Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sunhat

Outdoor Research puts practicality first with this Sombriolet Sunhat.

Its name sounds fancy, but there's no pretention about this hat. In fact, it's very plain, with a drab color palette and pretty uninspiring aesthetic. It's certainly not for girls looking to make a fashion statement on the sand. However it's packed with the kind of features that mean we shouldn't dismiss it out of hand.

The Sombriolet's SolarShield material gives it a UPF 50+ sun protection rating, the equivalent of the best sunscreens on the market. It's lightweight with a mesh lining to ensure we don't sweat, but on the hottest days we can always unzip the vents in the crown.

The Sombriolet will suit lazy days, but it may not be the best choice for jetboaters or other busy sunlovers. The brim has a tendency to lift up in a wind, which causes the hat to fly off. You could employ the chin cord for some extra security, but that will only make the Sombriolet look more unfashionable than it ordinarily does! At least the brim has a foam insert, so it'll simply float on the surface if it falls off in the ocean.

At $36 the Sombriolet's probably more expensive than a fabric hat should be, but its hidden extras help give us value for money.

Get this Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sunhat:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):
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• Check the Altrec Outdoors eBay store to see if this sunhat is in stock

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