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Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Tilley LT6 Lightweighter Hat > Owner Review by Russell CurryOWNER REVIEW
TILLEY LT6 HAT Owner Information Name: Russell Curry Age: 57 Gender: Male Height: 6’0” (1.83 m) Weight: 190 lbs (86 kg) Email Address: dpro@datarecall.net City, State, Country: Orange, TX, US Date: October 18, 2004 Backpacking Background I began backpacking in 1966 but only in earnest 7 years ago, as I had more free time from my career and my children were grown and out of the home. I began locally in the Big Thicket area of Southeast Texas, and on the Wild Azalea Trail in Louisiana. I have hiked extensively in Western and Eastern Texas, the Grand Canyon & other Arizona sites, Utah, Colorado, Louisiana, Alaska, Arkansas, and in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, in a variety of terrain, desert, mountains and forested areas. I hike often, even if just locally, in all seasons. Product Information Manufacturer: Tilley Endurables URL of Manufacturer: http://www.tilley.com Year of Manufacture: 2004 Model: Lighterweight LT6 Hat Weight: Advertised 4 oz (113 g) Weight: Received 3.7 oz (105 g) Brim Measurements: Advertised: Front & Back: 3.5 in (89 mm) Sides: 2.5 in (64 mm) Received: Front & Back: 3.375 in (86 mm) Sides: 2.375 in (60 mm) Crown Measurements: Advertised: 4.375 inches high, (111 mm) Crown Measurements: Received: 4.25 inches high, (108 mm) Sizing: Tilley has a sizing calculator on their website that allows me to measure the distance around my head just above the eyebrows, in inches or centimeters, then enter this number into a conversion menu, and it will produce a hat size of 7, 7-1/8, 7-1/2, etc. My measurement of 23.5 inches (60.5 cm) around my head converted to a hat size of 7-1/2. MSRP: $65.00 US Product Description The Tilley LT6 Hat is a wide brimmed, lightweight hat used for outdoor activities that comes in multiple sizes and two colors, Natural with Green underbrim and Khaki with Olive underbrim. It is constructed of "Nylamtium", a lightweight, water-repellent nylon fabric. There is closed-cell foam in the crown, a "Hydrofil® Anti-Sweat Band", that is a wicking fabric, two "wind cords", one which fits under my chin and another that fits behind my head, to secure the hat in windy conditions. The "wind cord" is fully adjustable by means of two slip knots, that adjust to tighten or loosen the cords, and when not needed will tuck away into the crown of the hat. The hat is water repellant, will float, and will not shrink when wet. The manufacturer certifies the fabric of the hat to block 98 per cent of UVA/UVB radiation, and to deliver an ultraviolet factor (UPF) of 50+. There are four 1/2" (13 mm) brass grommets, inserted high in the crown, two on each side that act as vents. These four grommets allow ventilation, but not as much as would be available with a mesh crown. There are 4 smaller brass grommets, two on each side just above the brim, that secure the "wind cord" to the hat. Inside the crown at the top is a pouch with a Velcro strip, inside of which is a "Ziploc" type of plastic bag that I can use to store a key, cash, credit card, etc. Inside the crown, located at the side, is a Velcro loop that I can use to hold a pen or pencil etc. My sunglasses store on the hat by inserting the two arms of the glasses through the two ventilation grommets on one side of my hat and the Velcro tab inside will then secure around the folded arms. The hat comes with an owner’s manual, a 4-page brochure with instructions on caring for the hat, how to adjust the "wind cords", contact information for the manufacturer, and the guarantee. There is a label sewn onto the inside of the crown where I can write my name and phone number with indelible ink, and has contact information for the manufacturer, as well as the stated warranty. Tilley Endurables guarantees if my "unbleached" hat ever wears out, shrinks or falls apart, it will be replaced free. Tilley Endurables goes one step further and will replace the hat if lost for one-half the catalogue cost. Field Information I use the hat for most outdoor activities, especially when backpacking or working in the garden, days at the beach, or anytime I will be outside in hot sun, inclement weather, etc. The hat is packable for storage in duffels, suitcases, etc. The crown will collapse and the brims can be folded. Field Experience I have worn this hat in hot and cold weather, on hikes, at the beach, while working outdoors around the home, etc. The first thing I noticed was that the hat does not fit like most hats. It rides lower on my head, and does not rely on a "compression" type fit to stay on. Mine actually touches my ears just slightly. This was a little annoying at first, but as I became used to the hat and the way it fit, I found it to be very comfortable. The wide brims do a good job of protecting me from the sun's rays in my hot Texas climate. The headband is comfortable and provides the wicking I need to stay dry. I have used the "wind cords” while on a ferry crossing a local bay. The hat was very secure on my head in the high winds, and I did not have to readjust the fit when strong gusts of wind blew across the boat. I like the hat in cold, windy conditions. On a Colorado trip I experienced temperatures down to 22 F (-6 C) and wind gusts of approximately 30 mph (48 km). The hat stayed on with no difficulty and my head stayed warmer than I expected. I also experienced a hail storm while wearing the hat, (okay, small hail the size of grapes), and the hat protected me very well. It does a good job of keeping the rain off of me with its wide brims. When wet, the brims actually get firmer. I have worn this hat in some heavy rains and so far it has not leaked through. My rain-soaked hat dried over a period of approximately 3 hours once I hung it inside my tent while on the Colorado trip. Likes I like the wind-resistant features of the hat, and the protection it affords me from hot sun. I like the little pouch inside the crown which will hold a pen or pencil, and also I like the feature allowing me to carry my sunglasses on my hat. Dislikes I wish the brims were a little firmer. I would also like the crown to be a little stiffer. Summary A comfortable outdoors hat for all type conditions. Very well built, rock solid guarantee, and easily packable. The Tilley LT6 hat is machine washable in cool or warm water or can be hand-washed using regular soap, soap powder, or liquid soap. Tilley does not recommend using any type of bleach, or bleach products. The hat has to be air-dried, and once dry, stretched over my knee to restore it to its original shape. Tilley recommends using a water repellent spray to restore the water repellency after multiple washings. After wearing this hat for many outings, I have not noticed much if any perspiration stains on my hat. A few sweat stains is not an issue with me on any outdoor clothing, so I only wash my hat two or three times a year at most. It continues to retain its shape and appearance after much use and no less than 3 washings by hand. I can wear my sunglasses with this low-riding hat without any problems. Tilley does suggest a way to reduce the hat size by soaking the crown and sweat-band in hot water for 3 minutes and then allowing to air dry without restrecthing it. They claim this may reduce the hat size by one size. They also state that I can sew a layer of terry-cloth or similar material onto the anti-sweat band. I like the way my hat fits and have not tried to reduce the size. The brass grommets still shine like new and show no sign of discoloration. I think Tilley tries to spread word of its product by word-of-mouth and includes with the hat 8 "Brag Tags". They are simply small cards that include the contact information for Tilley hats, and quotes from other Tilley owners who relate their experiences with the hat, (all good of course). Read more reviews of Tilley gear Read more gear reviews by Russell Curry Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Tilley LT6 Lightweighter Hat > Owner Review by Russell Curry | |||