There are some travel clothing items that are going to brand you as a tourist, like convertible pants and yes, big wide-brimmed sun hats. But you can look cool and have a peeling face a week later or you can look not so cool and be protected.
This Sombriolet Sun Hat from Outdoor Research puts you in the latter camp, but it’s a fine travel hat if you really want to protect your face and neck from the sun. You get UPF 50+ protection from the sun’s rays, so you can pretty much wear this all day long and be fine unless you’re albino. It’s super-light, however, weighing in at only 3.1 ounces (86 grams), plus it stays wrinkle-free when you cram it into your pack between layers of clothing.
You stay cool with this on, however, because the Sombriolet has mesh vents placed around the top that will let some fresh air in—or allow the heat to escape. There’s the requisite dorky string to keep it from blowing off your head when riding a boat or hiking on a windy day, but the string comes with clips that enable you to remove it quickly if you don’t want it hanging around. And if it does fly off your head, the brim floats!
Made of ripstop nylon, I’ve found this travel hat to be somewhat water repellent, it won’t shrink when you wash it, and it dries quickly. It’s going to last for the long haul too: like other Outdoor Research products I’ve tested, it comes with an “infinite guarantee.”
The hat comes in three colors and three sizes and usually sells for around $35. Get the Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat at RockCreek.com
See other travel hat reviews.
