| Field Test Results:
The hat has performed well over the past two months. Coolibar’s sizing chart was very accurate since the hat fits me very nicely, not too tight, not too big. It has also been very comfortable to wear. The cotton headband is nice and soft and has done a good job of soaking up sweat and keeping it out of my eyes. It is a good thing that the headband is absorbent, because the hat traps heat. It wasn’t excessive, but I was definitely hot in warmer temperatures while wearing this hat. The large brim did a good job of shading my face and neck while hiking in exposed terrain. Most of the time I hiked with both sides snapped up, and would unsnap the side that was exposed to the sun. I found wearing the hat with the sides snapped up made me feel cooler than with both sides down.
The hat appears to be very durable. I have stuffed it in my pack, tossed it on the ground, and been overall abusive and other than some sweat stains and dirt it looks like new. I have been pleasantly surprised with how well this hat bounces back after being stuffed inside of my pack. In the evenings once temperatures cooled off I would take off the hat and stuff it inside of my pack. The next morning I would pull the hat out and put it on and the shape bounced right back. Very cool! All of the snaps continue to function well and all of the seams are in good shape.
Besides being a bit warm in warmer temperatures, I don’t like the chin strap. It is annoying hanging in front of me and bouncing against my chest. Additionally, I have not encountered any stiff wind where I would need it so it has just been in the way. I normally just toss it over my head so that it rests on my neck.
Improvements:
Some ventilation holes in the top of the hat would be a nice addition.
Test Plan:
I evaluated the Coolibar Trail Hat on the following characteristics over the last two months. My answers are in blue.
Comfort:
- How well does the hat fit? It fits very well.
- Is the hat sized according to Coolibar’s sizing chart? Yes.
- How does the brushed cotton fabric of the hat feel against my head? Very Comfortable.
- How comfortable is the hat to wear in the heat? It is just ok. It traps heat and doesn’t breathe well.
- Does the headband effectively keep sweat out of my eyes? Yes.
- Does the hat effectively keep the sun out of my eyes? Yes.
- Does the hat effectively keep the rain out of my eyes? I haven’t worn it in the rain yet.
-Does the cotton fabric of the hat retain smells? Not so far.
- How quickly will the hat dry if it gets wet? It did not get wet from rain, but in Yosemite I would soak it in the streams that I passed and generally it was dry several hours later. One caveat though is that there was low humidity in Yosemite. As a general rule cotton dries very slowly.
Durability:
- How well does the fabric stand up to normal use? Good.
- Is the fabric waterproof? Not sure yet. Windproof? Seems to be.
- How will the brim snaps stand up to normal abuse? So far they are holding up well.
- Does the brim permanently deform if it is stuffed into my backpack? No, it actually retains its shape well.
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