Which Tilley (or similar) hat to get for desert hiking?

Macchina

Macchina

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I'm hiking into the Grand Canyon for a week in August and need a good sun hat. I'm a 25 year old white guy if that makes any difference for what looks good. I'm interested in the Tilley Airflo hats, but there are so many materials and brim sizes I don't know which would be best. I'd like to get one of the non-airflo ones if the mesh doesn't do much good because I will also be using this hat in Michigan for hiking in cool weather and rain.

I really like the brim size on the Tilley Outback Hat, but fear it may be too hot for 100 degree hiking.
Also, how does the REI Vented Explorer Hat stack up against one of the standard Tilley Airflos? The REI is half the price, but I don't mind spending more for something that will perform better.
 
I own one Tilley hat, and if I did not get complimented on that hat more than any other hat I ever wore. You gotta get a Tilley. I would get a vented one for the Grand Canyon, and get another for Michigan. You will be too hot, body heat escapes through your noggin, do not cap it in, let it vent. Be careful in the canyon, and stay hydrated.
 
Do you know which model you have? Which material?

I never knew you could have so many options for a hat...
 
Here's the deal. Get a 100% white cotton Tilley hat in your favorite size. In warm weather, soak that sucker in water, shake it out, and put it on. The slow evaporative cooling will soothe your fevered brow. Repeat as necessary. Best doo rag cum sunshade around. If you are still hot, put a wet cotton bandana hankerchief around your neck and put frozen daiquiris in your Nissan Titanium thermos.
 
I got one of the hemp ones, I believe the TH4 IIRC. had it hiking down around southern utah plenty and haven't had any problems with overheating. sucks the sweat right off your head and keeps you cool. I'm sure the airflow hats are great, just haven't used one yet; I just know that in the canvas hat I have yet to have any overheating problems. just make sure to get the biggest brim you can stand, keep that sun off your neck.
 
I do not recall which model it is. It is pretty wide brimmed. I cannot find the sucker since we moved. The brim is a little bigger than I like.
 
cj65 said:
I do not recall which model it is. It is pretty wide brimmed. I cannot find the sucker since we moved. The brim is a little bigger than I like.
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Keeps the sun off your neck and brow, no other reason.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I have two, the Airflo and a cotton T3. The T3 is a lot better for hot weather. My Airflo is made of a synthetic fabric and gets too hot in the summer in AZ. Like tiguy7 said, if you wet the cotton Tilley it will keep your head nice and cool.

Chad
 
ChadHahn said:
I have two, the Airflo and a cotton T3. The T3 is a lot better for hot weather. My Airflo is made of a synthetic fabric and gets too hot in the summer in AZ. Like tiguy7 said, if you wet the cotton Tilley it will keep your head nice and cool.

Chad
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WOW, this confirms what I decided today. I like how the T3 looks, but thought I'd regret not getting an AirFlo model. I saw a woman with an Airflo today and realized I'd never wear it if I got it. Now to find a local dealer that sells T3's...
 
I recommend against the baseball-style cap with the neck drape. I bought one when they first came out and it is way too hot to wear in the heat. I don't know if they have solved that problem but the original one was :thumbdn:
 
I love my TM 10! I spent last weekend at the ballpark watching my friend's son play baseball, and I was fairly comfortable in the 90/95 degree weather.

TillyTM10.jpg
 
Just got a T3 on ebay fairly cheap. Nice quality. Haven't worn it much yet. But it is very comfortable.
 
The Tilley cotton models cool real well in low humidity areas when you sweat. The synthetics are terrible in humid conditions unless you are using it as a makeshift umbrella.

I have 3 Tilley's and like them all in their "own" environment. The British beads with the two cotton models work well when I sweat but, in rain or humidity get a little bit water logged. The LT3 sythetic is a real nice hat in the rain, pretty good in the low humidity sunshine, but is like wearing a mop in high humidity areas.

I looked as some cheaper alternatives but, found the quality to be vastly inferior in the ones I looked at. Factory seconds out of Canada through ebay made cost among all them very similar. I got one of them for $20 from a lady that wore it ONCE in Africa on vacation (no hang tags but, basically brand new and lightly scented with perfume). :)
 
I have the T3 and it is working great. Don't know how well it would work in the desert but I love it in the humidity.

IMG_4517.jpg
 
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Well, I ordered a cotton duck T3 today. I found it for $50 and $56 and accidentilly bought it from the $56 place, whoops.

I' am in DC on vacation and found an awesome outdoor shop with a huge tock of Tilley's! I was able to size myself at 7 5/8 and I realized the hemp was not for me.
 
I have the TH4 an love it.
Recently, it's been hovering around 100 degrees with 50%+ humidity here, and the hat makes a night and day difference.

If I lost my Tilley, another one would be on order before the day was over.
 
Terry Newton said:
I have the T4 and it is working great. Don't know how well it would work in the desert but I love it in the humidity.

IMG_4517.jpg
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Isn't that the T3? I have only seen the side snaps on the T3, and no snaps on the T4 in my limited Tilley expirience.

Anyway, do you ever where it with the sides up?
Do you wet it when it's hot out?
 
michaelmcgo said:
Isn't that the T3? I have only seen the side snaps on the T3, and no snaps on the T4 in my limited Tilley expirience.

Anyway, do you ever where it with the sides up?
Do you wet it when it's hot out?
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Oops. Fixed it. I do have the T3. I have not worn it with the sides up since sun protection is one of the main reasons I use it. I have not bothered to wet it although you could do that. I find the sweat band soaks up the water and that helps to cool me. I also turn it around infrequently so it gets wet all the way around on the inside.

Let us know what you decide on. They also have a loss gaurantee that covers part of the replacement costs. How can you beat that?:thumbup:
 
michaelmcgo said:
Well, I ordered a cotton duck T3 today. I found it for $50 and $56 and accidentilly bought it from the $56 place, whoops.

I' am in DC on vacation and found an awesome outdoor shop with a huge tock of Tilley's! I was able to size myself at 7 5/8 and I realized the hemp was not for me.
Click to expand...

Where is the shop if I may ask? Or the name? Also, why are you on the computer? ;) You should be out exploring DC.
 
Duzzy said:
Where is the shop if I may ask? Or the name? Also, why are you on the computer? ;) You should be out exploring DC.
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The shop is just outside of the Pentagon "Fasion" mall.
I have been purusing BF.com when the women want to see the First Lady exibits and the such as...
 
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