Hat or not?

[KwaiChang]

OK HAZ posters - one last question of preparation for me.

My buddy says a hat is a must - we will be hiking May 13th till the 18th - down SK up NK down NK and up BA.

I say "I got plenty of hair! (He don't )"

Opinions? If you say yeah what you you recommend?

Many thanks!!!

[paulhubbard]

I always cover my balding head so as to avoid sunburn. baseball caps are a nice help to keep the sun out of your eyes. But hats do retain a lot of heat.

[BobP]

4/5 Hazer's recommend hats(mostly ball caps). The 5th one does not. I wear a hat if its really cold. Like Paul said they really retain heat :yuck:

[big_load]

I wear a wide-brimmed hat almost all the time. The only exception is when it's cold enough to require heavy insulation.

[azbackpackr]

Hats can be purchased with a mesh crown to give you a little air flow. I personally can't tolerate the sun in my eyes, and wear a full brimmed hiking hat and sun glasses. Even if the sun does not bother you, it will, in the long run, damage your skin and retinas. My son is 27, lives outside all the time, and has wrinkles. His older brother is a Marine, spends most of his time outside as well, but has no wrinkles. The younger one never wears a hat, sunglasses or sunscreen, the older one does.

[PLC92084]

We all know what they say about opinions...

I usually wear a hat (booney cap (SP?)), but there are times when I remove it because I'm getting too hot. I find it very useful for reducing glare, direct sun exposure, etc. A bandana, sunglasses and sunscreen all do the same thing. Guess it depends on what one finds comfortable and useful...

[kingsnake]

The heat retention is minimal compared to the risk of getting skin cancer. Wear a hat, of whatever sort you prefer, unless you look like these guys: Also, going hatless, but putting a bunch of sun screen on your head is a poor idea, as when you sweat the lotion will run down in your eyes, and holy jeez does it sting! :stretch: (Unfortunate personal experience.)

[azbackpackr]

Sun exposure does not fall into the realm of "opinion." It is real. It damages skin and retinas. Furthermore, if it is hot, a hat can cool you more than heat you up, depending upon the hat, of course.

The following is my informed OPINION: Never go shirtless or wear a tank top in the heat. Wear a regular t-shirt or even a long sleeved shirt. Sunscreen all over, even underneath the shirt. This will prevent not just sunburn, but also fatigue, because sunburn/"tanning" or whatever you want to call it is fatiguing. The reason is that whether it is "tanning" or sunburn, it is damage to your body, and your body immediately gets busy repairing it. This uses energy. Hence, the fatigue. And drink water with electrolytes in it even if you are not thirsty, and EAT. Eat salty foods.

[PLC92084]

@azbackpackr

I knew I should've clarified myself a bit more... My comment about opinions/hats was intended to be generic and all-encompassing... not specific or directed at anyone or anything in particular...

Liz is absolutely correct about everything stated!

[azbackpackr]

Oh, I wasn't taking offense. Besides, it is good to be reminded from time to time that we should distinguish between what is merely opinion as opposed to what is well-established scientific fact.

I have a lot of skin damage, and would like to help others prevent this. You will NEVER see me in a tank top. (Probably wouldn't want to, either! ;) ) I do let my legs and arms get a little bit brown every summer, but I do use sunscreen and wear a hat, and a t-shirt, but never vee-neck because that area under my throat is a big mess that is always red.

[BobP]

The OP asked for opinions? and if yeah what type of hat? I've used all of the folowing depending on the hike.

No Hat
Used a chrome dome
Used a chrome dome and a hat
wide -brimmed and yes I've hiked with a Sombrero once
cowboy hat
visor both new and old school hightop
marathon hat

[azbackpackr]

What's a chrome dome?

I wear a floppy old Columbia hiking hat. Bought it on Campmor years ago. Exception is a ballcap I occasionally wear, seen in my profile photo.

[BobP]

Chrome dome http://www.hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=106916

[azbackpackr]

An umbrella? I have seen those in use, but wouldn't they be a real nuisance if there is a lot of human trail traffic, or heavy brush, or overhanging ledges, or low tree branches, or high winds? Just to name a few... ;)

[BobP]

Chrome dome is an umbrella....works great in all the things you mentioned. The only drawback is on heavy traffic trails people want to talk to you about the benefits of it.

[azbackpackr]

I fully intend to use an umbrella on my river trip!

I met that guy who called himself Maverick on the trail to Supai, years ago. He had Go-lite gear (he was a rep for Go-lite) and I talked to him for a few minutes about the umbrella and other gear he had. But how do you carry it? I use two poles to protect my creaky knees. I find those are awkward quite often, since it automatically means my hands are not free. I used to use only one pole, but that did not help my knees much.

Switching to a small internal frame pack to lessen/slim/diminish my general profile was good, but then I added the poles and that increased my profile. I doubt I would be anything but just a nuisance to myself and others on the trail if I had an umbrella AND poles.

[kingsnake]

I thought a chrome dome was a bald person?

[nonot]

Tip: Look for marathoner hats, they generally vent well compared to just about all others.

[Sarae]

I use an umbrella on sun exposed trails with little wind. Usually, I can just tuck it under the sternum strap of my pack. I also bring my hat in case it gets too windy for the umbrella to be practical. I have used the umbrella and loved it in the Grand Canyon, but yes, I did get asked about it about every half-mile.

[azbackpackr]

I guess you should get away from the Corridor, then, Sarae! ;)