• The Coolibar Trail Hat is a men's sun hat designed for easygoing everyday use, with side snaps to create a lean profile, and a 3" brim to shelter your face and neck from midday sun. A toggle cord keeps it securely in place; attractive styling and durable details make it the choice of fishing hats and hiking hats. Made of 100% brushed cotton; rated to block 98% UV.

Arrival [return to top] The hat arrived on July 24, 2006, in a corrugated box. Inside the box I found a standard plastic warehouse bag containing the hat. Attached to the hat were 4 hang tags in a zipper-bag: one about Coolibar and its sun-protection products, one with the sun-protection rating for this hat, one about the hat itself, and one about the Skin Cancer Foundation and its Seal of Recommendation for Coolibar. The hat was packed with logo-printed tissue paper inside. All contents appeared undamaged.

Description [return to top] The Trail Hat is just one of Coolibar’s many hats. It is constructed of 100% cotton in Moss Green, which seems only a shade lighter than the stone colored pants I am currently wearing, and is darker than it appears in all but my last two photos.

The stitched-through brim is about 3 in (8 cm) wide all the way around.

The crown is a rounded, or ‘low profile’, 3-panel design with the Coolibar logo embroidered on the front.

The brim has a logo-embossed brass (?) snap on each side – near the edge – to allow folding the brim up and snapping it to the crown, making for a different look.

There is also a brass (?) grommet/rivet on each side of the brim – near the crown – through which feeds a cord with a cordlock. The cord was not knotted at the end (to retain the cordlock) when I received it – I may tie it later. I will generally wear the cordlock behind my head unless extreme winds threaten, in which case I will run the cord under my chin and cinch it tight.

The inner headband is elastic, about 1 in (2.5 cm) wide, and is sewn to the hat only along its bottom edge, allowing the range of sizes for this hat. The headband was a little snug at first, but after last night’s much-overdue haircut it’s much better.

First Impressions [return to top] Based on the Coolibar website, I got what I was expecting, and then some. Coolibar has taken the concept of sun-protection clothing and made a business of it, with attention to detail in abundance. The elastic headband is a nice touch, and snapping the brim makes for a jaunty look. I think my wife will like this one.

Field Testing [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 45 ºF (7 ºC) to highs around 95 ºF (35 ºC) during the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 high-ranking boy scouts (ages 15, 15 and 16), are also looking into additional camping without the scouts, and there are possibilities of some AT section hikes (two down – many to go!) in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge. My weekends, when not working during the day, are spent outdoors as much as possible. The hat would be with me nearly every day of the testing period – to include to and from work, camping and hiking, and Boy Scout trips – so it should get quite a durability workout. Any hat I wear gets worn for a minimum of a couple hours each day, during my commute to work, plus additional time to and from evening responsibilities. It will get thrown on my desk at work and get tossed in a closet (actually dumped unceremoniously, if I don’t store it appropriately) at home. It will be subjected to whatever weather I am, and will more than likely spend time on the ground every now and then when safety demands that something else be worn (i.e. climbing, repelling, etc.). The hat will definitely get a thorough test in my hands... err... on my head.

Things I am/will be looking for: Fit. Does it fit me? Do the sizing instructions on the web site result in a comfortable hat? Does it stay on well in windy conditions? Fabric. Is the fabric durable? Does it stretch? Does it fade? Is it windproof? Waterproof? Does it pill, pull, or snag readily? Rain. Does the hat protect me (and my glasses) from rain, or does it get floppy and sag down along my head? I will keep in mind that this is a sun hat, not a rain hat. Warmth/cooling. How warm can it get out and still keep me cool? Does it ventilate well? How cool can it get out and still keep me warm? Comfort. Am I constantly aware of the hat, or does it just seem to disappear on my head? Does the headband effectively keep sweat out of my eyes? Can I wear it comfortably while sleeping? Washability. Are there special instructions? Are they easy to follow? Does it dry well? Does it hold much dirt in the first place? Backpacking. Does the rear of the brim interfere with any of my packs? Acceptability. I work in the business world. Do I get odd stares from co-workers or fellow commuters (not that I care, but some might)? Is my wife willing to be seen with me in public while wearing the hat, something which has not been the case for other hats I have worn/tested?

My findings so far: Fit. A bit snug, but only a problem if I have a headache. It stays put on my head. Backpacking. With the sides snapped up, the rear of the hat stays above my packs. With the sides down, the brim is flexible enough to bend out of the way. Acceptability. I think my wife will like it.

Things I like [return to top] Elastic headband. Snap-up sides. Long drawcord. Things I don't like [return to top] None yet.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Coolibar Trail Hat > Chuck Kime > Initial Report