My Garden Adventure Hat ... It's The Best UV Ray Protection Sun Hat!
Written: May 18 '08 (Updated May 18 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: high UV protection, broad brim, neck flap, adjustable chin strap, mesh side vents, lightweight, washable
Cons: view restricted by the broad brim
The Bottom Line: This highly rated UV protection sun hat is one of my smart buys.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Hammacher Schlemmer - The Best UV Ray Protection S... |
I had a scare with some skin damage on my nose, which required surgery. The doctor wasn't sure what caused it, but I wasn't taking any chances with the sun. I love working in the garden, so I did some research and bought The Best UV Ray Protection Sun Hat.
Description
This sun hat looks like it belongs in the Outback, which is appropriate since Australia has the highest skin cancer rate in the world. The standard highest UV protection rating in Australia is 50 … and this hat is rated at 50.
The hat has a 4" brim, and a 7 1/2" neck flap. It is constructed from 100% nylon that has a tight weave. Each side of the hat has mesh venting, and a decorative piece of trim (in a green white and tan diamond pattern) that rests just above the front brim. It is available in two colors: cream and sand. When I ordered the hat, only the cream color was available in my size. The cream color is more of a light ecru shade. There are two sizes: Medium (21 to 22 3/4) and Large (22 3/4 to 24).
At the back of the hat is a sizing band with a black plastic cinch. The back of the hat also features a piece of black Velcro so that the back flap can be folded up and out of the way.
On the inside front of the brim is a white sewn-in Coolmax sweatband. An adjustable chin strap keeps the hat securely in place on the head (the strap is a soft black cord with a locking slide clasp). The underside of the brim and black flap is lined with a darker fabric.
The manufacturer says this hat can be washed with cold water and soap (it does not say if it is washing machine safe). Air dry the hat after washing. This hat is made in the United States of America. The hat is manufactured by Sunday Afternoons.
This hat won the 2007 Organic Gardening Magazine's Editor's Choice Award.
My Experiences
This is the most expensive hat I have ever purchased … and it is worth every cent! This hat is extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear. It's also very well made. I'm very pleased with it.
One of my favorite features is the chin strap. The adjustable sliding clasp locks the chin strap in place, and this hat will not blow off my head. My previous garden hats would take flight at the lightest breeze. Or I would bend over to plant or weed, and the hat would fall off my head. Very annoying. This hat is a dream come true. It stays on my head.
The super-wide brim shades my face and ears. One reason I selected this hat was that it has one of the widest brims I have seen on a hat. The neck flap is also something I have wanted for awhile. Now I don't have to worry about sunburn or insects biting my neck. The flap is so lightweight that I don't even feel it at my back.
Some of the hats I considered before buying this one did not offer mesh vents along left and right side of the hat. I wanted airflow within the hat to help reduce sweat and overheating. Just in case my brow does sweat, the built-in sweatband prevents the moisture from stinging my eyes.
If I had to pick one thing that sometimes bothers me … it is the slant on the brim of the hat. It's a minor issue, but the brim is tilted in such a way that I have a hard time viewing anything above eye level. The brim is designed this way to offer maximum facial protection, and I appreciate that. However, sometimes I need to see in a wider line of vision than the hat allows. My solution is to tilt my head upward in order to see beyond the brim. I enjoy the hat so much that I don't want to take it off!
Purchasing
I bought this hat from Hammacher Schlemmer. It cost $39.95. Shipping was an additional $8.95, so the hat total came to $48.90. If you shop at the Sunday Afternoons website, they offer this "adventure" hat in a variety of colors and three sizes (small, medium, large) for $38.00.
Summary
The Best UV Ray Protection Sun Hat is one of the best gifts I have given myself. I feel I have taken another step toward protecting my skin. Still, I don't forget the sunscreen and try not to garden during the hottest, sunniest part of the day. This hat is another way to enjoy the outdoors with a bit less worry.
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy the day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
Black & Decker Cordless Mulching Mower
Rubbermaid Big Max Storage Shed
Deluxe Pyramid Composter
Upside-down Tomato Garden
Earthbox Planter
The Garden Claw
Suncast Easy-Reach Hose Reel Cart
Dramm Fog-It Hose Nozzle
Gilmour Advanced Variable Oscillating Sprinkler
Copyright 2008 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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