Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero

When I set out to buy a hat I was looking for something dual purpose...sun and rain. I ordered 3 hats before I found the one that fits the bill as a Sun and rain hat. The 3 hats were The Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero, Mountain Hardware Stimulus Rain Hat, and the Marmot Precip Safari Hat. All these hats are waterproof so they all should perform in the rain well. Water repellent hats were not considered at all for they are not fully waterproof and would not do well in a long down pour. Here's my brief review of each.

The OR is the most expensive of the bunch might be because it was the only one that uses Gore-Tex. It has the strongest rim but is also the heaviest weight hat of the group. It has a great amount of adjust ability so fit can be really adjusted. Even the head band can be finely adjusted to fit your head a little better. The velcro side flaps are ok and I notice when the side rims are attached they pull on the top sides of the hat...not really a problem just makes the hat on my head look funny! It just tugs then and makes them stick out. It is very good as a rain hat probably the best for the rim is the strongest so in a heavy down pour it will hold up better than the others. However because if its weight and Gore-Tex the same cannot be said as a sun hat. It gets far too hot!! Which is too bad because OR used a darker color on the underside of the rim to cut down on reflection and glare. Because of its weight and being too hot in the sun I gave it a 3. If you just want it as a rain hat...I give it a 5 all day! The Rim will make it the best of the group

Next was the Mountain Hardware Stimulus Rain Hat. Lightest of the bunch but very close in weight to the Marmot. The rim is the weakest so in a heavy down put it might not do so well. No one plans on being in a heavy down pour but they happen. And if you are in one with this hat the rim might not hold off the heavy rain very well. The fit was not as good as the others...it does not have a head band adjustment. The color is a stainless/silver like. It is great for heat reflection but the underside of the rim is the same color so it will add glare in the sun. The rim also velcros to the side of the hat just like the OR but doesnt deform as much because the rim isnt nearly as heavy as the OR. There isnt nearly as much adjustment as the OR or the Marmot. This is probably the coolest of the hats in the sun, both from the weight and the color. I didnt care for the fit as much but the one I got was pretty deformed from shipping. It went back. I felt this was my least favorite of the bunch.

The Marmot Precip Safari Hat was my pick. It isnt the heaviest but isnt the lightest either. It has the same amount of adjustments as the OR and is more than a 1/3 the cost. The sides fold up and attach via a magnets. I didnt think I would like this but I really do!! I found this hat to be the perfect fit for rain and sun. It wont handle the real heavy rain like the OR but will do better than the Mountain Hardware. It is cool might be as cool in the sun as the Mountain Hardware and the color I got keeps the reflection and glare down in the sun for the underside of the rim in the color I got is a dark one. It fits me well and looks really nice. Overall this one fit nearly all my requirements. The quality is also excellent, pretty much all the hats were manufactured well so really no complaints in that category.

Has a nice large brim for shade and rain. The inside of the hat has a liner that gets a little warm when your hiking hard and working up a sweat.

As stated in the description...if you're looking for a hat for extremely wet conditions, look no further. With the bomber gore-tex and huge brim, this hat will keep your head and shoulders dry in a monsoon. But, its only a rain hat. This hat feels heavy and stuffy when its warm. I found it staying in my pack so much that it now rarely leaves my closet. There are far better sun hats and all-around hats out there than the Seattle Sombrero. My rain shell hood makes a far more economical (weight-wise and financial) insurance against unexpected rain showers. That being said, if there's a forecast for rain, I would likely pack my Seattle Sombrero.

Bottom line....if you're expecting rain, this hat will get you through the showers in style and comfort. If you're not banking on a downpour, its probably not worth packing the extra item.

It's a pricey hat, and I'm not going to say it's worth every penny (it totally is, though) because everyone says that about everything in reviews almost. Searching for a durable, lightweight, easily packable hat that protects against the sun from sunrise to sunset isn't easy. Finding one that keeps you dry when sun gives way to rain is even harder. The OR Seattle Sombrero is nearly the most perfect hat. The brim is wider in the back, helpful in avoiding rain and snow running between skin and collar (and accompanying shrieks of pain and terror), but long enough all around to provide ample shade. The interior is soft, stays dry despite my hyperactive forehead sweating, acts as a sweatband without looking like I belong in a late-70s sitcom, and is adjustable for an ample-air-movement, brain-cooling fit.

I bought it for a recent vacation travel in Costa Rica, it is very comfortable and keep rain away from the head.

The only drawback is that it is hot for the weather in Costa Rica, it would be better for a fresher area.

I've been using The North Face's hat of same shape. But this one is more solid and user-friendly, I think.
But in mid-summer, you can feel hotter with this one. And You can also feel little heavier than expected.
Except these points, The Very Best Hat.

Simple,
1. The hat is 100% waterproof
2. The brim extends in the back to keep the water from going down your shirt or jacket..
3. The hat's inner brim is super soft, and is adjustable.
4. The hat folds and tucks away in any pack
5. Best of all, if you wear glasses you will love the extra wide brim for keeping your glasses perfectly dry, even in a tough downpour.

There, I've said enough, now get off your duff, cough up the green and get yourself this Sombrero, you will thank me later.

Cheers!

Great hat for the rain, completely waterproof. It is a little too heavy for hot sunny days though. Nice wide brim shields most of my body from rain. I felt it was kind of expensive but it is a quality hat, and who doesnt love Gortex! If you are looking for a dual purpose rain/sun or a real lightweight hat i might keep looking, but if you are looking for a hat that can handle some bad weather and keep you dry this is it.

The hat was great in Florida keeping the sun off. Was a little hot, but am looking forward to camping this fall!. The velcro was a great entertainment for the kids re adjusting the flaps while riding my shoulders. Can't wait to buy additional colors.

Yep, this hat is comfortable around my head...soft inside...and sheds water like a duck...I'd make sure to keep the DWR coating clean and fresh occasionally if you don't want the outer part absorbing water too much, but the hat breathes well, and does all that it is supposed to do. I wouldn't pay full retail for it, but it is exceptional OR quality.

My brother is an avid backpacker and has been using his for seven years. I borrowed it for a late summer family trip to Bear Lake that turned out to be very wet. This hat kept me warm and dry as I set up shelter and started a fire while my wife and kids hid from the rain in the car. After using it on that trip I had to have my own! I have used mine several times already this fall and can't imagine how I was able get by without it! Outdoor Research has several styles to choose from but I went with the Seattle Sombrero because of the Goretex material. Well worth the extra cash to get such a great product. Get one, you won't regret it.

I've had this hat for about 5 years and its still in perfect condition. It is extremly durable and can be used in all kinds of situations. I use it mainly to keep out the sun when I'm on rivers and in lakes where it does a great job. I never worry about loosing it down a rapid or geting it wet. The down side is I get alot of grief from friends because they don't think its cool.

This is my second one of these hats. I bought the first one around 10 years ago. The chin strap finally came off, but the hat is still together and I use it as a backup.The hat makes great sunshade, and when it rains it keeps the rain off no problem. It breathes fairly well, as I sweat quite a bit and it remains comfortable. I was so happy I bought another style of their hats to use in the rain and cold when I referee soccer.

Awesome hat! I was afraid i would get to hot but it is actually nice and cool. Make sure you get a size up because i thought they run a bit small. My first hat was to small but BC switched it out with no issues.
Thanks guys.

This hat is perfect for any situation. The GORE-TEX lining does a great job of keeping my head completely dry, in snow and rain. It is a bit warm, but what hat isn't. And it looks great compared to many other hats on the market. The removable chin strap is great for keeping it on in windy weather.

This is a must have when you get caught out in the rain, I do not take a trip without it. This hat will keep you dry through anything, and the sun out of your eyes and off your neck. The only drawback I can find is that it can be a little toasty in warm weather.

very nice hat. Distinctive red and tan color. The protection from the sun and the Hawaiian sprinkles is very good

Great all around hat for cool to warm weather.

The Seattle Sombrero is a very well made hat. I like the construction and the Quality. It has Gore-Tex so it is waterproof. By necessity it does not have any vents in the top, so it can be too warm on a hot sunny day.
The hook and loop closure to put the flaps up works well, but it is a little difficult to get both sides to look even.
In total I think this is a great hat to keep the Rain from getting your head and shoulders wet.

I have a large melon and this hat still fits nicely. Very cool and keeps the rain off. Have used at the lake and saved me from a trip to the doc for melanomas.

My Sombrero past the test - three days fishing steelhead on the Trinity river in pouring rain. Definitely recommended.