Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero

If you need to keep completely dry in calm conditions, this is a perfect hat for you. It's well-made and completely waterproof. The problem arises when it's windy. Because the brim is very lightweight and unstructured, it easily blows up in the wind, allowing rain to hit your face, back of neck, or side of head. It's only if you hold the brim in place that you can manage to stay dry.

100% waterproof. Let me say it again, 100% waterproof! This is by far the greatest, 100% waterproof hat you can get for any outdoor venture where you might expect rain, downpours, and the like. I wear glasses, and the brim on this Sombrero is wide enough to keep even your glasses dry in the heaviest of rain storms. The back of the hat extends back far enough to keep the rain from going down your back, hence, longer in the back then in the front and sides. You put this baby on and you will be dry, and stay dry thanks to the gore-tex crown, and the 100% waterproof brim!!! Bottom line, where ever you go and whatever your hobby (hiking, fishing, hunting, etc) if you want a lightweight hat that will keep you dry all day and night, then this is your hat. Buy it and you thank me big time. Oh, by the way, you are quite welcome. One more thing, and this is very important, the inside of the brim has an adjustable Velcro strap, and my size is usually a 7 1/4 so I picked up a medium and it fits perfect after I made a slight tightening of the aforementioned strap. Cheers!

Wanted this for rain and sun protection. The brim flips up in the direction of the prevailing wind. More than 5mph of wind will cause this problem. Rain usually comes with some wind, and then you will have a wet face or neck. In principle, a light, packable hat with a wide brim is a great idea. But the brim is far too flexible and you will spend a breezy day pulling it down

I had a Seattle Sombrero years ago and somehow lost it in a move. I'm so glad I could find another at zappos.com! I missed this hat all last winter during the heavy snowfalls. If you're a northerner like me, you cringe at the idea of using an umbrella in the snow (umbrellas in snow are for wimps!), but standard winter hats leave your face open to the elements, and you don't always want to wear a hood because it covers your ears and impedes your peripheral vision. The Seattle Sombrero has a wide enough brim to keep the snowflakes and sleet from messing with my contact lenses and mascara and wetting my hair in the back. And of course it can be used in rain and to keep sun off too. It's light and thin enough for warmer weather but waterproof, sturdy, and protective during colder weather, so it's just about perfect. I normally wear a 7 1/4 and my husband wears a 7 1/2, so I ordered the Large so we can share it. If you're not sure of your size, order up, because the inner drawstring enables you to tighten the fit.

I purchased this hat because I thought it would be cooler to wear in the heat mowing. I was right. It really works great. It's light, cooling, comfortable and keeps the sun off you. I haven't owned a hat with a chin strap but I'm glad it has one. The large brim catches so much breeze that the hat often lifts itself off my head. This really has a cooling effect because the breeze goes right under the hat. I keep it loose anyway. I would buy this hat again if I lost it.

Higher quality than any others! One thing I like most in this product is an inner Velcro that can adjust the hat size. Brilliant idea!

color is great. Fit is comfy but moves around a bit in the wind. Thank goodness for the chin strap. Love the soft lining which adds warmth...not for summer!

This is the second OR Seattle Sombrero I have ordered. My first one is 5 years old and still going strong. I bought this second one to replace the one my husband had.....which was 20 years old and had the lining start to dry rot. Mind you, my husband works outside and always wears this hat when it rains. (It wasn't leaking when we replaced it, either!). The fact that it is soft and crushable means you can stash it and take it anywhere. Also works as a good sun hat as the brim is wide enough to protect ears and back of neck as well as face. And unlike other rain hats, the brim is big enough in the back that the rain slides off and over the back of your coat, rather than down the back of your neck! A first rate product all the way around. Side brims also Velcro up out of the way when you don't need the ear coverage.

Full disclosure - I am part of a GORE-TEX product testing program and received this hat as a sample while working at a gear shop. That said, the hat still rocks. It might not be the most stylish hat out there, but it is waterproof, keeps water off your face and from dripping down the back of your neck. On sunny days it is not too warm to be used as a sun hat, and the entire thing packs down small and light enough to disappear in a backpack.

The second Seattle Sombrero I own. The first saw 10+ years of kayaking plus frequent use on the streets of Seattle. Keeps me dry when it rains, keeps me cool when it's hot. Like it so much I wanted a second.

It keeps you protected with sun and rain. The goretex really helps. Kept my head cool but warm. Perfect for paddling, hiking, and walking in questionable weather (I live in Washington so it's either raining, cloudy or sunny.

I am a 7and 5/8 hat size. I ordered an XL which is slightly too big, but the headband is adjustable, so it works fine

Great hat! It won't win any fashion awards, but I did receive 3 complements on it's madien voyage out in my front yard. It's perfect for gardening and outdoor adventures. Great protection from the sun. Turn sideways and velcro up the back, and you can lie in the hammock and keep the sun out of your eyes.

A little pricey but worth the money. The most comfortable hat I've ever owned. It kept me cool out on the Chesapeake on those 90+ days. I liked the velcroed brims and turned the hat sideways when sitting in a chair with a back.

Brim keeps rain off of face and neck. Gore Tex keeps hat from becoming a soggy mess.

This hat is good for rain or sun. It lives in my Jeep always ready to go!

Feels good. You could add more comfort with a velcro or string tightener around the head. Im not quite a large size, and not medium. Pretty pricey for a bit of a sloppy fit.

Review on the email won't work. Good hat. Fire IT person that makes reviews as you cannot fill out form. Good hat. Crappy online review. That is my review. Stop bothering me.

Received my new hat just in time to take hiking on a rainy day! Worked perfect and kept my head nice and dry!

I had my O.R. rain hat (blue with black trim) for 30 years and used it all the time here in wet Western Washington...until my car was stolen and my "Seattle Sombrero" along with it. The car was recovered, somewhat worse for wear, but all contents, including my rain hat, were gone. My hat was purchased at a different well-known outdoor gear store, but they are no longer stocking the brand. So, I intend to purchase the replacement from the manufacturer. I expect my new hat to last at least as long as the one I lost.

I've worn this a couple of times already and really like it. I like how it fits - not too loose or tight - and love that you can secure it with the strings that hang in front (it's currently pretty windy here so definitely need to use that feature). It doesn't make my head too warm. The size of the brim is great for keeping the sun off my face. I love that you can velcro the sides up as needed. And best of all it's goretex so when I hike in the rain my head should stay dry.

Great hat - warm and weatherproof. So much better than having to wear a hood!

These my the number one head gear. I have had several of them for decades and give them out as gifts I use them for work and recreation. I've used mine all over the world. I've used them to hike and climb in all conditions. They have a wide brim and complete 360 visibility. Thank you

Stop giving in to others' political narratives! Bring back the official name of this legendary hat: SEATTLE SOMBRERO. Long live the SEATTLE SOMBRERO!

My new hat is terrific! I like the color as well as the generous fit, which allows me to wear a stretchy black hat under it, covering my ears. And the brim is awesome - wide and super protective. My glasses are not spotted with rain! Thank you!