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Reviews > Clothing > Hats, Caps and Visors > Columbia Schooner Bank Cachalot hat > Owner Review by Ray Estrella
Columbia Schooner Bank Cachalot Hat
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, and in many of the western states and Minnesota. I hike year-round, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I have made a move to lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot meals at night. If not hiking solo I am usually with my wife Jenn or brother-in-law Dave. The Product
Manufacturer: Columbia Sportswear Company Web site: www.columbia.com Product: Schooner Bank Cachalot hat Made in Vietnam Year manufactured: 2005 MSRP: N/A Weight listed: N/A Verified weight: 2.7 oz (77 g) Size: Large, One size fits all Color reviewed: Fossil Other colors available: Suede and Sage Product Description
The Columbia Schooner Bank Cachalot hat (hereafter called the Schooner or hat) is a light weight sun hat. It is a six panel hat, meaning that the dome is made up of six even triangular panels sewn together in a circle. Each panel has a grommet in the center to add some ventilation to the hat. A panel on one side sports an embroidered Columbia logo while one on the opposite side has a sewn on patch with the company name. The Schooner is made of 100% nylon Perfecta Plus cloth which feels very much like cotton, but has the properties of nylon (more later) and boasts an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 30. As can be seen above, a 5 in (12.7 cm) section of fabric drapes down the back to provide sun protection for the neck and ears. A plastic security clip at the end of a nylon cord can be attached to a shirt as shown or, as I often do, to the grab loop of my backpack. I only do so when the wind is blowing hard. The Schooner may be kept on my head when the wind is not blowing too hard by tightening the adjustable drawcord that runs through a toggle at the back of the hat as seen below. This tightens an elastic cord around the head. When pulled tight it makes my eyes bulge… On the inside of the Schooner is a white terry cloth sweat band and some tags with normal product info in five languages and the washing instructions in icon form only. I believe they mean "wash cool and air dry". Field Data
It is hard to say all the places this hat has been. It has been on almost every backpacking trip, fastpack and dayhike in the past few years. From the south up it has been carried and used in the following parks and forests. Observations
As can be seen I have used the Schooner a lot. This is because a few years ago my sister and brother-in-law started getting on my case about how bad I would get sunburned on hikes. As most of my trips are at high elevation and see long times spent on the trail I used to get quite red on a regular basis. My sister bought me a hat and made me promise to start wearing it or she would not let Dave hike with me any longer. (Funny, she never pushed me around when she was a kid…) I bought the Columbia Schooner soon after as I liked the cut better. Read more gear reviews by Ray Estrella Reviews > Clothing > Hats, Caps and Visors > Columbia Schooner Bank Cachalot hat > Owner Review by Ray Estrella |