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Through a combination of the holy trinity of peely-wally skin, fair hair and also balding (I know, what a catch!), bunnets are becoming quite an important feature on my bonce.
I quite like the idea of a tilley hat - protection from both the sun, waterproof in the rain and float when they fall off whilst sailing / canoeing. They are however £63 which seems an absurd amount of money for a hat.
They do seem to get rave reviews. Has anyone bought one then kinda wished they never?
I appreciate they are unlikely to win any haute couture awards, but that does not bother me...
I've got one that's been in regular use for 18 years now. Gets washed every so often and no sign of it giving up the ghost yet. Not regreted buying it.
I've had a couple of Tilley hats. Caps don't suit me, but I do like a hat for shade and keeping the rain off my specs in the winter. A summer one - brown hemp - very cool and airy and excellent shade and a standard waxed winter one for dog walks and keeping head & glasses dry.
They are very durable. Loose fitting relying on the rear neck cord for windy conditions, and or neck & chin cord for extreme conditions. They tend to have a deep 'bowl', so try before you buy and get it properly fitted. If in doubt go loose. I recommend 'em.
Also look at the Drizabone/Northface/Whiterock bush hats. The Whiterock range are very good.
Bit lacking in heritage, don't you think?
I reckon you need several hats, albeit more traditional, which reminds me; with the rave season soon upon us I must purchase a new panama to go with my "man from del monte" magic rave suit.
To the milliners!
http://www.whiterockoutdoor.co.uk/gear.php?sec=1&cat=1&product=1
I've had one of these for years and still going strong. Go a size up, as the cooling crystals in the brim swell up and can make the fit tight. Half the price of a Tilley.
Please add a ring of Crocodile teeth and say “G’day Cobba” when approaching other humans ..
ta.
Got a Tilley Hemp hat (TH5)
Yes they are pricey, but it's the comfiest hat/cap/beanie/head garment I own. Go to GoOutdoors and try one on.
Hideous, nerdy, makes the owner look like a middle-aged pillock.
But keeps my glasses dry and the rain off my neck in winter, and my eyes shaded in summer.
I love mine!
+1 for trying it on in the shop - definitely worth buying in the real world, not online.
I’ve got a couple of hemp hats, 1 is about 7-8 years old, and pretty sweat stained / sun bleached with lots of character, the second i bought a couple of years ago for use when I want to look a bit smarter.
Bear in mind that i live in Australia and the first hat was used for lots and lots of outdoor work, I’m pretty happy and was thinking about buying another just yesterday in fact.
£63? I make that £39,937 less than an Audi. Bargain.
I like mine, but had it as a present, so didn't pay.
Same as z1ppy - had it for nearly 20 years now, still going strong and living in Spain I use it all summer. Just stick it in the washing machine every now and then.
As a nerdy middle aged pillock I have to say I love mine. Comfy, hardwearing gets a wash every so often and still looks new (5years I think)
I like mine it's great, makes me look a twunt but protects my baldy bonce so I'm happy
Great in the summer, offering shade, cooling and protection all in one. People think you're a dick for wearing it though. Life is complicated. Mine (cotton one) went flop so I bought a new cheaper one from Mountain Warehouse and it turned out to be a sweat-fest. Bald can be a burden.
People think I'm a dick anyway, so I might as well carry on using and enjoying mine....
As a nerdy middle aged pillock I have to say I love mine.
+1. I really should wear it more. In fact, people in general should wear hats more.
Surely this being STW you need a range of hats? A panama for sun, ( or a sombrero - a real one ) A flat cap with ear flaps for the cold, a fedora for saturday nights. Woolly hat for hillwalking.
Well thats what I do anyway
I got one for my dad about 15 years ago now. He loves it and wears it all the time.
Some of the stitching was wearing out on it so rang them up a couple of weeks ago and even though we had lost the receipt, they agreed straight away to either repair or replace it free. Awesome service.
Had mine over 10 years. It's a lightweight microfibre version (LTB5B) and so light you barely notice you are wearing it. Like you I have fair skin, red hair and little on top. It is a little lightweight for windy conditions, where a cap may be better, but other than that, perfect. They stopped making this version for a few years and I think have restarter, Currently it's cost me about £6/yr.
Definitely size in a shop. It's like choosing a puppy!
This year's hat purchase will be a proper Panama.
Tilley hats are brilliant.... But if you buy one watch out or you will end up with a Kelly Kettle and a sea kayak before long.
I've got a hemp. It looks a lot less nerdy middle-aged now I've shoved it through the washing machine a couple of times. I tend to find it a bit warm though.
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Tilley hats are brilliant…. But if you buy one watch out or you will end up with a Kelly Kettle and a sea kayak before long."
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I already have a wayfarer dinghy (cruising set up), touring kayaks and open canoe.... I think I'm pretty much there tbh...
Although the kelly kettle would be an interesting diversion...
protection from both the sun
Will also 100% protect you from female attention
One of these, so everyone knows who's the boss out on the trails!
I have a couple for the reason the OP mentions. Both are quite old now, other than the dark blue one been faded they’re both in really good condition. I prefer the air flo, light coloured one as it remains cooler.
"Although the kelly kettle would be an interesting diversion…"
I guess we we need a Kelly Kettle thread. Hmmm I bet it's been done already....
I have a volcano kettle made by The Ghillie Kettle Company. It boils water using dry sticks etc. You can also cook a small breakfast/fish on the fire bowl.
I like it very much. Only require to take up fishing when/if I get older for a 'full-house'
(sounds like a very nice way to spend a day!)
Fjallraven do some nice hats, the G1000 can be waxed to help keep showers off.
Had mine a few years, blady , had enough sun exposure already. Like it, wear it.
Best "aha!" moments were hiking in the rain for the first time - dry head, neck without having to wear a plastic bag over most of your head. airier, viewier, hearingier, less wet fancier and all in all much more pleasant than wearing a hood. That, and hiking/biking in Slovenia in silly hot/humid weather stuff the had in the river for 10 seconds and put it on again, delicious coolness, and you're alright for half an hour.
I saw a previous thread on here and someone recommended a Tarp Hat. Dirt cheap. I do aspire to a Tilley but my dad has one and my wife forbids me from also getting one as we do go on hols with them in the summer.
Mine rotted through after a couple/3 seasons but I wear it all day for work in spring summer autumn etc. Tilley sent me a new one honouring their warranty. Might attract flies.
Would buy another.
Will also 100% protect you from female attention
Can confirm😅
I’ve got two, a Canadian Winter Tilley, which I think has been discontinued, sadly; it’s warm, being largely wool, pretty water-resistant, and it has internal drop-down flaps to keep ears and forehead warm. The other one is a waxed-cotton model, which is brilliant in warmer wet weather.
While some might look down their noses at people who wear them, they don’t look anywhere near as dumb as those daft bucket hats blokes wear.
Love mine, and apart from a little sweat staining, looks like new after 10 years. Best comment I had was "is he a cowboy?" from a little lad about 3. Some say...
I have one which I inherited. Must be 25 years old. Still works as described in various ways above.
Only wear it in proper sunny/hot places.
Has a secret pocket to stash a few notes in and a life time warranty that transferred to new owners. They even say to leave it in your will.
The ‘look’ is for you to decide on but you’ll only ever buy one.
Another Hemp wearer. Very good, and the behind the head strap system keeps it on, even when I'm cycling.
Also I'm Australia.... Hat attitudes are different here.id never wear a tilley in the UK but here, big is better and Noone gives a crap if your hat looks silly when it's 40c and there ain't a cloud in the sky.
I love a hat thread. Don’t you need a long waxed jacket to go with a Tiley? OP should go all in and get a pith helmet. Hats are brilliant and everyone should own at least four.
Didn't Tilley have an advert years back claiming that one of their hats (belonging to a zookeeper IIRC) had survived being eaten, digested and shat out by an elephant? And that it was still going strong several years (and hopefully washes) later?
Or did all that come to me in a dream?
FWIW I don't have a Tilley (yet) but I have a South African Rogue canvas hat for summer/holiday use. It's not waterproof so not much use in the UK but I love it anyway. I pretty much look like a total dork anyway so it suits me perfectly! Cheap as chips in RSA but a silly price here (survive suitcases well, so if you know someone going there in holiday they could mile one in for you)