I wear glasses, and there's nothing more irritating that getting them covered with rain. While there is no complete solution to this problem, especially if the rain is blowing vertical, the Seattle Sombrero waterproof hat from Outdoor Research comes close.

But, you might ask, why don't I use the hood on my waterproof shell to keep my head dry? That's true. In fact, depending on the weather, I do use the hood on my shell, especially if it is cold or the wind is wild. But it is not all that great at keeping my glasses dry. It helps a little, but not a whole lot.

When the temps are a little warmer, and the wind is not too strong, the Seattle Sombrero does a superior job of keeping my glasses dry, and at the same time, it gives me better visibility and breathability than a shell hood can provide. It also eliminates that irritating noise made by your hood as you walk, reducing your ability to hear mother nature.

Here's why the Seattle Sombrero is world class:

• The shell of the hat is made with a seam-sealed Gore-Tex fabric, which makes it waterproof and breathable.
  
   
• The inside of the hat is made of a wicking material to help dissipate any moisture build-up.
  
   
• The hat has a very wide brim (longer in the back than the front) to keep rain from getting on your glasses or running down the back of your neck. If you like, the brim on the sides of the hat can be folded up and secured with Velcro.
  
   
• The hat comes in four sizes (S, M. L, XL), which means that it will fit virtually everyone. I hate hats that come in one size designed to fit everyone (of course they don't). I wear XL, and it is plenty big for by fat head.
  
   
• Besides offering four sizes, the hat also includes an internal cinch-band adjustment. This allows you to fit the hat exactly how you want it, not too snug and not too loose. In addition, it can be adjusted to allow more air to flow to the head for greater comfort in warmer temps.
  
   
• The hat comes with a drawstring that you can optionally use to tie around your chin to keep from loosing it during blustery weather.
  
   
• If the hat ever gets blown off and lands in the water, it will float.
  
   
• This hat is tough, and it only weighs about 4 ounces. It is built to be bomb-proof and to last virtually forever.

While the Seattle Sombrero is a rain hat, it also makes a good sun hat for cooler temps. This way, you won't have to change hats every time the clouds break for awhile between showers.

Using the Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero in the Real World

Based on my own experience, I have found the Seattle Sombrero works best when the weather is below 70 degrees and the wind is not extreme. In temps higher than 70, the hat gets a little too warm (at least for me). In high winds, the brim blows up, reducing the hat's ability to keep rain off of you. When the wind really blasts, I end up using my shell's hood (and my glass get wet, of course).

I use the hat mostly during, cool, wet weather to keep of rain and shine. When it gets colder (but still wet), I will often wear the Seattle Sombrero with an ear band in order to keep my ears warm.

I have also talked with others who wear their Seattle Sombrero with a lightweight balaclava for additional warmth during wet weather. While I haven't worn it when it was snowing (yet), I imagine that it will work well to keep snow off my glasses, and a balaclava and/or ear band will keep my ears warm. And one other person I know wears his Seattle Sombrero over his shell's hood for even better protection.

Recommendation

If you venture out a lot in cool, wet weather, and you don't like using your shell's hood, the Seattle Sombrero can't be beat.

Product Notes

The Seattle Sombrero is available in four unisex sizes, and in six color combinations. The MSRP is $56.00. Outdoor Research also offers three other versions of the Seattle Sombrero that might better fit your needs. The Snoqualmie Sombrero has ear flaps for warmth, the Sahale Sombrero weights less and is more crushable, and the Sitka Sombrero uses a different, non-breathable fabric for making it waterproof. I have not tried these other models.