What's the point of hats with a "Aussie style fold up brim"?

[Paul_B]

What's the point of hats with a "Aussie style fold up brim"? Tilley T3 for example.

 

[Dynamite_1303]

It seems now it's just a fashion statement, but in the past it derived from the military slouch hats being turned up on the side to allow squaddies to carry their rifles at slope arms without catching the rim. Similar to the general idea behind the tricorne at an angle in the 18th century.

I guess these days it allows you to wear it either way around to get an even tan on the face!

 

[JonathanD]

It seems now it's just a fashion statement, but in the past it derived from the military slouch hats being turned up on the side to allow squaddies to carry their rifles at slope arms without catching the rim. Similar to the general idea behind the tricorne at an angle in the 18th century.

I guess these days it allows you to wear it either way around to get an even tan on the face!

Beat me to it. Yeah, that was exactly why they had an upturned brim. Knocking your hat off with your rifle constantly, can get annoying.

 

[myotis]

It makes a big difference when its windy, even with the chin strap the brim tends to catch the wind and knock the hat out of position. Even one side clipped up is useful, and both sides makes much more difference than you think it will.

I had always assumed it was designed this way specifically for windy conditions. No idea it had anything to do with sloping arms.

Graham

 

[Paul_B]

I just asked as I was thinking of getting a TIlley with a narrower brim at the side but they don't snap up. A mate has one that does and I think I might go for that one. Think its a T3. Seen one for £41.95 and think its a good deal. Not planning to carry a rifle, not unless the midges on Skye really are as big as they say they are.

 

[John Fenna]

I swear by my T3s - love em to bits!
And the lifetime guarantee is real - I have worn a couple to death and they have been replaced for free with no quibbles!

 

[Rebel]

Interesting. I have a hat with this feature, never did figure out what the point of it was. I do realize that in some situations the rim might get in way so I thought it was just a way of dealing with that.

Are you sure it wasn't designed so that lazy Aussies can go to sleep on their side without removing their hat?

I need one where the front rim fastens up for when I'm taking photos with a flash on the camera body.

 

[EdS]

I need one where the front rim fastens up for when I'm taking photos with a flash on the camera body.

Just turn your hat through 90 degree

 

[John Fenna]

Just turn your hat through 90 degree

Yosemite Sam!
Or Benny Hill....

 

[rik_uk3]

So unless you are carrying a rifle and don't want to knock your hat off or you don't mind looking a bit of a knob, these hats are pointless?

 

[John Fenna]

So unless you are carrying a rifle and don't want to knock your hat off or you don't mind looking a bit of a knob, these hats are pointless?

Another 100% constructive, positive and cheerful post from the King of Cheerful!

 

[rik_uk3]

Another 100% constructive, positive and cheerful post from the King of Cheerful!

Cheers mate, I do indeed keep a cheerful note on life in general Lets be honest, wearing one when your playing bushcraft on a couple of acres of English woodland does look a bit silly really, no offence meant to anyone, its just my opinion but don't talk to me when wearing one if you expect me to keep a grin off my face.

 

[John Fenna]

Cheers mate, I do indeed keep a cheerful note on life in general Lets be honest, wearing one when your playing bushcraft on a couple of acres of English woodland does look a bit silly really, no offence meant to anyone, its just my opinion but don't talk to me when wearing one if you expect me to keep a grin off my face.

I wear one - Tilley T3 - year round and across the globe. Good, practical, hardwearing, weather (inc sun though in Wales that is not such an issue) resistant, floating (useful when canoeing) and tough as nails.
You do not HAVE to clip up the sides, just a (sometimes) useful extra.
I also like the look.
Not everyone wears kit just to be seen in the "uniform" - some find items of the "uniform" have earned their place in the outdoor (or everyday) wardrobe due to their practicallity.
If I see someone wearing kit that I think has been chosen to avoid the "uniform" and grinning like a Loon then I guess that it will be Trinny, Suzzanna or Rik...but will I know which?

 

[maddave]

I wear a T3 fer work !! Tough as old boots I've tried baseball caps military boonies etc but the tilley just works......Plus I'm a baldy and hate frying me melon in the sun

 

[hertsboy]

I wear the Tilly all the time too - but without the brim clipped up.

Damn good hat - hard wearing, keeps the sun and rain off. And keeps my bald patch out of site!

Apparently a zookeeper who owned one get it eaten by a elephant - and retrieved it from the poo. Not just once either, but three times!

 

[johnboy]

So unless you are carrying a rifle and don't want to knock your hat off or you don't mind looking a bit of a knob, these hats are pointless?

Rik,

I've got a T3 which I bought in Truro IIRC. I like it as the wide brim has a couple of advantages.

1. It keeps the sun off which is a very important consideration here in Ozone depleted NZ but the hat is faded to buggery which I quite like...
2. I wear specs or sunnies full time and in wet weather the T3 stops drips on the lenses..

I rarely fasten the sides up 'digger' style but it's useful to do so if your on a boat or a quadbike. but you end up looking like Billy from Predator

Or Blain....

They are a good hat and worth the price IMHO if you're in the sun a lot. The pouch thing in the crown is useful for an emergency $10 rather than 'Brag tags' Oh an I learned a new word persnictiness (SP??)...

 

[Paul_B]

Erm! Not everyone just does bushcraft in a wood. Some of us actually get above the treeline and in the sun. Last weeked was actually quite sunny don't you know and I was on top of a British mountain in full daylight with factor 40 on and still got a little sore on the neck. A wide brimmed hat may well have helped. Just an idea, I could be wrong in that. Perhaps its better that I burn than wear a uniform. BTW anyone who spots Rik wearing greens or subdued colours whilst out doing bushcraft or anything else outdoors tell him off for wearing a uniform.

BTW I don't wear anything like a uniform. I wear washed out black Keela trousers because they are the only ones I've found that are long enough and still fit my slim build. I wear Rab and Montane in either bright blue or black with red zip and logos. I wear a black t shirt but that was the only colour the shop had at the cheap price I paid. So far I think the Tilley (if I get one) is probably the only bit of this uniform I'd have. AS far as looking a prat, fair do's. I probably do already but like I say who cares. I might look like a standard lamp but at least they are useful Rik.

So the T3 is a good bet then over say the LT5 or some other version? BTW I already have a hat with a clip up front brim. Its a lowe alpine mountain cap and I really rate it as headwear in a stormy hoolie in a winter whiteout. Clips up at the front behind a strip of the waterproof outer fabric for some reason. Too warm for most winters now IME but good all the same.

 

[Rebel]

I'm in full agreement that a wide brimmed sun hat is essential for anybody out for a few hours in the sun even here in the UK. It doesn't have to be that strong to burn you if you are in an exposed place, like the beach, the mountains, fields, alltotment, etc. There's also the real risk of sunstroke and a good brim will keep the sun out of your eyes. I've done all kinds of work out in the sun where I was glad to have decent sun protection on my balding head.

People used to wear hats all the time, it's only recently with the advent of urban living and indoor lifestyles that people have stopped wearing hats, although they do seem to be coming back quite a bit.

 

[Bootstrap Bob]

It makes a big difference when its windy, even with the chin strap the brim tends to catch the wind and knock the hat out of position. Even one side clipped up is useful, and both sides makes much more difference than you think it will.

I will second that. I have a T5 without the studs and while paddling the Great Glen last year in strong winds the brim couldn't decide whether it was up or down. If I didn't have the strap on I would have lost it for sure. This year I have a T3 - no more indecisive rim

Are you sure it wasn't designed so that lazy Aussies can go to sleep on their side without removing their hat?

I like this idea and as daft as it sounds it's probably true to some degree.

 

[myotis]

To pursue the wider brimmed and narrower brimmed options. My main use for the Tilley was ecological survey work, in all sorts of weathers. The brim stiffens in the wet, and if you are trying to take notes or mark up maps in a clipboard inside a polybag, the wider brim gives good protection for your eyes from driving rain/sleet/snow.

But without the clip up sides its also a pain in strong winds. But then again, if you spend 8 to 10 hours Plus a day surveying outside in strong sunshine the wider brim also comes into its own.

Graham