Replacing this Old Hat.

[Wildwillalaska]

Excitement for a monumental level hunt for me is all but overwhelming as the date closes in. And likely late for the moment, my mind shifted to a proper hat for the occasion.

I see all these cool action and adventure photos folks share, and of course trophy pics, with cool hats and I want that. I just can’t ever seem to sort what feels right for me, and when I do, then it looks funny.

I don’t often wear hats much any more despite growing up wearing a cowboy hat about 90% of the time outdoors. Looking back through my photos of hunts and adventures the last almost decade, I’m wearing basically the same damned hat, just in a couple different colors.

So I need to replace this old hat…

 

[Wildwillalaska]

What’s extra lame, I’m such a creature of habit, it’s not just hunting, even backpacking through Sierras, Cascades, Alps in France, Italy and Switzerland…yepper, same hat.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

So, that brings me today, this hunt and future opportunities to enjoy a more mature, gentleman’s type hat. I run hot, so unless it’s frigid, I need to lean away from felt, but do historically love a good beaver hat, I just burn up in them.

And while I have a big head and wide shoulders, I don’t want a really big or wide brimmed hat. Thought I might have sorted the perfect option. Stetson Open Road with woven vents. Actually love the look of the hat, but also figured I might look more akin to a goofball in it than a serious hunter…then again I don’t like being serious unless someone pays me to be.

So this is my first genuine attempt at a brimmed hat as an adult, like first since college age. And it almost makes me think it would be a great college spring break, drinking in the sunshine, maybe fishing type of hat. Not sure if it’s a dangerous game, serious shooting work kind of hat. Almost wonder if it’s not one that may even provoke a charge kind of hat. Like who is this goofball looking guy with the boom stick, I don’t know but I should prolly go roll him and really try to F’him up.

Is this more of a keg-stand than hunting kind of hat?

And please, feel free to share recommendations on alternatives.

 

[dchum]

Tryna gaucho beret, if you are bold enough. (You certainly are!)

I love em. You will stick out, but some of us like that.
The patagonia cowboys were onto something.very versatile. Easy to pack. Block the sun any direction. All types of fabrics. The most recent Weatherby award recipient hunted the globe in one!

Or like you said, the open road, I have mine trimmed a bit and then curled up tight south Texas style. Perfect felt that.

 

[BradJ]

Man you can't go changing things up now. That style of hat has been with you all over the world, on all sorts of adventures! It has never let you down!

Just keeping rocking it, It's part of your identity at this point.

 

[Andrew62]

As well as you rock that Kuiu ball cap I’d just keep wearing one of those!

 

[Russ16]

I’m a big fan of the Kuiu boonie hat. It’s packable for travel, breathes in the heat, and provides some shade. Take a look.

Gila PRO Airmesh Boonie | Khaki

KUIU's Gila PRO Airmesh Boonie hat in Khaki features breathable fabric and a lightweight foam structure to keep you cool and protected in hot conditions.

www.kuiu.com

Cooler weather I have a Barbour waxed cotton cap. Colder than that I have a wool cap that’s nice and then go to a warm beanie type as it gets very cold.

 

[458JCE]

I'd say your Kuiu ball cap is a LUCKY hat based on the awesome array of game taken while wearing it. I wouldn't change anything!

 

[Fatback]

For tracking all day in the sun, you can’t go wrong with a boonie style hat.

 

[steve white]

So, that brings me today, this hunt and future opportunities to enjoy a more mature, gentleman’s type hat. I run hot, so unless it’s frigid, I need to lean away from felt, but do historically love a good beaver hat, I just burn up in them.

And while I have a big head and wide shoulders, I don’t want a really big or wide brimmed hat. Thought I might have sorted the perfect option. Stetson Open Road with woven vents. Actually love the look of the hat, but also figured I might look more akin to a goofball in it than a serious hunter…then again I don’t like being serious unless someone pays me to be.

So this is my first genuine attempt at a brimmed hat as an adult, like first since college age. And it almost makes me think it would be a great college spring break, drinking in the sunshine, maybe fishing type of hat. Not sure if it’s a dangerous game, serious shooting work kind of hat. Almost wonder if it’s not one that may even provoke a charge kind of hat. Like who is this goofball looking guy with the boom stick, I don’t know but I should prolly go roll him and really try to F’him up.

Is this more of a keg-stand than hunting kind of hat?

And please, feel free to share recommendations on alternatives. View attachment 756755View attachment 756756View attachment 756757

NO

 

[mdwest]

I’m a big fan of the Kuiu boonie hat. It’s packable for travel, breathes in the heat, and provides some shade. Take a look.

Gila PRO Airmesh Boonie | Khaki

KUIU's Gila PRO Airmesh Boonie hat in Khaki features breathable fabric and a lightweight foam structure to keep you cool and protected in hot conditions.

www.kuiu.com

I’ve got that exact same hat… the KUIU boonie and a Tilley airflo are about all I wear anymore when outdoors whether hunting, or just out working on the lease, etc…

I picked up a rogue hat when in South Africa last year.. several of the PHs I’ve hunted with wear them, and they’re inexpensive.. so I thought I’d give one a try… the rogue will likely be my hat of choice for the next few Africa hunts… it’s just the right weight for warmth in a South African winter, but still light enough and has good air flow.. cheap enough I don’t care if the acacia tear it up a bit.. and it’s got something of an “African” look about it that I like…

I paid about $18 I think for this one at a sporting goods store in Rustenberg..

306 Kalahari

KALAHARI 306L - Rogue Outdoor Gear - Rogue Hats / Headwear in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa Online Shop. Selke Leathercraft

rogue.co.za

 

[MontanaPat]

I say drop the open road and stick with a ball
cap, looks better on you for hunting

 

[Safari Dave]

There are two of the the coolest fly fishing shops in America, nestled in northeast Georgia called Unicoi Outfitters.

They have a location almost across the road from Field Ethos in Clarkesville, GA.

PM me, and I might be able to arrange for you a cap.

These caps have been worn over the trophies of at least 13 African animals.

 

[Sabre]

@Wildwillalaska - I am very similar to you in hat style choice (based on your photos, except the stetson open road). My favorite "ball cap" style hat was a fairly plain olive green hat that I got for free with a bow. I liked the way it looked and that it was a good color for hunting. So I went on eBay and bought a few more from a bow shop that was selling the same ones I got for free. I have worn that hat for many many years now and it is in almost all my hunting, hiking, outdoors type photos. I am on my last one and started looking for some alternatives and landed on probably the same Kuiu hat you wear in your photos.

As for a brimmed hat, to be blunt, the one in your photo looks terrible. If it makes you happy, you should wear it.

If you want a very good looking brimmed hat that will also make you happy you should check out the Tilley LTM6 Airflo. I like it in Olive Green, but there are multiple options. The brim is wide enough to offer some sun protection but not annoying in size.

I seriously can't praise that hat enough, especially for sunny conditions. And since it looks like we both have the same "lame" tastes, as you put it, I think you would love it as well.

 

[CBH Australia]

I don’t recall seeing Australian game in the image.

Maybe it’s time to head Down-Under and get an Aussie hat as a memento.

There are tons of Baseball caps available as souvenirs but Akubra make straw hats in western and dress styles.

 

[Velo Dog]

My favorite hat for hunting and fishing in moderate to hot weather is an inexpensive but quite resistant to rough usage, Dorfman Pacific brand, canvas fedora.
My Dorfman hat is well past 20 years with me now and other than sweat stains, it remains in good condition.
I highly recommend this brand.

Recently I watched the somewhat vintage Clint Eastwood movie about a movie, “White Hunter, Black Heart”.
Mr. Eastwood was wearing a very similar canvas fedora as my hat, during a significant portion of that film.
I had no idea that he is such a loyal fan of mine.

 

[Sideshow]

Maybe the title for this thread should have been.
“Hats off and away we go”!!