Rain Hats

While not quite a "rain hat", per se, but I wouldn't go anywhere without it. It's important to get the hat a couple sizes larger so it fits loosely & can handle a jacket hood underneath if the rain persists. Found out how great they were when I started sailing a couple years back. One would think that if avid sailors swear by them than that's gotta mean something.

http://tinyurl.com/npkdrqb

Not apposed to a rain hat but I don't use one. If I carry/wear a hat its my ball cap type with sun shade side panels. That suits me for most all conditions here. However if I were looking at spending extended period in the rain as you are, I could definitely see the advantage of not wearing a hood and having a more breathable set up.

If I were to go that route, I would be looking at something dual purpose that wasn't a sweat house for use when the sun breaks out. Many that I have tried on seem to be a little on the heavy side and not so well vented.

Recently I have been admiring vented Tilley hats I just really like the look and fit. Its the firm brim I like. I don't care for the floppy jungle roll ups out there. Probably stick with what I got for now.

jimmyb

The Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero is my go-to rain hat.

Yeah, OR makes some nice hats. My wife has an OR Oasis sombrero. Great coverage, a little longer in the back and again, a little stiffer brim than most.

I love the Tilleys too. I have an LMT3 and a Winter hat. If you go over the LMT with some Camp Dry it sheds water like a duck.

Jonathon said: "I got one this year…it's probably become one of my favorite pieces of gear."

So what'dya get?

Gah, didn't mention that did I?

I got an OR Ghost Rain. It's a convertible sun/ran hat. Nice hat, but kind of expensive.

The problem is because I've never used such a hat, I have little to compare it's performance to.

Thanks for the comments thus far! I really appreciate the feedback.

Im sure a giant sombrero waterproof type of hat would be ideal, but I just go with a runners type of ball cap. It's light, has a brim, does the job in sun or rain. In the summer, down South, that's good enough to keep the rain off of glasses. When it's cooler I'll add a raincoat and still wear the hat to support the hood.