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My First Tilley HatI bought my first Tilley Endurables hat back in 2003. It was the T4 model, made of heavy cotton duck fabric. Tilley claimed to make "The finest hat in all the world...guaranteed for life...insured against loss." I've rarely worn anything but Tilley hats to do my beachhunting since 2003. Above left is me in my very first Tilley, the T4, on Caspersen Beach. It was a fine hat made of heavy cotton duck. However, it did not last forever because I did not take very good care of it. Cotton duck hats gradually succumb to sweat unless washed once in a while. I never washed mine and it gradually fell apart near the forehead, where I sweat the most. I've never been a fan of hats, so I really did not know how to care for a hat. This one really took some punishment. However, I quickly ordered a new hat. My Second Tilley HatThis time I ordered a hat made from a new-fangled fabric that is nearly impervious to sweat and dirt. Made from Tilley Nylamtium®, a durable, water-repellent nylon, this hat is extremely light weight and can easily be rolled up and stuffed in a backpack or beach bag. That's me in the Tilley LT6 (above right photo) on Honeymoon Island. I've had this had for several years and it's as good as new. It has taken some really rough wear too. I don't take very good care of it either, but it looks like its going to last a long, long time anyway. |
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I wear my Tilley hat so much that I have a hard time finding a photo of myself when I'm not wearing my Tilley hat and my dark sun glasses. In the photo at left I'm exploring the fantastic beach on Cayo Costa Island State Park. I'm wearing my 3rd Tilley hat, the T2. It has a very, very wide brim and is made of heavy cotton duck. I don't wear it as often as I do the LT6, but it provides a bit more shade. I mostly wear it when Ms. BeachHunter goes beachhunting with me and she "borrows" my LT6. |
I
would never consider going to the beach without a hat. A good beach
had with a wide brim provides excellent sun protection for your head,
face, eyes, and neck. I'm not sure why hats fell out of fashion, but
they are coming back in a big way, especially for people who spend a
lot of time in the sun. In Australia, big floppy sun hats are totally
in fashion.
 BeachHunter plays lifeguard in his Tilley T2 |
About Tilley HatsAlex Tilley began shipping hats out of his basement in 1980. Now Tilley sells not only hats, but also clothing specifically designed for travelers. He calls his company "Tilley Endurables." I'm mainly interested in his hats. Tilley says that his hats were "conceived in frustration and born of necessity." Tilley was a corporate art dealer and consultant and was thus highly attuned to quality. He was also a sailor and found himself in dire need of a proper sailing hat. This mythical hat had to "...float, stay on, be unshrinkable, last indefinitely, and look attractive." Tilley set out to have such a hat made and received design advice from all manner of experts. You can buy a Tilley hat made of cotton duck, or the very lightweight, waterproof, and mildew resistant Nylamtium®. The grommets are solid British brass. The hat is made by hand (with the help of a sewing machine, of course), in Canada. UV ProtectionBest of all perhaps, the AMC Cancer Research Center has certified that all Tilley Hats and Caps block 98 percent of harmful UVA/UVB radiation and deliver an ultraviolet protection factor of 50+, the maximum rating given. Lifetime Guarantee"If you ever find the Hat to be less than the best for any reason, we will repair or replace your Hat free. If your (unbleached) Tilley Hat ever wears out, mail it to us and we'll replace it free." Insurance against LossIf you ever lose your beloved Tilley hat, Tilley extends the kind offer of allowing you to be able to repurchase an exact replacement for one-half the present catalogue price, plus taxes and shipping. |
Some interesting comments from Tilley Hat owners
"I was robbed of my autographed Tilley Hat at gunpoint...I must say that other than fearing for my life, I was extremely upset in losing my new hat...Please send me a new 7-5/8 ASAP." - B.C. Boise, Idaho "Like an idiot I purchased on of your overprice hats and find to my amazement that I like it very much. Now I'll make an even bigger idiot of myself and buy a pair of your Tilley Shorts." - RAJ, San Diego Photo left: Susie BeachHunter having fun in my LT6 Tilley Hat on Cayo Costa Beach. |
"The
Tilley Hat has lent me a subtle air of insouciance and élan which
has hitherto eluded me." - J.W., Connecticut