Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Outdoor Research Nimbus Sombrero > Kathleen Waters > Field Report

Field Report: OUTDOOR RESEARCH NIMBUS SOMBRERO ™  
July 25, 2006

Contents:
Tester Biographical Information
Product Information
Field Conditions/Completed Tests Results
Summary to Date
Continuing Test Plan

Tester Biographical Information    <back to top>

Name: Kathleen Waters
Age: 55
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight: 128 lb (58 kg)
Email address: kathy at bysky dot com or TheMiddleSister at usaring dot com
City, State, Country: White Lake, Michigan USA

Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking in 1998 after an eye-opening climb up Hahn's Peak in Colorado.

Hooked, we return to Colorado often. We've hiked/snowshoed glaciers, rain forests, mountains and deserts in exotic locations, including Iceland, Costa Rica, Slovenia and Death Valley.

At home in Michigan, we plan for 2-3 hikes of 6-8 mi (10-13 km) weekly and one weekend hike monthly. Weekday hikes take place in Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, a mixture of heavily-wooded moderate hills and flat terrain. Weekend hike locations vary.

My hiking style is comfortable, aiming for lightweight. Current pack averages 25 lb (11 kg) including food and water.

Product Information and Picture (from website)    <back to top>
http://www.outdoorresearch.com

Manufacturer: Outdoor Research Year of Manufacturer: 2006 Model: Nimbus Sombrero ™ Weight: 3.4 oz for Large (96 g) Sizes: S, M, L, XL Color: Marine, Alpenglow, Lichen, Java MSRP: $38.00 USD Warranty: "Infinite Guarantee: Outdoor Research products are guaranteed forever."

Product Information (from tester)

Size: Medium
Weight: 3.25 oz (92 g)
Color: Lichen

For a more detailed description of the Outdoor Research Nimbus Sombrero ™, please see my Initial Report.

Field Conditions/Completed Tests Results    <back to top>

During this portion of my field testing of the Nimbus Sombrero ™, most my hiking took place in the familiar terrain of Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. Elevation range was very limited from 177 ft to 800 ft (54 m to 244 m) and temperatures over this torrid summer varying from 80 F to 101 F (27 C to 38 C). A weeklong trip to Beaver Island in Lake Michigan over the Fourth of July holiday also was enjoyed where temperatures were more mild from a lovely 65 F to 84 F (18 C to 29 C). While most of my hiking was in sunshine, I did encounter two misty showers, one steady rain and one 10 minute torrential downpour. In all cases, the Nimbus Sombrero ™ performed beautifully!

The first thing I noticed the first time I wore the Nimbus Sombrero ™ at the same time I was wearing a full pack complete with tent, sleeping bag, etc., was that the wide brim I thought was so wonderful while walking in the rain, was in the way and fighting with the top of my backpack! Within minutes on the Cable Creek trail on Beaver Island, I knew something had to go and since I couldn't ditch the pack, I thought the Nimbus Sombrero ™ was doomed.

Then, like the proverbial light bulb turning on, I decided to improvise and after snapping one side on the Nimbus Sombrero ™ up, I turned the hat sideways and voila! Now I could hike in comfort and still keep the sun and rain off my head and face!

The OR Nimbus Sombrero ™ was very comfortable to wear in both the hot and dry and hot and wet weather of this past June and July. All hats make me feel warm to some degree, but the Nimbus Sombrero ™ fabric is so light that I felt minimal heat and the wonderful wide brim keeping the sun out of my eyes and off my face was well worth it. The Cool-Max headband must have done its job keeping sweat from becoming a nuisance because I never once felt overheated, even when the high temperatures had the rest of my body dripping.

While I rarely hike without a hat on, both in the sun and the rain, I found that the OR Nimbus Sombrero ™ packs beautifully. I can roll the hat down to a neat 10 x 3 in (25.5 x 8 cm) wad and stuff it into my pack. Even after forgetting about it being rolled up tightly for 2 weeks, a quick shake and the OR Nimbus Sombrero ™ looked great and was ready for action again.

Summary to Date    <back to top>

The OR Nimbus Sombrero ™ is a great hat and I absolutely love it! I find that once it is on my head, I don't think at all about it except to appreciate how it keeps my face cool and my eyes shaded in the sun and my head, face and glasses dry in the rain. Wind is no longer a factor because of the chin strap which is soft and non-irritating. I also like that I can wear it snapped up like a cowboy hat (which is my usual mode) or unsnapped and "down" like a beach hat. It's very versatile and adaptable. Not to mention, the OR Nimbus Sombrero ™ seems to be very durable. As I said - I absolutely love it!

Continuing Test Plan    <back to top>

Some questions still be to answered

Durability and Functionality -

Does the hat shrink and/or fade after using or washing?
Does the Sombrero ™ repel stains?

I will also report any other issues that arise during the testing period.

Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Outdoor Research Nimbus Sombrero > Kathleen Waters > Field Report