Are there any “cool” sun or boonie hats out there?

[wesfromky]

I have a triple aught design boonie and like it pretty well. One thing that helps me is to pick up a fishing neck gator as well as the hat - that really helps keep the sun off the back of your neck.
Not sure how it would do in warmer weather, but I also have an OR Seattle Sombro that I like and I think they have a bunch of other options as well.

 

[mdtennant]

I'm pretty sure Shelta is going to get some of my money.

I also think that if purely hiding from the sun is the goal, it's hard to beat a hooded long sleeve shirt and ball cap.

Exactly why I try to run hooded base layers... although I agree, the Shelta is intriguing.

 

[Maverick1]

@Rusty Shackelford - another vote for the Shelta hat here. Picked mine up at the local Scheels. At first I wasn't crazy about spending $75 for a stupid sun hat, but it is really nice. Wear it pretty much any time I am outside now, fishing especially. It replaced an Under Armour warrior bucket hat. The UA hat was more "packable" since it didn't have the shaped brim, and I could stuff it in my pocket, but the UA hat didn't provide nearly the same amount of sun protection as the Shelta hat does. (The shelta hat's brim retains its shape fairly well, which means you can't easily stuff it in your pocket, but that's a tradeoff I'm willing to make; sun-related issues run in my family.)

 

[Maverick1]

Exactly why I try to run hooded base layers... although I agree, the Shelta is intriguing.

Out fishing I wear a long-sleeve hooded shirt (Simms or Huk) and the Shelta hat. Pretty good combo for sun protection. It if gets too hot, I just take off the shirt and hat, dunk them in the lake, and put them back on. Good to go.

 

[mdtennant]

I hear you Maverick1, it is the $75 price tag for a hat that gives me a bit of heartburn... however, it is a $75 preventive and we all know how that saying goes.

 

[11boo]

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but the china made shelta hat is the best. Mine is still in great shape 2 years later.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Those actually look really nice. They say no flop, is that true? Hate a floppy brim, and where we live it's windy.

They have videos on their web site that show the hats in wind and in water. Don’t think you’d be disappointed.

 

[Maverick1]

I hear you Maverick1, it is the $75 price tag for a hat that gives me a bit of heartburn... however, it is a $75 preventive and we all know how that saying goes.

Yup! I went to a number of stores and tried on a bunch of different hats. Kept coming back to the Shelta. Paused several times on buying it because of the $75 price tag (and I am very “thrifty” with non-hunting purchases!) Just decided to get it - glad I did.

 

[*zap*]

Become a flat brim bro.

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

Become a flat brim bro.

I’m worried about you Zap.

 

[kayakonthefly]

I went with Tilley - they're at my dermatologist's office, plus it's one of the few that could find to fit my big melon head (size 8), and feel like they look halfway decent. Remind me of the Shelta's to be honest.

 

[Predator_SD]

Spray on SPF 50 and then your favorite worn in Ball cap. No need for any of that "dad stuff".

 

[Fatcamp]

Spray on SPF 50 and then your favorite worn in Ball cap. No need for any of that "dad stuff".

LOL. We spend time in some intense desert environments and on the water for hours in the heat, a big goofy hat is awesome in those situations.

 

[Hunt_Jefferson]

I splurged on a Tilley hat a few years ago due to the aforementioned fair skin sun issues, but it doesn't hold up in the wind. I got the OD green since that seems to be the color for the under 60 crowd, beige for the older guys.

Fishing on a windy day left my neck sunburned. Great for everything else though so I might try the Shelta hat when I know it's going to be windy.

 

[Deerslayer6837]

Tilley

 

[tkhuntsman]

Got a screening for skin cancer and I’ve got some early warning signs so I’m looking for a better hat to wear in the sun. Saw the Sitka sun hat but I don’t want a camo one. My wife says I dress like a dad and the traditional boonie hat would be the icing on the cake. Is there anything cool and hip out there?



For reference here is a picture of me in my normal clothesView attachment 548308

No

 

[cbeck36]

I'm a contractor, and spend a lot of time in the sun every summer. These look like a really good hat for me to try!

These are fantastic hats. Have had one for three years. Can’t Hurt it.

 

[snowymtnwolf]

Just got mine after some reluctance. I’ve worn boonies for years in the military that are stiff/rigid and don’t breathe. This Kuiu boonie pleasantly surprised me. Slightly bigger brim than mil boonie (good), super soft, and highly breathable.

 

[Boarmaster]

I wear a Tilley T4MO-1. Airflo. I have a olive one for hunting in warm climates and two kaki colored ones for fishing. I live in SWFL so hot as the hubcaps of hell down here. After trying many hats for 35-40 years this model Tilley works the best for me. Its comfortable and very cool. Been using the Tilleys for about 12 years. Doubt I will look at buying anything else. They arent cheap but last forever and make sure you read the proper fit. I wash them frequently. My old green one is faded pretty good but still looks great after 12 years. Like wearing a shade tree on your head. Has good ventilation around the top to get the hot air out.

 

[UncleBone]

I am looking for a USA made one at the moment. I am sure I can find more, but the gulch gear boonie in camo actually looks pretty good. I am not a dad, and still pretty young, but I have rocked NBs and a dad bod. Women love that look more than jacked guys, I swear.