. Well, this hat is amazing...high quality, great comfort, specific sizing, and very warm. I have used it for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and just being outside in wet, miserable weather. Highly recommended!

I love my Stormy Kromer. Disclosure...when I first heard I had won this hat, I was a bit concerned. I had seen a few photos of this cap, and wondered if I might look like "Floyd R. Turbo, American" while wearing it. (That reference may give away my age, but google it!) But when I went to choose one of the caps, I was delighted to see that I had many choices of patterns, fabrics,and styles. I chose the classic cap, in Adirondack Plaid, since I love the Adirondack area. I had been told that the caps are sized to fit snugly, so "it won't blow off if you stick your head out of a moving train." I was advised to select one size up from my measured size.

Read more: Stormy Kromer The Original Cap review (1)

Featured review by Lester M

Don't be like me...get a T3! Quality and attention to detail throughout. Buy one excellent hat—instead of a cheap disposable one, every year.

Even as a younger man, I accepted the need for a hat in the mountains or on the trail. Sun protection reduced the risk of burning, or more serious skin ailments. It reduced fatigue and eye strain. A hat kept your head warmer, or cooled you down when you dunked it in a river, waterfall, or stream. I never packed an outdoor bag which didn't contain at least one hat...but I never, ever, spent proper money on a summer sun hat.   Tea is optional... Probably too late in the day, I recently bought a Tilley T3 and I really wish I'd done this 20 years ago.

Read more: Tilley T3 Cotton Duck Hat reviews (2)

Featured review by Elizabeth McCoy

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.

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. 

Read more: Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat reviews (3)