Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Papyrus Brim Hat

This is my favorite hat for hiking and backpacking! I use it for sun protection for 3-season backpacking because it breathes better than any other hat I've owned. Most sun hats just make my head sweat, but the loose weave of the papyrus on this hat allows plenty of airflow. (Conversely, it will not keep your head warm in the wind; don't expect that.) The wide brim is excellent for keeping sun off your face. I've used mine for going on 5 years and it has held up well. Some notes: this is not a squishable/packable hat. I clip mine on the outside of my pack. If you must pack it inside something, stuff a clothing item into the bowl to help it hold shape. That said, it is resilient. If you do deform it, you can easily restore the shape by soaking it in water, molding it back to the correct shape, and letting it dry. Also, because the hat is so light and flexible, it will blow off your head easily in a moderate breeze. Use the chin strap! In a headwind, angle the brim down to shed the wind (as in the website photo). The wireframe of the brim allows reasonable adjustment; you can tilt the brim up or down as conditions warrant (see photos). Unlike some of the other reviews, I would not say this hat is "floppy"; it holds its shape well. However, it is flexible; it will bend in the wind (before springing back). For me, the low weight, great coverage, and amazing breathability are worth the slight loss of structure compared to, say, a cowboy hat.

Really comfortable, good coverage over the head. Brim is semi-mold able to give it a unique look!!

The best hat ever. Really. I like the idea of wearing a hat for sun protection. I try them on all the time and am almost always underwhelmed by how I look. If the hat is stylish, it is not durable or really useful. If it's durable and useful, you're in one of those floppy, vented, generic looking sunhats. (You know the ones I mean.) This hat looks good. I get compliments on it all the time. It is comfortable to wear. It offers great sun protection but breathes well. It looks better and better the older it gets. It obtains a lived in, used look, that quite honestly makes you look more natural and not out-of-place in the hat. I've been poured on by rain, had it flopping in a speed boat, jumped in the pool, all sorts of things and it just dries out to a comfortable, still attractive shape. I have 2 and am waiting for Outdoor Research to get more in the lighter color to buy a 3rd.

Comfortable, light-weight, well constructed. Glad I bought it!

Great hat, comfortable, looks great. A little concerned about how it will hold up without fraying but so far so good. Perfect sunny weather kayak fishing hat

I use this on job sites, mowing the yard, kayaking, and anywhere i need sun protection. The hat is very breathable and cover the head and neck well with a stylish cowboy look

This is the nicest full brim hat I've ever owned. It's nice and light and airy, with great sun protection. It arrived a bit crumpled, but I steamed it over a big pot of boiling water and re-shaped the crown and brim to my liking. It's really light and flexible, so probably not the best in high winds, but other than that, it's my new go-to. My wife says it looks better than any other hat I own, so that's a bonus.

Light, excellent shade and comfortable!

This is my gardening hat. It had to keep the sun off my face and the back of my neck but also not overheat my head--it's perfect at the job. We live in a windy area, so the chin strap is absolutely necessary and gets the job done without chafing or binding.

We needed hats for working outdoors, with brims all the way around but lightweight and breathable. My husband specifically did not want a "bucket hat"/"fishing hat" type. We looked all over and found these. They're just what we need for working outdoors--keep the sun off our faces and necks but don't overheat our heads.

Brim all the way around but doesn't look like a "bucket"-style hat. Perfect for working outdoors--well made and keeps the sun off without overheating the head.

I've had this hat for quite a few years and it gets packed away and then resurfaces every year. It can get pretty out of shape and I just run some water on it (a pretty good soaking) and put a towel in the main head part to fill out the shape and then gently fold up the sides using the chin strap (over the top) and let it sit inside and when it dries it's back to its (mostly) original shape. Great hat for fishing, hiking, music festivals, etc.

Light, airy, and just perfect for me.

I sail singlehanded, wore this on my Hawaii Transpac in 2014. Same hat 6 years later is being used in my back yard to build stuff. They get looking frumpy, but they are they are most comfortable hat I have ever owned. Good in sun, keep rain off glasses when wet (used it sailing in the Alaska fog and rain), dries quickly, compresses in duffle bags, Just a terrific hat. Bought ones for friends who also swear by them.

Practical, technical and still fashionable.

This hat is great for keeping the sun off. The fact the wind can't blow it off is helpful and the lightweight will be great for summer. I am already wearing it for spring walks.

This is the best outdoor hat I have found. I wear this on all our multi day kayak and camping trips, for up to 9 days at a time. It has really saved my life during the sunny and hot days. It is fine even getting it wet, it actually makes an even more flare, making it even more adorable. Pretty sexy hat!

Loved the hat but my husband has an xxl head and it was A little small. Had to return it.

Perfect for hiking on those overly hot days where you need protection from the sun. It has been used weekly in the Canadian Rockies.

Perfect outdoor hat for all occasions.

I've been searching for a hat I could use for outdoor photography. One that breathes and with a soft enough brim to turn my camera vertical. This is the best one I have found so far. My normal hat size is between a Large and Extra-Large but this one in Large fits just right.

Very Cool, very durable. I've packed it, hiked and boated in it and washed it and it still looks great!

look to other comments overall for this product , fairly accurate no style here really , but if like the lightest and most breathable but in the end effective and likely durable , this is it for us , buy again for others likely

Love the light feel on my head as well as the spf. Definitely need this in Colorado. And it fits, not tight at all! Doesn't leave a mark on my forehead! The best!

Sun Protection