Umbrella Hat

Umbrella Hat

 In theory, this is a great idea i.e. a hat that collapses and so you can stuff it in your pocket. 

However, keeping your head dry is much better served with a normal hat or even the hood of a rain mac which can scrunch down to much smaller units. 

 This is a novelty hat only.

The hat as shown collapses umbrella style, but in lieu central pole has several braces which fit into an elasticated band which grips to your head in a very uncomfortable way, that probably would not keep your hat in place in a gust of wind. 

I can see myself chasing this hat across a beach if there is a breeze.

 On the plus side the wide brim does provide extra sunshade and a little shoulder protection from the rain, so might be of some use, but unless I want a laugh I will pack a bucket hat for emergency use.

Waxed Cotton Wide Brimmed Hat

Described as a Aussie-style hat on most of the web sites you would purchase it from, this is very practical waterproof hat that also give goods sun protection with its wide brim

Made from waxed cotton typical of the outdoor country style of clothing you will see worn by gentry, farmers, river and pond fishers, game keepers and the like.

Waxed cotton is very tough practical weather resistant fabric with a very particular but not unpleasant smell.

Waxed clothing originated in the sailing industry, but the less stiff paraffin waxing process used in garments today did not come about until the 1920's and was produced in Britain by 3 companies who equipped the British army with garments made of it.

Barbour the most famous creators of waxed cotton country garments today, started using it for motor cycle clothing in the 1930's and back then was only available in black or an inconstant olive green colour. 

Modern waxes come in many colours but olive green is still the main colour choice.

Trapper Cap

This waxed cotton trapper hat is perfect for when I go hunting for lost socks

Fur lined it helps protect me from the dusty locations hidden socks lurk waiting to jump out at you.

Being black is also excellent camouflage for the dark corners of the sock draw.

You can also wear it with ear flaps down so you cannot be distracted by other noisy clothing.

You can even wear this cap outdoors in the cold and rain.

I Just Need a Stormy Sea

This is what's known as Sou'wester 

A practical hat used by seaman for protection against rough wet weather, The brim is wide and slanted basically designed to stop rain running off it down the collar of your coat. 

A good chin strap also keeps it in place in high winds.

The name Sou'wester potentially comes from the South Westerly winds which brought rough seas, this may have some truth, but I can't find anything to back the claim up.

In some countries its just called a fisherman's cap, however they are not necessarily the same thing as as Sou'wester for example they are not needed to be fully waterproof.

Sou'wester are made of oilskin which can any be fabric made waterproof but is traditionally canvass covered in linseed oil or tar this one however is 100% PVC but works fine.