[Gerarddm]

I live in the back country of San Diego county where the sun shines continually. I drive my spider daily with the top down and never do so without my Panama Jack hat:

Marlin Boonie Bucket UPF 50+ Sun Hat

This Panama Jack lightweight boonie bucket fishing hat is pack-able, floats in water, and designed with a chin cord & adjustable toggle, eyelets (air vents), side snaps, inner sweatband, and a 3" big brim for ultimate UPF (SPF) 50+ UVA/UVB sun protection.

panamajack.com

I've gotten many comments on the hat and depending upon the direction of the sun I wear the tuned up flap either on the right or the left side.

Nice hat, but I dislike wearing items with logos, especially big loud ones like that.

 

[Bob Polselli]

Nice hat, but I dislike wearing items with logos, especially big loud ones like that.

I agree; fortunately I've got a very old one that doesn't have that huge logo. There are many bucket hats to choose from like this one:
columbia unisex-adult bora bora booney https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058YU2DS/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_glt_i_WWBD2F36YQXP5K0K48NS

 

[Bob Polselli]

I agree; fortunately I've got a very old one that doesn't have that huge logo. There are many bucket hats to choose from like this one:
columbia unisex-adult bora bora booney https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058YU2DS/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_glt_i_WWBD2F36YQXP5K0K48NS

This is my bucket hat. I keep one of the sides turned up as I think they're kind of funky looking while driving a sports car.

 

[azrunner]

I wear a baseball hat from my alma mater (University of Arizona). The A goes with my Abarth. I tried wearing a cowboy hat for better sun protection but the headrest interferes with rear brim of the hat. The soft brim of my Tilley works fine and Is my go to when driving in the mid day sun for longer trips.

 

[Bob Polselli]

I wear a baseball hat from my alma mater (University of Arizona). The A goes with my Abarth. I tried wearing a cowboy hat for better sun protection but the headrest interferes with rear brim of the hat. The soft brim of my Tilley works fine and Is my go to when driving in the mid day sun for longer trips.

I also have a Tilly but for me it didn't work because the back the hat hit the head rest. The tilted up side of my bucket hat is kept in place by an embroidered logo patch of my alma mater sewed to the hat. Many people wear Tilley hats but very few wear a bucket hat like mine. The compliments I get on the hat is because of its style.

 

[pikeman]

Have we heard from @Brexit ! lately?

AFAIK, no. I saw a post mentioning the loss of his wife, so dealing with that would be very difficult. Car fun would not be an activity for awhile.
best regards
Pete

 

[SteveP.]

I've never heard them called that. Makes sense.

Have we heard from @Brexit ! lately?

Please see post #27 in the thread "Sincere condolences to Brexit!". I do wish Ron would reconsider. Best, s

 

[SteveP.]

Not broad brimmed, so not what you are looking for, but I too find the broad brimmed ones not for me because of interference with the headrest. Best, s

 

[Bob Polselli]

View attachment 90866 Not broad brimmed, so not what you are looking for, but I too find the broad brimmed ones not for me because of interference with the headrest. Best, s

The problem I've found with baseball caps is unless the sun is directly overhead the eyes are not shaded. With my bucket hat I can twist it to the side where the rays of the sun are coming from to shade my eyes.

 

[SteveP.]

The problem I've found with baseball caps is unless the sun is directly overhead the eyes are not shaded. With my bucket hat I can twist it to the side where the rays of the sun are coming from to shade my eyes.

Sometimes I spin the hat around 90 deg. +/-, end up looking ridiculous, but I don't give a s---, cuz when I'm in my Spider I'm always having fun!! (And usually wearing my old fart prescription Ray-Bans) 😃 So maybe I'll give a bucket a try! 😃. Happy Spidering! Best, s

 

[Chipshot]

I just found out the other day on one of the other forums that his wife passed away a month ago.

https://www.124spider.org/threads/sincere-condolences-to-brexit.41018/page-2#post-580208

Thanks for sharing that.

Please see post #27 in the thread "Sincere condolences to Brexit!". I do wish Ron would reconsider. Best, s

Missed that one.

 

[Gerarddm]

So I bought a Tilley wide brimmed hiker hat. I guess I will see about the headrest interference.

 

[stevet]

Hello folks, it's been a while...

Sun protection is a big deal for me for my head and the rest of my body. I've been having good luck with hats from Outback Trading Co. I like the flat, wide brims of the Aussie-style hats (I don't keep them snapped up on one side, though), and make sure they have the chin string in case a weird side wind comes through the car and tries to take away your hat. I haven't lost one yet, but the wind has tested my hats a few times. A brim width of 2.75" and wider all around is a must for me. Sometimes I'll even tip the hat down to the sunny side just to make sure it covers my side neck area. Their hats are moderately priced and will last for many seasons.

Outback Western Hat Collection - Outback Trading Company

A few months ago I bought two of their hats to replace versions I bought back in 2017 when I bought my Spider. The model 14851 Harvest Breeze (in the lighter khaki tan "wheat" color) for top down driving, and the model 14721 Holly Hill (darker brown color) for non-driving, inclement weather wear in both rain and snow. They are both size XL, but the Harvest Breeze runs a tad larger for fit than the Holly Hill. Check their sizing charts and return policy for sizing issues. I use very thin foam, 1/8 - 3/16" thick, behind areas of the sweat band to improve the fit of the Harvest Breeze. Strips of cloth will do the same thing.

Harvest Breeze-
Harvest Breeze | Mesh Outdoor Hats by Outback Trading Company

Holly Hill-Holly Hill | Canyonland Hats by Outback Trading Company

I also own a Tilley hat, but the hat is very light and flexible (crushable), so the brim flaps around in the wind of driving, and generally Tilley brims are not wide enough for my needs.
Premium brands Stetson and Akubra (Australian made fur felt hats) are beautiful, but flat brim styles come and go from Stetson, and Akubra will cost +$250, but both are worth looking at. Turned up cowboy hat brims offer less sun protection.

UPF +50 shirts (with tall collars) and pants are worth shopping for as well. Protect that skin from cancer, it's the only skin you get.

 

[NHgirl7]

Here in Albuquerque, I have been strongly advised by a dermatologist to wear a broad brimmed hat when outside, not just a baseball cap, as the sun is intense.

Any suggestions for a hat for top-down driving?

You can find lots of clothing nowadays with SPF protection. Search on golf sites. I found a great hat that won't blow off. I also got a few long sleeve shirts with SPF. Here is my hat. Usually the cost more but it's worth it. good luck! Nancy

 

[kthwht00]

Can't believe you guys are doing this so wrong; there's literally a style of hat made for this.
This is the correct hat: Fight me.

 

[Gerarddm]

Can't believe you guys are doing this so wrong; there's literally a style of hat made for this.
This is the correct hat: Fight me.
View attachment 91061

My dermatologist would. Too much of your face and neck are uncovered. Of course, a nice beard has what, 30 SPF protection or so? ;-)

 

[NHgirl7]

Can't believe you guys are doing this so wrong; there's literally a style of hat made for this.
This is the correct hat: Fight me.
View attachment 91061

Nice stripes!! I have a similar luggage rack which adds a bit of class, and I love it.

 

[kthwht00]

Nice stripes!! I have a similar luggage rack which adds a bit of class, and I love it.

Full disclosure: It's a google image and that's not me.