Gearzilla » Hats

Ibex Crush Felt Hat

nborchelt — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:00:13 +0000

shop.ibex.com
Just because you’re hitting the international scene doesn’t mean you have to leave behind your flair for fashion. The Crush Felt Hat achieves what other stylish lids haven’t been able to offer—the ability to travel with a real hat that retains its shape, whether it’s on your head or smashed into your carry-on or the overhead bin. Made of 100-percent felted wool, the Crush will also keep you surprisingly warm. The other all-natural merino wool attributes apply, including wicking without any odor retention, and warm-when-wet comfort. We love the slight, almost pill hat-style brim as well as the circles of gray stitching around the hat base. You’ll love its all-natural, classic fashionable function.

Rapha La Doyenne Classique Cap

nborchelt — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 08:00:20 +0000

www.rapha.cc
When we say we love the cycling aesthetic, it doesn’t mean we yearn to constantly wear body-hugging polyester adorned with Tour racing graphics. We know that there’s a time and a place for everything. But we also must admit that the British cycling apparel company Rapha makes us wish that tight-fitting jerseys were a bit more socially accepted. Thankfully, appropriateness is less of a question when it comes to their new, limited-edition La Doyenne Classique Cap. This black, all-cotton, three-panel cycling cap boasts classical peloton styling, with a dark green strip racing down the center, a La Doyenne Classique crest on each side panel, and “Rapha” written in subtle cursive under the narrow brim. It fits snugly under your helmet, adding another layer of protection from the sun and rain. And it looks cool—which is sometimes all that we ask of our gear. It comes in one size only–and fits like a cycling cap should; don’t expect a flat-billed baseball hat.

Tilly R7 Town Hat

nborchelt — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 08:00:09 +0000

www.tilley.com, five ounces
The classic fedora never goes out of style, but the venerable Canadian manufacturer Tille makes stylish lightweight hats that reinforce the timeless style and provides the outdoor lovers the sun protection we need once our sartorial impulses have been sated. Certified for UPF 50+ protection (the maximum rating), the Tilly Town is made from the fronds of the raffia palm—a species of palms native to the tropical regions of Africa like Madagascar. The soft, supple material is extremely flexible, but nicely bounces back into shape, as one review can attest after a large seatmate accidently sat on the hat mid flight. The hat is designed for sun—it has a DWR finish (Durable Water Resistance), so it will thwart sudden squalls; you just might need to reshape the crown if it gets too soaked. Inside is a tuck-away wind cord, a cool mesh lining with a hidden, velcro-closure pocket that can hold a key and cash (it’s not quite deep enough to secure credit cards, driver’s licenses, and most business cards, but they’ll fit without the velcro being engaged). The inner hatband is lined with a luxuriously soft microfiber with a removable sweat band (you get two extra to help with washing). The Town Hat is ideal for travel, touring, day hikes, and picnics, and comes with a two-year insurance policy in which Tilley will replace the hat for 50 percent of the current catalog price, no questions asked.

Pistil Fergus Hat

nborchelt — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:00:56 +0000

www.pistildesigns.com
Pistil answers the season-long quandary: what makes the perfect winter hat? This boutique knit-centric company hails from Hood River, OR—so they know a thing or two about bad weather. That first-hand experience shows in the Fergus. The 100% Lana Cotta boiled wool hat fits snug and comfortably on your head (nothing baggy about this beanie), and boasts a fleece inner lining to keep your forehead and ears armored against the elements. Better still, the earthy stripe graphic strikes the perfect balance between boring and gaudy. One tester hasn’t taken the thing off in months (even when an unseasonable East Coast winter often made the hat look more like a fashionable affectation than a pragmatic accessory).

ColdAvenger Pro Soft Shell Face Mask

nborchelt — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:30 +0000

www.coldavenger.com
Some days seem too cold (or hot) to venture outdoors. Neck warmers work to a point, but if you pull them up over your mouth and nose, they inevitably inhibit breathing and steam out whatever eye protection you’re wearing. One option is the ColdAvenger Pro Soft Shell Face Mask. Made of lightweight Polartec Wind Pro the fleecy material regulates temperature and wicks sweat. A built-in ventilator gives you room to breathe, and humidifies cold, dry air. While skiing in 45-mile winds, zero degrees, and blizzard conditions, one tester reported that he was the last person left on the slopes; everyone else had headed for the lodge. While our testers loved the ability to keep their faces warm and comfortable, without compromising their ability to inhale and exhale, female testers wished for a color other than “Darth Vader” black or the adventurous-only-by-comparison gray.

Chaos Double-D Hat

nborchelt — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:16 +0000

chaoshats.com
Two Pom Poms are better than one, especially if you only have to buy one hat! Pom poms are the new “IT” hat fashion statement—frivolous and fun, and we love the fluffy four-inch poms that come with the Double-D Beanie. The hand-knitted acrylic beanie fits snug without being tight and has a soft, textured weave. A buttonhole loop on the top allows you to pick your choice of poms, pink for a monochromatic pallet or purple for a when you wanna let your freak flag bounce behind you, for example. Just remove one pom and attach the other. Voila, a different hat! In a sports world dominated by the extreme (read: serious) we toast this tribute to devil-may-care fashion. Hot chocolate and marshmallows not included.
Comes in white (with extra pink pom-pom), pink (with extra purple), black (with extra pink), and blue (with extra lime)

Chrome Chuey Custom Hat

nborchelt — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:16 +0000

www.chromebagsstore.com
So you bought your bike helmet based on its lightness and breathability, and those vents served ya well…until the temps get a bit brisk. The gear-obsessed might start shopping for cold-weather helmets. But as much as we love your impulse, we suggest you top yourself off with Chrome’s new Chuey Custom cap. Modeled after the trad cycling hat, the Chuey fits snug, with a short, stiff brim that offers a splash of bona fide fashion. Functionally, the cap fits nicely under a helmet, and that diminutive brim actually makes a huge difference in shielding yourself from the elements. The cotton has been treated so that’s nearly windproof, which gives it a bit more weather protection. Butif you’ve got a large head, you’re out of luck—there’s only one size (though a bit of elastic at the back offers some give). More unpredictable? Each hat is hand-made, with brim fabric sporting whatever bit of stylish pattern happens to be on hand. Personally we think it’s great to have a bit of individuality and unpredictably in an industry that typically strives for assembly-line perfection.

HeadSweats Dry Visibility Hat

nborchelt — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:00:12 +0000

www.headsweats.com, 2 ounces
The fashion buzz? Hats are IN. For the outdoorsy crowd, hats are not only a great way to accessorize, but they provide invaluable protection from the sun. At just 2 ounces, the Dry Visibility Hat is a super lightweight baseball-style cap with an easy-to-adjust sizing strap and a soft, sweat-absorbing, cushioning inner band. The polyester shell material is waterproof, windproof, and machine washable. While the bill is rigid, the cap part of the hat squishes down to the size of a bandana, so it easily stows in a pocket or pack. Best of all, the cap has highly reflective stripes and logo—garnering it a rating of “high visibility” according to the European Standard, EN71 (Europeans have ratings for nearly everything). We like the neon yellow as it’s cheery and bright, but the caps is also available in both black and white.

Nobis Joel Sun Hat

nborchelt — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:39 +0000

www.nobis.ca
You wear a lot of different hats in life: desk minion, kid chauffeur, chef de cuisine of votre maison. But when you get to put on an actual hat (or visor, or helmet) you’re really up to something fun. The Nobis Joel sun hat is no exception. For chill times at the beach, by the pool, or in the garden, the extra-large brim will keep the sun at bay. On the inside, a lightweight cotton lining and quick-dry sweatband keep you comfy in the summer heat, while the straw and linen outer will have you feeling like a character in a modern-day Gone with the Wind. The hat comes in Brown (pictured, and by far the most “Scarlet”), Blue (made with a lightweight denim cotton/linen blend), and Black (which features a subtle herringbone detail). And, no, that’s not one of our fearless Gearzilla testers in the photo. But this hat can make just about anyone look that good.