Tilley Hats.. Comments please (2 Viewers)

[Sandra (Taylor)]

Did you notice Bill Oddie was wearing a Tilley hat on the programme yesterday??

Sandra
:t:

 

[Chris Oates]

Thanks so much for telling me about this lovely site.

And I wish that I could wear a tilley hat, but I really don't look good in hats at all LOL.

Ally

If you want to tell where are you ??
You can see where I am.
I was out at Tehidy country park, Marazion & Trengwainton today - Baby Herons at Marazion !!

 

[egret3]

Morning Miss Ally..

Welcome.. and
glad you can get
some tips from Henry here

You dont have to look good in birding hats,
just functional and go out and have
fun, and view the birds..

Enjoy!!!

:king: 3

Welcome to Birdforum,Ally. Were all pally here hat or no hat 3

 

[hg1]

Spot the Tilleys

I have always had a bit of a problem with Tilley hats in that they seem to me to bit a bit of a badge of affluence. What I mean is that I spend quite a lot of tiome birding in the third world where it is not uncommon to see guided parties of birders wandering around wearing all the latest in "adventure clothing". By this I mean the $70 shirts and $100 pants that are "essential" to have in the tropics. This uniform usually includes a Tilley hat and I tend to categorize these enthusiasts as "Tilleys".

I have always found the site of hordes of birders wandering around poor native villages wearing more money on their backs, bums, and heads than the villagers earn in a year a bit disquieting. It is bad enough with the optics but why advertize your relatively obscene level of affluence still further? Whatever happened to a T-shirt a pair of scruffy jeans and a baseball cap?

 

[didnotbat]

Whatever happened to a T-shirt a pair of scruffy jeans and a baseball cap?

Here in the UK - nothing. I wear jeans with a battered old hat originally from Marks and Sparks and even older polo shirts when walking round my local patch. But denim in hot climates - no way. It is too bulky to pack, too heavy to wear, and takes too long to wash and dry. I use the lightweight Rohan gear for such trips - 2 sets of poloshirts and pants pack down to nothing, weigh nothing, and can be washed ,dried, and ready to wear next morning if need be.

OK they do cost 70/100$ now but mine are so battered that the locals look down on me as do the 'Tilleys'. Am I bothered - no.

rgds

david

 

[Keith Reeder]

I'd wear a Tilley hat myself - if it wasn't for the risk of being associated with the kind of people that wear Tilley hats..!

 

[tom24]

Mine's a look-a-like from Tesco.I NEED the shade from an all round brim if out in the mid-day sun abroad in summer.(Unless i've visited the sunbeds for a few weeks beforehand!).

 

[craig whitmore]

I'd wear a Tilley hat myself - if it wasn't for the risk of being associated with the kind of people that wear Tilley hats..!

Hi Keith:Gadget checklist
Leica 8x32 BA
Zeiss Diascope 65mm + 15-45x zoom
Nikon D70 + Sigma 80-400mm OS

I'd have a Leica myself-if it wern'tfor the risk of being associated with the kind of people who own Leicas. 3

It's been raining here for 42 days and I find my Tilley invaluable. Only problem is that I have behind the ear hearing aids, and rain on the brim sounds like hail on a tin roof

Craig B

 

[London Birder]

what on gods green earth is a tilley hat??

 

[Sandra (Taylor)]

Don't ask! A thread ran for ages on these hats last year. I would look back at the comments if you really want to know. To answer your question though - they're a sort of fabric hat with a brim and a cord so it can be anchored on. They're supposed to be virutally indestructable.

Sandra

 

[Henry B]

Don't ask! A thread ran for ages on these hats last year. I would look back at the comments if you really want to know. To answer your question though - they're a sort of fabric hat with a brim and a cord so it can be anchored on. They're supposed to be virutally indestructable.

Sandra

And I think Elephants eat them,read that somewhere. But you should give them a good rinse off before wearing them again.

 

[MikeB.]

Hi Egret,

Nice to see you back and the thread up and running again! This might go on for years!!

Mike

 

[Yeti Man]

I typically shun the 'costume' when birding, but I have been wearing a Tilley for four years now when canoeing (which I do 3-5 days a week when the season allows).
I recieved mine as a Christmas gift and didn't really know what it was when I recieved it.
I dip it in the lake on hot days and it keeps me nice and cool. I have washed it a few times when it got funky enough to try and run away, and it comes back better than new (clean, but better rounded).

I hate baseball type hats, and they generally don't fit me anyways (size 8 Tilley).

I would replace it in a heartbeat if I had to as it simply goes with my favorite paddle.

 

[DavidP]

I typically shun the 'costume' when birding, but I have been wearing a Tilley for four years now when canoeing (which I do 3-5 days a week when the season allows).
I recieved mine as a Christmas gift and didn't really know what it was when I recieved it.
I dip it in the lake on hot days and it keeps me nice and cool. I have washed it a few times when it got funky enough to try and run away, and it comes back better than new (clean, but better rounded).

I hate baseball type hats, and they generally don't fit me anyways (size 8 Tilley).

I would replace it in a heartbeat if I had to as it simply goes with my favorite paddle.

Someone with the same head size as me, I thought I was an oddball. Haven't found any hat with the sizing that goes as far as that and is suitable as a sun hat. Theres nothing worse being out in the desert with a hat thats too small and feeling the blood throb thru your forehead. Guaranteed to make you feel sick pretty quick.

 

[Saphire]

I am sad but today myself and my hubby tried the Tilley hat, guess what we bought one each, they are so comfy to wear and even look good. :t: I am not in the least bit disappointed.

 

[Keith Reeder]

I'd have a Leica myself-if it weren't for the risk of being associated with the kind of people who own Leicas. 3

Doesn't really work that though, does it, Craig?

I don't ponce around with my Leicas when I'm walking round town doing a bit of shopping..!

 

[Katy Penland]

Someone with the same head size as me, I thought I was an oddball. Haven't found any hat with the sizing that goes as far as that and is suitable as a sun hat. Theres nothing worse being out in the desert with a hat thats too small and feeling the blood throb thru your forehead. Guaranteed to make you feel sick pretty quick.

Just get a hat-stretcher or take it to your favorite Stetson dealer, wet the hat, and let it dry on the stretcher. It'll fit perfectly. :t:

 

[MikeB.]

Saphire,

Glad you took the plunge and hope your new hats bring a smile to you both!

I'm on my second one and have used them in the bush in Africa now for 13 years. Not so worried about looks, but I think they develop more 'character' after a couple of passes through the washing machine.

Enjoy,

Mike

 

[seaward]

I too wear Tilly hats... Top quality and very confortable! A littly expensive to some but if you figure how long they last they are really cheep!

 

[Henry B]

I too wear Tilly hats... Top quality and very confortable! A littly expensive to some but if you figure how long they last they are really cheep!

Birds go cheep, Tilley hats go ...erm :'D