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| Tilley T3 Hat |
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| Written by John Fenna | |
 TILLEY T3 HATA good, reliable hat, one that will keep off sun, wind, rain and snow, will not blow off, is tough, versatile, is made from (mainly) natural materials, easy to wash, is comfortable to wear, gives protection and ventilation, is crushable and packable, unisex and good looking, and is even guaranteed for life, seems like the bushcrafter’s ideal, or even dream, headwear. But it exists! And it has existed for quite some time in the shape of the classic, instantly recognisable – even iconic, Tilley T3. Made from 10 oz pre-shrunk cotton duck fabric that is treated to give extra water-repellency and mildew resistance and fitted with brass ventilation grommets, side snaps and “wind cord” eyelets, with a “secret” pocket in the crown that holds a non-absorbent foam liner to give the hat buoyancy ( and a measure of impact protection), a Hydrofil anti-sweat band that helps wick sweat away from your forehead, a fully adjustable twin “fore and aft” wind cord that keeps the hat on your head, even in a gale, the T3 is built to last and built for comfort! Designed to fit low and loose (held by the wind cords, not by a tight fit), the T3 comes in a huge range of sizes from 6.7/8 to 8+ (55cm to 66.5cm, or 21.5/8” to 26.1/8”) and you are sure to get one just the right size, while the brim – 2.75” (7cm) deep at the front and back, 2.3/8” (6cm) at the sides, can snap up out of the way, or fold out to make the most of the hat’s UPF of 50+ rating. How many hats are guaranteed for life with a no quibble agreement? The T3 is! How many manufacturers insure the hat against loss or damage? The T3 has a 2-year, all perils 50% deductible policy attached! How many hats come with a 4-page owner’s manual? The T3 does. And how many hats can pass (repeatedly!) through an elephant’s digestive system and still be wearable (after washing…)? You guessed it, the T3 has done it! Now, I am not saying the T3 does not have its faults, only that I have yet to find them!  I have worn my Tilley T3s (I currently own 2 so I have one to wear while the other is in the wash) for many years in Britain, Europe, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and the jungles of Asia, and have found it performs well in all climates and weathers, as well as in activities from canoeing (the floating aspect helps here…) thorough trekking and shooting to camping and bushcraft.Although the Tilley T3 is guaranteed for life, I have obviously lived too long, having worn out 2 T3s already (I do have very acid and profusely-produced sweat!) but Tilley have, without prevarication sent replacements. They even returned the worn out/rotted hats when requested so my trophy wall can boast a dead Tilley! As Tilley hats mature with use, they develop a patina and you get sentimentally attached to them. My T3s both act as mobile souvenirs of trips around the globe with home made bands made from bits I have acquired on trips. I would not be without my Tilley T3s, and even if the purchase price of around £47 seems steep, it is not much to pay for a hat that will last a lifetime and will become an old friend while proving as tough and versatile as you want! Oh, and Tilley do lots of other good stuff as well! For more information contact Tilley Endurables Ltd, 6 Tresprison Court, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 OQD. Tel 01326 574402. www.tilley.com e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Comments
(7)
Good kit,can`t fault it.
my god the first pic looks creepy, if you have ever seen some of the invamous "iraq beheading" movies you know what I mean
Hi John,
just bought a Tilley 3 hat From Pack your bags travel store, for £39.99, 15% from RRP £47. MY New kit for the moot this year. Regards The interceptor boy. http://shop.packyourbags.com P.s, i have no affilliations with the seller. Happy custommer. THANK YOU.
The head on the left was originally a standard shop dummy head - but it was remodelled as a portrait of one of the cast in the play "Tomb with a view" where the unflapable elder brother "I never lose my head" was beheaded and the head revealed on stage......so not far off the mark!
It looked worse before I repainted it!
I bought a tilly hat in 2000 and wore it to a very rainy scout camp confident in the expectation that it would be a good all weather hat . It soaked up water like a sponge and was embarassingly useless.After all the hype it was the most dissapointing hat that I have ever owned. At the sharp end of £40 I would not recommend it to anyone venturing out doors.
Tilleys are "water repellant" not "waterproof" - I think you may have been expecting too much of the hat. I have worn mine in tropical downpours and it has protected me from the worst of it all - did not sag like some would and dried reasonably quickly.
I wear mine year round in conditions ranging from sun to snow and have yet to be disapointed with its performance and would recomend it to everyone venturing outdoors who does not expect miracles from a cotton canvas hat! If you need "waterproof" buy a plastic hat but expect a sweaty head! Or buy a breathable waterproof hat at about the same price as a Tilley T3. I would go for the Tilley every time! You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
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Thanks to your review I've just ordered one (got them on web for £37.99-£39.99).
Good to have it reviewed by someone we know has put it through the mill and whose advice we can trust.