6 Best Waterproof Outdoor Research Hats For Men And Women

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In this text, I present 6 great waterproof Outdoor Research hats for men and women. They are all fully waterproof and with all seams taped. All hats are with very different and unique design so you can choose a most appropriate model for your type of outdoor activity. Most of them provide a very high level of UV protection.

My list of the best Outdoor Research waterproof hats for men and women

 

Note, the hats in the list above are given in no particular order.

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1. Outdoor Research Helios Rain Hat

This hat is the waterproof version of the Outdoor Research Helios Sun hat. So you have a 2.5 layers breathable membrane integrated in this hat. All seams are fully taped.

The hat is made of nylon, and it is very lightweight. The brim is a bit stiffened by foam and yet it is very flexible so you can easily store it just anywhere, in your pocket or somewhere in the backpack. The purpose of the foam is also to make the hat floating, so if you drop it into the water you will not lose it.

This hat offers a very high UPF. This refers to Ultraviolet Protection Factor. You should know that this is a very high value. If you are not familiar with the terminology, this means that only 1 out of 50 units of UV will pass through. Just for comparison, the usual protection by summer fabric is only around 6.

Inside the hat, you have a sweatband and a mesh tricot lining crown with the same purpose. You also have a cleverly designed chin cord which is removable.

Here is a short video, please have a look:

Specifications & summary of features

• Avg. weight: 2.3 oz/66 g (L).
• Fabric: Ventia, 2.5L, 100% nylon.
• Waterproof.
• Fully seam-taped.
• Breathable.
• Lightweight.
• Quick-drying.
• TransAction headband.
• Mesh tricot-lined crown.
• UPF 50+.
• Dark fabric under brim to reduce reflection.
• Sizes: M, L, XL.
• 3 colors:
  

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2. Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero Hat

This is the most recognizable and iconic outdoor hat, the one that has been around for several decades now, enormously popular, and award-winning. In 2005, the hat has received Backpacker Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Gold Award.

This is again a waterproof and breathable tool, very durable, with 3 layer Gore-Tex fabric, and with a great design. So it is no surprise that the hat remained a top-selling product of Outdoor Research company. The hat is with all seams sealed. It has a foam-stiffened brim which again floats like in the model presented above.

On both sides, you have Velcro tabs, so the brim’s sides can fold up and attach to the crown. You will see this in the video below. You also have a chin cord with a lock. The cord can be untied from the hat and removed if you do not need it. Inside, you will notice a cinch band. With this, you can make it more loose or tighter, as you need. This band is under a nice moisture wicking liner.

Here is a nice video about OR Seattle Sombrero, please have a look:

Summary of specifications & features

• Avg. weight: 3.2 oz / 91 g (L) .
• Fabric:
  – GORE-TEX 3L, 100% nylon, 70 D plain weave crown.
  – 100% nylon, 70 D plain weave with PU coating brim.
  – 100% polyester, tricot lining.
• Waterproof.
• Breathable.
• Seam-taped.
• Moisture-managing.
• Foam-stiffened brim floats.
• Brushed tricot lining.
• Internal cinch-band adjustment.
• Hook/loop tabs secure brim to the dome.
• Removable chin cord.
• UPF: 50+.
• 4 sizes: S, M, L, XL.
• Many color combinations  available:
  

User’s experience

• At Amazon, thus hat has received an average rate of 4.7/5.
• The fit as expected statistics for this hat is also very good, 90%.

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3. Outdoor Research Helium Radar Rain Cap

This is again a fully waterproof and incredibly lightweight, 12 grams only, outdoor tool perfectly suited for any outdoor activity where grams count. So I see it as a perfect choice for backpackers and trail runners. The fabric used here is Pertex Shield+, 2.5 layers, and as usual for OR, all seams are taped.

The brim is quite large and only on the front, see the picture above. It is with foam and it provides a nice face protection. There is a drawstring with a clip on the back to adjust to your head circumference. Inside you have a headband for moisture.

You will notice that the material used here is the same as the one used in OR best selling Helium rain jacket described in this site. So here is a chance to have a truly great combination of both products.

Here is a nice short video about OR Helium Radar rain cap, have a look:

Users’ experience & fit

At Amazon, this cap has received only a limited number of reviews so the statistics may not be so reliable. The average rate is 3.7/5, and the fit statistics so far has been 64%.

Specifications & summary of features

• Avg. weight: 0.4 oz / 12 g (L/XL).
• Fabric: Pertex Shield+, 2.5 L, 100% nylon, 30 D ripstop.
• Waterproof.
• Breathable.
• All seams taped.
• Lightweight cap and brim.
• Reflective logo.
• External drawcord adjustment.
• Wicking TransAction headband.
• Crushable or packable.
• UPF: 50+.
• Sizes: S/M, L/XL.
• 5 colors:
  

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4. Outdoor Research Helium Rain Bucket

This is again an ultra lightweight hat, build of the same material as the Helium Radar rain cap above. The main difference is the brim which goes all the way around. So this is again a piece that nicely fits the Helium rain jacket from the same brand.

The hat is equipped with the cinch cord and toggle. It is completely waterproof and breathable, and with all seams taped. It is made in 4 different colors suitable for both men and women. The same UV protection is here as in all models presented above.

Specifications & features

• Avg. weight: 1.2 oz / 33 g (L/XL).
• Fabric: Pertex Shield+ 2.5L, 100% nylon 30 D ripstop.
• Waterproof.
• Fully seam-taped.
• Breathable.
• Ultra lightweight.
• Quick-drying.
• TransAction headband.
• UPF 50+.
• Reflective logo and trims.
• Removable chin cord.
• Very packable & crushable.
• Sizes: S/M, L/XL.
• Colors:
  

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5. Outdoor Research SunShower Sombrero

This is a hat with a really particular design. In fact, it is not waterproof itself but it comes with a nicely designed rain cover which is stored in a small pocket under the brim.

The name tells you that it is very suitable for both rain and sunny weather. When it is sunny you will not use the rain cover. In fact, you have two large mesh sections on both sides of the crown, you can see this in the picture below.

Specifications & features

• Avg. weight: 4.1 oz / 117 g (L).
• Fabric:
  – 100% Supplex nylon, plain weave main shell.
  – Pertex Shield 2.5L, 100% nylon, 40 D mechanical stretch ripstop rain cover.
• Waterproof.
• Breathable.
• UPF 30.
•  Wicking TransAction headband.
• All seams taped.
• Removable rain cover.
• Pocket for rain cover.
• Brim floats, stiffened with foam.
• Breathable ventilation mesh panels on both sides.
• Internal cinch-band for adjustment.
• Chin cord removable.
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL.
• Colors: 2 combinations.

Users’ experience

• OR SunShower sombrero has received a great rating at Amazon, with 4.4/5 average rate.
• The fit as expected statistics also looks great, 90% and 100% in two different Amazon departments.

Here is a nice short video so please have a look:

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6. Outdoor Research Cloud Forest Rain Hat

This is a fully waterproof and breathable hat with a wide brim of 2 ¾ in (7 cm). This is a Ventia nylon fabric with a membrane underneath it, and a half-layer protection covering the membrane. You will notice that the fabric on the underside of the brim is darker, this is on purpose to reduce reflection and glare.

The drawcord is adjustable and also removable, and you also have an internal TransAction headband that wicks moisture. The hat is packable and you can store it anywhere in the pack or in the pocket. They did not provide any info about the UV protection, I asked them and did not get any reply yet.

Specifications

• Best use: any outdoor activity.
• Weight (L size): 4.9 oz (139 g).
• Waterproof & breathable.
• Shell material: Ventia 2.5L 100% nylon.
• Under brim: 100% nylon.
• 70% plain weave with PU coating.
• Brim length: 2 ¾ in (7 cm).

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Size guide & guarantee for all items

Outdoor Research has a lifetime guarantee for their products, see more here:

In order to choose a proper size for you, you might want to have a look at this size guide:

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Conclusion

Thank you for reading. I hope this text has been useful. It will be updated regularly, so bookmark this page and check it from time to time. It will be great to have some comment from you, there is a comment box below. Have a nice day.

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