Frequent Visitor Question

[csharpwv]

My wife and I visit WDW 3-4 times each year with our DVC membership.
Something I have never used/taken to WDW is a hat.
I'm not a hat wearer, I've never been one to wear a hat unless I had to. (summer camp 'uniform' sigh)

I have to provide some context for the eventual question...

On our trip to Disneyland and Southern California in 2011 I received the sunburn of a lifetime on the right (east facing) side of my head and neck on a day long drive up the PCH in a convertible. It was a blast, I slathered with sunscreen every hour, but still, the lack of humidity confused my body in to thinking the sun wasn't nearly as hot as it was that day. Two biopsies later, it's something I will need to watch for years to come.

This summer we are taking my niece and nephews to WDW for the first time. In July. (shoot me)
We always promised ourselves... no summer trips, it's just too hot. But we've been every summer for the last three years for one reason or another. I guess the addiction really is that strong!

So, now, for the question.

Guys (or wives), what kind of hat do you have that is:
1. Not heavy and hot.
2. Willing to take abuse. (we drive, fly, it has to be able to be crushed and not look horrible afterward).
3. NOT made of straw, see #2.
4. Not going to make me look like I missed the Early Bird Special at Denny's, or skate night at the local park (age appropriate, I'm 33)
5. Provides coverage for ears and neck, and shade for the face.
6. Durable, washable, not going to look terrible or absorb sweat and look gross ALL the time after one use.
7. Easy to stow on rides and attractions.

Am I asking too much of a hat to wear to a theme park?
I may be, but I will rely on tried and true Disney fans to give that news!

 

[Kirk]

I hate hates too but will wear one for shade or rain at WDW. I got a white Donald Duck sailor's hat like this:

When not wearing it I'll just roll it up and pocket or bag it.

 

[DVC Doctor]

I really like Tilley hats

http://www.tilley.com/us_en/

 

[keishashadow]

it's Disney, most of us are dressed a bit goofy.

IMO this brand is a bit more stylish than most & offers great protection.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-gear/hats.html

I will admit to hating hats, in general. these come in lots of different sizes and are both comfortable to wear & easy to roll up and stuff in a pocket. Lots of different models for men & women. Some will float...don't ask how I know lol

amazon usually offers substantial discounts on them.

 

[bwvBound]

Don't sweat the 'how old does this make me look?' perspective. After all, you'd soon look older and worse for the wear if you don't wear the hat now ... while you are young. I wear a hat nearly everyday and travel with it often. I've enjoyed some very nice compliments when wearing my favorite, go everywhere, hat in the parks, "Where did you find that hat?" Teehee ... my hat has seen many miles and my skin is radiant.

Have you looked at options from REI? How about the Paddler's Hat ...or even the Wombat w/ its optional neck coverage?

Shots of my hat in action ...
* In Costa Rica >> the hat shades my entire face!
* In my garden >> doesn't my skin look great? I was 50+ when this was taken and w/out makeup.
* After my first-ever gymkhana event >> the weather was cool that day ... but I'm keeping my face shaded from the California sun.
* Oldie from 2010! My hat must have been a baby then. (I see this was before I added the plumeria clip I bought while visiting Aulani in 2011.)
* And a shadow selfie with the hat (while it was still new!) taken Labor Day Weekend 2010. Love the hat, love the hills, loved that timeshare!, love the horse!

 

[bwvBound]

it's Disney, most of us are dressed a bit goofy.

IMO this brand is a bit more stylish than most & offers great protection.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-gear/hats.html

Oh, I like the Sombriolet Sun Hat™ on the page you linked. Nice!

 

[crisi]

My husband goes for something like this that the brim can be snapped up for a less floppy look: http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/...etail/Brimmed-Hats/prod999901362189/cat117337

 

[keishashadow]

Oh, I like the Sombriolet Sun Hat™ on the page you linked. Nice!

hubby has that one and a one of their baseball-type hats

I have their oasis and another older model with a smaller brim/profile that I use at MK and MGM (i tend to find more shade to duck into there lol)

the material is a synthetic blend, much lighter & cooler than any other hat we've tried over the years.

 

[mort1331]

I really like Tilley hats

http://www.tilley.com/us_en/

This, anything that can go through an elephant twice and still be worn, I am all for it. plus it has a hidden pocket.

 

[CraigInPA]

I'll admit I like hats. Not caps, but hats. I own exactly one baseball cap. I also own 12 fedoras and 2 traditional Stetson cowboy hats.

When I go to Disney, I used to wear one of a number of Panama Jack hats. For years, I wore the Original Canvas Safari ($25). It's light, it breathes, it's solid so no sunburn on the top of my head, and it can be folded and crushed and still comes back into shape. I've also worn the Boonie hat ($15), but stopped because when it's windy the brims whip around and strike my neck, which I found annoying. The Panama Jack canvas hats can be washed if they get dirty, but be sure to block them or they will shrink as they dry. They're inexpensive, so you can just throw out a soiled one if you don't feel like washing it.

Recently, I've been using a non-Panama Jack straw hat made in Ecuador, which is called simply a "Panama Hat". It's an extremely lightweight fedora with a high crown (for ventilation). My hat is a "fino grade" hat. It can be folded, rolled, dunked in water, and comes back into shape every time. Cheaper grade straw hats cannot be folded or rolled without cracking. I believe I paid about $80 for my first straw hat, and a little more for the latest one. I would recommend the "Natural" color over "white" because, as a natural material, the hat will absorb sweat and become slightly darker. The white color will really show this effect off by looking stained at the crown and around the bond underneath the band. Straw hats cannot be washed. Once the staining from sweat becomes too great, you simply throw out the hat. I can usually go several summers, wearing the hat to the beach 2-3 days a week, before the staining reaches a point where my wife tells me I need to buy a new one because she is planning on throwing the present one away.

 

[Chuck S]

Animal Kingdom usually has some cloth hats with a wide brim and vents for airflow. That works well, looks similar to the Tilley hat in the DVC Doctor's link, and is quite a bit lower in price.
Personally, I like the straw pith helmet hats (I know they look dorky, but they're comfortable and work well in the sun) Also available at AK.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you're self-conscious about "looking good" in a hat, perhaps you should chat with DH. He recently had surgery for 2 different forms of skin cancer-basal cell and melanoma. For a couple weeks, he had a huge bandage covering his nose and part of his face. Then he didn't look (or feel) very good.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Tilley T7 (I think) is my hubby's favorite. We all have our own Tilleys. They wear, wash, and travel well.

 

[rocketriter]

My wife and I visit WDW 3-4 times each year with our DVC membership.
Something I have never used/taken to WDW is a hat.
I'm not a hat wearer, I've never been one to wear a hat unless I had to. (summer camp 'uniform' sigh)

You'll find plenty of hats in many styles for sale at your resort and in the parks. And they'll have Disney theming, which is fun.

 

[Goosey515]

Check out rei. i've had good luck with their hats.

 

[bwvBound]

You'll find plenty of hats in many styles for sale at your resort and in the parks. And they'll have Disney theming, which is fun.

Yeah ... and that works great for when visiting Disney ... but the hat I bought this year at F&G has no purpose outside Disney-circles.