Tilley LTM6 Airflo Hat

[bquinlan]

I recently acquired my first Tilley hat, an LTM6 Airflo.

That's not me in the picture, by the way.

Overall I really like it, but there have been a couple of problems...

First, it arrived stuffed into a very small box and thoroughly mangled. That should be okay, since it is supposed to be "crushable", but there's a bit crease right in the center of the bill that just won't come out. Can anyone tell me how to get rid of that crease?

The "instruction manual" suggests wetting it down. I suspect that would work nicely for the cotton models, but the nylon in mine sheds water completely. Soaking it had no effect.

Second, I quickly came to hate the straps. The rear strap is useless without the front strap and unnecessary with it. The adjustment mechanism is finnicky and awkward compared to the simple lanyard-slides I'm used to. And, finally, the loop is too small for me to hang the hat down my back when I'm not wearing it.

I solved the problem by removing the strap it came with and substituting a simple chin cord of heavy brown and green bootlace. I wrapped it all the way around the crown to attach it and I think it improves the appearance of the hat too. Then I added a small cord-lock from REI so I can cinch the thing up under my chin in high winds. I am much happier with this arrangement.

Aside from those two gripes, this is a great hat. It is amazingly light, has plenty of rim to protect my head from sun and rain, is opaque to UV, impervious to rain, keeps sweat out of my eyes, and allows plenty of air to circulate inside for comfort. And while it is not a dress hat, it manages to look fairly stylish while doing all that.

If it stands up to real use half as well as the company claims it will have been well worth the rather steep price.

--Bob Q

 

[Denix]

I have the Nylon LT5. It never had a real crease, but it's been thoroughly abused for almost 3 years now. I just toss it in the washing machine every once in a while (I've probably washed it a dozen times by now. It's pretty mangled after the spin cycle, but I just reshape it an hang it to dry. It always end up perfect.

If that doesn't help, I'd call up Tilley. They advertise that they have great customer service, so I'd expect that they'd take care of it.

Guy

 

[PWork]

I recently bought my first Tilley, a T-3, and love it. I'm eyeing up the nylon models for my next purchase.

Paul

 

[Thomason]

I have the same model, bquinlan. Your strap modifications sound pretty good. I ended up leaving mine attached but tucked away in the interior pocket. I don't know what to suggest about the crease. A good soak, lay it on a flat surface and put some heavy object on the crease may help. The vents work pretty good in the Tejas heat. I had mine on in the car with the window down and could actually feel the breeze blowing through

 

[Sid Post]

There is a metal cable in the outer edge of the brim that could be bent if you did it right. Personally, out of the 3 Tilley's I own, the Nylon is the least favorite of them. The cotton wicks sweat away and gives me some evaporative cooling effect. The Nylon does work better in the Monsoons though as it acts like a mini-umbrella.

Regarding your crease, I would try washing it in a gentle cycle with tennis ball and the hang it to dry. That works well for my Nylon hat.

 

[Amator]

As far as the cords go, I replaced mine with a piece of paracord that was the same length. It takes a little bit of adjustment, but I like it. When you wear the cords the fit is a little more secure as well, plus you never know when you might need the paracord. I've only had an OD T3, but I've given it 5-6 years of abuse and it still looks brand new excepting the sweat stains around the sweatband portion. I wish I could get rid of those.

 

[knzn]

I have been a Tilley Hat owner for a whole week now. I have thought about spending the bucks on one for a couple of years now, and propably would have went with the LTM6 airflow like you did bquinlan.

However I just happend to have stumbled upon someone here in town quite by accident having a clearance sale. The only choice was for the T3, but for $20.00 I couldnt pass it up. At that price I probably would have bought all of them but they were down to my size and a 7 7/8. Anyway.

We have spent the last week getting to know each other and so far so good. My first reaction wasnt that great regarding the tie on cord, but I have left it in its factory configuration and may decide it is fine for me just like it is, but I can see why you changed yours.

I am sure after reading all the unbiased positive reports on them for a couple of years now that I will be quite pleased with it. May even accumulate some other models.

Looking back I have certainly had a number of $10.00 hats that have lasted only a year or less, and for that matter a number of $30.00 hats that havent lasted much longer. Most of them have quickly become fit only for yard work and just plain too ugly to take the wife out to supper in.