Let's talk about headwear

[Alienation]

Alright ladies and gents, let's get on the topic of what's on your head... What kind of hat or headwear do you prefer, and why?

I've been debating heavily lately to pick up a tilley, boonie, or outback oilskin hat. Something with a wider brim. I'm used to wearing ball cap style, but it's never the best in adverse weather or freak rain storms..

Let's hear your opinions and styles!

[Wentrot]

Usually the ball cap but I do own an outdoor research Seattle sombrero for the nasty stuff.

[Beachcomber]

Anything but a Tilley. You don't want to look like a lesbian bird watcher.

[Drillbit]

Anything but a Tilley. You don't want to look like a lesbian bird watcher.
Or a gay bus driver.


Unless you are one, then it's totally cool.

[Alienation]

Some good insight here. Never heard of outdoor research, so that will be an option. Looks like they have a few different models to choose from that are waterproof.
Anyone have any experience with a waxed cotton or oilskin during spring or summer weather? I have doubts about its breathability

[goatdancer]

Tilley hats are hand made in Canada and have a lifetime warranty. Waxed cotton and oilskin have no breathability.

[Alienation]

Another one I've seen is the Frogg Toggs boonie hat. Seems inexpensive, and fits the bill. Anyone have any experience with these?

[MichelD]

Unless it's really warm out I have a fleece tuque from Cabela's that I use for everything from waterfowling to big game hunting. Came with matching gloves too!

I have a large collection of camo ball caps picked up as free promotional items at trade shows. I use those in nice weather.

I have a wax Amundson cowboy hat I found in a free box on one of my morning bike rides so I wear that in the city to look cool. Wide brim hats don't suit my hunting. I'd be picking the darn thing up more than wearing it after squeezing between trees and bushes.

[Alienation]

Ya, I do alot of bush wacking myself, hence why I'm looking for experience from people in real world conditions. I guess a packable boonie as well as a ball cap would be a good decision

[r106]

Mild to warm conditions i just wear a hat and throw a hood up if needed. Really cold weather i have a trappers hat or a wool toque.

[warnniklz]

I rock a boonie hat and/or a ball hat.

[Pemby_mess]

I always have a toque in my pocket if I'm in the alpine, otherwise a ball cap. All of my jackets have integral hoods on them, even the light windbreakers - so I'll just throw the hood up if it gets inclement.

[Alienation]

I rock a boonie hat and/or a ball hat.

And what kind of boonie? Standard or a waterproof style like Frogg Toggs?

[Firstblood]

Outback oilcloth hat, so much function goes into a good hat, this is the best Ive every worn. Keeps rain and snow out of your neck and collar, sun out of your eyes, tilt it back and amplifies sounds. Worn it to -30 and only the tips of my ears were cold. I wear one of mine everyday of the year Id say, only on the days above 20 c is it too warm to wear. I have a work one (smells like gas, 9 years old still great) fishing guiding/hunting (smells like fish, 4 years old) going out one, (clean for the near future 2 years old). They are all the same flexible and soft, very water proof and great looking. Never had a problem in the bush, it keeps all the drops from the trees out of your neck, hoods block too much sound for me. Today picked up a hard, oil cloth, fitted cowboy hat to add to my collection for hunting as it will make a good shooting rest as well. Ill never wear a baseball cap or toque hunting ever again.

https://imgur.com/a/JYV1EFk

the hat made by outback, Used to get them at wholesale
https://www.orvis.com/p/oilcloth-outback-hat/2y49

[albravo2]

Hunting? Only a ball cap and a hood if my jacket has it.

Otherwise, black cowboy hat. My favourite rain or snow headwear for sure. Plus, people know who the bad guy is.

[Alienation]

It's pretty well a mixed bag with answers here.. Everyone has their own personal preferences. Looks like I may have to just buy one of everything and see what I like best!

[northernguy]

I have tried everything over the years. Now I usually don't wear a hat unless it's cold. Then I use a fleece toque and the hood on my jacket if the precipitation is really bad.

[warnniklz]

And what kind of boonie? Standard or a waterproof style like Frogg Toggs?

Standard camo, water resistant enough to grab a drink of water from a creek/river. Keeps the sun at bay while working the spotting scope. Also keeps snow from falling down your collar

https://scontent.fyyc3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14670830_10157698601395387_9059818151782478028_n.j pg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent.fyyc3-1.fna&oh=08b4ab549ea615af089ac1ef7a22ef71&oe=5D2BB21B

[35rem]

TRU-SPEC Boonie. $18.50 on Amazon. Available in many patterns. Keeps the sun out of your eyes and prevents your ears from getting burned.

[whitlers]

I had an oil skin ball cap for years and years until it recently fell apart. Usually I rock a ball cap and toque

[wideopenthrottle]

ball cap for sun, with a touque over top if it is cold...always have a spare touque in the pack if I lose one or it gets too wet

[Elkaddict]

I use a crushable felt Bailey. Does all the stuff an Outback oilcloth hat does, keeps your noggin warm and dry, and if you're in really nasty stuff you can just crush it up and slide it inside your jacket or pack.

[IronNoggin]

https://i.imgur.com/H6qglMK.jpg

[Would Rather Be Fishing]

I have a work one (smells like gas, 9 years old still great) fishing guiding/hunting (smells like fish, 4 years old) going out one, (clean for the near future 2 years old).

That was funny. Now I want to know what "going out" version smells like?

[Alienation]

https://i.imgur.com/H6qglMK.jpg

Love that setup!

[RINO]

https://www.stormykromer.com/

[Drillbit]

Cowboy hat!

Colorado Buck and Jim Shockey can't be wrong!


I run Wool new era 5950, if need be a toque or trapper hat over it if it's really cold.
Even skidooing. If it's really cold I'll pull a hood up over everything on the snoGo

The best bush hats I've seen are woven wool derby hats. Woven like a hacky sack. Too windy on the snoGo for them tho.

[lwing]

Frogg togg boonie is awesome, cheap, light and waterproof, have a fleece skull cap underneath when cold with fold down ear flaps, hate hoodies, best $25 bang for the buck out of all my hunting gear