Original Recycled Tarp Hat, Handcrafted in Brazil

Since each is unique and made from an up-cycled truck tarp, it's really the luck of the draw if you're going to get a patch worked affair or not. I lucked out and received a hat with no patches and very little printing, and from friends who've received products from Real Deal Brazil they'll exchange unused products for what you want if you contact them directly. It's certainly unique and becomes a sort of signature for you if worn often enough, and I rarely venture on the trails without it. I get compliments on it quite often. The treatment makes it water resistant (note--not water proof) and stiff, but it softens up in no time if that's what you prefer. It fits like it was made for me, but a stiff wind is enough to send it flying if you're not careful. I made a paracord retaining strap, feeding it through the vent grommets and down the backside so I can cinch it up on the back of my head to keep it secure. I finished it with a paracord hatband in the "cobra" style, and the sage green cord I used complements it perfectly...plus I now have about 30 feet of cordage should I need it. The moldable brim takes and holds pretty much any shape you throw at it, and bends back easily if you ever want to change it. I highly recommend this hat if you spend any time in the outdoors or just want something unique looking. Lacking a photo of the paracord retainer to keep the hat on even in the wind, here's how I did it: 1. Cut a length of cord approximately the circumference of your head, plus 8 inches. In my case it was around 30 inches. Be sure to fuse the ends to prevent fraying. 2. Feed one side of the cord into a front vent grommet, through the hat and coming out the other front grommet. Make your two ends outside the hat an even length. 3. Pass the free ends of cord through the back two grommets, first one side, then the other, keeping them about even and without pulling on the hat. You should see a horizontal line of cord connecting the front and back grommets on both sides, with the free ends dangling from inside the hat. 4. Pass the two free ends through a small hollow object, such as a wooden bead or barrel cord lock. Knot the cord ends to prevent them from coming out. Done! To use the retainer, hold the cord with the barrel lock or bead outside and to the back, then put on the hat and square it up on your noggin. Once comfortably set, just slide the bead or lock up the cord until it's snug against the back of your head, letting the two free ends stay loose. Your hat is now very wind resistant, and can be tightened further if needed.

I've only worn it a handful of times, but so far it is very comfortable, keeps the sun out of my eyes and off my neck, survives getting stuffed in my backpack, and makes me look a bit redneck, just as it's supposed to. UPDATE: I've worn this on multiple hikes now, and I love it more and more the more I wear it. The fit is great for me, it doesn't blow off even in high alpine winds (though this is really about the perfect fit to my specific head size/shape). The metal ribbon that defines the brim doesn't hold the shape as well as it could, and the brim has curled a little bit around the metal ribbon, but that's a pretty small complaint overall. I love this thing for hiking as I can easily strap it to my pack when I don't want to wear it. You can't really stuff it inside the pack as that will bend the brim way out of shape, but strapping it is really easy. It does a great job of keeping the sun off my face, neck, and ears. I wish I'd bought this years ago and saved myself the skin cancer risk and pain of all those sunburns from sweating through my sunscreen. I would definitely buy this again and again.

Freaking line this hat. It's shape isn't perfect but good enough. No break in period other than wearing the new look off.

It IS the real deal!

Straight up this is a great hat. Like people said it's just a matter of if you get lucky on size and I'd say it's very worth that. I have to subtract a star because it doesn't hold up so great in the wind and shows water contact, but it's looks amazing and feels great to wear; Mine has no dark tarp patch as in the picture, but rather was tan all over with a similarly tan patch. It does not detract from the look. Durable and very formable. You could ball this up in your hand and get the brim wire back into whatever shape you want. Good stuff!

I was trying it on for the first time after shaping the brim and my wife walked in, saw it and screamed "I like it" and tried to steal it. Had to order one for her (actually ordered two just in case my son tries to steal it too). Though I have hats from Stetson, Resistol and an almost worn out Shady Brady, this is my new favorite. It's an ugly hat compared to any of the name brand hats I've previously bought, but it has CHARACTER right out of the envelope it comes in. I debated for a couple months before pulling the trigger on this and I'm sorry I waited so long, but the reviews about the sizing held me back. My normal hat size is 7 1/8 and this large, by description is 7 5/8 @ 23 inches fits just fine. Try one...I don't think you'll regret it...lightweight, large vents to keep you cool and no worries about getting it wet or battered and sure to elicit comments from all who encounter you while wearing it though you'll have to keep an eye on it for the would be thieves who walk among us.

Just as listed. I purchased my first hat in a seaside shop on Pawley’s Island. It's been a great hat and I receive compliments on it. I ordered one from Amazon after there were none my size at the shop this years visit to the island this year. It hat was exactly what I wanted and has the same character even with a different set of patches.

Well. the hats are built well, ship fast and are as described. But.... sizing is an issue. they provide a link to a measurmant spec sheet. and tell you how to measure your noggin. I have done this prior, so I was familiar with the process. I selected my size ( XL )based off that measurement. hit buy it now and it arrived 2 days later. it was HUGE. I re- read all the specks and went with a size L It arrived 2 short days later. It was soooooo small. it sat on top my dome like a kids toy hat. I called customer service, hoping to hear that size varies and to try again. I was assured the sizes were 100% uniform and that I should go with the XL as the L will never shrink. I was a little disappointed. but I sent the Large one back and immediate received my credit to my account. great return service for prime users. I I have the XL, and have shaped it some. I wear it often, but it is loose and will fly away. I really don't want to put the stampede string on it and plan to make a hatband from leather with a buckle to see if I can get it about a half size smaller. I love the hat. customer service is good. but the sizing is wonky.

I love my hat so much my wife has to make me take it off when I go to bed I also bought 1 each for my two sons

I purchased this hat, to replace an old one that was too small. Excellent quality, the size guide is a little off so I have had to put reducing stripes in.