Bush Hat

Brimmed hats for sun, rain and midges

A bush hat is a soft brimmed hat that packs flat, shades the whole head rather than the forehead alone, and dries quickly. The range covers wide brims, short brims, waterproof versions and packable ones, mostly in khaki, olive and camouflage. Choosing between seventy-odd variations comes down to brim width, whether the fabric needs to shed rain, and how the hat behaves in wind.

How wide should a bush hat brim be?

A wide brim shades the ears, the back of the neck and the tops of the shoulders, which is what matters on an exposed hill or a long day beside water. It also catches wind, blocks peripheral vision slightly and refuses to stay in place on a bicycle. A short brim shades the face, sits under a hood without folding, and is easier to wear in a crowd. Anyone wanting shade without the full brim will find the middle ground among sun cap styles.

What holds a hat on in wind?

• Chin cord: an adjustable cord with a toggle, the single feature that decides whether a hat is still on the head at the summit.
• Internal drawcord: tightens the crown for a smaller head or over a thin beanie, and stops the sizing drifting once the fabric relaxes.
• Stiffened brim: a wired or reinforced edge holds shape in a gust, where an unsupported brim folds against the face.
• Vents: mesh panels or brass eyelets let hot air out of the crown, which is what makes a hat bearable in still summer heat.

The classic military take on the same shape, with a wider band and a heavier brim, sits in the boonie hat range.

Does a bush hat keep rain off?

It depends entirely on the fabric. A coated or laminated hat sheds rain and channels it away from the collar, which is exactly what a hood fails to do when the head turns. A cotton or ripstop hat treated with a repellent finish handles drizzle, then wets out and becomes heavy. The advantage of any brim in rain is the same: it keeps water off spectacles and off the back of the neck, where a hood alone tends to funnel it.

How is a packable hat stored?

Rolled from the brim inwards and pushed into a lid pocket, never folded along the same crease twice. Repeated folding at one point breaks the fibres and leaves a permanent kink in the brim. A hat that has lost its shape usually recovers after a soak in cool water and a slow dry over an upturned bowl. Salt and sweat stains lift with a cool hand wash rather than a machine cycle, which distorts the crown.

What suits walking rather than sitting still?

Weight and ventilation, more than brim width. A heavy hat that traps heat gets carried in a hand within an hour, which defeats the purpose. Light fabric, an open weave in the crown and a cord that keeps it on during a descent are what make a hat stay on the head all day, and the hiking hat range is built around that compromise.