Outdoor Research Women's Solar Roller Sun Hat

So if you are like me, you may be thinking, "A hat is hat. What's the big deal?" I thought that way up until I had purchased this one, as my head is routinely getting sunburned where my hair parts. This summer, we had a big upcoming vacation where I was going to be outside in the sun all day long for at least seven days in a row, most of which would be spent on the water. And while I love the sun and having deeply tanned skin, my scalp has had enough of getting burned. Prior to purchasing this hat, I tried different sunscreen products on my head and did not like the way they made my hair feel, so I needed to find another option.I currently have the Outdoor Research Swift Cap, which I wear year-round while snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, hiking, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. But, that fits like a baseball type of cap, tight on the top of my head. Conversely, I wanted a hat that provides airflow around my head underneath the hat, and one with a brim around it to give my neck some respite from the sun.The Outdoor Research Women's Solar Roller Sun Hat has provided the perfect solution! I researched the different styles of women's specific Outdoor Research brimmed hats, and this particular one is available three sizes (I need a small); most come in either medium, large or extra large. And, the brim is not excessively wide (I did not want or need a Sombrero). So, what is great about this hat?SHAPE: it is not too wide, but just wide enough so that I get adequate shade around my neck. And, I can flip the front of the brim upward so my face can still get direct sun exposure. The hat is not too deep either, so it does not look 'puffy' on top of my head, which has a lot to do with getting the correct size (see below). This hat is also very packable and is easy to stuff into a pocket or pack. When not in use, I fold it into a small triangle and place it into my waterpack.FIT: as I mentioned above, getting the right size is important not only to ensure the hat is deep enough for your head, but also to ensure it fits correctly around the circumference of your head. This hat has a draw (cinch) cord in the middle of the hat (slightly above the brim) to adjust the tightness of it around the circumference of your head. I frequently adjust this in accordance with the wind conditions, and it works perfectly. It always stays in the place where I adjust it, and then it is simple to loosen. There is also a chin cord, which I have used in extremely windy conditions while kayaking. And when I am not using the chin cord, I simply put it behind my head; I let it hang down the back of my neck.BREATHABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT, UPF SUN PROTECTION: this the BEST part! The material of this hat is so lightweight I barely even feel it on my head, and even when I am in direct sun exposure for over six hours, the top of my head/the top of the hat always stays cool to the touch - this is the part that truly amazes me. And because the hat keeps my head so cool, it is like wearing a personal sunshade all day long. In fact, it has made a significant difference in my overall comfort level while I am outside in direct sun exposure for extended periods of time. I feel less fatigued because this is truly like having a personal sunshade.Outdoor Research states this hat floats; however, I have never tested this, and do not want to. I hate the thought of this hat flying off my head and then potentially losing it.FINAL THOUGHTS: I wish that I would have purchased this hat seven years ago when we first started kayaking, as it allows me to be so much more comfortable while outside in the sun hiking, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. It not only fulfills the purpose for which I had bought it (preventing the top of my head from getting burned), but it also keeps my entire head cool, which then aids in keeping my body temperature cooler, thus keeping me more comfortable overall. We purchase and test a lot of outdoor gear, and I think this is my best purchase of 2020.

It is so frustrating, if you happen to have a larger head, to find a hat that is actually going to fit, and look sort of attractive. The brim, though it was noted, is a bit on the narrow side, but that is ok.I was hoping it could have been a bit bigger, but I think, most companies think most women are small in every aspect.Women come in all shapes and sizes. Many have big hands and feet, and some even have larger heads than others.Shocking, no? The beauty of the world, is that we are all different!I do like this hat, and it seems to be doing fine.I do like the fact that it has a pretty good SPF factor,will keep the sun off my face,has a tie string so if it is windy, I wont lose it,is comfortablepacks well,and, I can photograph while using it, and it doesn't get in the way, really.The color options are good, and the one I ordered was the blue one.One of the best details is that it is so very lightweight.Negatives, not as large in circumference than I was hoping, the band lining around your head does tend to flap down, and the brim is narrow. Not so un-livable, and they weren't enough of a problem to make it not worth keeping.I ordered it so I could go hiking this summer. I have used it a few times so far, and it seems ok.Except for a few negatives, I look forward to many years use out of it, but I am disappointed about the size, hence the four stars.Heads up companies. Here is a news flash: Start covering a wider size of items.

OR is a great brand and this is a great hat. I love that it comes in sizes! I have a small head and the size small fits perfectly. This is my go-too hat all summer and it still looks nice, even with several washings, and long backpacking trips.

This is my 2nd Outdoor Research hat, the other being the Oasis Sun Sombrero. They both have pros and cons; The Roller is very lightweight, breathable and comfortable with a nice brim size, but the brim is floppier than I prefer and will blow up in the wind so you can lose sun protection (I like symmetry so a floppy brim is a constant annoyance). The Sombrero is a slightly heavier hat with a sturdier brim that keeps it's shape and will not flap up in the wind, but the back of the brim is a tad too long and gets in the way of my PFD when kayaking so it's bothersome to look "up" at scenery and such. Why is finding the perfect hat so darn hard?

I really love the look of this hat, I just don't love it on me. I wish the top was a little taller, had a bit more shape and then it would look better on me. That said, it's just the style of the hat so nothing is wrong with it. The problem for me is that the other hats by Outdoor Research that I really like aren't in the larger size or a color that I like. I really wanted this color but more than anything, I have a big head so I need a hat that would fit. I have tried (and returned) several great hats from Coolibar over recent years and with one exception (a straw hat) they have all been too small. So this one appealed to me because of the size and it has a string that can be loosened/tightened to further help size it. This is the first time I've had a hat where I actually used that string to tighten it a little. That is not a complaint. I'd rather do that than to have it be too small to even wear.As far as construction and material, this is a great hat. I would give it 5 stars (Love it) if I loved the style better, but I do use this hat daily going to and from my office/house/car and any time I'm out in the sun during the day. I have another hat I use for working in the yard because I don't want to dirty up this one.

Light weight and comfy

Very nice hat for the money.

The gift was very well received - looks great!

great coverage and folds well for packing

Der Hut ist sehr leicht und schützt gut vor der Sonne. Vielmehr gibt es dazu auch nicht zu sagen.