Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero

The hat is functional and repels water. The only thing that would make it great is adjustable fit. It is either too big or too small. When were it droops over the ears.

3

I love this hat but the problem is I'm bald. There is a velcro strap on the back of this hat that makes it fit perfectly the issue is. If you have a big head and it's not tightened down all the way. I can feel the the sharp part of the velcro digging into my head. It's incredibly uncomfortable if I had hair I imagin this wouldn't be a issue. However I wear this hat a lot less than i would because of this. Would recommend if you have hair.

This hat has survived backpacking and it was tied to my backpack. It definitely too a beating and still looks great. My only strong preference is for more SOLID COLORS of this hat. The two tone look is super dorky and I got stuck with buying the all blue color. More tones please? The khaki neutral tone is a standard for hiking hats. Why not have a normal color? Some bright colors are fine as well. Just solid preferred.

I've had one for ten years and it is awesome. Bought a new one recently, same size, only to discover it no longer has the velcro fit adjustment. This was disappointing. I see others feel similarly. This was a very important feature that greatly improved the fit, warmth, and security of the hat. It also allowed me to adjust it if I wanted to wear a wool hat to supplement underneath. The key to great performance is a great fit. Please bring it back.

As my fifth OR Seattle Sombrero it was all I expectedexcept for the lack of Velcro adjustment for size. I would have returned it but I tossed the packing materials thinking it would be like the others. Well made and otherwise a fantastic hat, wish I could return for a smaller size

Hat wetted out in a few hours of steady rain. Strong breeze will fold the brim. Avoid conditions that are wet and windy with this hat. Not bad if it's wet and calm.

All of my hats are size extra large. This hat runs to large for my head and there is no means of correcting it.

My first two had the adjustable sizing strap, which made for a perfect fit every time. Sad to see that OR decided to not incorporate it anymore. I'd be happy to pay a few dollars more to have it but without the strap it is a no go.

As with all OR products this great hat is made to last. Why only 3 stars? 1. Sizing - according to the size guide I needed an XL. Maybe if I was wearing football helmet under it. Exchanged (no problem) for a L. 2. The previous version of this hat, I believe, had a crown adjustment to tighten it around your head. Seems they got rid of that desirable feature. Other than that, it's well made, waterproof, and lovable.

The product is fantastic at defeating rain without wearing a hood. Love it for hunting so I can hear and maintain better situational awareness. On this sombrero there is a sewn in fleece liner in the bucket. Nice feature but it is only attached at the mouth of the bucket. It allows the shell of the hat to move freely from the fleece liner that is attached to your head. In the wind this causes the hat to move independently from the secure connection that the liner provides. Perhaps some adhesive deeper in the bucket would fix this without compromising the gore tex membrane.

I used to work outdoors at Esalen in Big Sur in the rainy season and these things were pretty good unless it's windy. They need a stiffer brim. recommended unless it's windy

I wear my hats to protect myself from light and motion due to a medical condition. This hat was to replace its predecessor the Seattle Sombrero, the version that had side vents and a stow able rain cover. That hat died because the brim foam shattered. It was an awesome hat. Unfortunately that hat is gone and you have to chose between a rain or sun version of the hat now. The sun version looks stupid and the venting is covered. I don't sweat properly do to medication so I need my hats to breathe. The sun version just looked like a ugly duck with lack of funk of function. That and they were out of my size. So, I went with the rain version. It looks great and it is actually lighter than the older version. Only one major issue "IT DOES NOT BREATH"! If you live in the Midwest where it is hot and humid this hat is useless. I could not wear it until fall at the earliest and I bought two of them. One for me and one for my son because one of the hats was Miami Dolphins Team colors. Fire the designer and testers who thought anyone could wear these hats year round. Felt inner lining?! What where you all you thing?

I live in Texas and bought it to do yard work in that would give me more coverage than my cowboy hat. However, I find it extremely hot and unbreathable. I also can't wear it in windy conditions - it just blows up and off.

Pretty good but the brim blows upward in a breeze, greatly reducing protection from sun and precipitation. There is little to make it hold its position; it flops around quite easily. Best when there is no breeze, which greatly limits its usefulness. If the hat fits you with the ear flaps down, then it will be much too small when they are folded up inside the headband. If it fits you when they are folded up, it will be much too big when you fold them down. The ear flaps are thick enough to change the hat size radically when added to/subtracted from the headband area.

Trade a wet head for a soaked back? Seattle Sombrero may keep rain off your face (and eye-glasses) by re-routing it around the hat brim to your back...okay in weather cool enough to wear a rain jacket and pants, but less useful in warmer climates, when perspiring under rain gear leaves you just as wet (and stinkier) than you would be without any protection. Flimsy brim doesn't handle gusts over 10 mph. Sombrero is nowhere near as breathable in hte heat as the Sombriolet Sun Hat.

BRING BACK THE OLD NAME!!! I LOVE this hat and don't appreciate the recent name change. You have to be kidding me! This has been and always will be the SEATTTLE SOMBRERO. Very disappointed in what I'm certain was a reactionary decision.

2

We have always been impressed at the thoughtfully designed and well-constructed OR products. So, when I finally ruined my last Sombrero, I ordered a replacement for me and got 1 for my wife for good measure. These hats in general are effective at keeping the rain off your head and out of your eyes...and they're rugged. The problem is that, in what I presume was a cost savings measure, the adjustable tab inside the hat has vanished and customizing the fit is now impossible. Even cheap outdoor headwear often has some kind of method of adjustment. On its initiation hike, I had to wear a thick headband to keep it on. A hat that once could be adjusted for a perfect fit now floats on my head just enough to be uncomfortable and is more prone to flopping around or off in the wind. A well designed hat otherwise is now not worth very much because of a cheap penny cost production decision. Disappointing...

I checked out the measurement guide and measured my head accordingly, but the hat just doesn't seem to sit low enough on my head. I'm very disappointed. I bought a different type of hat a while back and it fits fine and I love it. I also purchased gloves with the order and I love them too. Unfortunately, I'm not enjoying wearing this hat.

I bought this to replace one I loved and lost. The design has changed. There is no more size adjuster. For me, the medium is too tight and the large is too loose. I returned it.

I lost my much loved old seattle sombrero on my last work trip to Alaska; ordered a replacement and am very dismayed that the new one does not have the slick velcro cinch band, even though the instruction card that came with it still tells you how to adjust that. I've always loved the comfort and versatility of this hat, and the precise fit was a big part of that - I could put it on in the morning and spend the day working in windy rain, and it wouldn't budge. Sure it's got a chin strap - but since the hat is very large even on my big melon, I worry it will be shifting around a lot. Appears they removed the fitting band but left it very large as if it would still have one - many of their hats barely fit me at all but this is sloppy, so folks with normal-size noggins might want to go down a size now. It's a shame when formerly well-thought-out OR gear loses some of its most distinguishing and useful features, but it seems to be a trend.

I grew up with an OR Seattle Sombrero stuck to my head and wore it on every adventure where the rain showed face. Sadly this new hat, while waterproof, breathable, and lighter weight than the original, is useless as soon as the wind blows. The brim of the hat bends back and plasters against your skull at the slightest gust, which means you're basically wearing a waterproof skull cap. My raincoat hood is better use at that point. Can I still buy the old style that could handle wind?

You would think that after all these years and with new super high tech materials they would come up with a brim that doesn't just flop around in the wind. Maybe in Seattle they don't have wind? Or they don't ski or hike much?

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