Outdoor Research  Seattle Rain Hat

I grew up with an OR Seattle Sombrero stuck to my head and wore it on every adventure where the rain showed face. Sadly this new hat, while waterproof, breathable, and lighter weight than the original, is useless as soon as the wind blows. The brim of the hat bends back and plasters against your skull at the slightest gust, which means you're basically wearing a waterproof skull cap. My raincoat hood is better use at that point. Can I still buy the old style that could handle wind?

I had an old Seattle Sombrero rain hat for years. Durable, completely waterproof, excellent fit, and the liner provides warmth in cooler weather. Perfect for the rain and/or hiking in cooler conditions. I unfortunately lost the hat by accidentally leaving it at a bus stop on a recent backpacking trip, so I purchased the updated version to replace it. The updated version of this hat has a stiffer brim than the old one, which I guess can be considered an improvement. However, the new version of this hat doesn't not have an internal velcro adjuster strap like the old one. This is a BIG DETAIL, because I cannot dial in the fit like I want it. Because of that, I plan on returning this hat to REI. I found the older (better) version of this hat on eBay, so I purchased it and will be returning the newer version to REI.

I'm an adventure motorcyclist. I purchased the OR Seattle Sombrero 5 years ago because it had a wide brim, was Gore-Tex waterproof, and was waddable. I wanted a singular hat that was functional in snow, rain and 120 degree F desert heat. 95% of the time this hat is wadded up and crammed in a corner of a saddlebag. It's been to all 50 US states and 15 countries between Deadhorse, Alaska and Ushuaia, Argentina. It's been washed and rewaterproofed a half-dozen times using NikWax products. This hat does everything it's supposed to do in most weather conditions except with aggressive winds. The brim flops up and down and catches the Velcro in the up position which defeats the broad brim's protection. I added a clip on the end of the hat's lanyard to keep the hat from blowing away. The OR Seattle Sombrero is not a fashion statement. I'm often ridiculed while wearing it but that always changes once it starts raining. It is defiantly a "form follows function" protective gear that works for me.

This is the perfect hat for spending a significant amount of time in the rain. I love that it is waterproof and will keep your head dry. I have used this hat extensively in Alaska and fishing the northern Minnesota and it has never let me down. It is very packable and will roll-up and fit in a pocket while not is use. It is also lightweight so you feel like your not even wearing it. It might be a little warm for the middle of the summer but it does great the rest of the year. As a disclaimer, I am affiliated with Gore for product testing of Gore-tex products for the purpose of product review and recommendation. I do receive items from Gore for these purposes.

My job requires I supervise the loading of a cargo plane. Last year I was kept dry by the hood on my Helly Hansen rain coat. The problem I have with a hood is it blocks my peripheral vision. The chin strap on this hat keeps it on my head when the wind is blowing and the wide brim keeps the rain from running down the collar of my rain jacket. I got this hat at REI in October the day before the constant rains began. I have used it every day at work since and wish I had bought this hat last year. I'll buy another Seattle Sombrero when it wears out and have already given one as a gift. It is the perfect rain hat.

On my way to go Sea Kayaking in Southeast Alaska I bought the Seattle Sombrero knowing I needed the best protection I could find. I was not disappointed. This hat kept me dry when in the rain for 16 hours straight for several days in a row. Over an 11 day period it rained 7 days and not one drop of water leaked through.

The Seattle Sombrero is the perfect rain hat for those of us in cooler, rainy, climates. I wore mine for a week straight in Kodiak, Alaska, and it performed beautifully, keeping me dry and warm. The chin strap was comfortable, the hat itself fit well, stayed dry, and never lost its shape. I've washed it once and it came out of the washer looking like new. For those concerned that the liner is too warm, there's a reason this hat is named the "Seattle" sombrero. It's meant for cooler, rainy climates. The soft fuzzy liner was a welcome addition in the 40 degree rainy weather I encountered. Love this hat!

I bought this hat about 5 years ago. It has been a pretty good over that time, very transportable, but has now worn out and is too floppy to be of much good. In the day it kept my head dry during tropical down pours in Costa Rica and well protected from sun across Australia. But 5 years seems a bit short for me for it to already be worn out at this price. It is still generally waterproof, but the brim is no longer sufficiently rigid to keep the rain off. So while it was a nice product I am disappointed at this price that it already needs to be replaced. Still I am contemplating replacing the hat if I can't find a better product. So I guess is at $30 maybe $40 I think I could "like it". At $60 it seems more like an under proforming yuppy product.

I bought this because I wanted to go on more adventures. Immediately after leaving the store, I was approached by Dr. Klein, one of the world's knowledgeable Egyptologist to recover the lost treasure of the great Pharoh Romulon. Throughout the entire trip, this hat kept the heat off my neck and face, beaded sweat away from my eyes, and kept me dry in the rain. While riding the legendary Albatros, I flipped my hat flaps up and was able to stay streamlined in the high winds above the pyramids. The easy adjustable velcro strap in the back was extremely helpful when I rescued Queen Romulon and needed to give her a hat to wear.

I am entirely satisfied with this hat. It is completely waterproof and very comfortable. One of its best features is that the size is very adjustable, allowing you to always get it fitted just right. Most hats are restrictive in this respect. I also like the fact that I can tilt the sides up and secure with Velcro. The fabric weight is heavier than on most hats of this type, so it holds its shape better and has a better appearance. The only negatives are that since the brim is a bit flexible, strong winds can lift it up. Also, the inner liner is made of a light polyester fleece fabric that may make it too warm in hotter summer weather. The fabric breathes, but still traps some heat near your hair and scalp. In cooler weather, this will not be a problem.