Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat

Denise Regensburg - 2008-10-08

This is one great hat!
Wore it rafting the Colorado River and it completely protected my fair skin; also, it kept the sweat off the inside of the hat because of an inner band with a "wicking" fabric. It is very lightweight and packed easily. Overall, buy this hat--you won't regret it.

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Tita - 2008-09-15

Very stylish
Loved this hat. Ordered it after seeing one on my daughter during a hiking trip. Some sun hats look awkward though the point is to protect your face from sun. This looks cute on and does it's sun protection job at the same time.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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Anthony P - 2008-08-04

The helios sun hat is a great hat.
The Helios sun hat works great for me. I use it all the time to do all my outdoor activities especially when its really hot and sunny. Im a person who really does not look good in hats, the helios looks great and is lightweight and gives excellent facial protection from the sun. I would highly recommend this product to anyone.

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> Read All 33 Reviews

Denise Regensburg - 2008-10-08

This is one great hat!
Wore it rafting the Colorado River and it completely protected my fair skin; also, it kept the sweat off the inside of the hat because of an inner band with a "wicking" fabric. It is very lightweight and packed easily. Overall, buy this hat--you won't regret it.

Was this Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat Review Helpful? - Yes - No

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Tita - 2008-09-15

Very stylish
Loved this hat. Ordered it after seeing one on my daughter during a hiking trip. Some sun hats look awkward though the point is to protect your face from sun. This looks cute on and does it's sun protection job at the same time.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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Anthony P - 2008-08-04

The helios sun hat is a great hat.
The Helios sun hat works great for me. I use it all the time to do all my outdoor activities especially when its really hot and sunny. Im a person who really does not look good in hats, the helios looks great and is lightweight and gives excellent facial protection from the sun. I would highly recommend this product to anyone.

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Brian - 2008-08-01

Great Hat, Perfect Fit
For someone who has lost their hair and now sports a clean shaven head I need serious protection when outdoors in the sun. The Helios is perfect. So light and comfortable I forget I even have it on sometimes. The brim is wide enough and holds it shape well to shade the face, ears and the back of the neck. This hat is super light and packs easy. My head always remains cool and wicks sweat away with easy. It's the perfect hat for the beach, hiking or just cruising around town.

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brannon - 2008-02-10

I like this hat
I spend alot of time outdoors.At the beach, hiking, walking,etc, and this hat really works in the sun. It will keep the sun out of your eyes, and off the back of your neck, something a baseball style cap will not do. I really recommend it.

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Chris Young - 2007-09-18

Awesome Hat!
I needed a hat to wear up in the Boundry Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota and found this hat. It is wonderful at providing shade on the open water and has adjustments for snuggness incase of a windy day. Hat is also water repellant although bigger drops can come thru. Stays cool, nice fit... I would definatley buy this hat again!

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Anonymous - 2007-08-13

Helios Sun Hat is the Best!
I am a video producer in Florida. Recently we were doing a video on firefighters and we were taping in 98 degree weather. The heat index was 115 degrees plus we were working around live fires! The sun hat saved me big time! It was super light, waterproof and took a beating. If you're going to spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun, I highly recommend this hat!

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Christopher Audsley - 2007-07-27

Great Hat!
This hat fits great, it's easy to adjust the size, and it looks great as well.

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Anonymous - 2007-07-17

Great hat
I bought the hat to wear at the NRA National Pistol Championships at Camp Perry, Ohio. The sun was brutal and the wind was annoyingly strong during the five-day event, but the hat stayed on my head and did its job. Its UPF rating was reassuring, and the dark material on the underside of the wide brim reduced reflected sunlight. I'm glad I bought it.

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Richard Spees - 2007-07-13

Good hat
I'm not big on hats, but I can wear this one without a problem. My head remains quite cool even in full sun, and it does a good job of protecting my ears, face and neck from sunburn (I still use sunscreen though). And early in the morning or late in the evening when I don't need it, it fits nicely in my camera bag.

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James Crockett - 2007-06-11

Best hat for the sun and general outdoor activities
I had a case of sunburn on my neck working out in the yard. I looked around and found the reviews on the helios to be helpful along with the Outdoor Research description on how the Helios was designed. This hat has kept my head cool and my neck and face protected when working out in the yard. Today, I wore the Helios on an 8 mile hike with my wife and it breathes perfectly when the breeze hits the fabric. It's very lightweight and doesn't trap heat under the canopy. The chin strap is effective and comfortable. It keeps the hat secure during wind gusts - no worries there. I highly recommend the Helios for anyone looking for protection from the sun and heat.

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David Dietrich - 2007-05-26

Best Hat I Own
Lost my left ear to sun cancer. I've always been a ball cap wearer, but my doctors insist I wear a hat with a brim. I'm very pleased with this hat. Like others have said, the brim holds its shape. I wear the strap behind my head and wind is not a problem. It stays put.

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Darren - 2007-05-21

Ultimate sun hat, even in Tucson!
I needed a hat to defeat the Tucson sun and this one rises and conquers! The brim is perfect for wicking away all that extra "man sweat" and on blustery days, the hat can be cinched up tight to keep it on during the strongest gusts. A "MUST BUY" for that fishing trip to Baja or your next hike through the Sonoran Desert.

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Anonymous - 2007-02-11

Sweet hat!
Sweet hat. super light, comfortable, and packable. It has nice flexibility in size adjustment. Snug when windy, but will sit loose when just keeping the sun off. This is definitely my new vacation hat.

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Joe OToole - 2007-01-26

It works and looks good to boot
I purchased the Helios sun hat because I was traveling to Costa Rica and wanted protection from the sun. I was concerned that it may not be a good fit but the first thing I noticed was the adjustable head band. The hat worked great, enough for me to write this review. It looks great too, enough that my fiance wore it more than me. Guess I'm buying another one.

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Bill Shanney - 2007-01-07

A great warm weather hat
I bought The Helios Sun Hat to take on a trip to Costa Rica over the holiday break. My other hats are are not as light weight and we expected very warm weather. The Helios was exactly what I needed; it kept the Sun at bay without making my head hot and it shed light rain and the constant dripping in the rain forests. I carried it rolled up and it went right back into shape when I put it on.

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RONALD HUDSON - 2006-11-15

Super light sunblocker
One of the best sun hats made. Very light, nice colors.

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Michael Dougherty - 2006-10-16

good sun hat
Nice hat, functional, lightweight, and a great fit.

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robb reddick - 2006-09-18

Great cover for a clean head.
Freaking love this hat; in fact it is my second one of this type. I love the outdoors and I shave my head, the two sometimes don't mix without being prepared. I coach soccer and use this hat exclusively to protect my head from the rays. The hat has now become synomous w/ my look as well as a good luck charm. The Helios stands up great in rain, when the temperature rises and cleans very well w/ a bit of soap and water when needed.

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Anonymous - 2006-06-17

The Bomb of Boonie Hats
Of the many styles and types of Boonie hats I've purchased over the years, which includes both civilian and military issue, the OR Helios Sun Hat is second to none!! For work or play, it's the best!!

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Anonymous - 2006-06-04

Great Hat
I had been looking for a sun hat for a long time that fit and offered a high UPF factor. I found both in the Helios by OR. It is light, adjustable and comfortable. The brim is the perfect size and does not get in the way when fishing. Great product.

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Bob Sohovich - 2005-08-28

Good quality and fit.
Works well and very light weight.

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J.S. Ellis - 2005-08-27

Provides great protection with very little weight.
This product is consistent with the quality I've come to expect from Outdoor Research (this is my third hat from OR; the other 2 are Seattle Sombreros ("sombreri"?) The Helios is well made, providing a slightly larger area of protection than the Sombrero, plus it breathes a little better since it's made of Gore-Tex. The Sombrero is still my first choice when the weather's wet, and I like its rounded profile a little better, but when the sun's out the Helios is a very intelligent choice.

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JC Schochet - 2005-08-26

Does what it's supposed to do.
I live in Vegas, so you know that the sun can really beat down on you. I bought this hat so that my face and ears would be protected when I'm hiking in the desert, and it does the job very well. In addition, it is very light, and the Coolmax band helps to keep sweat from getting in your eyes. The brim is very flexible, allowing photography with no trouble at all. (I bought it in Sand so I could use it as a fill reflector.) All in all, the hat does what it's supposed to, and doesn't look as nerdy as some others.

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daPig - 2005-08-16

Great Sun Hat
I wore this hat for a week of surfing and fishing in Cape Hatteras where the sun is brutal and there's nowhere to escape its reach. This hat kept my face, neck, and ears from burning to a crisp. The hat is very cool and seems to wick sweat well. It is also comfortable and adjustable to fit your noggin and stays on well in the breeze. It dries fast and does pretty well in the rain but a deluge would probably soak it through. I have definitely found my new fishing hat!

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Linda Stawinoga - 2005-05-16

The Helios hat is perfect for a hot, sunny day.
I especially like that the hat is light weight, but provides good coverage for my face, ears and neck. The hat also helps evaporate persperation, and keeps my head cool. Alos, I don't look like a complete geek in this hat!!

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Eric Murphy - 2008-03-22

Great sun protection with one drawback.
This is a very good hat for keeping the sun off of your head, neck and face. It is very lightweight, yet durable. I have had mine for about three years and have washed it in the machine several times. The only thing I don't like about it is that it has no vents. On very warm days your head will cook inside this hat. Other than that, I would definitely recommend it.

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Kelly Wilson - 2007-08-15

great hat
This is a great hat. Easy to pack, super light and comfortable. Dark on the underside of the brim to cut reflection off water or sand. Light on the top to ward of the sun. Big enough brim without looking dopey. My only reservation is hat I could live without the logo on the front. Still, I like it. I wear it. And, I recommend it without reservation.

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Neil - 2006-05-12

A nice hat
The hat has a lot going for it with a relatively stiff wide brim, nice cinch cord and good ability to adjust to different sized heads. It's an improvement in some ways over the Sonora sombrero which I think it replaces in that it doesn't have the hook and loop patches on the sides. (these were annoying in the wind b/c your hat would suddenly stop covering your ears) Having bought also the woman's version of this, I'm a little disappointed that it does not have as wide a brim as that hat which seems to provide more posterior sun protection.

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Anchi Wu - 2006-04-05

The brim could have been bigger
My wife used this Sun Hat under the desert sun for two weeks in Egypt and Jordan. She prefers a bigger brim around the hat so her face can be covered more. The workmanship is great for this Hat.

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Anonymous - 2005-11-19

Great for kayaking
This Helios sun hat is great for kayaking. The adjustible headband keeps it on even in gusty winds. The brim is wide enough to shield the eyes from the sun, but still permits good visibility.

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Macadotious - 2005-05-28

Sweet lid for a cool, dry dome.
I really like my new hat. I bought it to replace my third Sonoran Sombrero, which seems to be unavailable now. The Helios's bungee cord is vastly superior to the old velcro strip (in the S. sombrero) for making sure a stiff wind doesn't swipe your hat. Also, the material is great. I still prefer the spherical shape of the Sombrero's headpiece, as opposed to the more voluminous cylinder shape of the Helios. I also think the Sombrero's brim was wider. For those two reasons I give four instead of five stars.

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John Maciejewski - 2005-05-24

Very Impressed
I am very impressed with this hat. It provides excellent coverage, so no more sunburns on my ears or neck. Also it keeps my head cool. It absolutely will not blow off either, even without the chinstrap. I ride ATV's every day with it, and it has not blown off even once. The only downfall to the hat is that the chinstrap tore off on it today on one side. I am sure it was faulty sewing. Other than that I would reccommend it to anyone.

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