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Outdoor Research Sahara Sombrero - Field Test Report
June 21, 2004
Thomas Vickers
36 years old
Male
5 feet 11 inches tall (1.8 meters)
170 lb (77 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area
Tester Background:
I grew up
in the piney woods of Southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested
woods behind the house. I started hiking in
my college years and my style has evolved over the past 17 years - from my discovery,
heavy gear period (internal frame packs, sleeping bags and tents) to - believe it or
not - heavier, more expensive gear. Over the
last 3 or 4 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still
use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions) and I have rediscovered the pleasure
that can be involved in being outdoors with your gear. While I have flirted with
lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one
of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible.
Information from
Tester:
Weight: 2.8 oz (79 g)
Sizes: Medium
Color: Khaki
Head Circumference: 23 in (54 cm) |
Testing Location/Conditions:
The testing has taken place in two locations so far:
- Southeast Texas – Little or no altitude. Lots of
sunshine and daylight temperatures from 75 degrees F to 100 degrees F (24 degrees C to 38
degrees C).
- Arkansas (Eagle Rock Loop Trail) – Altitudes of 500
– 2000 feet (152 to 610 meters). Lots of sun, with lots of forest cover. Daytime
temperatures from 80 degrees F to 95 degrees F (27 degrees C to 35 degrees C).
Impressions:
I have spent a lot of time in this hat. I have done everything outdoors from hiking
to simple bird watching. If it involves being outside and being in the sun, then I
have worn the Sahara Sombrero while doing it.
The hat itself is very comfortable. It fits well and I have grown very happy about
the fact that I can adjust the headband without taking the hat off. A simple pull on the
exterior cord it is tightened.
The sweatband/head band is also a big plus on this hat. It simply doesn't let sweat
run off of my head and into my eyes. On more than one occasion I have removed the
hat and then been blinded by the amount of sweat that hits my eyes. In short, the
sweatband/headband works and works well.
Heat:
The one thing that I have discovered about the Sahara Sombrero is that I often get too hot
while wearing it and have to remove it to keep from over heating. This happens when
I am participating in any high impact activity (hiking with pack, mowing yard etc...) when
the temperature rises over 80 F (27 C). Below this temperature and I can wear the
hat all day doing what ever I please. When it gets above this point, I have to take
the hat off. At first I thought it was from having too much hair, but when I shaved
my head, the problem didn't go away.
I can sit and watch birds, fish, walk around, or day hike with the hat on in high
temperatures, but when I start pushing it, heating up, and really working at being active,
I just can't take the Sahara Sombrero. I think some sort of vent holes or venting
system would relieve this, but otherwise I am at a loss here. I did not think that I would
suffer a heating problem with this hat. It is just so light in the construction of
the crown, I figured that it would keep me from getting too hot.
I was most disappointed during my trip to Arkansas. I wore the Sahara Sombrero on
the first evening, but after that, it was just too hot while hiking to wear it. When
I took breaks from hiking, the hat worked great at covering my face during naps and rest
stops, but I just couldn't wear it on the trail without over heating. This wasn't
even in direct sunlight either. The trails were covered pretty well by foliage during most
of my trip.
Rain:
One of the unexpected parts of having a wet spring and a wet summer is the fact that I
have gotten to wear the Sahara Sombrero in far more rain than I would have ever expected.
As I reported in my Initial Report, the fabric gets wet quickly and it dries even
quicker. The brim does not get limp from moisture and it has proven to be a really
good hat to wear when it is raining. I was working outside (mulching flower beds) in
a full downpour and really loving the Sahara Sombrero. No rain in my eyes or on my neck
and I did not get too hot.
Hiking:
One of my major concerns about testing this hat was that the rear portion of the brim was
extremely wide. I didn't know if I could wear a pack without having the Sahara
Sombrero smashing into the top lid of the pack and causing trouble. Even though I
only got to wear it one evening with a full sized pack, I quickly found out that my fear
was unfounded. The Sahara Sombrero and pack never interfered with each other, no
matter how I twisted, turned or moved around. This means that I will be able to take
this hat to Colorado later in the year without any hesitation.
Final Impressions/Further Testing Issues:
One thing that I learned about the Sahara Sombrero was that the front of the brim
sometimes dropped into my field of view and that bothered me. One afternoon
when it was especially maddening for me, I flipped the front of the brim straight up and
it stayed put. It didn't fall down and it didn't block my view anymore. I
don't often wear the hat this way, but it was definitely a good surprise to find out that
I could do this if I needed to.
While I am disappointed about overheating in this hat, I am going to keep using it when I
am doing any kind of light activity in the sun. I do a lot of bird watching,
fishing, geocaching, and other outdoor activities that have proven what a good hat the
Sahara Sombrero is. I will give it another try while mowing, but based on prior
experiences, I will just have to stick with sunscreen rather than this hat.
I am also taking this hat to Colorado with me for my next hiking trip. I am hoping
that the higher altitudes and lower temperatures will allow me to wear the hat for the
whole trip. When I am above 9000 feet (2743 meters), I always prefer to have a hat
on and I am hoping that I will find the Sahara Sombrero to be just what I
need.
I will also be watching the hat closely to see how well it holds up to my habits. I
have not managed to permanently stain it yet and I am hoping I never can achieve a
permanent stain on it. The fabric doesn't seem to hold dirt that can't be brushed
off and it hasn't developed any horrible odors despite extensive perspiration on my part.
Read more reviews of Outdoor Research gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Vickers
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