Very Quick
"I don't expect 100% precision in a one-size-fits-all hat, but if you have a big head, I'd buy it in a store where you can try it on."
"The adjustable chin strap keeps it from blowing away in trade winds but the brim is too large and floppy for heavy wind or ocean boat trips."
"Personally, I think they are great- they are light, and while I'm generally hot when outside, they don't make it worse by holding in the heat (in contrast to some cheaper sun hats I've had that really trap the heat)."
"After that I also saw the large dark ring on the underside of the brim, which was sweat that had seeped from someone's head a few inches out onto said hat."
"I need something with a stiff brim because I've already had two basal cell skin cancers removed from my face and ear this year."
"The only slight negative is that the brim is not stiff, which I like, but on windy days the brim can flap around."
"The hats are floppy and you'll potentially look ridiculous wearing them, but there's nothing like taking your shade with you wherever you walk."
Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II Sun Hats (Click to Compare Deals)
Quick
"I did sweat around the base of the hat (where it's against my skin) and had to let the hat air out frequently, but it was 100 degrees, after all... I've only used it for 3 or 4 hikes, so I can't attest to how long it would hold its shape over time... I don't expect 100% precision in a one-size-fits-all hat, but if you have a big head, I'd buy it in a store where you can try it on."
"The adjustable chin strap keeps it from blowing away in trade winds but the brim is too large and floppy for heavy wind or ocean boat trips. I'm a photographer and the Booney's brim, although large, easily flexes out of the way when I shoot verticals with a DSLR... It does rock the safari look something fierce, so it that isn't your thing, check out Columbia's buckets or ball caps."
"Personally, I think they are great- they are light, and while I'm generally hot when outside, they don't make it worse by holding in the heat (in contrast to some cheaper sun hats I've had that really trap the heat). One of the reviewers commented that the brim was too short- we might not have the same hat, because mine is as wide as it could be without being too wide... As I mentioned, I have several of these hats, and always keep one in the car, because when it's sunny here, you're going to get scorched if you don't use something to keep the sun off of you."
"* For the past few years, my husband and I have joked about getting him a 'dad hat', as we are frequent hikers, climbers, and generally outdoorsy folks, and both our dads would wear such hats and embarrass us as kids on vacations growing up... After that I also saw the large dark ring on the underside of the brim, which was sweat that had seeped from someone's head a few inches out onto said hat... But when my husband asked what was wrong, I couldn't hold back my elephant tears because I'm pregnant and emotional and had found the absolutely perfect gift to celebrate our foray into parenthood and it was soiled and sweaty and disgusting and I'D SMELLED IT."
"Even with a strong wind from the front, the rim did not flip upward which my other (more expensive) sun hat does... I need something with a stiff brim because I've already had two basal cell skin cancers removed from my face and ear this year... For the strong Tucson sun that we have, I really need something that does the job and this seems to do that."
"And the one-size-fits-all seems accurate since it uses a locking drawstring for fit adjustment... The only slight negative is that the brim is not stiff, which I like, but on windy days the brim can flap around... Overall I am very happy with this hat and will order another should this one ever get lost or wear out."
"The hats are floppy and you'll potentially look ridiculous wearing them, but there's nothing like taking your shade with you wherever you walk... I was skeptical about the value of the mesh area for cooling, but I can clearly feel a breeze passing through the hat when the wind blows, so it definitely fulfills its function... If you're heading outside in the searing sun and don't want to have to coddle a stiff-brimmed hat, then you need one of these practical Bora Bora hats."
Less Quick
"I did sweat around the base of the hat (where it's against my skin) and had to let the hat air out frequently, but it was 100 degrees, after all. The brim held its shape pretty well, and wasn't too floppy or too stiff. I've only used it for 3 or 4 hikes, so I can't attest to how long it would hold its shape over time. It's flexible enough that I could bend it in half and stuff it in a mesh outer pocket of a backpack. I probably wouldn't fold it in half in a suitcase - I packed it flat - but it would probably bounce back even if you did... I bought one on Amazon and one from REI, and despite being one-size-fit-all, the REI one was a perfect fit and the Amazon one was just a tad too snug... I don't expect 100% precision in a one-size-fits-all hat, but if you have a big head, I'd buy it in a store where you can try it on."
"As far as hats go, it's cooler than average due to the mesh ventilation and lightweight fabric, and certainly cooler than my cotton bucket and ball caps... It's engineered as a sunhat and the dense weave fabric and large floppy brim provide excellent protection, besting any bucket or ball cap... The adjustable chin strap keeps it from blowing away in trade winds but the brim is too large and floppy for heavy wind or ocean boat trips. I'm a photographer and the Booney's brim, although large, easily flexes out of the way when I shoot verticals with a DSLR... It does rock the safari look something fierce, so it that isn't your thing, check out Columbia's buckets or ball caps... This fair weather sun hat is wonderful for protecting my noggin and upper face during hiking, beach and gardening. I like it so much I bought three of them camo, gray and khaki so there s always one at ready!"
"Personally, I think they are great- they are light, and while I'm generally hot when outside, they don't make it worse by holding in the heat (in contrast to some cheaper sun hats I've had that really trap the heat). One of the reviewers commented that the brim was too short- we might not have the same hat, because mine is as wide as it could be without being too wide. Any more wide and it would start to get in the way (and be really floppy, I'd imagine). It works great as it is, and does a reasonably good job of keeping my face from getting scorched. My head is large - 7 3/4- and the hat is comfortable, which is another big plus, as usually hats don't fit unless they are XL. I own a number of other Columbia products, mostly winter things like a coat, boots, and a vest, and find that I get a lot of use out of their stuff, and it holds up well to a lot of use. As I mentioned, I have several of these hats, and always keep one in the car, because when it's sunny here, you're going to get scorched if you don't use something to keep the sun off of you."
"* For the past few years, my husband and I have joked about getting him a 'dad hat', as we are frequent hikers, climbers, and generally outdoorsy folks, and both our dads would wear such hats and embarrass us as kids on vacations growing up. This Christmas I was so excited to be giving him his official dad hat, as come 2017, he will actually be a dad. It was the only gift I purchased, and I looked very forward to gifting him with our little inside joke... I thought, no way, this can't really be sweat... After that I also saw the large dark ring on the underside of the brim, which was sweat that had seeped from someone's head a few inches out onto said hat... But when my husband asked what was wrong, I couldn't hold back my elephant tears because I'm pregnant and emotional and had found the absolutely perfect gift to celebrate our foray into parenthood and it was soiled and sweaty and disgusting and I'D SMELLED IT... Unless you're into wearing a stranger's old body fluids on your head - then by all means go for it."
"* This review is actually by Mrs Mara I just ordered this navy blue hat because I tried out my husband's, which is in the dark grey color. It was large enough for my big head (I also have a lot of hair). We're having a particularly windy day today and it's 90 degrees, so I thought I would test it before ordering one for myself in a different color... Even with a strong wind from the front, the rim did not flip upward which my other (more expensive) sun hat does... I need something with a stiff brim because I've already had two basal cell skin cancers removed from my face and ear this year... For the strong Tucson sun that we have, I really need something that does the job and this seems to do that... It's as light as a feather, big enough for my head and is the best sun hat I've ever had, and I have 6 of them now!"
"The wide brim does a good job keeping the sun off my face and neck. And it also absorbs some of the sweat that gets into my eyes when plating volleyball... And the one-size-fits-all seems accurate since it uses a locking drawstring for fit adjustment. It also folds up nicely and when it gets dirty I simply run though the clothes washer (with other clothes) using the normal cycle... The only slight negative is that the brim is not stiff, which I like, but on windy days the brim can flap around. As such, this is probably not the only hat to have during windy days or if you are riding in a speed boat. Overall I am very happy with this hat and will order another should this one ever get lost or wear out."
"* I really like these Columbia Bora Bora Booney II hats. I bought one in Fossil and liked it so much that I bought another in Sage for my husband (see pic of the two colors). The hats are floppy and you'll potentially look ridiculous wearing them, but there's nothing like taking your shade with you wherever you walk... I was skeptical about the value of the mesh area for cooling, but I can clearly feel a breeze passing through the hat when the wind blows, so it definitely fulfills its function. At first I considered buying a cool looking stiff-brimmed outdoor hat, but being very practical and caring less and less about fashion as I get older, I chose this Bora Bora hat instead. The Bora Bora hat can be folded up in your cargo short's side pocket when you're inside (and not wearing it - like when you're in a grocery store) and then unfolded and worn again when you're back outside... If you're heading outside in the searing sun and don't want to have to coddle a stiff-brimmed hat, then you need one of these practical Bora Bora hats."
