Safari Hats

[rookhawk]

This guy was in my feed this morning. I think he’s right about the shape:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EtCFFV5yk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I personally like the Stetson Gun Club line, specifically to Catera that is no longer made. (You can find new old stock for way less than msrp if you dig)

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Too much brim for me. And I definitely don't want that much hanging down in front of my eyes. I like the braided band though. May do that with scraps from my buffalo hide when it arrives.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I’ve always admired a fine well made hat that has a purpose that is crafted by a haberdasher. I see them and have to try them on. But because of my small frame, when I look in the mirror, this is all I can see.

 

[Red Leg]

A stiff brimmed hat is a perfect POS for traveling by air - even in business. I love my Rands, but if I can't drive, they tend to stay home. This is the Baron model of the type made for Robert Redford in "Out of Africa" minus the puggaree wrap (would have been almost as bad as a zebra hat band). What better place to wear it than - well - Africa. However, it was a pain in the land cruiser and the airplane however well it performed its dedicated function in the field.

Several years ago I discovered that Tilley made a cotton canvas hat. However effective they may be, I hate the look of most of their brimmed hats - one looks like a NGO bureaucrat loose in the bush. But the canvas hat quickly takes a pinched crown, drooping brim look which is effective at its primary purpose, rolls up in a carry on, and looks much more like the property of Stewart Granger than a UN consultant wary of soiling his boots.

 

[Russ16]

Totally agree if I can’t fold it in my bag or clip it to my backpack it isn’t flying. The Kuiu foldable boonie hat is perfect for me.

 

[WAB]

That’s the Tilley Wanderer. Mine has covered a lot of miles in the bush. I’ve taken to wearing Stetson grass hats on the farm. They are breathable and waterproof. The Bryce is particularly good for hot weather work and would be great on safari if it wasn’t such a pain getting it there.

 

[Rumrunner]

Tilley airflow. Fold it up in luggage and guaranteed for life.

 

[jcs271]

I love my Rands for hunting up here in God's country, but as mentioned above, not for air travel.

Its pretty hard to beat a crushable boonie hat for african hunting/travel. It's also pretty comfy to wear after soaking it in water then lightly wringing it out on a very hot day.

Pictured here (on my first Safari) in the Sengwe river bed in November 2011 with my PH, Phillip Smythe. RIP my friend.

 

[migrabill]

I will be taking my Rand Low Safari. I just use one of the Hard single hat cases when I fly. The hard case then either goes in my suitcase or it's my carry on.

 

[Nyati]

Spanish Army pixelated Desert Camo

 

[Tanks]

I am partial to Fedora style hats.From Rands…

To standard beaver Fedoras

Even in regular life…

 

[Flipper Dude]

This one, apparently

 

[jcs271]

This (semi) crushable Stetson gets a lot of use also. It has held up incredibly well on my solo adventures.

 

[Pheroze]

I wore the original Tilley hat for decades until it just plain wore out. It is kinda dorky but unbelievably functional. I bought a replacement. I have been told they have stopped making them.

For a lark I wore a pith helmet on my last safari. To my surprise I discovered that it is probably one of the best safari hats out there! Honestly, it is light, cool, provides shade and protects your noggin from low branches

However, the baseball style is also a good alternative

 

[Nkawu]

Akubra hats seem to be developing a following in SA now that Safari and Outdoor import them. Akubra Hats.
I love my unlined Tablelands model.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

I love these hats and bought a less expensive felt packable outback style hat to see how it looked, etc. I love the idea of it but can’t help but think I look silly wearing it. As I type this, I wonder why I care what other folks think about my hat choice?

 

[txtrout75218]

I wore the original Tilley hat for decades until it just plain wore out. It is kinda dorky but unbelievably functional. I bought a replacement. I have been told they have stopped making them.

For a lark I wore a pith helmet on my last safari. To my surprise I discovered that it is probably one of the best safari hats out there! Honestly, it is light, cool, provides shade and protects your noggin from low branches

View attachment 797193

However, the baseball style is also a good alternative

View attachment 797194

My grandpa wore a pith helmet at times. He swore by it.

 

[AZSkibo]

I’m rather fond of the Akubra slouch hat, have the traditional brown one (pictured) and a lighter sand color I picked up in Australia. Keeps the afternoon sun off ya mostly, easily wet down inside when it muggy, and they wear in quite nicely. This photo is near Thabazimbi, ZA.

 

[SStomcat]

Barbour wax canvas hat ..

 

[BeeMaa]

I’d like to have an African Safari hat like Val Kilmer’s character in Ghost and The Darkness, but traveling with them is impractical.

We’ve been using surplus Army boonies with good results.