Published Oct 13, 2026 Updated Oct 13, 2026

Field note 26

Hats

Sun caps, a UPF bucket, a rain cap, a waxed hat, and beanies for the cold.

Method on this page. Desk research from maker pages. Sun and rain hats need a brim measurement or a fabric name. The cold hat is merino.

A hat is the smallest weather layer. Sun wants a brim. Rain wants a waterproof fabric. Cold wants merino that fits under a hood.

The Sun Runner and the Tilley T1 cover sun. The Seattle Rain Cap and the Tilley TWS1 cover wet weather. Beanies come from Outdoor Research and Smartwool. The Vigor Plus balaclava is the cold face cover.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Columns: logged price, Price, Fabric, Sun, Regular price. A figure that is not on the gear note is marked not published.

Pick Price PriceFabricSunRegular price
Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino 150 Beanie $14.4 to $36 not publishedMerino wool blendUPF 30$36
Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Cap $22.4 to $56 not publishedGORE-TEX, fully seam tapedUPF 50+$56
Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap $17.6 to $44 not publishednot publishedInternal UPF 40 fabric$44
Outdoor Research Vesper Insulated Bucket Hat $74 $74not publishednot publishednot published
Outdoor Research Vigor Plus Balaclava $21.6 to $54 not publishedGrid-backed recycled fleecenot publishednot published
Outdoor Research Wind Pro Hat $16.8 to $42 not publishedPolartec Wind Pronot publishednot published
Outdoor Research Yukon Cap $56 $56not publishednot publishednot published
Smartwool Active Fleece Beanie $35 $35not publishednot publishednot published
Smartwool Second Cut Cuff Beanie $45 $45not publishednot publishednot published
Tilley Iconic T1 Cord Bucket $99 $99Italian corduroyUPF 50+not published
Tilley TWS1 All Weather Hat $96 $96Schoeller 3x drynot publishednot published
Tilley Waxed T3 $120 $120not publishednot publishednot published

Gear picks in this note

12 items
Tilley Waxed T3

Tilley

Tilley Waxed T3

Tilley says the Waxed T3 is for city streets and remote trails, at $120.

  • Solo
  • Couple
  • Retirees

$120 Price checked Oct 13, 2026

View product

FAQ

What blocks sun?

The Sun Runner Cap. Outdoor Research lists a 2.75 in brim and internal UPF 40 fabric.

What blocks rain?

The Seattle Rain Cap. The page lists GORE-TEX, seam tape, a 3 in brim, and UPF 50+.