Owner Review of OR Snoqualmie Sombrero

Owner Specifics:

Name: Rachel Herold

Age: 32

Location: Kirkland Washington

Experience: beginner to intermediate depending on the activity

Hat Specifics:

The crown is seam-sealed Gore-Tex so it’s water proof and also breaths well.  The fold-away earflaps are made of Gore-Tex Windstopper fleece.    Like the original, the internal “Cinch-Band” makes the hat adustable for size variations even within a specific size.  And the sides of the hat, the brim, utilize snaps to pull the sides of the brim up “cowboy-style”.

Small fits 20” – 21.75”

Medium fits 21” – 22.75”

Large fits  22” – 23.75”

XL fits 23” – 24.75”

Retail cost is $52

Colors: Black, Blue/Black, Red/Black, Yellow/Black, Forest

Weight: not listed by the manufacturer, as noted on a postal scale, a size small is ~3.85 ozs.

Manufacturer Website:  http://www.orgear.com/

I purchased the hat at the retail store after struggling with ear wraps, stocking caps and baseball caps, neck gaitors, etc and not finding a good combination that worked for me.

Where I hike and play, western washington, there is rain a good percentage of the time.  When it’s raining in the lowland, it’s snowing in the mountains.  Because my activities are fairly aerobic I need to be aware of over-dressing and a hat is one of the easiest ways I’ve found of regulating body temperature.  This hat makes it even easier with the built in ear flaps that can add additional warmth when needed.  The ear flaps are generously sized, at least for me, and come down almost to my jawbone so it’s like a partial baclava.

It also includes a chin strap with one of those pushbutton toggle thingies so you can cinch the strap tight in high winds or loosen it all the way up and let the hat hang off onto your back.

The “Cinch-Band” is absolutely wonderful for accomidating changing hairstyles.  I can put my hair in a thick braid, or a ponytail, or leave it loose, and the adjustment can handle all styles.  If I get it cut short, which happens every few years or so, the hat will still fit.

I like the flexible brim.  It is wide enough to protect the back of my neck but still flex if I’m wearing a long/tall pack.  The brim is wide enough around that it shields the eyes from both rain and the occasional sun break.  I usually leave the sides up “cowboy style” in all but the hardest rains, when down, it’s like having a miniture umbrella on.

I have nothing bad to say about this hat.  It’s had a year of solid use, both in the hills, on trail work parties, and around town.  It shows no wear, no snags, no loose threads, in fact, it still looks almost brand new.  It’s easy to clean off, rinse it under the faucet and hang dry.

Rachel