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Pull on the Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat and explore the red rocks or kayak on a bright summer day. This lightweight sun hat protects your head with UPF 50+ SolarShield fabric. The Helios Hat's Coolmax headband wicks moisture to keep you cool while you're exerting yourself in the sun, and the external drawcord and removable chin cord dial in your comfort. Not to worry if you drop this Outdoor Research hat in the water, its foam-stiffened brim floats.
Bottom Line: The Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat helps you enjoy bright, sunny days in the backcountry.
Great beach hat. Breathes well and keeps sun off your face and ears. I borrowed a friends after a surf session in the Caribbean, it was a life saver in mid-day sun.
How does this hat hold up in creeks and rivers for swimmimg. does the brim fall in front of your face if it is wet? How will it hold up for cliff jumping?
Im bald and own lots of hats. This hat is fantastic, have worn it in blazing sun while hunting, hiking, bbqing, mowing the yard, fishing and sitting in a bar. Seems to work very well in all enviroments, its light, dries fast.
I didn't actually keep this hat so I am not sure of the quality. When I received it I tried it on and the brim was too floppy and it seemed like it would get in my eyes so I sent it back.
Light, airy, blocks the sun, and looks dam good doing it. Can't ask for much more than that. I use it while kayaking and fishing in South Florida, and I can't imagine living with out it.
That is up to you. The hat is going to break in and stretch out a little. The XL may fit a little loose, but it also depends on how much hair you have. If you like a snug fitting hat, just get the Large and it will stretch and be more comfortable after a while.
I wear a 7 1/2 or 7 5/8 fitted baseball hat and this hat was perfect in the XL size. It's lightweight, has a great brim (it looks floppy, but it's pretty sturdy), looks great, and does the job. If you're thinking about a sun hat, I would get this one.
I just bought this hat before I arrived in Japan during the rainy season. At first I was worried that it was a little too floppy around the brim, but it has grown on my quickly. Fairly good coverage from the sun and keeps your head dry in light and intermittent rain.
Adjustable or not? One reviewer wrote, and I quote:"lightweight, durable, adjustable, looks great , works great. bonus it floats"while another reported:"The hat is not adjustable, and size XL fits up to a 24" melon. It's darn close to 24.5", though not quite there. I know that even 1/2 inch can mean the difference between a comfy fitting hat and a ridiculous looking brain-constrictor."Which is it?
I took this hat with me to Tanzania and used it both on Kilimanjaro and on safari. It worked great. The brim is a little short; it's shade didn't fully cover my face and neck, but, with sunscreen, it wasn't a problem. I also treated it with permethrin, put it through machine wash and then hung it to dry, all without any bleeding or shrinking.
I bought this hat for an African safari I just got back from. The hat worked very well. I've got a pretty big melon (sorry not sure on the size) and it fit me good. For those with a smaller melon, it adjusts nicely. I liked that it is light and breathable and doesn't get too hot when out in the sun all day. The one day I wore a baseball style hat, i fried one of my ears, but I didn't have any of that while wearing this hat. Overall, the hat worked out great and I'm sure I'll get a long useful life out of it.
Great hat. Brought it to all my trips where the sun shines. Here in South-east Asia it gets really hot and sunny all year round. I brought it to my rafting trip and it performed really well. Kept my neck protected and yet my head didnt get dizzy from all the heat cos it breathes really well too. Dries fast and if you take it out of the pack it needs minimal straightening. Buy it you wont regret.
The hat is not adjustable, and size XL fits up to a 24" melon. It's darn close to 24.5", though not quite there. I know that even 1/2 inch can mean the difference between a comfy fitting hat and a ridiculous looking brain-constrictor. That said, backcountry.com offers a completely unlimited return policy, so you can get your moola back, or switch it for a bigger hat.. no worries.
i bought this hat for backcountry hiking to keep the sun off of my fair cancer-prone skin...I returned it after the first trip! It heated up the head like all hats do during high sun and fter the first morning of storing it in my pack, the foam brim got creased and bent thus making it shade funny and flop over my eyes. I opted for a different rout: a sun visor and bandanna...couldn't be happier, albeit goofy looking. I use the bandanna to keep the sun of my neck and ears and the visor keeps the sun off my face. I keep cool in the morning and evening when i ditch the bandanna to let my head breath.
The hat is solid. It covered my bald head for a week while on a boat in the BVI. I especially liked the drawstring to keep the lid solidly on my cranium. The brim was firm enough that it didn't get in the way while shooting video.
This hat is extremely good looking... all friends agree. The only thing missing, is air holes on the sides. I've seen many hats with 2 or 4 holes which serve to keep the user's head a little cooler.
The only questionable review I read prior to buying this booney mentioned the brim being too floppy. To me, that's part of the character. Recently took this hat through the South Rim Loop in Big Bend NP and it wasn't too hot in 107 degree weather. Also took it canoeing up the Rio Grande and hiking through the Mexican canyons. Gotta say I love this hat. Washed in washing machine w/ cold water and air dried on counter...no worries. Great product.
Two weeks in the relentless sun of Malta and my all-to-Irish skin is just slightly pink - not roasted. This is a great hat for anyone who burns, not browns.
Very well built OR quality. Niice and light and has good wide brim and the XL fits my huge noggin. Sweet. Its been out with me ow on a few big backpacking trips and kept me nice and cool.
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