Your favorite camino hat!

A selection of Camino Jewellery

RJM

Veteran Member
May 10, 2017
2,575
7,543
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino's Frances, Fisterre, Portuges. Over 180 day
I carry two caps/hats with me on the Camino. Both are lightweight and come in many styles etc. One is a traditional "baseball" type cap that I wear on cloudy days and when it rains (fits perfect with the parka hood on, the bill of the cap sticking out) and the other is a packable full brim sun hat, that I obviously wear for full sun protection on hot sunny days. Many good brands and variety of both styles.
 

FourSeasons

Veteran Member
Apr 16, 2012
1,289
6,470
Pacific Northwest USA
Time of past OR future Camino
2013, 2016, 2019, 2024
I agree with RJM about the baseball style cap. It protects from the sun and with the hood from your rain jacket it's a great way to keep the raindrops from rolling down your face. Also, while on del Norte I picked up a wide rimmed beach hat. It served me well once I moved onto the Frances in the heat of the summer ☺️😎 the cap on the Frances, the beach hat Castro Urdialas, del Norte. Happy shopping.

4754C9F7-4CB5-423D-8FFB-F98EF306CD25.jpegB00260A5-0878-4E15-9CF6-BDF26F0F2556.jpeg
 
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New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!

mspath

Veteran Member
Nov 25, 2009
11,253
48,917
France
allmycaminos.blogspot.fr
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances, autumn/winter; 2004, 2005-2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Remember "winter is coming" .

Walking in late autumn/winter I usually wore
a warm knitted "beanie" hat which covered my ears.. .
Such a hat plus runner's winter tights, a long sleeve runner's shirt and loose socks was also great to wear to bunk/bed in any unheated albergue when it was really cold. ...

The coldest I ever slept on the camino was February 2006 in the then unheated Hornillos del Camino municipal albergue. Breath hung white in the frigid interior air and ice formed in the toilet bowl. Nevertheless dressed as above I was snug in my sleeping bag and liner.
 
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OZAJ

Active Member
Nov 5, 2020
283
809
Australia
Time of past OR future Camino
Mozarabe/VdlP/Sanabres (2008) Norte (2009) Vezelay/Frances/Salvador/Primitivo (2010) etc.
Basque boina. I bought mine in Bilbao. Traditional headwear across Northern Spain, but not seen so much now as in the past.

I am told the traditional colours are blue and red, but mostly (apart from sports teams) you see black.

Many people avoid them in the belief that a thick woolen hat is too warm. A thick woolen hat protects from both sun and rain.
 
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I wear a beanie if cold, and have an American type cap with cloth down the back of my neck for very sunny /rainy weather. My favourite is my Shemagh which is cooling and shady in very hot sun, as stated previously it has so many uses as to make it one of the first things carried and often worn over the other hats. It is especially useful on days when there is a breeze picking up dust as happened to me on the meseta. Oh I wear a buff which can be pulled up to cover ears and my skin blond head.
I change hats often during the day as per weather and sweatiness dictats.

Mm I reckon I could save a bit of weight here by leaving at least one of those 4 options at home, maybe.
 
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!

Robo

Veteran Member
Oct 12, 2013
6,425
24,638
Sydney / Bangkok
robscamino.com
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
Baseball style hats are fine, but they don't protect my ears and neck from sunburn.
I wear a hat like this.
My rain jacket has a hood, with a peak, but I can wear the hat under the hood if required for extra warmth.



Moderator edited to remove video link that is "not available.
 
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Kitsambler

Jakobsweg Junkie
Aug 7, 2008
2,345
3,942
Seattle WA
kitsambler.wordpress.com
Time of past OR future Camino
SJPP 2023
If you wear a full-brim hat with a hooded poncho, the rain falls on the front brim, follows the brim around to the back (inside your hood), and then trickles down the back of your neck (inside the poncho). Not good! Which is why the baseball-style (front brim only) hats work well for ponchos.

But baseball hats don't protect the neck and ears from sun, so I use the collapsible straw hat from Outdoor Research. I usually walk in September, when it is dry and quite hot.

My Tilley hats, the LT6 Airflow and similar, were fine for damp and/or cooler weather here at home, but are way too warm for hot days.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Jul 23, 2016
12
81
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances (2017)
You can see that Tilley is a name shared in several posts. The quality is exceptional. They produce some for hot weather; in fact, canadian troops had them during the first Gulf war. You get what you pay for, and in this case, they are worth every penny (full disclosure: I am Canadian...but not biased at all!)
 
Jan 19, 2012
94
199
77
California, USA
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances, Portugues, Norte
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
3BDDEF7C-76AE-46F6-8A05-61F65D5DA6C7.jpegThese are rather clever. lol
 

David Tallan

Moderator
Staff member
Dec 8, 2013
5,659
18,154
Toronto, Canada
Time of past OR future Camino
1989, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024...
My favourite Camino hat (pictured in the drawing of me that I put on my sello and use in my avatar), is also a Tilley hat. Specifically, it is the LTM8 Airflo hat. I like it for the general Tilley reasons of durability (guaranteed for life, with the warranty also applying in case of theft), the hidden pocket, the tuck-away wind cord, etc. I like this specific model because it is good in the sun and heat: the broad brim shading my eyes and the mesh crown adding breathability. As a Canadian, I'm also shopping local. :) That said, Tilley's has changed ownership recently and it remains to be seen how that will affect the quality of their products.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

antepacem

Member
May 14, 2013
77
264
Montreal, QC
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances/Portugues/Norte/Primitivo/Salvador
You can't beat a Tilley! My favourite thing about a Tilley is that 99% of the time the folks wearing one are Canadian, so it's a good way to spot us on the trail. Love my LTM6 Airflo (pictured in my avatar) and worth every penny. Guaranteed for life and guaranteed against loss for 2 years if you register it.
 

Sharonih

Active Member
Nov 17, 2016
203
324
Vancouver Island, Canada
Time of past OR future Camino
CF (SJPdP to Santiago) March 15, 2018
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
I bought a Tilley Hat, you can choose the style you like but the quality and guarantee is amazing. We hit all weather types: snow, rain, sun and extremely hard headwinds and it was perfect
 

jefraser

New Member
Mar 18, 2016
4
13
Time of past OR future Camino
2016
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
My favorite hat is also a Tilley. It stood me well for 3 Camino trips. A little warm on hot days, but not a deal breaker. I inherited mine from my father. For those worried about current quality, you could check eBay for preworn ones.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-

Swift3

Member
Jul 21, 2015
82
94
Memphis, TN
Time of past OR future Camino
CP, Porto to SdC, May/June 2016
I like an Outdoor Research hat that is a cross between its Seattle Sombrero and its Sunbriolet called the
Sunshower Sombrero. It's a wide-brimmed sun hat with mesh sides for lots of airflow and under the brim is a small pouch with an elastic closure that carriers a gore-tex type rain cover. It also has a removable chin strap for those windy days. And it has an inner velcro adjustment band for perfect hat sizing. It's 360 3" brim gives great sun protection on sunny days and I think it's better, when it rains and you use the cover, than to be stuck in a steamy rain jacket hood with limited visibility and no breeze around your neck.

But I also carry a baseball cap in case the rain is blowing sideways and
I need the protection for my neck that a rain garment hood provides. See here (look at the green one to
best see how the cover fits over the hat:
 
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Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Aug 1, 2020
229
537
71
Hatton, Warwick, England.
Time of past OR future Camino
2019
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
Tilley T4MO-1 Hikers Hat
 

lt56ny

Veteran Member
Jul 28, 2012
4,724
12,692
Bucerias, Mexico
Time of past OR future Camino
2024 Aragones, Madrid, Portugues Coastal
I agree with RJM about the baseball style cap. It protects from the sun and with the hood from your rain jacket it's a great way to keep the raindrops from rolling down your face. Also, while on del Norte I picked up a wide rimmed beach hat. It served me well once I moved onto the Frances in the heat of the summer ☺️😎 the cap on the Frances, the beach hat Castro Urdialas, del Norte. Happy shopping.

View attachment 104251View attachment 104252
I agree entirely. Your hood on your poncho will take care of the rain.
In winter I take two hats. One is a beanie for warmth.
My everyday hat is this one:


It is light and washable. The face and neck covering works great against the sun and it is easily removable.
It works great for me. Love it.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-

Storyteller Matt

Storyteller Matt
Feb 20, 2018
52
467
60
Melbourne, Florida
storytellermatt.com
Time of past OR future Camino
2021
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
Quite by accident, I ended up wearing my Green Monster hat on my first Camino three years ago. I had gone to a baseball game at Fenway Park (not a Red Sox fan, but I love baseball), and I bought a hat celebrating the famous "Green Monster" wall in left field. While I was on the Camino, the Red Sox advanced to the World Series, and they won it all a few days after I arrived in CDS.

This week, I am buying a new Camino hat, a rimless beanie style. I discovered while walking over the causeways here in Florida (great training for the legs) that winds like to grab my hat and flip it off my head. So I wanted something without a brim that the wind couldn't grab.

I am also a bit of a patch junky--I started sewing patches on my pack a couple of years ago--so I am putting a couple of patches on the hat, or maybe just one and adding after I walk.
 
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Jan 19, 2016
8,495
26,827
Suburb of Boston, Mass., USA
Time of past OR future Camino
Us:Camino Frances, 2015 Me:Catalan/Aragonese, 2019
In 2015 on the CF in or near Galicia I dropped some cans into a small recycle bin at a bar and was almost immediately given a hat by some recycling volunteers that were there. At first I declined so they would have it available for another but I reconsidered, gave them a donation for the hat and I wore it for the rest of the Way.

img_20181005_182714-jpg.47119
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!

RJM

Veteran Member
May 10, 2017
2,575
7,543
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino's Frances, Fisterre, Portuges. Over 180 day
If you are walking between the months of late October through early May, it would be a good idea to throw an inexpensive winter beanie style hat in the pack. You may or may not need it, but when you do it helps a lot (I sure could have used one when on the Frances I found myself in an early winter snow storm in Galicia). Besides, it does not weigh much anyway and if you find it has no use leave it on a donativo table at some point.
 
May 3, 2012
1,232
5,374
Fredericksburg VA USA
Time of past OR future Camino
First one in 1977 by train. Many since then by foot. Next one ASAP.
My favorite Camino hat was a quite ordinary ballcap decorated with all my collected Camino hatpins....

I accidently left it behind on a bench outside of Artieda on the CA in 2018. Still miss it.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc

JabbaPapa

"True Pilgrim"
Jul 15, 2005
6,117
13,242
Time of past OR future Camino
100 characters or fewer : see signature details
My favourite hat is long gone, sadly, it was a light yellow ochre wide brim cotton job.

But my Stetson cloth hiking hat, size 61, is a decent replacement.
 
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trecile

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 19, 2016
20,030
3
62,625
Southern Oregon
Time of past OR future Camino
Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese
On my Camino in 2017 I walked for a day with a guy who had arrived in Spain, but his backpack had not. He decided to just get a small inexpensive backpack, a new toothbrush, some basic toiletries, and a change of clothes and start out on the Camino. He had learned to walk with very little. We stopped for lunch in Arzúa, and somehow ended up off the Camino about an hour later. A local saw us and directed us back to the Camino. It was at this point that my walking companion realized that he had left his hat in the restaurant where we had eaten lunch. Since he had been walking for some time without most of his possessions I was so surprised at his reaction - he had to go back to the restaurant to retrieve the hat! Another hat wouldn't do at all! Apparently, another pilgrim had given him the hat when he started out on the Camino, and it was something of a talisman for him. We ended up parting ways then, but I did see him at the Pilgrim's Office - wearing his beloved hat. 😊
 

Dawsie

Mature member
Sep 23, 2018
29
91
Time of past OR future Camino
Via De Plata (2019); Camino Del Norte (2019)
I can empathise with the companion of "trecile" above. My favourite walking hat is as shown in the photo to the left. This is a really cheap hat made of paper bought for little more than £1 from Primark. I started wearing it while walking the Ridgeway in the UK, then it became my lucky hat while walking the South West Coast Path around Cornwall etc from my new home in Poole, Dorset. Since then I have added bits of Camino de Norte and Camino del la Plata.
Now I wouldn't be separated from my Lucky Hat, it can obviously get a bit soft and soggy in the rain and wet weather but it has been with me for so long and so far . . .
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.

Rex

One Step at a Time
Sep 13, 2013
311
965
Edmonds, WA/Kailua-Kona,HI USA
Time of past OR future Camino
VF Lucca to Roma 2024
I agree entirely. Your hood on your poncho will take care of the rain.
In winter I take two hats. One is a beanie for warmth.
My everyday hat is this one:


It is light and washable. The face and neck covering works great against the sun and it is easily removable.
It works great for me. Love it.
Agreed. Have worn out one of those and am working on wearing out my second one. Outdoor Research is just a few miles from my home so I find some pretty good Camino gear at their outlet store in south Seattle. REI headquarters store in Seattle also has a great selection of sun hats of all types, but I prefer the OR offerings.
 
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The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.

camino.ninja

RIP 2022
Nov 6, 2018
347
651
camino.ninja
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances 5 6,16,17,18,19,20
Primiti+Salvador 19
Portug. 17,18,20
Catalan 17
Norte 17
Plata 18
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks

I usually have two hats with me. A baseball style cap and a wool beanie.

And then I usually have a merino t-shirt with a hoodie.

The hoodie protects the neck and the sides of your face.

The brim on the baseball style cap reduces the amount of direct sunlight your eyes are exposed to.

The wool beanie under the hoodie gives temperature regulation all year round.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc

c0484

Active Member
Nov 22, 2013
131
225
Time of past OR future Camino
2013
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
I recommend some sort of hat with a wide brim, good ventilation, and a drop down cloth sheet to protect you neck. I have been caught in storms when the rain and sleet have been hitting my face due to very high winds and the neck protector wrapped around my face enough to stop the sting and the water that would have run down my neck into my clothes. You have to be prepared for every contingency. Some days can be very hot and some very wet. On my first Camino it only rained 3 days and the weather was hot. On my last Camino it rained every day for the first 2 weeks and it was cold.
 

witsendwv

Active Member
Apr 7, 2015
458
1,065
Time of past OR future Camino
(2015)
I despise wearing hats. My husband has a hat collection that started with an Akubra and has grown over the years. (Even a special one just for our wedding!) I finally gave in to purchasing a hat after a very hot sunny Primitivo. I bought a Tilley Mash-Up. It is growing on me, but I still can’t say I like it- only that I don‘t despise it anymore. :)👒
 

Renascer

Active Member
May 30, 2021
414
428
Usa
Time of past OR future Camino
2021
Baseball style hats are fine, but they don't protect my ears and neck from sunburn.
I wear a hat like this.
My rain jacket has a hood, with a peak, but I can wear it under hood if required to extra warmth.



Love your videos! They are so awesome!
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.

Renascer

Active Member
May 30, 2021
414
428
Usa
Time of past OR future Camino
2021
My beloved Tilley hat! Rain, wind, heat, snow, hail, it has held up through all my Caminos. A special Canadian friend!
I saw at REI store the other day a bunch of different Tilley hats i may need to try some. I want to try to avoid carrying two hats. If i find one that is good for the September Portugues camino and perform for all rain, sun and cold. Seems like one couldn't do it all. And my pack just keep getting heavier and heavier with additions. 🙂
 

Canada Wanders

Lost, but making great time...
Aug 13, 2015
185
729
Alberta Canada
Time of past OR future Camino
CF 2015
CP 2018
On my first Camino, I wore a Nike running hat, and used my buff to provide neck sun protection if needed (new age foreign legion!)
On my second, I wore my faithful army bush cap, nice wide brim and easy to cool off by soaking and squelching down on the hot melon. My Tilley hat was AWOL for both for some reason.
 
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Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!

JamesVT

Active Member
Dec 27, 2017
165
487
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances 2019
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
I wore a baseball type cap that my son gave me tha bore the name of his film company, Wild Confluence. The hat didn‘t take up much room, could be wetted for cooling when needed, and worked well with a poncho to shed rain. The hat’s best use was as a sort of sleeping mask to keep out the light when I was going to sleep in albergues before the sun had set.
 
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New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!

Geodoc

Active Member
Feb 3, 2019
224
643
Enumclaw, WA
Time of past OR future Camino
CF 2018 (across Pyrenees, then Sarria to SdC), CF 2019 (SJPdP to Finisterra & Muxia), CI 2019
Not a Canadian, but I wear a Tilley when it's not raining - did great during 40C (104F) days on the meseta, when it was the only shade available and the only breeze was the one I generated by walking. It's the American Express of hats - don't leave home without one (and be sure it's the original Tilley - not a knock-off).

For rainy days with a raincoat, I had a cycling ball cap - on that had a stiff plastic brim but mostly mesh top (that way it vented).

I also had a lightweight wool watch-cap (WoolX I believe) that proved quite useful in cold walking and cold albergues.
 

Owensr23

Active Member
Apr 23, 2016
110
554
Florida, USA
Time of past OR future Camino
2016 CF
2018 CP
4/29/2022 Primitivo
See my profile photo with a wide brim Tilley hat on the Portuguese coast. Great for sun and rain. After two Caminos, my wife finally broke down and bought one after trying a dozen others along the Way.

I have washed it in the machine several times and it never loses shape. I have had it for about 8 years and it has made several Appalachian hikes as well.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc

TrvlDad1

Active Member
Apr 8, 2020
371
1,195
Atlanta, GA
Time of past OR future Camino
2017 Frances from Saria
2018 Finnisterre
I wore a baseball type cap that my son gave me tha bore the name of his film company, Wild Confluence. The hat didn‘t take up much room, could be wetted for cooling when needed, and worked well with a poncho to shed rain. The hat’s best use was as a sort of sleeping mask to keep out the light when I was going to sleep in albergues before the sun had set.
I played baseball in the summer in the South and then wore baseball hats for years. Then my Dermatologist started putting her kids through college on my excisions, and I started worrying about how to wear pin-on ears and nose. So now it's strictly wide brim with neck flap. Goofy and generational perhaps, but safer.
 

Chenahusky

Happy Pilgrim
Sep 21, 2015
291
2,931
London, United Kingdom
Time of past OR future Camino
CFSJPP to SDC 2016
CIng x 2 2018
CPort. Tui May 2019
CF Ponf. June 2019
My much loved and used Tilley hat. It is just coming up to it's 20th birthday. Used on Caminos, long distance paths in the UK, the Alps, North African deserts, African jungles and safaris, South America, South Africa, Middle East, California and West Coast , Indian Ocean, India, Himalayas, etc,etc. Rain, hail, snow, sunshine, wind, it just keeps trundling along. It has outlasted a variety of other hats, not smart, but I think it will see me out.
IMG_20210710_151546746.jpg
 

Jacobus

Pilgrim since 2008
May 18, 2009
335
1,382
Ottawa Canada
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Francés(2008,09 14)
Del Norte (2011)
Portuguese(2015,2017)
Inglés 2015
Fisterre (2015 17)
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
The Tilley airflow for sun protection and durability. It is guaranteed against all hazards and I mean ALL hazards including theft and loss.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.

Owensr23

Active Member
Apr 23, 2016
110
554
Florida, USA
Time of past OR future Camino
2016 CF
2018 CP
4/29/2022 Primitivo
I played baseball in the summer in the South and then wore baseball hats for years. Then my Dermatologist started putting her kids through college on my excisions, and I started worrying about how to wear pin-on ears and nose. So now it's strictly wide brim with neck flap. Goofy and generational perhaps, but safer.
I switched to a wide bill hat after paying for my Doctor's new car...:)
 

MichelleElynHogan

Veteran Member
Jul 25, 2012
1,542
2,900
My go to hat is from army surplus, a wide brim, cotton olive hat with lanyard and ability to snap lock the sides up when I want to wear under my poncho.

On really hot days, I can soak it completely, wring it out and wear it to keep my head nice and cool. It can last several hours.

But be careful shopping for this hat as there are many copies made of polyester blends with cotton. They do not work as well.
 
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Karl Oz

Active Member
May 12, 2017
482
867
Melbourne
Time of past OR future Camino
Via Francigena (2023)
Baseball style hats are fine, but they don't protect my ears and neck from sunburn.
I wear a hat like this.
My rain jacket has a hood, with a peak, but I can wear it under hood if required to extra warmth.



Endorse that. The baseball caps do not protect the face from the sun sufficiently. I will be additionally taking an broad-brimmed hat on future caminos.

Nice photo, by the way!
 

trecile

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 19, 2016
20,030
3
62,625
Southern Oregon
Time of past OR future Camino
Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese
My friend had a Tilley hat with an insert that you soak in water, and cools you off as it evaporates.
 

Bob from L.A. !

Veteran Member
Feb 28, 2017
1,520
3,848
Los Angeles, California
Time of past OR future Camino
CF 2012, 2014, 2016. CN 2018, 23 Via francigena 23
I prefer walking in the hotter months so I routinely walk with a wide brimmed hat to alleviate sun, both on my face and back of my neck. Not long ago I found this great hat online and couldn't resist buying it.
It is a straw hat with a fan on the front blowing air into the interior of the hat and is powered by a small solar panel built in to the top of the hat. It truly does the job....
 

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New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!

OZAJ

Active Member
Nov 5, 2020
283
809
Australia
Time of past OR future Camino
Mozarabe/VdlP/Sanabres (2008) Norte (2009) Vezelay/Frances/Salvador/Primitivo (2010) etc.
See my profile photo with a wide brim Tilley hat on the Portuguese coast. Great for sun and rain. After two Caminos, my wife finally broke down and bought one after trying a dozen others along the Way.

I have washed it in the machine several times and it never loses shape. I have had it for about 8 years and it has made several Appalachian hikes as well.
I washed mine in the machine maybe three times - no problem. The last time it emerged in rags. I didn't seek a replacement.
 
D

Deleted member 61803

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I prefer walking in the hotter months so I routinely walk with a wide brimmed hat to alleviate sun, both on my face and back of my neck. Not long ago I found this great hat online and couldn't resist buying it.
It is a straw hat with a fan on the front blowing air into the interior of the hat and is powered by a small solar panel built in to the top of the hat. It truly does the job....
Oh man! Bob! I have total hat envy now, even if totally useless I want one of these.
 
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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
D

Deleted member 61803

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View attachment 104544
Much prefer an umbrella for airflow and shade but have recently bought this Sunday Afternoons ultra adventure hat - waiting for summer to try it out!
Yep, they do the job, but just make sure both the hat and neck cloth are made of uv/sun resistant materials.

I am skin blond so need maximum sun protection even in winter.
 
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donalomahony

Veteran Member
Jun 19, 2013
791
1,403
Ireland
Time of past OR future Camino
"Camino from 2013 to 2019" paused for now...
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
A Tilley, with a v light baseball one stowed away in case of loss...
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-

David Tallan

Moderator
Staff member
Dec 8, 2013
5,659
18,154
Toronto, Canada
Time of past OR future Camino
1989, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024...
My friend had a Tilley hat with an insert that you soak in water, and cools you off as it evaporates.
My wife has the same insert for her Tilley hat. She keeps it in the freezer. Then before she uses it she rinses it just enough to make it a bit pliable. I'm thinking of getting one for my hat.
 
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David Tallan

Moderator
Staff member
Dec 8, 2013
5,659
18,154
Toronto, Canada
Time of past OR future Camino
1989, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024...
I washed mine in the machine maybe three times - no problem. The last time it emerged in rags. I didn't seek a replacement.
I've washed mine many times without issue. It's a shame you didn't take them up on their guarantee. They are very serious about it. I've used it with Tilley before with no problems.

The durability of their hats is a big thing for them. I remember their ads with the hat that was swallowed by an elephant. When it eventually emerged they just put it through the washing machine and it was fine. :)
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.

Sirage

Active Member
Apr 15, 2015
218
640
Castlemaine
Time of past OR future Camino
Le Puy to Santiago 2005 and a few more since
I posted earlier in this thread about losing an expensive hat. This is no longer a concern as Costco (Australia) provides much cheaper hats like the one above (which I have) and more recently they had a Tilley look-alike at about ¼ of the genuine which I prefer. The original large Costco one is great in the intense sun on calm days but is not good in the wind. Losing these, although that may not occur, would be a less stressful experience.

Sunglasses are another item but with a double risk - loss, or inevitably getting scratched or damaged. Costco to the rescue again - $AU 5 for decent ones so I bought 2 pairs.

My picture is now nearly fraudulent - hat, sunglasses and age have all changed.
 
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!

Susan Maria

Member
Jul 16, 2017
81
116
Time of past OR future Camino
Le Puy to SJPDP over 2016-2019
Frances 2022
Tilley Airflo has many votes here, thanks everyone, I also am looking for a hat for hot weather.

My problem is that as soon as I put on a hat - any hat - my head overheats, which contributes to my tendency for dehydration and near-sunstroke. I've been quite sick a few times after a hot day's walking, no matter how much water I drink. (I avoid alcohol completely when walking.) So is there a hat that will protect me from sun, like they are supposed to, without heating the head?
 
D

Deleted member 61803

Guest
Yes, try a large scarf.
Thanks to HRM I use a Shemagh, also known as a Kefiyah (spelling???)
Totally adjustable for all heat related purposes, however mine is not waterproof per se, but it is OK under wired poncho hood. It also has many, many other uses. If you're unsure what I'm talking about just Google it.
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!

David Tallan

Moderator
Staff member
Dec 8, 2013
5,659
18,154
Toronto, Canada
Time of past OR future Camino
1989, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024...
Tilley Airflo has many votes here, thanks everyone, I also am looking for a hat for hot weather.

My problem is that as soon as I put on a hat - any hat - my head overheats, which contributes to my tendency for dehydration and near-sunstroke. I've been quite sick a few times after a hot day's walking, no matter how much water I drink. (I avoid alcohol completely when walking.) So is there a hat that will protect me from sun, like they are supposed to, without heating the head?
You might want to consider a hat that you can soak. As the water evaporates, it will cool the hat (and your head). Much the same way that drinking water and sweating cools the body, but without the intermediate steps of passing the water through you. Carry enough extra water, beyond your drinking needs, to keep your hat damp.
 

trecile

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 19, 2016
20,030
3
62,625
Southern Oregon
Time of past OR future Camino
Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese
Tilley Airflo has many votes here, thanks everyone, I also am looking for a hat for hot weather.

My problem is that as soon as I put on a hat - any hat - my head overheats, which contributes to my tendency for dehydration and near-sunstroke. I've been quite sick a few times after a hot day's walking, no matter how much water I drink. (I avoid alcohol completely when walking.) So is there a hat that will protect me from sun, like they are supposed to, without heating the head?
I use a handsfree umbrella. It provides a lot more sun protection than a hat.
 
F

Former member 49149

Guest
My favourite hat was my first hat. It travelled with me from Roncesvalles to Santiago. It began with me in Oporto, but left me shortly after I crossed the bridge. I got a couple of cheapo replacements, but none of them fitted the bill...
I have now got a new favourite hat. I had no clear intention of getting it, but yesterday my feet directed me into an outdoor shop and I came out wearing my new favourite hat. As I was walking through the city, avoiding the sunny side of the street, I thought: here I am, wearing my zipoffs from the camino, my walking sandals, a camino top, my camino daysack, and now a camino hat. Perhaps those with yearnings might copy... till times are different! 😁
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
Aug 2, 2017
445
874
90
Tacoma, WA
Time of past OR future Camino
2018
You might want to consider a hat that you can soak. As the water evaporates, it will cool the hat (and your head). Much the same way that drinking water and sweating cools the body, but without the intermediate steps of passing the water through you. Carry enough extra water, beyond your drinking needs, to keep your hat damp.
I had a canvas bucket hat that worked well. One very hot day I filled it with water and popped it on my head. Cooled more than my head and all dried rapidly. 😉
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.

JMarshall

New Member
Jul 31, 2012
26
26
Tilley --

My 20+ yr old LTM8, which was Made in Canada and is still made there, has four caminos, and thousands of other miles and lots of wear in the yard. Water Repellent. Countless washings. Still looks almost new. Guaranteed for life.

My son, 2 caminos, and thousands of miles, has a 12 year old LTM6 which was made in Canada and is just as good. But the LTM6 is now made in China.

Looking at the Chinese made LTM6 there are features missing from the Canadian manufactured LTM6 and the stitching isn't as well done.
 
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mcpilgrim

Member
Mar 31, 2014
30
41
Time of past OR future Camino
I've walked as far as Leon and
plan to pick up there in April
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
Tilly hat is the best for sun and rain.
 
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mcpilgrim

Member
Mar 31, 2014
30
41
Time of past OR future Camino
I've walked as far as Leon and
plan to pick up there in April
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
Tilly hat is best for sun and rain. Very comfortable, cool and waterproof.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-

Tone-Lise

New Member
Apr 21, 2020
13
5
Mandan, ND, USA
Time of past OR future Camino
Via Gebennensis and part of Via Podiensis (2022)
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Mobilemejen

Member
Jan 29, 2017
93
158
I am about to buy another hiking hat but this is for the camino. So i would like it lightweight and good for rain too, under my poncho. So i would like to ask the experienced ones what is your favorite hat for the camino and why? Thanks
mine is a cap with a baseball cap size bill and insulated ear flaps. The bill comes in handy when I wear my rain jacket as I put the hood on top of the cap to keep the rain off my hat/back and the bill keeps the rain off my face. Also, great for keeping the ears warm when needed. When not cold, my favorite "hat" is my umbrella with UV protection. Wearing a hat makes me too hot.

EuroSCHIRM Swing Handsfree Umbrella (Silver)​

Brand: EuroSCHIRM
sun umbrella
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.

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