Review on Stay Cool In Style With GearTOP Sun Hat - Perfect Wide Brim Bucket Hat For Men And Women by Ronald Cambridge

The first thing you notice when opening the package is that the hat is folded completely flat. That should be a reminder that it is intended to be a travel hat. The information in the box even tells how to iron the hat if it gets unwanted creases. The second thing I noticed is the nice wide brim. Measuring the brim at 4 points around it, front, back, left, right, I got the following measurements from edge of brim to seam at bottom of hat:3-1/4, 3-3/8, 3 in., 3 in.The brim is a bit stiff. It should hold its shape at least for a while until hard, sweaty work takes it’s toll. Even then, the Ebay ad indicates the hat is machine washable so you should be able to at least clean the hat after tough use.There is a non-elastic band around the bottom of the hat where the hat and brim meet. It is held in place by material that looks like belt loops. I have no idea if this band has any function or if it is simply to add some style to an otherwise dull-appearing hat. The Ebay ad indicates that the loops can hold glasses when they aren’t needed. I just tried that and it worked with some reading glasses with flexible arms, but I don’t know how it will work with sunglasses with stiff arms.The hat has a chin strap that is adjusted with a spring-tensioned cord lock. It should work just fine to snug-up the hat in windy weather. There is also a cord lock around the hat so the size can be adjusted. Both of these locking mechanisms should do what is intended. They are nice features that give the hat extra versatility.Unlike many "ventilated” hats that have relatively small vents on each side of the hat, this hat has a ventilated mesh section that goes all the way around the hat. I suspect this will help keep your head cooler than the other pattern on hot summer days. Because of the mesh panel, I don’t know how well this will work to keep your hair dry in the rain, but as a sun hat, I believe it will work great.The material on the top of the hat is very thin and light. That should serve to keep the sun off but not add a lot of weight. It reminds me of the material that some backpacking tents are made of.There are snaps on each side of the hat so you can change the look or get the hat away from your ears if you want. Personally, I doubt I will use them. When you snap the brim to the side, it deforms the rest of the hat including the brim.I didn’t get this hat to make a fashion statement. I got it to keep the sun off my face and neck. It’s light, adjustable, well ventilated, and has a wide brim. I’m looking forward to putting it through its paces when doing yardwork next spring and summer. I’m confident it will do exactly what I want, reduce exposure to harmful sunlight.