I've spent a lifetime around the water and in the sun and I'm starting to pay for it.

Wore a baseball cap last time in Africa, but thinking about using something with a wider brim.

Don't want a tilley or something soft, was thinking about an Akubra Cattleman or Territory.

Wondering if anyone else has used a hat like these, if they get in the way while shooting, etc.

Might stick with a ball cap, but skin doc is saying I shouldn't.

Know the felt hats are warm.

Thanks

Hi 10Gen,

I use the REI Paddler hats pretty extensively and only recently added a Tiley Airflow. I'm not sure why you want the hard-brimmed hat but I've found that the soft wide-brimmed hats are amazingly comfortable for long days.

https://www.rei.com/media/363d...ab-803e-ca8547bf2ee5

Good luck!

I like a stiff brim with a mesh body so I got the Henschel Men's Hiker Crushable Mesh Breezer from Amazon for $24 + shipping.

Yes, it catches brush sometimes but I can't stand a soft brim moving in my field of vision.

Tilly airflow is the best I have found. Jerry Hoover

My pick would be the "Traveller", "Angler", or "Banjo Patterson" styles http://www.akubra.com.au/shop-...tyles/banjo-paterson although you might want to take a knife to the lining. The 102mm brim of the "Territory" is going to require its own seat on the plane getting there.

I like the soft brimmed hats for hunting, personally. But if you wanted a stiff brim that can be accomplished with spray starch. I used to do that to a boonie hat when I shot competition to make a hard, square brim in the front to block any side light. Don't see why it wouldn't work for a hunting hat and you can shape the brim anyway you want.

I always found the felt hats too warm & sweaty but agree a stiff wide brimmed hat the best way to avoid sunburn on the ears & neck.

My favourites were the cotton Stetsons of course with Masai or Zulu bead hat band.

Still wear them here in Portugal where the summer sun is even more ferocious than in Africa.

Akubra Cattleman in Botswana a couple of years back. Worked well. My brother wore his in the Eastern Cape with no problems.

I really like and wear Akubra hats frequently, but found that a softer brimmed hat works better on safari. I used the Tilley brown hemp hat (TH 5) on my last two trips and was very pleased with it. Going through brush, it can catch occasionally, but much less than something like the Akubra. I too, have been warned off baseball caps by a dermatologist. After having a couple of lesions whittled off my ears, I don't understand why more people don't wear brimmed hats in the field. The softer boonie type hats (including the Tilley) can be stuffed easily in a pack or luggage making travel much easier.

I wear what Ivan Carter wears: The Tilley

For warm weather, I would definitely opt for a wide brim that is crushable for easy packing. I use these military surplus "boonie" hats, super tough, machine washable, and about $15 retail
It covers your ears but is not so big that it snags as you are stalking through brush or bump your scope when you bring your rifle up


For colder weather I wear either wool or felt. This Stetson is my favorite, light weight, medium brim, water/snow repellant

I have very fair skin and burn easily. Don't want the "skin-C" so I had this made with a wide brim:

I also have the Tony Makris hat made by Rand's Custom Hats. I'm like jorge and have had a number of skin cancers removed off of my face and ears. I take a ball cap with me to put on for pics, but I either wear the Tilley or the Makris hat for the rest of the time when out in the sun.

I have two Rands (both cattleman style) and they are outstanding hats. I just think that a felt hat is to heavy and often to hot for Africa. Transporting it over could also be a real pain unless you wear it the whole time.

+ 10 on the Rands, have worn them for years, i just wear it onto the plane and put it under the seat or in my lap.

Good sun and rain protection.
I use the "Tableland" and in fact I have one on now heading into the Australian Arnhemland.
Australian Buffalo Hunters

Like Ozhunter I find Akubra's to be great hats. I personally like the Angler but in the the US we don't get the full available selection. I find them just as cool as a Tilly which I also wear a lot. Both are much cooler than any ball cap and also keep the rain off.

Just as the others have said my doctor has told me to protect my ears or pay for it later.

I love mine...



Cold winter on the Highveld or along the Limpopo

My hat came from jaxonbuilthats.com in Idaho. I basically copied the design from a few pictures and movies and voila!

Tilly Airflow for me too.

I wore an Akubra territory for years when I lived in Australia, I wish I still had that hat.

Good choice for hot weather, but if you have a lot of thorns, I'd suggest a stampede string.

Check out the Rogue range that are made in RSA. Yes I know it is not as fancy as Akubra or Drizzabone, but the darker Airhead and the floppy has served me well over the years in the African bush.
The floppy type of hat is quite popular in RSA. It was the hat that was worn by the SA Forces fighting the border war.
The Stevenson Hamilton range is not to shabby as well. I Love the SH floppy cammo. My favorite nowdays.
http://www.rogue.co.za/index.php/rogue-products

Akubra is one of the finest hats you can buy. It will shed water and shade you plus it breathes because the fabric is natural rabbit fur. I have been wearing one of their hats for almost 20 years and it still does the job.

As have I, with mine being the Coober Pedy.

Steve,

Where would one acquire a Masai beaded hat band? That sounds like a must have.

quote:

Originally posted by Anton van der Spek:
Check out the Rogue range that are made in RSA. Yes I know it is not as fancy as Akubra or Drizzabone, but the darker Airhead and the floppy has served me well over the years in the African bush.
The floppy type of hat is quite popular in RSA. It was the hat that was worn by the SA Forces fighting the border war.
The Stevenson Hamilton range is not to shabby as well. I Love the SH floppy cammo. My favorite nowdays.
http://www.rogue.co.za/index.php/rogue-products

Agreed Anton and I have been wearing these hats and they are very affordable. Baseball caps are the worst in my opinion.

Just now got back from chasing buffalo in Australia's remote Arnhemland where my Acubra only came off when back in camp once the sun set. Great hat

I could never get used to a wide brimmed hat for hunting. I just use a ball cap. The wide brim in trees and brush is too much trouble for me to deal with. I use a wide brim hat kayaking or on the boat at times for the sun protection. When I leave Texas 100 degree days for Africa the sun in Africa at the time doesn't seem so bad. But I can see where everyone likes them just not practical for me.

I just ordered a Tableland like Adam's from The Hat Store in Australia. Already shipped and heading to the USA. The Hat Store has most all of the Akubra hats in stock.

If you want the baseball type cap look at the Frill Neck Lizard brand. Great caps as you have the full neck, front and back cover but they are hot.

I wear soft brimmed bush/giggle hat types as I can fold them up and take no room but the Akubra's/Slouch hats are better in my opinion.

I am waiting for the British Wolseley helmet to make a comeback!!!