Wear the Right Hat For Your Adventure

June 14, 2012COMtnMom

I’m fairly good about sun protection, given my history of skin cancer.  I typically remember my sunscreen.  And when assembling gear for an outdoor adventure, I grab either a baseball, scout, or visor style hat.

But there is a small problem with that.  It’s been nagging at me in the back of my mind for awhile now.  But I’m just not a “big, straw, floppy beach hat” kinda girl.  So the voice just keeps nag, nag, nagging me while I’m out there playing in the sun, “You’re not protecting your head like you should (and could) be doing.”  And I keep ignoring it and doing the same ol’ thing.

Until my blogging friend Farrah from “The Three Under” featured a company called AdventureHat.com.  Bingo.  The coolest Aussie hat ever, just waiting there for me to make it a part of my outdoor life!

Bill Conner’s Australian Hats

If this style even remotely interests you, you’ve just struck gold.  Because guess what?  Bill Conner, of Adventure Hat, created Australia’s original leather hat with a shape-able brim in 1969.

Ummm... yeah, that's Princess Kate. In a BC Hat. And she's a PRINCESS.

There have been many copy cats spawned since then.  But you won’t find one that’s lighter, more stylish, or of better construction than this one.  Originals will have a brass “BC” logo on the hat band.  Bill Conner’s hats are hand made in Byron Bay, Australia.

What I Thought of My BC Australian Leather Hat

When I received mine, I was slightly surprised.  It was smaller than I expected for some reason – which was a good thing.  It’s not overpowering – the crown is just the right size to cover/fit over your head.

And it was softer than I expected, but with just the right amount of sturdiness.  The leather is rich and feels great, and the braided leather hatband adds a touch of class.

I chose the “BC Cool as a Breeze Australian Leather” style because it was gorgeous AND practical.  I really want this to be my new primary hat that I wear hiking, which gives me some added protection from the sun.  With this particular style, you get the look of leather but the crown is actually made of a mesh material.  So it’s also very cool and comfortable to wear during outdoor activity.

But I also just plain love the looks of it.  I know it’s the Great Outdoors, and that the bears and mountain lions don’t care what you look like.   And no, I don’t put makeup on when I go for a hike.   But you know if you don’t  look cool in a hat, you’re not gonna wear it.

A bonus being that since I do like the look of wearing it, I’ll wear it many other places as well.  Like outdoor concerts, farmers markets, and festivals.

Talk about an awesome design.  The sides are tipped slightly up, and the front slightly down.  And the hat is reinforced with a coil spring wire, so even when crushed it will pop back out to its original shape.  In other words – take it along with you anywhere, cause it’s extremely durable!

How the BC Australian Leather Hat Performed

I was very, very pleased with how this hat performed.

The AdventureHat.com site gives detailed instructions on how to determine your sizing.  So it fit perfectly, and was so comfortable and light that I quickly felt like I wasn’t wearing a hat at all.

Except that I could see so well without squinting. Because the brim all the way around does a wonderful job.  As far as pulling sun-blocking duty, it gets an A+.  I have never worn a hat that shaded my neck, ears, and face as well as this did.

Can you picture yourself looking all “Man From Snowy River”, Aussie-kinds a cool in this hat?  Yeah.  That’s what I’m talking about.

Other Styles Available from AdventureHat

If for some reason this style is just not your cup of tea, AdventureHat.com features a fantastic variety of hats on their site – over 400 styles!

They have hats for men, women, and kids.  You can shop by style, activity, material, or price.  All for what I thought were very reasonable prices.

And all with free returns, and 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Recap Review ~ BC Cool as a Breeze Australian Leather Hat

What I loved:

  • Soft, quality leather materials
  • Provides excellent shade/sun protection
  • Lightweight
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Coolest style and design that I’ve seen

What I didn’t love:

  • The mesh crown and brim were different colors (crown is quite a bit darker), and accentuated the fact that they were made of different materials.
  • I’m not sure how well it would stand up to getting wet (rain, mishaps while stream-crossing, and what not).  But if that was of concern for how you plan to use it, you could select the canvas version instead – which offers you the same style, plus sounds virtually indestructible.

I chose the “Moose” color, and from the picture on the website I thought the mesh crown and leather brim would be almost the same colors.   They were not, but I must say that I would probably still pick the same one over again – it really is a beautiful color.

The BC Cool as a Breeze Australian Leather Giveaway

That’s right – Adventure Hat has offered to give one of my readers this very same amazing hat style “BC Hats Cool as a Breeze Australian Leather”, with a retail value of $49.99!

Enter using the form below.

I received a sample BC Cool as a Breeze Australian Leather Hat for the purposes of this preview.  But all opinions are my own.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments (43)

  • Marthalynn

    June 14, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    I love the Airflow Light Weight Supplex Outdoor Hat by Cov-ver!

  • Erin

    June 15, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    I love the Airflow Lightweight Outdoor Hat for the summer!

  • elven johnson

    June 15, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Ari Fine Cotton Summer Bucket by Cov-ver Hats

  • Kelly D

    June 15, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    I also like their Bangalow Ladies Straw Gardening Hat by Cov-ver

  • Sunnie

    June 15, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    I like the heather cowgirl with necklace.

  • Stephanie Hungerford

    June 16, 2012 at 4:38 am

    Noosa Girls Cotton Sun Hat by Cov-ver in khaki because this hat is packable

  • Sue Hull

    June 16, 2012 at 7:19 am

    I love the one in the giveaway and another I like is the Wow-Wide Brim Sunblock Hat. I wish I would’ve known about this place last yr when chemo made my hair fall out. I learned that I could actually wear hats and not look ridiculous. Thanks for the cool giveaway!

  • deanna

    June 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    like to own: X marks the spot Beanie by Cov-ver Hats
    xoxox

  • Gina H.

    June 16, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    Cindy Wide Brim Sun Hat by Cov-ver

  • kendra

    June 17, 2012 at 2:26 am

    Wide brim sunblock hat, I so need one as I get sick in the sun

  • Nanny Anna

    June 17, 2012 at 3:44 am

    I thought the BC Hat: Cool as a Breeze Canvas for Ladies would be the perfect hat for me. BTW, you looked lovely in the hat…very adventuresome 🙂

  • John Billiris

    June 17, 2012 at 5:06 pm

    I like the BC Hats Hat n the Pouch Oily Australian Leather. I love that it’s foldable!

  • Kathleen Conner

    June 17, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    That’s a tough choice. I really like the hat you got, the Aussie leather, but I also like the Aussie Cooler Canvas Mesh Hiker by Cov-ver, and the McCloud Sun Protection Ladies Gardening Hat by Cov-ver.

  • OMF

    June 18, 2012 at 11:45 am

    I’m heading with my family to a island in Canada this weekend. We’ll be on the lake all the time, and I was going through the same dilemma: is a baseball cap enough? Lots of hats out there right now–fedoras, floppy rattan–so many of them make you feel dorky–your BC Austrailian hat looks great! You look as cool as Kate.

  • Kathlyne

    June 18, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    I like the BC Hats Swagman Oily Australian Leather hat.

  • Sarah C

    June 19, 2012 at 3:39 am

    I would choose the Amy Summer Raffia Hat. So pretty!

  • Carolsue

    June 19, 2012 at 4:59 am

    I’d like the BC Hats Stockman Straw hat

  • farrah

    June 19, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    So glad you guys connected! And that hat looks AWESOME on you. Kate who?! 🙂

    1. COMtnMom

      June 19, 2012 at 5:20 pm

      lol – Awwwww, you are very sweet, Farrah

      Thanks for finding such a great hat company… and not minding me riding on your apron strings. 😉

  • Steve Burns

    June 19, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Cool! I have been looking for a good summer hat, and I like the look of the Cool as a Breeze hat.

  • Elizabeth

    June 19, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    I love the Airflow Lightweight Outdoor Hat for the summer!

  • Beth Hill

    June 19, 2012 at 5:12 pm

  • chris

    June 19, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    i would like the Gazebo wide brim sun hat by Cov-ver

  • Kristie D.

    June 19, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    I like the Ari Fine Cotton Summer Bucket by Cov-ver Hat. Looks great! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

  • tam childers

    June 20, 2012 at 1:15 am

    love the Indy Jones Mens Waterproof Cotton Hat by Cov-ver

  • Tiffany Ibarra

    June 20, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    So stylish! I love them!

  • Kimberly

    June 20, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    My pick would be BC Hats Bac Pac Traveller Oily Australian Leather.

  • Alicia Zirjacks

    June 20, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    I love the Ari Fine Cotton Summer Bucket hat

  • Gale Nelson

    June 21, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Down Under Leather Hat by Cov-ver

  • carol roberts

    June 21, 2012 at 11:22 am

    Air Conditioned Straw Shapable Brim Hat by Cov-ver

  • Candice Hull

    June 21, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    Besides this awesome hat, I like the New Orleans Fancy Crocheted Ladies Wide Brim Straw Hat by Cov-ver.
    Thank you

  • Annmarie W.

    June 21, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    I’d love their Polk-a-Fun Ladies Raffia Summer Hat by Cov-ver!

  • Jennifer Clay

    June 21, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    Amy Summer Raffia Hat

  • Marty Harris

    June 21, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    I like the The Rat Pack Fedora by Cov-ver hat

  • Ann M Heilman Parker

    June 21, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    Daisy, maybe, nellie, polka fun or sheer bliss….just like a woman…couldnt just pick one…so many cute ones! truwinner@gmail.com

  • G Bailey

    June 21, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    BC Hats Bush Walker Suede Australian Leather

  • kamilah

    June 21, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    the jimmy sparks fedora is cute

  • suebunting1977@gmail.com

    June 21, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    which hat I’d most like to own is Tough Leather by Harley Davidson Hats

  • Jennifer Reed

    June 21, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    Very cute choices… I also like the women’s Bimini Army Fatigue Style Cap by Cov-ver.
    repose4jr at gmail dot com

  • Mary Dailey

    June 22, 2012 at 12:34 am

    I like the BC Hats Bac Pac Traveller Oily Australian Leather
    marika200@hotmail.com

  • Gianna

    June 22, 2012 at 12:55 am

    Big Bear Outback Oilskin by Cov-ver Hats.

  • Wendy T

    June 22, 2012 at 1:20 am

    Hard choice….but I’d say I like the Phoenix Western Shapable Hat by Cov-ver also.

    Thank you.

  • Leigh Kozar

    July 17, 2018 at 4:47 am

    Great post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our website.Keep up the great writing.

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