Hey, it’s Ernest from Trip Astute.
In this video, we’re going to cover something that I struggle with when traveling and being outdoors,
and that’s wearing a hat.
(light chiming music)
I have to admit that I’ve never considered myself a hat person.
I remember when I was a kid, all the cool kids were wearing baseball caps to school,
and while I tried to do the same, it just didn’t work for me.
Not only was it uncomfortable, but then I would get a really bad case of hat hair.
It might be because I do have really thick hair that tends to get really big and bulky when
it gets warm or humid.
Fast forward to when I was a cadet in college, and I realized that I was going to be wearing
a hat every time I was in uniform.
It didn’t change the fact that it was uncomfortable.
but I had shorter hair, so it was less of an issue.
On some recent trips, I’ve managed to get some bad sunburns while hiking and being on on the water.
In fact, we did a few hikes at Zion National Park last month, and I ended up getting badly
burned, especially on my face.
With age comes wisdom, so I’ve decided that I want to start wearing a hat when I’m outdoors.
Since I know a lot of your also travel and explore the outdoors, I thought I’d share
my experience when looking for hats.
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Today I want to share some hats that I’ve been wearing to help protect my face from
burning.
If you’re going somewhere where you’ll be out in the sun and exploring, especially
if you’re close to the equator, then you’re going to want to wear some kind of hat to
protect yourself.
In our case, Fiona and I are fairly active hikers.
We hike at least once or twice during the weekends, and tend to spend a lot of time
in the sun.
The two hats that I’m going to share with you today are the two that I have found to
be most comfortable and effective for my use.
Keep in mind that I tend to favor functionality over form.
That being said, I am a bit a self-conscious about wearing a hat, so I think these two hats
actually look good compared to some of the other options out on the market.
Some of you might still think I look dorky, but I’m ok with it.
First up is the traditional baseball cap.
While there are tons of variations in this style of hat, I do find most of them to be
a bit uncomfortable for my needs.
I did recently pick up a hat from REI called the Screeline cap, and I really like it.
It’s made of nylon and polyester and has a bit of a military cap look.
What I like about the cap is that it wicks moisture pretty well, and has some nice ventilation
on the sides.
The hat has little straps to hold your sunglasses, and the brim is foldable for easy packing.
The brim also floats in case you lose it while on water.
The cap definitely helps to keep sunlight off my face, and offers an UPF 30 rating.
The drawbacks of a baseball style cap is that while it protects your face, it often leaves
your neck and ears exposed.
So, if you’re going to be exposed to the sun for a long period of time, it’s probably
worth checking out a more protective option.
That’s where a wide-brimmed hat comes in.
There are a ton of choices out there when it comes to wide brim hats.
You’ll see bucket hats, boonie hats, and really, a lot of very strange looking hats
that can protect you from the sun.
I personally have a Tilley Airflo hat, which is one of their supplex nylon hats with a
ventilating mesh at the top.
In terms of looks, I think it’s more Indiana Jones than Gilligan’s Island.
I actually got this Tilley hat a few years ago, but it’s slightly too small.
I’ve managed to stretch it a bit, but I would love to get a new one at some point
in the correct size.
These hats are expensive, but the quality is solid.
Just do a quick google search on Tilley hats and you’ll find an entire following of people
that love them.
A lot of people love Tilley products, their history, and their customer service.
They are a Canadian company with a very strong reputation for producing quality products
and standing by their customers.
Besides the high-quality, this hat has a couple of unique features that sets it apart
from others.
One is the dual strap system to keep your hat in place when you're in a windy environment.
Basically, one strap goes under your chin and the other behind your head to prevent
the hat from flying away.
You don’t have to use it, but it’s there if you need it.
There’s also a hydrofil sweatband which helps to absorb and wick sweat, a secret pocket
where you store small items, and a foam top that will float in water.
The hat can be crushed or compacted to fit in your suitcase or daypack, which makes it
perfect for traveling and the outdoors.
Tilley also has a lifetime guarantee on their hats, which is another reason they have such
a loyal customer following.
This particular hat, which is the LTM6 model, has a broad three and a quarter inch brim
on the front and back, so it’s meant to give you a lot more protection from the sun.
It has a UPF 50 rating, and keeps a lot of sunlight off my neck and ears too, which can
make a big difference when you’re out in the sun all day.
Though the drawback is that the hat can get pretty warm, even with the vent on top.
The supplex nylon is very lightweight and durable, and is even water resistant, but
I think the tradeoff is that it doesn’t breathe as well as organic materials
like cotton or hemp.
Tilly makes a ton of different hats with different size brims and materials.
There is a cotton version of this hat that is marketed for hiking called the Hiker’s
Hat.
I wasn’t able to get one from the company to test out and review, but it’s one that
I am personally interested in getting.
It’s similar to my current Tilley hat, but it’s made of organic cotton and has a pad
that you soak in water and store in the upper pocket.
This is supposed to cool you down with the evaporation.
Since my biggest issue when wearing my current Tilley hat is the heat, this feature seems
very appealing to me.
Lastly, here are a couple of tips for wearing a hat.
These are things that helped me to get more comfortable with wearing a hat, especially
since I’ve been resistant to the idea for so long.
Number 1.
Wear your hat loosely: While a lot of us are used to wearing hats snugly on our heads,
I recommend wearing your travel or hiking hat a little bit more loosely, especially if you
tend to feel warm.
I even keep my REI Screeline cap loose since it tends to trap less heat and is so much more
comfortable to wear.
If you opt for a Tilley hat, then you’ll need to figure your specific size.
Unlink other hats, they come in exact sizes rather than the small, medium, and large
size that we're used to seeing.
There is a lot of information on their website on how to measure your head.
Though I suggest intentionally keeping the measurement loose.
For example, if I measure my head tightly, I get 23 inches.
Though if I measure it loosely, it’s closer to 23 and a quarter, which is a much better
fit when it comes to the Tilley hat.
When in doubt between two sizes, I suggest going with the larger size.
Number 2.
Consider lighter colors for warm weather: A lighter color hat is going to absorb less
heat than a darker color hat.
If you’re trying to stay cool, this can make a big difference.
Also, a dark color under the brim is helpful as it absorbs the light away from your face.
Of course, if you’re looking for a hat to keep you warm in the winter, then a darker
color will likely be better suited for that purpose.
Number 3.
Wear sunglasses and sunscreen: Even with a hat, it’s still worth protecting your eyes
and the rest of your body with sunscreen.
I personally love polarized sunglasses.
If you don’t know the difference between regular and polarized lenses, definitely check
out our video on the topic.
Number 4.
Wash your hats: Most hats can be washed, and you should definitely do so especially if
they get covered in sweat.
Sweat stains can be tough to remove, so it’s better to get them washed sooner rather than
later.
For example, my REI Screeline cap is hand washable, and my Tilley hat can actually be
machine washed.
Do you have a favorite hat for traveling or outdoor activities?
If so, please share them below in the comment section.
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Until next time, travel safe and travel smart.