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DARK KHAKI

REI Explorer Hat

$19.93
$34.50^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 42%

(24)

Item # 734793

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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

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REI Explorer Hat Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

REI Explorer Hat

4.3

(based on 24 reviews)

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Good protection from the sun (24)
Rugged (18)
Stylish (17)
Good protection from rain (15)
Washes easily (9)

Cons

Frays or fades (6)

Best Uses

Hiking (23)
Travel (14)
Casual wear (12)
Performance (5)
Kayak / canoe / rafting (3)

- Sizing:
- Feels full size too small
  
  Feels half size too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  86%
  (19 reviews)
  Feels half size too big
  
  Feels full size too big

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (14), Avid adventurer (8)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (6)

Reviewed by 24 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Apr

2008

(26 of 26 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Not Bad.

By William Bambeck

from Parma, Ohio, going all over N. America

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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.)

Sep

2007

(12 of 18 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Great except for the dye

By TC

from Atlanta, GA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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....

Feb

2011

(9 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Good for about 1 year

By LosAltan

from Los Altos, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Good Protection from the Sun
Rugged
Stylish

Cons

Frays or Fades

Best Uses

Hiking

Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

Within several months or so, areas of the hat became discolored. In some cases, it seemed that this occurred where raindrops may have fallen. Since the discoloration was not uniform, it is conspicuous and in my experience with 2 such hats (one khaki and one gray) has rendered them unwearable (unless you are not concerned about appearance) within a year.

Jul

2008

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This Hat is Magnificent

By BigRedRover

from Ohio

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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.

Jun

2008

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

great value

By Vegas Outdoorsman

from Las Vegas, NV

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Sep

2007

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

great hat

By dan07

from boston, ma

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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.

Apr

2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Good choice

By Helfdane

from Denver, CO

About Me Environmentalist

See all my reviews

Pros

Good Protection from Rain
Good Protection from the Sun
Rugged

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking

Comments about REI Explorer Hat:

I've used this hat for over a dozen long hikes, both on sunny days and when raining, with great success. It provides great protection and is quite comfortable. I treated mine, which is a dark brown color, with water proofing/stain protection spray sold for sneakers before wearing it. It hasn't faded a bit.

Just cover the cloth band that fits to your head with tissue or paper towel and spray it as you would a shoe. I missed a small, dime sized bit on the back that faded considerably, almost tan, but the treated portion shows no discoloration at all after wearing it all last summer.

This is definitely a great choice for a hiking hat.

Apr

2009

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

best all around hat for hiking, paddling

By bruceman

from Astoria, OR

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Jun

2008

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

I liked it enough to buy two

By Grizzly rider

from Albuquerque, NM

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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.

Sep

2007

(4 of 4 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

See all my reviews

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.