A sun hat can be what keeps you from getting sun stroke. Don’t like the buckeroo or cowboy style?
Here is a quality sun hat that isn’t quite a cowboy hat, but it combines protection with that western flair.
by Leon Pantenburg
DISCLAIMER: The American Hat Company supplied the product for this review. We tested and reviewed the products before agreeing to become an affiliate. All we ever promise is a fair and impartial review.
Many people view headgear as style-driven and a hat may be an afterthought. But a person loses about 10 percent of their body heat through their head. Conversely, a lot of heat can be transferred to the rest of the body through an uncovered head. Some people will learn that the hard way.
In June, my wife Debbie and I hiked in Sedona, Arizona. When we planned the vacation months earlier, nobody knew anything about a potential heat dome. But when we got there, the temperatures hit three digits by about 11 a.m. Our standard protocol was to take off at dawn and hike until mid-morning or close to noon. As we were leaving the trailhead to go back to the air conditioning, we’d see other tourists headed out. I checked – most of them had an inadequate hat or nothing at all. The worst-prepared person was the guy who stripped down to gym shorts, slathered his body with sunscreen, and took off.
I believe in hats for head protection, and wear broad-brimmed hats year-round. In the summer, I want a ventilated straw. In the cold weather, I go with a felt hat. The straw shields your head from the heat and also provides cooling ventilation. A felt insulates your head, keeps heat in and prevents snow or rain from running down your neck. The wide felt brim appears to hold in heat from where it radiates from your collar. (Try it some time – wear a baseball cap, then switch to your felt.)
With summer coming on, I was very interested in the American Hat Company Florence | Mens Wide Brim Straw Sun Hat. I was headed for the desert Southwest and the Straw Sun Hat was going to get a workout under extreme heat conditions.
Debbie and Naga at a Sedona Trailhead. We favor broad-brimmed hats for desert wear.
About American Hat Company – American Hat Company has been crafting high-quality cowboy hats since 1915. Based in Bowie, Texas, according to the website, the company is known for its commitment to using the finest materials and traditional techniques to create functional and stylish hats. American Hat Company’s hats are available through a network of authorized dealers across the country.
Here are the straw sun hat specs:
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- Brim Measures 3 1/2″ Crown Measures 4 1/2″
- 1/2″ Width Leather Hatband
- Midweight Firm Straw
- Chinstrap Included for Windy Days
- Sweatband Liner for Perfect Fit
- Sewn-in elastic sweatband creates a snug and secure fit
- Often ordered one size bigger and adjusted down using size reducers (included)
- Package includes two (free) adhesive size reducers to achieve a perfect fit, a $10 value
- Imported
Here is how the Sun Hat worked out for me:
Looks: IMHO, one of the most important aspects of a hat is how it looks. We’ve all seen folks in goofy-looking headgear. Those hats may be protective and cool or warm, but nobody wants to be seen in one. If you look good in a hat, you will wear it more, and that is a good thing.
Fit: I wear an XL hat, and the Sun Hat fit me perfectly. For people with smaller heads, the hat comes with two adhesive size reducers. I had to use one on my Bondi Wide Brim Felt Fedora and it worked really well. These American Hat Company hats can apparently be fitted to anyone.
Materials: The sun hat is made of midweight firm straw. The hats are created from 100% natural fibers, the company claims, as opposed to the synthetic materials used to make other straw hats for a lower price. The fibers are sealed, so it should repel rain. That said, no straw would be my first choice for a rain hat.
Comfort: My hat was comfortable immediately. Like any hat, the fit gets better as is it worn some. My hat was sweated into (a lot!), and worn in very hot sun. It quickly formed to my head
Durability: Time will tell. But the quality straw, combined with the sealant should result in a long-lasting hat. The American Hat Company thinks so too. This segues into the warranty.
Warranty: Register your hat when you get it and it will have a 50-year warranty.
According to the website: “Understanding our customers’ desire for longevity, we offer a special “50-year Refurbishments” service. For a nominal fee of $9.00, you can send your men’s straw hat back to us for necessary repairs. Whether your hat has become misshapen or stained, our skilled artisans will restore it to its former glory before sending it back to you. This means that the straw fedora hat or men’s Panama hat you purchase from us will not only endure but also maintain its pristine condition for years to come.”
It takes some guts, and product confidence to offer that sort of guarantee.
Men’s and women’s hats need to make a comeback. Before President John F. Kennedy quit wearing one, every well-dressed man had some sort of headgear. The common bare-headed approach to outdoor activities is a bad thing. Get a good-looking hat that also protects your head, face and neck.
You’ll be glad you did. You can thank me later.
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For more survival information, check out my book “Bushcraft Basics.”
Leon
I know what you mean – getting a hat to fit my XL head is not easy!