Yes, I'm vain when I hike. Sigh.
This is all I've found--http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_043E0028000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=04394006067 but it's kind of pricey and who knows about the quality. Mostly to keep the sun off my head, so the wool might get a bit warm in the summer. Any suggestions?

Edit: apparently called a cadet cap. That search produces many more options.

Edited by tekhna on 12/20/2011 10:01:52 MST.

Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap. It's nylon, military cadet style, and it folds up to fit in a pocket.

http://www.backcountry.com/sunday-afternoons-sun-tripper-cap

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-radar-pocket-cap

Great suggestion, thanks!

Sears (!) is selling a billed hat for $50? Wow. That's not the Sears of yore. Cheapest military hats I've seen are Mao hats - they were asking 25 Yuan, but you could bargain them down to 10 Yuan ($1.50), a local could have done better. Comes with a little red star above the bill.

The most functional military style hat I've used (for sunny climates) was from yet another military branch: The French Foreign Legion:

http://www.lifestylestore.com/ls_hats_5179.html $8.95

If your pack doesn't extend far above your neck, I've recently seen more white guys learn from the Hispanic and especially Asian gardeners and go with very broad-brimmed straw hats. Lots of shade and ventilation and very light. Sorry about the style, though, you end up looking like, well, a gardener or peasant rice farmer.

+1 on the OR radar hat. I have a couple of them. My size medium weighs 1.8oz and folds into next to nothing.

+2 on the OR hat. Fits well and the folding feature is great.

I am surprised the OR radar caps have not become standard issue to military personal who work on flight lines. I know my USAF issued hats were always thrashed after a couple months use of shoving it in my pocket when I was on the flight line.
Terry

+3 on the OR Radar. I've had mine for a couple of years now and won't part with it.

just make sure it has a big red star on it ... and its all good ;)

Colombia makes one (or did last year) I found it on amazon for $20. It's kind of stretchy and dries very fast.

I think this is the one I have, not sure if there's a men's version.
http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Sportswear-Womens-Edgewater-Medium/dp/B0034T58NI/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1324446419&sr=8-38

Just kidding...

Plus 3 on the Radar hat, it's a good one.

David, the broad-brimmed straw hat doesn't make you look like a gardener, it makes gardeners look like surfers. Very common hat down here on the south coast. :) I wouldn't backpack with it, although I do carry a pack full of tools and water under it for trailwork. Wait, does that make me a gardener? Dammit. Already a peasant, too.

Radar- could it be named after the character on MASH?

INDIANA JONES FEDORA




Official Lucas Film licensed product.

Detail of Indiana Jones pin which is included with every hat.

A bit of thread-drift, I suppose.

But I think I understand your dilemma-- aesthetics always seem to weigh in on me (slight BPL pun), even in the backcountry. Craig Wisner recently posted a thread about simple, aesthetically-pleasing gear. Super efficient; Super simple; Super classy-- all three are characterisitcs that I love. I keep looking back at this photo from a Chouinard Equipment catalogue and thinking, "Man, that just looks classy"



Probably: sil-nylon pyramid, wool hat/sweater/trousers, and leather mocs.
Simple shelter, simple clothes, simple style. Why not?
Good luck!
For me it comes down to a simple question of motive: simplicity or self-gratification?
--Sounds like a good blog post to me!

Edited by cwayman1 on 12/21/2011 21:40:13 MST.

John said:
"Radar- could it be named after the character on MASH?"

Give that man a cigar and moon shine martini from hawk eye !!!!

Edited by socal-nomad on 12/21/2011 09:11:23 MST.

Photo is in Owens Valley, north of Bishop along the Owens River. Mt. Tom is the dominant peak. Hills in the foreground are "The Buttermilks". 'Mid is a thing of beauty, no?

Somehow I have 3 'mids... Not sure why

Edited by jimqpublic on 12/22/2011 15:31:43 MST.