PERSONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Rick Allnutt
52 Year old male
183 cm (6' 0'') in height
74 kg (163 lbs) in weight
Head circumference: 22.75 in (58 cm)
Email address: rick (at) BackpackGearTest (dot) org
Homepage:  Risk's Ultralight Hiking Page
Trailname: "Risk"
I live in Dayton, Ohio

BACKPACKING BACKGROUND
Over the last several years, I have become an ultralight camper with a three-season base pack weight of about 17 lb (8 kg) and skin out weight of 25 lb (11 kg). I have completed many section hikes on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in all four seasons, with a total mileage of about 1000 miles (1610 km). I am a gearhead, a hammock camper, and I make much of my own equipment.

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Tilley Endurables
Year Manufactured: 2005
Manufacturer's Link: http://www.tilley.com
MSRP: US$69.00
Listed Weight: 5.6 oz (159 g)
Measured Weight (size 7-1/4): 5.6 oz (159 g)

FIELD CONDITIONS

Since April, I completed two week-long hikes on the AT, totaling about 175 mi (280 km).  In addition, I walked an overnight hike in the Adirondacks, went kayaking a number of times with the Tilley TH4, and I have taken many day hikes. During these experiences, I walked in the mountains, and in the forest.  I paddled on lakes and streams. I experienced heat, rain, sun, and very buggy conditions. Temperatures  ranged from 50 F (10 C) to 99 F (37 C).

REVIEW

My Initial Report of the TH4 is worth reading to get a complete description of the hat's construction. The Field Report details a failure of the hat keeping me dry during a hard rain storm. This report will bring the really interested reader and potential buyer of the hat up to date on my observations and describe the TH4's long-term durability.

During the hot months of summer, this hat has been a shield from sun and an effective absorber of the sweat of my brow. I have done a lot of hiking with the hat, and it has been exposed to more than a fair share of sweat. I have continued to soak it in streams and wash it in the washing machine as per Tilley's instructions.  I have not used bleach. To cut to the summary:  It still looks good, smells good, and is in nearly new shape.  No threads have frayed. No stitching has come apart. What a wonder!

I have a history of sun damaged skin on my forehead, and it is therefore important to keep sun off that area for my long term health. As can be seen in the photo that starts this report, the wide brim of the hat offers great protection from the sun.  It is long enough in the back to keep the sun off my neck, but not so long that it interferes with my pack. In the front, the brim is just right for shading my eyes and forehead without getting in the way of my vision. Summary: The width of the brim is perfect.  

The material from which the hat is constructed is quite soft when dry, and becomes stiffer when wet.  This works well during summer thunder showers, automatically developing the stiffness needed to keep rain from running down my neck.  The material is also very cooling when dunked in a spring pool, wrung out, and placed on my head.  The wind cools the hat and that keeps my head cool, regardless of how hot the sun might be.  

I have used the hat during several kayak trips.  The wide brim is good for sun and also keeps the inevitable drips from the ends of the kayak paddle off my head and glasses.  The color is great for keeping my head cool.  Soaking the hat in water doubles this cooling effect.

Sadly, I have not received any further benefit from the "brag tags."  Sum total experience with them was a cup of coffee early on.  However, the number of people who have looked approvingly at my hat is in the hundreds.  Fellow hikers are often just too jaded by their daily wondrous experience to fall for the old brag tag ruse.

The TH4 is the best hat I have hiked with in the last 5 years. It has earned a permanent place in my hiking wardrobe.

UPDATED TEST RESULTS FROM THE LIST OF QUESTIONS FROM INITIAL REPORT:

My immediate concerns will be the comfort and usefulness in rain of the Hemp Hat.  It works well in rain, except in heavy downpours with wind. In these conditions, water pours through the brass grommets and leaks onto my face. In using the hat for 6 months of hiking, this problem was noted one and only one time.

I want to know how long it takes to dry after a good soaking.  In general, the hat takes a number of hours to dry thoroughly when it becomes completely soaked. The last portion to dry is the cotton strap which I store in the crown of the hat.  For staying cool in the summer, this is a good thing.

Does the hat keep me warm on cool and rainy days?  Absolutely.  It is one of the first things I put on when the weather is cool in the morning.

I am also interested in the hat's performance in the heat. It keeps the sun off my face and keeps me cool. It also wicks sweat away from my forehead and cools me this way.  It is very helpful to soak the hat in water on hot days.

How well does the ventilation work to keep my head cool on warm days, especially in the sun?  Good performance in very hot conditions.

Does mildew affect the threads of the hat or the fabric? No.
 
How easy is it to wash the hat in field conditions?  Simple as pie.

Does it make sense to keep anything in the 'security pocket?'  Other than the brag tags I have not put anything else in the pocket.  I sometimes put my town money in the hat.

How well does the hat work as a sitting pad on a wet log or rock?   It works well.

How does it work as a pillow in my hammock?  Yes.