Alternatives to a straw hat
Hello,
So, it is more and more evident that I need to do something about burning my head and squinting when facing in the general direction of the sun during summer.
Ideally I would wear something like a straw hat but I don't think I can, there is something about them that are intolerable to me.
The things I imagine I'd like with straw hats is that they protect face, eyes, scalp and neck (if appropriately sized) while still being fairly cool (as in temperature, not style!).
So, that's the requirements: some kind of garment that would protect my head from the sun, while not overheating my head, ideally giving some shade to the eyes, and not being a straw hat!
I don't care much for social norms but if you recommend something it would be nice to let me know if it is supposed to be worn by specific groups in specific circumstances (for example men attending sporting events) and what breaking those norms could result in.
I understand I could get sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses but sunglasses are in the same category as straw hats and sunscreen has to be replenished (both as in the buying more bottles and applying it on myself).
I'm up for different kinds of hats, hat-ish and fabrics, I just don't really know anything about them, yet!
Tilley makes great hats. Not really any social normal for them I can think of. Lots of different styles too.
Tilley Canada
I cannot up vote this enough. Tilley makes amazing hats. They aren't cheap but they LAST. I've had mine for over ten years and wear it daily. It really is a buy for life sort of product.
Around $80 for a hat that will last that long seems like a steal, honestly. A crappy hat at a big box store is usually $20-$30.
Is your issue with straw hats the shape or the material? If it's the material, there are plenty of fabric hats in the same shape. If it's the shape, maybe bucket hats?
However! A shade does not fully protect you from UV radiation. It's still recommended to apply sunscreen when the UV index is high, even when wearing a hat that casts shade onto your face. Yes, you have to replenish it, but it takes like 5 seconds to apply to your face.
Yeah, this is important. If it's a problem specifically with straw itself, then some of the suggestions here might not work.
And I'll add on to your warning about sunscreen that sadly, sunglasses may still be a necessity. I have a wide-brimmed hat that I wear on walks with my dog, but I still need sunglasses because the sunlight reflects off everything. It's the glare that's the big issue...
I've had a Monterey Bay Cabana Hat for going on 10 years, and it's held up well. Super lightweight, very breathable in the heat, and does a great job protecting from the sun. Worth checking out.
you said no straw hats, and i'm normally in agreement, but i found a hat by St Florian that is shaped like a fireman's hat that i quite like, and have had one for a couple few years now.
https://saintflorianclothing.com/collections/headwear/products/the-straw-firefighter-hat
and while i'm not a fireman, i was a wildland firefighter for a couple years, so i think i earned the ability to wear it non-satiricaly
Panama hat?
https://www.jjhatcenter.com/collections/panama-hats
I like gardening hats. There are also similar hats in a variety of styles if you search "sun hat" or "sunshade hat". A lot of them are nylon, polyester--but they work perfectly well and wash fine even when the label says do not wash.
The other alternative that I can think of is a huge 10 meter sombrero that my dad has for some reason. It's really huge. It weighs like 80kg. If you search "sombrero gigante" the pictures that you see look like you might put them on a bobblehead in comparison. It literally takes up the whole room. I can't find any photos online which look similar--maybe I'll update this comment in a few months with a photo
But why stop at a hat? The sun has always existed. What you really need protection from are bees. This jacket includes a free matching hat: https://www.bellabeek.com/collections/beekeeping-suits
I know you said no straw hats, but an Amish style straw hat is very comfortable and cool (temperature-wise) to wear. How cool it is stylistically depends on your perspective.
You might also consider a felt or wool cowboy hat. If you do, definitely go to a hat fitter and get one sized and fit for you.
My go-to is a bucket hat. It has strong dad energy. But very comfortable and functional. I once had one from a sporting goods store that was infused with something that repelled mosquito's.