Surf Hats: Are They Right For You?
I have always been apprehensive about surf hats. BUT they have always fascinated me at the same time. I am not exactly sure why. At times I want to say, “that it is ridiculous to wear a hat out in the water,” and other times I can’t seem to get around the sheer functionality of a hat in the water.
If you are spending hours surfing and getting your face sunburned no matter how much or what kind of sunscreen you are wearing, a hat in the water seems like the perfect solution. Not only to avoid sunburns, but also to avoid the sun in your eyes. The water reflecting the powerful sun rays into your eyes, or staring straight into the sun on the horizon as you wait for waves cannot be good for them. I mean you could wear your sunglasses in the water, but you might look like the Terminator determined to drop in on everyone.
I saw a guy wearing a hat out in the water the other day and he just made it look good, he wore it really well. Functionality aside, I think this an essential part of the surf hat is wearing it well. Not everyone can do it, you must decide if you can pull it off. Deep down everybody knows that some people are just hat people, and some simply are not. I decided to search through the different styles of surf hats to see what I could pull off and here are a few that I found:
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Dakine - No Zone HatNot only does one size fit all, but they are reversible as well. It has a nice secure strap to make sure it stays secure during your session and help you fight the sun and heat. $19.95 |
Dakine - Surf CapThis one is specifically designed to stay on while surfing and other ocean sports. It is made with a SPF quick dry fabric, and the ear covers have mesh ventilation. It too is a one size fits all, but the brim flips up to stay out of your face while paddling and the chin strap makes sure to keep it snug on your melon. $21.95 |
Pantagonia - Surf Brim
Made of soft and quick drying fabric, the brim holds its shape while in the water and floats should the neoprene chin strap fail to keep it secure. The headband lined with neoprene and an adjustable back belt buckle allows a more comfortable and secure fit, not to mention the vent holes designed to reduce heat and water build up. Though it costs a little more than other hats, with Pantagonia you really get what you pay for. $37.95
Quicksilver - Pierside Straw Hat
100% straw with a single embroidered logo on the front of that keeps it looking stylish. The adjustable toggles on the side secure it however you want to wear it. $14.99
Now, after perusing through a few of my top options for surf hats, I have just decided that I can’t do it. I simply cannot pull off wearing a hat out in the water. I am okay with that. I feel as if I am being honest with myself in this decision. I encourage you to assess yourself and come to your own individual decision. If you do find yourself capable of taking the plunge or have previously worn a hat, found success and are now searching for a better product, I would suggest checking out some of the above mentioned hats. They are pretty cool, you know, for hat people.
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i consider myself a hat person. i wear hats more often than not. but a surf hat, it just seems so kookish. especially if you were out on a good sized day, it seems like besides that dakine surf cap, you would for sure loose the hat sooner or later on a fall or duckdiving. yet, i do feel that the “older” guy out longboarding on a nice, clean, small day can pull off one of those hats.
a young guy in a hat, just seems kooky
The surf cap is pretty cool.
I have been wearing a hat while surfing since the mid 70’s. I started out using a Water Polo cap with the earcups removed in order to help keep my very long hair out of my face. I tried various ways of using a regular baseball cap but found them to be a nuisance at best because they were very difficult to keep on my head!In the early eighties I bought what was surely one of the first hats designed specifically for surfing, the “Aqua Lid”. This was a Baseball style cap that was made from ripstop nylon, with adjustable back strap and chin strap. The bill had a piece of stiff plastic inside it so it was 100% waterproof! Sadly these great hats were only available for 2 or 3 years. For the last 6-7 years I have been wearing a Baseball style cap mad by Patagonia that was originally marketed for Kyakers to wear under there helmets. It is virtually identical to the old Aqua Lid with adjustable straps for a perfect fit! It will also float if it gets ripped off of your nogin in a violent wipeout and you don’t have the chin strap tight enough! One other plus to wearing the Balcap style hat in the water is that when you duckdive a wave if you tuck your chin in the brim of the cap will fold down over your face momentarily and when you pop up all of the water simply runs off the brim instead of down your face!
For the last 15 years or so I have also worn some sort of eye protection while surfing, starting out with cheap sunglasses with a nylon cord attached to them to tie them to my wetsuit or hat. Think about it this way, if you were out sailing or even just standing around fishing you would have your sunglasses on right? My eyewear of choice these days is a pair of “Spex” Amphibious Eyewear http://www.spexusa.com/home/
The UV protection is vital to your eyes when you are out on the water for hours and an added bonus is that they keep the wind out of your eyes so you are not constantly wiping your eyes!
I love surfing with my Hat and Spex and won’t go in the water without them!!
Aloha, Ken
I too wear and have tried many different surf hats. I didn’t like any of them so I began making my own. I have a large selection of surf hats for sale at http://www.kingscanvas.com. My 100% cotton military style hats with flexible brims and chin straps will stay on in any sized waves. The flexible brim allows the water to flow around your head without cranking it all around. The flexible brim can be flipped up for panoramic viewing. Surfers would rather have their eyes and skin become destroyed over time than to be smart and wear a surf hat. I am living proof. My face looks like a piece of jerky and I’m only 46 years old. Hats block the glare allowing you to see the waves sooner. Seeing the waves sooner allows you to get a jump on the competition in crowded lineups. This means more waves for you. You remember seeing the guy in the hat not because he’s a kook in a hat but, because he’s catching more waves than you and you know your a better surfer than him. The hat is doing a lot of the work for him. Ya, I’m in the business of selling surf hats and there’s also a lot of guy’s in the water who surf better than me. However, there aren’t to many surfers that can quietly cruise around through the crowd and always be in the right place at the right time. Get ahead of the pack, protect you skin and eyes. Soon, everyone will be wearing one and they are selling adspace on Jordy’s cotton covered dome.
As a surfer/ quilter I developed a neoprene baseball style cap with a strap that can be worn or tucked around the back. It is out of 3ml neoprene and in bright colors for visibility. Checkit out!
what hat would you guys recommend for body surfing…?