Most people think that I am much younger than I really am. One of the reasons for this is an almost complete lack of wrinkles on my face. And it isn't because I was born lucky. Virtually all of my life, when out in the sun, I have worn some kind of skin protection, such as sun block and a hat (usually both). Keeping the sun off your face is the absolute best way to prevent wrinkles. Avoiding smoking is the next best way to prevent wrinkles (in case you're interested).

Today, my favorite hat to protect me from the sun is the T3, from Tilley Endurables. It's clean look, bomber quality, and sun protection are second to none. Here's what makes the T3 world class:

• According to the manufacturer, the T3 is the most popular hat sold by Tilley. My guess this is true because of the T3's simple, clean, classic design.
  
  If you like, one, or both, of the brims can be folded up, Aussie-style, and snapped into position.
  
  The T3 can be purchased in several different colors, and if you don't like this particular look, Tilley offers other hats with differing styles.
  
   
• The T3 is considered a medium-brim hat, which means that there are hats with both narrower and wider brims. I imagine that the brim size is a personal preference. Personally, I have found the medium brim just right for me.
  
   
• The T3 is made out of a strong, durable, water-resistant cotton duck fabric. The material is very tightly woven and preshrunk. Under light rain conditions, the T3 will do a good job of keeping water out of your eyes. But under heavy rain, the T3 will get soaked.
  
  You can wash the T3 along with your regular laundry, if you like.
  
   
• Inside the hat is a sweat band to help absorb moisture.
  
   
• If your T3 gets knocked into the water, it floats. Of course, you may get wet retrieving it.
  
   
• Hidden inside the hat is a secret pocket that can hold emergency money, or whatever. But I can't tell you where it is, as it's a secret.
  
   
• Tilley hats are designed to be worn differently than most other hats. Instead of floating on top of your head (and I really dislike this), Tilley hats are designed to fit more around your head, which means they fit lower on your head, protecting more of it. This design not only affords more protection, it also makes the hat fit more snugly, which also means that it takes a lot of wind to knock it off. And if it gets too windy, you can also use the included chin strap.
  
   
• Tilley realizes that people's heads aren't all the same size, so they make 13 different hat sizes. And if one of these won't fit, they will even custom-make you one to fit. You will want to measure you head carefully before you order one to ensure a good fit. If you don't know your head size, Tilley offers a free measuring kit on their website.
  
   
• All Tilley hats are guaranteed for life. If you ever wear one out, Tilley will replace it, for free.
  
   
• Tilley also offers a two-year, all peril, 50% deductible insurance policy. In other words, if within the first two years of purchase you loose the hat, for any reason, you can get it replaced for half the price of a replacement hat.

For protecting you against the sun, and to help keep you from aging, the Tilley T3 can't be beat.

Using the Tilley T3 Hat in the Real World

There is one thing I really, really like about the T3, and that is the fit. This is a result of having lots of sizes to choose from, and also the design of the hat, which is designed to fit more around your head than on top of your head. It is very comfortable and stays put in almost all weather.

When walking casually, I have found the hat to be very comfortable, even at high temps. But if I get more active, and start to really perspire, the T3 gets a little too warm, and the built-in sweatband can't keep up. Of course, this would be true of most hats, and off the top of my head, I can recommend a hat that would do any better under hot and active conditions, except perhaps one of the other Tilley models that offer more ventilation options that the T3.

While the T3 repels light rain well, heavy rain will soak it. Under these conditions, I break out my Gore-Tex rain hat.

When you are not wearing the T3, it can be attached to the back of your back with its chin strap, or it can be crushed to fit inside your pack. If the hat has been crushed for a long time, you will need to straighten it out, and after a little time, it comes back to its original shape very well.

Recommendation

If you need sun protection, and you do, the Tilley T3, or any of Tilley's other fine hats, will more than meet your needs.

Product Notes

The Tilley T3 is available in six different colors, and the MSRP is $55. Tilley offers a lot of different hat styles, if the T3 doesn't suit you.