Hat

[Richard Fairhurst]

I’m going cycling in France next week. It is going to be hot - 30°+ most days. I figure I need a hat.

Are there any particular types/designs that forumites would recommend? (I don’t wear a helmet for rural touring.)

[Gontlib]

This is what I use for my summer tours
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/trek-500-m-hat-beige-id_8526264.html

[LinusR]

I use a wide-brimmed, washable cotton hat. Mine is cream coloured with Spanish-flag band as I bought it in Mallorca from a tourist shop for 7 euros. It's a fairly snug fit (no chin strap) and is foldable. I give it a rinse each morning, wring it out and put in on damp when touring.

[peterdpusey]

I do wear a helmet though am interested in the same having spent days cycling towards the beating sun. Had a dabrim for a couple of years though not entirely happy with it. Currently have a montane hat, stitched so it will fit under helmet has a reasonable peak but no protection down the back of the neck.

[climo]

When really sunny I wear a baseball type with a long flap to cover the ears and neck under my helmet. Legionnaires hat I guess. Double brim raises smiles but who cares, sunstroke ain't funny.

[Mick F]

Normal cycling caps for me.
This sort of thing.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/caps/

Washable.
I have three summer ones and a Sealskinz winter one.

Never a helmet!

[mjr]

I've a legionnaire's hat from mountain warehouse. Needs a new chinstrap now, after 4 years. I've also got a folding jungle hat but the front of the brim flips up at about 8mph so the legionnaire's hat is preferred. Other than that, Sheldon Brown used to recommend train driver/engineer's hats because they're shaped to stay on in wind, unlike baseball caps.

[mjr]

Normal cycling caps for me.
This sort of thing.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/caps/

Washable.
I have three summer ones and a Sealskinz winter one.

Never a helmet!

Nothing to shade your neck?

[Mick F]

No.
Never bother. Sunscreen does it for me if required. Same as legs and arms.


................. some folk say I have a brass neck!

[Bonefishblues]

If you have a large head size, one of these would be ideal:

https://www.waveinn.com/nautical-fishin ... 36296836/p

It's a design used for Tropical flyfishing where shade/venting is important, but also the ability to snug it so it doesn't blow off in the wind. I have one, but I didn't get on with it for reasons I can't remember, so only wore it for 2 or 3 hours.

[mjr]

No.
Never bother. Sunscreen does it for me if required. Same as legs and arms.

OK. Sunscreen isn't complete protection, but that's probably another discussion.

[Bonefishblues]

No.
Never bother. Sunscreen does it for me if required. Same as legs and arms.

OK. Sunscreen isn't complete protection, but that's probably another discussion.

But very important, and applied properly in anything from spf15 and above, very effective.

[nick12]

I like to wear a thin snood / buff on my neck doubles up as a mask aswell if dusty i find it gets wet with sweat in the tropics and helps to cool you down. I normally use a peaked cap like has been said its nice yo wet it too.

[Tangled Metal]

I've got a folding peaked cap made by OR from USA. As the Tilley measuring tape in my local outdoor shop said, my hat size is "exceptionelle!" So I guess the American one size fits all is needed.

Rohan green socialists cap (not sure why but I associate its shape with a Russian communist with hammer and sickle on it). It has a fold out neck flap if needed and is in large size (not many companies accept head size can range more widely than the one size doesn't fit all options mostly offered). It also has the option of folding down a front mossie mesh face mask. With insect repellant impregnated into it you're good in even Scotland.

Personally I do prefer to cover up in high sun. Not easy due to my size / body shape in the upper extremities. Neck flaps too short, hats too small and generally don't suit hats anyway.

[KFT]

I used a Tilley hat for the Wimps Lejog last year as I wanted a wide brimmed hat to provide additional sun protection. It had the added advantage of being able to soak it in cold water which helped with the weather we had.