Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Everest Designs Sherpa Earflap Hat > Owner Review by Andrew Mytys

Everest Designs Sherpa Earflap Hat

Owner Review

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Everest Designs URL: N/A Item: Sherpa Earflap Hat Size: One size fits most Weight: 4.8 oz (136 g) MSRP: $28.00 Year of manufacture: 2004 Manufactured In: Nepal

The Everest Designs Sherpa Earflap Hat is a 100% wool hat with a soft, microfleece lining. The hats are hand-knit by women's knitting cooperatives in Nepal. The Sherpa Hat is classic in design, with raised wool piping along its border and three braided wool tassels, one at the top and two coming down from the earflaps. Because the hats are hand-knit, slight irregularities in color and stitch can be expected. My particular hat has a short length of red thread in it, a "spirit line" that allows good spirits to escape while evil spirits continue to be caught in the intricate pattern of the hat's weave.

The wool that the hat is composed of has that old-world, rough look to it and, as one might expect, is not as gentle to the touch as a fine Merino. Some people may even find themselves sensitive to the coarseness of the Sherpa Hat's wool, leading to itching or, worse, a rash on the skin. Buyers beware... test this hat against the bare skin first, and be sure it can be returned if any problems arise.

In terms of performance, the Sherpa Hat is top-notch. I find that I can wear it even in temperatures over 40 F (4 C) without feeling excessively warm. When caught in light rainfall, where temperatures hover a few degrees above freezing, the hat excels. The natural characteristics of its outer wool shell keeps moisture from being absorbed, while the fleece lining keeps my head and ears feeling toasty warm.

In true, winter conditions the hat continues to be a field-appropriate garment. I've worn the hat in temperatures down to -2 F (-19 C) and remained comfortable. In fact, my winter sleeping bag does not have an integrated hood on it, and I typically sleep with my head covered solely by the Sherpa Hat - I've yet to wake up due to my head feeling cold (again, I've only tested this hat down to -2 F (-19 C)).

I have found that the raised wool piping along the back of the Sherpa Hat brushes up and scratches my neck when exposed. The hat works best when worn in conjunction with either a high collar (e.g. turtle neck base layer or a jacket with its collar in the "up" position) or with a scarf or neck gaiter. I don't feel that this is a problem, however, as when I'm in conditions that warrant my wearing the Sherpa Hat I typically am also protecting my neck in some manner anyway.

In situations where brisk winds are present, cold air can be felt making its way under the earflaps of the Sherpa Hat. Thankfully, the tassels falling down off the flaps are fully functional and can be tied together in a knot, under the chin, creating a tight seal between the earflaps and the sides of the face. As the tassels are made of the same sort of abrasive wool as the outside of the hat, tying them together can also lead to irritation along the sides of the neck and just under the chin. Once again, it has been my experience that in severe conditions, I'm already wearing some sort of a layer over this area, such as a neck gaiter, so the tassels don't really present any real problem for me.

Size wise, the Everest Designs Sherpa Earflap Hat is "just right" for me. It covers the head from just above the eyebrows to the mid-point at the back of my neck, and the earflaps cover my ears completely. I must admit, though, that each time I put the Sherpa Hat on it initially feels a little tight. After a few minutes though, I don't notice any "tightness" in the fit anymore. My hat size is 7 1/2, and my head circumference is 23 1/4 inches (59 cm). Readers should make sure they like the feel of the Sherpa Hat when it's new - I have not noticed that my hat has stretched any in the year that I have owned it.

Everest Designs makes three models of these wool hats that I know of; the Sherpa, Tahoe, and Nordic earflap hats. They are all basically the same hat, save for their exterior pattern, color, and tassel/piping style - they are all "earflap" type hats.

In terms of care, the hat should be hand-washed in cold water, then laid flat to dry. I use Woolite fabric wash for my detergent, which is created to safely and effectively care for natural and synthetic fine washables without causing shrinking or stretching.

I only wash the hat periodically, as I feel that everything deserves a good washing from time to time. If there has been any dirt on my hat, the color of the hat has hidden it extremely well - I haven't noticed any. I've never noticed any odors emitting from the hat either. After more than a year of use, the hat looks as good as new - there's not even any pilling on the inner fleece lining. In fact, the hat looks as it did when I bought it. By its nature, the wool does have a fuzzy appearance to it, though. There are small "hairs" popping out all over the place - it looks like my dog shed all over it. These hairs are held firmly in place by the weave of the hat, and I can't easily remove them. They don't bother me in the least but, if they did, I'd just cut them short with a pair of scissors.

Lastly, there's the issue of availability. I've only seen this hat at REI and at Skinny Skis, a small outfitter in Jackson, Wyoming. Skinny Skis had an "Everest Designs" store display, which was well stocked with various color and pattern combinations in each of the models mentioned in this report.

Personal Biographical Information:

Reviewer: Andrew Mytys Email: amytys@gmail.com Homepage: Andy's Lightweight Backpacking Site Location: Michigan Age: 33 Gender: Male Head Circumference 23 1/4 inches (59 cm) Hat Size 7 1/2

     Backpacking Background:

I live in Michigan and have been hiking seriously for 15 years, although I've camped since I was 6 years old. I consider myself a lightweight hiker. I carry the lightest gear I can get my hands on which will provide a comfortable wilderness experience and adequately support the goals of my trip. Unless my goals are time/distance oriented, my pace is always slow. I rarely exceed 1.5 miles (2.4 km)/hour. I rest frequently, hike long days, and enjoy whatever nature throws my way.

Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Everest Designs Sherpa Earflap Hat > Owner Review by Andrew Mytys