| |
Gear Reviews
Documents
Tools
|
Tilley Audubon Hat
Test Series by
Bob Sanders
Initial Report: September 20, 2009
| PERSONAL INFORMATION |
| Name: |
Bob
Sanders |
 Backpacking
Background: I went on my first backpacking trip as a Boy Scout
at the age of 16. Over the years I have hiked the Wonderland Trail in
Washington and section hiked parts of the Florida Trail, Appalachian
Trail, Colorado Trail and 740 mi
(1191 km) of the Pacific Crest Trail. I
continue to backpack and hike year round in the Colorado mountains. I
have evolved from a heavyweight backpacker to a lightweight backpacker
and sometimes reach ultralight weights.
My three day fall/winter solo adventures (using a tent) have me
hovering
around a 17 lb (7.7 kg) base weight.
|
| Age: |
51 |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Height: |
6 ft 1
in (1.85 m) |
| Weight: |
210 lb
(95 kg) |
| Email: |
sherpabob(at)mac(dot)com |
| Location: |
Longmont,
Colorado USA |
INITIAL
REPORT
September 20, 2009
PRODUCT
INFORMATION (From Website)
|
Manufacturer: Tilley Endurables
Manufactured: 2009
Website: www.tilley.com
Description:
The Tilley Airflo® provides sun protection in a lighterweight
construction. Tilley Airflo® designs incorporate mesh into the
crown allowing coolness and comfort during hot days or strenuous
activities. Engineered from Tilley Nylamtium®, a strong
water-and-mildew resistant form of nylon. It has a semi-sloping front
and back brim and a relatively high crown.
Specs:
- Guaranteed for life
- Insured against loss
- Excellent sun protection
- Colors: Olive
- Listed weight: 3 oz (85 g)
- Actual weight (Size 7 3/4): 3.6 oz (102 g)
- Brim measurements: Front 2 5/8 in (6.6 cm),
Back 2 3/4 in (6.9 cm), Sides 2 1/8 in (5.4 cm)
- Actual measurements: Same as listed
- MSRP: Hang tag $74 US
|
INITIAL
IMPRESSIONS
The Tilley Audubon Hat is named
such because they have decided to support the National Audubon Society.
A very worthy cause in my humble opinion.
I have a big head and finding hats that fit has always been a
challenge. So when I found out that Tilley hats came in a wide range of
sizes I said "sign me up". Before I decided on what size to order I
went on there website and read their description on how to measure your
head and choose the right size hat. I found this very useful
information. So when the hat arrived, I slid it on my head and it fit
quite nicely. The fit was not too loose and not too tight. If a hat is
too tight it will give me a headache so finding a hat that I can wear
all day is a blessing.
 
At first glance I was not sure which was the front or the back of the
hat. They are very similar in appearance. My first clue is a seam that
runs on the back brim and when looking straight down at the top of the
hat the back of the crown is more rounded and the front is more pointed.
A thin wire runs around the outside edge of the brim giving it some
reinforcement and a bit of structure. The brim itself has a layer of
foam stitched in 1/4 in (.6 cm) seams all around the hat. This gives
the brim some structure and allows the hat to float. Great feature when
you are on the water or even fishing. The top plate of the crown of the hat also has foam sewn into
it and circling the crown at the top is a 3/4 in (1.9 cm) band of open
mesh which will add great ventilation.
Inside the hat is a sweat band made of Hydrofil to wick moisture away,
a tuckaway, adjustable wind cord and a secret pocket sealed with a
strip of hook and loop. The wind cord can be used around the back of
the head to secure the hat in a breeze or also under the chin when it
is windy or when sailing. When not in use the wind cord simply stores
on top of your head inside the crown. The secret pocket in the top of
the crown is an excellent place to store a key, a credit card or even a
bit of cash. The hat arrived with the owners manual and a brag tag,
which is basically a bunch of interesting testimonials, stuck inside
the secret pocket. There is also a place to write your name and phone
number so if you loose your hat there is a better chance you will get
it back. This is such a beautiful well made hat hoping it gets returned
would be a miracle.
 
This hat is very well thought out and made. The stitching and
workmanship are impeccable. The hat also comes with an outstanding
warranty which is very straight forward "Tilleys are replaced free if
they ever wear out, shrink or fall apart." Now that is my kind of
warranty. They also have a simple insurance policy. If you loose your
hat within the first two years they will replace it for 50% of the cost.
Likes:
- Extremely well made
- Lots of sizes to fit my big fat head
- Incredible warranty
Dislikes:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Check back in two months for my Field Report. I would like to thank
BackpackGearTest.org and Tilley Endurables for the
opportunity to test this hat.
Read more reviews of Tilley gear
Read more gear reviews by Bob Sanders
|
