Outback Trading Company Unisex 1480 Kodiak UPF 50 Waterproof Breathable Outdoor Western Cotton Oilskin Hat

Solid construction and classic styling make this hat the perfect choice for a hardworking man who needs both a functional yet presentable hat for daily wear. This is my second purchase of the same style hat. The new brown seems to be darker than the last one I ordered but that should not present problem unless you are trying to match it to a previously purchased oilskin coat. It fits nicely according to size and is made even more comfortable by the inner band and side grommets which allow sufficient air flow across the top of the head. It holds its original color well and does not bleach out in the sun. The handy ties can simply be worn behind or tucked up into the hat when not needed -- but they will spare you the frustration and embarrassment of having to chase your hat across the field or parking lot in a stiff wind! The Kodiak hat is effectively rain repellent and the darker hat does not show dirt or grime if you are working in a more rugged environment. I like that the hat is easily cleaned simply by rinsing it off with a standard garden hose with spray nozzle and allowing to dry naturally in the open air. If necessary, Outback Trading offers a product that will allow the hat to easily be "re-treated" to restore water repellent feature, as well. The durability of this hat cannot be overemphasized! It holds up under serious use, and has a remarkable "bounce-back" capacity which allows it to retain its shape and good looks.

I’ve got only three things to say about this hat: Perfect; Perfect; Perfect. The size, the shaping, the functionality - all perfect. Within two days of receiving this hat I had to do some patrols in the rain. This hat, with my duster, served me better than any umbrella. Now some of my coworkers are looking into getting their own kit (gear).

This hat is overall very nice. It is an oil skin hat, so it is a linen cloth that is impregnated with oil/wax mixture which makes it stiff and waterproof. I have not use my hat in heavy rain, but I have no doubt it will perform amazingly well. The hat is very stiff, which I like quite a bit. Its not flimsy. The hat band is nice but there isnt much to it. Its not a problem for me. Another nice feature that I like on this hat is the ability to REMOVE the chin strap. I do NOT like chin straps on my hats, but this style of hat typically has them. Its usually pretty nice if you are riding horses or in a situation where you could lose the hat. Generally, that is not the case for me. So I can remove it. I can also put it back if I need to. VERY NICE option to have. The other thing I thought was great about the hat is that it has a nylon liner of sorts inside. Stitched into this liner is a little tiny pouch...its cute..and I could foresee it being useful for quick notes or small FLAT items that you need to store. It's not horribly useful, but its a nice touch and a cool idea. It has a nice headband inside too. IT fits cleanly and doesn't slip around.Overall, I cannot see how you would be disappointed in the functionality of the hat.

Nice hat, very well-made and it looks and fits great. My head measures just a bit under 24 inches around (23 7/8) and the XL size fits well, with just a little extra room for my hair to grow. That matches up with the Outback size chart on their website.Like another reviewer, I added another light coat of their oilskin dressing before I even wore it. It was well-waterproofed when I received it, but I'll be wearing it hunting in the fall/winter Wisconsin weather and figured an extra treatment couldn't hurt.I warmed the hat and the dressing with a heat gun (like a hair blow-dryer, but gets a little hotter if you need it to), applied the dressing evenly but sparingly, and then kept working my way around the hat with gentle heat until it was dry, which you can see as you do it, both applying and drying the dressing. Probably took 45 minutes or so.Now it sheds water extremely well (unbelievable for a cotton hat... I'm amazed how well the Outback oilskin works), and I shouldn't have to worry about re-applying the dressing for at least a couple years I would think.The only reason for the four stars is the I'm not a big fan of the way they designed how the retainer laces route inside the hat, but I'm living with it and its fine.Other than that small issue, it's an awesome hat that should last the rest of my life the way I wear it and care for it, storing it in the box when I'm not wearing it.

I love the look, it looks and feels well-constructed, and it keeps the rain off. The chin cord is a must for windy days, because the wind will grab the wide brim. Fit is a little small - my head circumference is 22", and the Small is said to fit 22.5"-27.1". It fits me snugly, so I think anyone within that range would probably be happier with a size up.It does also have a "security pocket," which is basically a pouch just barely big enough for a key or maybe a credit card or folding money. But since I'm more likely to misplace my hat than my wallet, I don't know that I'll be using it to store things.

Good solid construction. This hat holds its shape even in strong winds on open lakes in North Park, Colorado (which can get VERY windy). By holding its shape in wind, it continues protect you from the sun. Granted, you still need a neck covering and sunscreen on your exposed face for the direct sunlight in the late afternoon. But my ears never got burned. Plus, by holding its shape, you don't have to deal with a flapping and misshaped brim. The neck cord is strong and holds the hat well. The back part of the neck cord goes around the back of your head, which serves to keep the hat ON your head in strong winds. I cannot comment on how it will fare in the rain. The hat looks "Australian". Great looking as well as functional (IMO). Oh...and despite the dark color, I wasn't overheated on a dry sunny day while fishing on a lake. (It was HOT and sunny). Not sure how that worked. Maybe it was the vents on the side of the hat.