RE: [Paddlewise] A new spring hat

From: Michael Daly <mikedaly_at_magma.ca>
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 18:22:21 -0400
On 12 Apr 2004 at 11:57, K.Stevens wrote:

> Had a Tilley, they are too heavy and not completely waterproof or
> breathable.

Tilley Unbearables, as I call them.  Since they were invented 
locally*, they are pretty common around here.  However, there are 
lots of companies (MEC and independent outdoor shops) that sell 
knockoffs at typically half the price.  The knockoffs usually have 
fewer features, but some have more or better features.

I got an MEC copy long before I started kayaking and it's still my 
main hat.  I'd love to replace the disgusting looking thing (last 
time I wore it, I had to rescue it from a very hungry Lab Retriever - 
owner of said Lab thought it was junk he'd found, as no one would 
possibly wear such a thing!). but I haven't found anything I prefer.

It _is_ waterproof - won't claim the same for the real Tilleys, and 
wear it in the rain quite often.  It gets soaked, but the water 
swells the threads and it doesn't leak.  I wash it occasionally and 
let it sit with the brim flat to stiffen up as it dries.  It has a 
permanent droop on the right side, giving it a hick-fisherman look.

The single chin line (I removed the second) runs to the back of my 
head and grips onto a bump where my spine connects to the skull.  I 
have never had it come off in the wind (!) and only occasionally in 
rolls.

I've looked at various sou'westers and such, but haven't been enticed 
yet.  The OR is high on the list, since they introduced a yellow 
version a few years ago.

Mike
*Actually, I know folks who had this style hat for canoeing before 
anyone heard of Tilley.
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Received on Mon Apr 12 2004 - 15:17:28 PDT

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