Suggestions for rain hat for travel

[Dortreo]

Hello, I’m looking for advice on a rain hat for travel. Something with style but is packable and will go with macs, Balmacaans, and the like. I’m a complete newbie at hats and have a large head. Probably size 7 1/2 or 7 3/4. Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[Edward]

Unless you specifically want a brimmed hat, the easiest option from pov of it being packable is probably a cap in waxed cotton or hogshide (scotchguarded), or the likes. Stetson among others do nice options for this.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I can suggest a modern Borsalino from the "rain proof line." Mine is handsome and keeps its form well but is easily rolled up. Not worth anywhere near what they want for them new, but I got mine for 30 Euro and it was worth that for sure. Does a good job in a light rain, but I can't vouch for a downpour...

 

[RDS]

Hello, I’m looking for advice on a rain hat for travel. Something with style but is packable and will go with macs, Balmacaans, and the like. I’m a complete newbie at hats and have a large head. Probably size 7 1/2 or 7 3/4. Thank you for your suggestions.

Although you haven’t given an idea of budget or what sort of travel or destination my suggestion and go to travel hat is a Tilley. Easily packable, water resistant/ repellant and available to suit in a wide range of styles, sizes and colours.

 

[shopkin]

You have to admire a hat with a life-time guarantee.

 

[Dortreo]

Although you haven’t given an idea of budget or what sort of travel or destination my suggestion and go to travel hat is a Tilley. Easily packable, water resistant/ repellant and available to suit in a wide range of styles, sizes and colours.

I think budget should be reasonable for the types of people who also buy leather jackets, boots, and fine menswear.

 

[Dortreo]

Although you haven’t given an idea of budget or what sort of travel or destination my suggestion and go to travel hat is a Tilley. Easily packable, water resistant/ repellant and available to suit in a wide range of styles, sizes and colours.

When someone mentions Tilley on this forum, I assume this refers to their Made in Canada hats and not to the synthetic Made in China lines? Their waxed canvas looks quite nice.

 

[rogueclimber]

I think budget should be reasonable for the types of people who also buy leather jackets, boots, and fine menswear.

Ha, reasonable on this forum can run from $10 into the thousands...

 

[RDS]

When someone mentions Tilley on this forum, I assume this refers to their Made in Canada hats and not to the synthetic Made in China lines? Their waxed canvas looks quite nice.

Yes, the Made In Canada line was the one I was referring to.
As I’ve had my hat for more years than I care to remember I had to take a look at the Tilley website to remind myself exactly which style it was. It turns out it’s a Classic T3 made from cotton duck canvas.
Until I saw the website I didn’t realise they’d expanded their range so much and it now even includes clothing.

 

[Edward]

Tilley, forgot about those.... not sure that's what the OP had in mind, though; sounded like something, for want of a better word, dressier was required? Otherwise I'm a big fan of a Daisy Mae for a kicking around in jeans Summer hat when a brim is needed to keep the sun off your neck. Have a couple of those I've travelled with (and an A3 cap in the back pocket for when the Sun goes down). Not something I'd ever wear with a decent long coat, though.

 

[Edward]

I can suggest a modern Borsalino from the "rain proof line." Mine is handsome and keeps its form well but is easily rolled up. Not worth anywhere near what they want for them new, but I got mine for 30 Euro and it was worth that for sure. Does a good job in a light rain, but I can't vouch for a downpour...

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Christys do something similar as well - the Foldaway - https://www.christys-hats.com/products/foldaway £160, not especially cheap. I believe they do a wool version at £100 as well, though not sure it would hold out against the rain so well over time. Be interesting to see these tested over the long term - as with Panamas, I'm suspicious about folding wearing them faster than a non-folded hat.

 

[Dortreo]

Thanks, everyone! I’ve been looking for a hat to wear while on business travel. I hate packing an umbrella so want something foldable and packable that will still look good with a mac or a Balmacaan. Most of my travel coats are by SEH Kelly, so something to match that style would be ideal. I prefer non-synthetic materials (waxed canvas, felt) and would prefer to patronize smaller makers who don’t outsource their work to large factories (e.g., Filson).

I’m going to give the Tilley TWC7 Outback Waxed Adventure Hat a try but am very open to suggestions. That Foldaway suggested by @Edward seems quite nice. So does the Borsalino suggested by @The Lost Cowboy but the price of a new one is a bit out of my price range. I’ve come across Stormy Kromer and Lock & Co for the Voyager Trilby. There’s a used one on eBay that might work.

 

[Who?]

What prevents your wearing the hat, why do you have to pack it away?

 

[Dortreo]

What prevents your wearing the hat, why do you have to pack it away?

It’s just one more item to keep track of when shuttling through airports (where I spend way too much of my time), as I don’t want to wear a hat indoors unlike Walt Whitman. But maybe I’d change my ways if the right hat came along…