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REI Explorer HatOnly At REI
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REI Explorer Hat

Item # 734793

$32.50

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

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Our brimmed REI Explorer hat shields your face and neck from the sun.

  • Organic cotton duck cloth is durable, breathable and mildew resistant
  • Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic pesticides
  • Brass snaps on either side of hat let you snap one or both sides of the brim up
  • Braided cotton chin-cord adjusts with toggle to keep hat on in windy conditions

Imported.

Item 734793

REI Explorer Hat Specs

Specification

Description

FabricOrganic cotton duck cloth
LiningNot applicable
Width of brim3 inches
GenderUnisex

REI Explorer Hat Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
REI Explorer Hat
 
4.4

(based on 13 reviews)

92%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Good protection from the sun (13)
  • Stylish (11)
  • Good protection from rain (10)
  • Rugged (10)
  • Washes easily (6)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Hiking (13)
    • Travel (10)
    • Casual wear (7)
    • Performance (5)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Casual adventurer (8), Avid adventurer (6)

    Reviewed by 13 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-10

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    Apr

    9

    2008

    (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Not Bad.

    By William Bambeck

    from Also known as Barefoot Bill, Parma, Ohio

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Good Protection from Rain
    • Good Protection from the Sun
    • Rugged
    • Stylish
    • Washes Easily

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Casual Wear
      • Hiking
      • Travel

      Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

      Smashes flat for storage, like someone sat on it. But it pops up to an amazingly good shape, like a cowboy hat. Or it can be shaped almost formal, like a fedora, for a while.

      Most of the time, snap the flaps up and get really good visibility, with still a bill in front to keep off sun glare, and in back to keep some sun off your neck. And in that configuration it handles well in the hand. In intense sun or heavy rain, bring the brim out for fairly good protection.

      The cotton canvas fabric would breathe well when dry, but the fibers would swell in a heavy rain to shut off the water and keep it off your face, much like a canvas tent. (Nylon doesn't do this. It must either be manufactured as sealed or left open to breathe.) Where the cotton touches something, such as at the hat band, it will probably wick through. But so what? At that location, you'll probably barely feel it.

      The same wicking would take sweat away from your head on a hot, dry day.

      The chin cord is best worn under the chin and hooked behind the ears. That provides wind-proof securing from practically all directions, and the cord doesn't have to be cinched up snug. In fact, in this configuration, most of the time it doesn't have to be adjusted at all after putting the hat on, and it doesn't hang out from the neck to get in the way. With this hat, cinching it behind the head doesn't seem to work well.

      Order carefully. The "Dk Khaki" is actually the lighter color of the two, though it may still need to be described as Dark to match other REI gear. I like light color because it is cooler in hot sun and doesn't have as much dye to fade. (The fading, though, could be considered stylish.) In fact, I would take even undyed cotton, which is usually an off white.

      It should wash up well in the laundry, though watch out for uneven shrinking from hot water.

      It feels good on the head. I'm looking forward to using this in much of my summer hiking. (I like a Russian fur hat in winter.)

      • Sizing:
      • Feels true to size

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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      Sep

      11

      2007

      (6 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

       
      3.0

      Great except for the dye

      By TC

      from Atlanta, GA

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Pros

      • Good Protection from Rain
      • Good Protection from the Sun
      • Stylish

      Cons

      • Frays or Fades

      Best Uses

      • Canoeing
      • Hiking
      • Travel

      Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

      A friend and I both had one of these, in two different colors. After 6 days on the water, the dye had run and faded significantly around the headband (visible outside the hat). Mine wasn't as bad, but is noticeable. Thought it might be salt stains at first, but washing didn't change it. But it's comfortable, and if appearance isn't a big issue....

      • Sizing:
      • Feels true to size

      Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

      (6 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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      Jul

      7

      2008

      (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      This Hat is Magnificent

      By BigRedRover

      from Ohio

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Pros

      • Good Protection from the Sun
      • Rugged
      • Stylish

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Casual Wear
        • Hiking
        • Travel

        Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

        This hat is magnificent. I can not say enough good things about it.Let me start by saying that I have never been much of a hat wearer. I began my search for a hat because my wife and I will be walking in the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-Day. I wanted to find something that would protect me from the sun and rain.I must not have done a very good job measuring my head because when I received my medium hat, it was too small. However, I immediately ordered the large hat. [...]My large hat fit perfectly. Since I was flying to a vacation, I packed it flat into my suitcase and checked the bag. When I got to my destination, I took out my hat and it held its shape well with no wrinkles.I used the hat on two moderate hikes in bright sun and on a mild rafting trip. I found it to be comfortable, light, stylish and it did a great job shielding me from the sun.I highly recommend this product to anybody looking for a functional sun hat that is capable of standing up to environmental conditions.

        • Sizing:
        • Feels true to size

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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        Sep

        24

        2007

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        great hat

        By dan07

        from boston, ma

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Pros

        • Good Protection from Rain
        • Good Protection from the Sun
        • Rugged
        • Stylish
        • Washes Easily

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Hiking
          • Performance

          Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

          I've used this hat several times, and for the most part am very pleased with it. In Africa, I found that it was great during intense sun, as well as protection during light rain. I haven't used it during heavy rain, although I feel it would only be moderately effective. I like the look, and it can take a beating. Great for out-in-the-open hiking under heavy sun.

          • Sizing:
          • Feels true to size

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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          Sep

          12

          2007

          (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

           
          4.0

          It stays on in wind!

          By Get Outside

          from Eagle River WI

          About Me Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Good Protection from the Sun
          • Rugged
          • Stylish

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Casual Wear
            • Hiking
            • Performance
            • Travel

            Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

            This hat stays on in windy conditions. I lost my last hat (a nice Barmah) when it blew off & promptly sunk to the bottom of the lake. This one keeps me cool & shaded - looks nice too.

            • Sizing:
            • Feels true to size

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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            Apr

            23

            2009

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            best all around hat for hiking, paddling

            By bruceman

            from Astoria, OR

            About Me Avid Adventurer

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Good Protection from Rain
            • Good Protection from the Sun
            • Rugged
            • Stylish
            • Washes Easily

            Cons

            • Dyes fade unevenly

            Best Uses

            • Hiking
            • Kayaking

            Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

            I needed good sun protection, this is it, wide brim, light doesn't get thru, whereas previous hats with so called spf protection did fail at altitude. Comfortable in hot and cold weather and rain. Holds shape in medium, windy conditions
            Dye job faded irregularly but I think adds to the look.

            • Gift:
            • No
            • Sizing:
            • Feels true to size

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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            Jun

            27

            2008

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            4.0

            I liked it enough to buy two

            By Grizzly rider

            from Albuquerque, NM

            About Me Casual/ Recreational

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Good Protection from Rain
            • Good Protection from the Sun
            • Rugged
            • Stylish
            • Washes Easily

            Cons

            • Frays or Fades
            • New ones made different

            Best Uses

            • Casual Wear
            • Hiking
            • Performance
            • Travel

            Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

            This is the perfect hat for me since I now live in the high desert and hate the sun. Wide brim, no nylon and takes a lot of abuse. Watch out as the color will fade RAPIDLY especialy at the sweat line. That is the main reason I have another now, I was told not to wear mine in public any more due to how well it looks broken in.

            Main issue with this hat is the new one I have has a slight manufacturing difference, the tag in the back inside was only be stitched on the sides so I could slide the chinstrap through it and keep it out of my way when not in use. My new one is stitched all the way around for some reason and must now be modified.

            • Sizing:
            • Feels half size too small

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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            Jul

            6

            2009

            (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Explorer Hat

            By DemonDesert

            from West Texas

            About Me Avid Adventurer

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Good Protection from Rain
            • Good Protection from the Sun
            • Rugged

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Hiking
              • Travel

              Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

              I have used this hat on two major backpacking expeditions now, and I can safely say that the hat is absolutely wonderful. Good sun/rain protection, and the fit is perfect. There are only two slight drawbacks: 1)the chin cord is difficult to keep out of the way when not actually on your chin; and 2)it takes an inordinate amount of time for the hat to dry once it gets soaked. Despite that, the hat has been wonderful

              • Gift:
              • No
              • Sizing:
              • Feels true to size

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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              Jun

              28

              2008

              (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

               
              4.0

              great value

              By Vegas Outdoorsman

              from Las Vegas, NV

              About Me Avid Adventurer

              Site Member

              Pros

              • Good Protection from the Sun
              • Stylish

              Cons

              • A little hot

              Best Uses

              • Hiking
              • Travel

              Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

              I am an avid outdoorsman from Las Vegas, and spend most my time in VERY sunny and hot places. I wanted a wider-brimmed hat that was stiff enough to handle our constant wind - this fit the bill perfectly (pun intended). It's very stylish, and much cheaper than other alternatives. The only problem I have is that there are no gussets for breathability. It's a little warmer than my other bucket hats w/ gussets, so I might consider having a specialty store add a couple at some point. Otherwise, I'm very happy with my purchase, and would recommend to anyone.

              • Sizing:
              • Feels true to size

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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              Feb

              18

              2008

              (1 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

               
              4.0

              Cool looking Hat

              By Pasang

              from Lawrencville GA

              About Me Avid Adventurer

              Pros

              • Good Protection from Rain
              • Good Protection from the Sun
              • Stylish

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Casual Wear
                • Hiking
                • Travel

                Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

                I use this alot when it rains or sun i where it alot treking or just in my yard its comthrable and my friends allways wont to where it i didnt like the leather strap so i took it off its a really good hat

                • Sizing:
                • Feels half size too big

                Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                (1 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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                Displaying reviews 1-10

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