Sybarite
Well-Known Member
Twice.
In praise of the Tilley Hat
- Thread starter Victoria Sponge
- Start date
Twice.
DanTribe
Well-Known Member
Can you still get replacement mantles for them?
johnalison
Well-Known Member
I've admired Tilley hats for years. If it weren't for the fact that I look an utter idiot in one I would buy one. My wife agrees.
WoodyP
Well-Known Member
"My wife agrees."
What, that you look an idiot?
Tilley hats are extremely difficult to carry off with any credibility, but are easily carried off by the wind. The only one I ever saw on someone that looked as though he owned it was on top of Mervyn Wheatley's dome. He had completed the AZAB and been knocked down causing some damage, but his hat was still on his head.
For myself, having had and lost, it improved my looks 100% after it was gone. Well, maybe 50%
What, that you look an idiot?
Tilley hats are extremely difficult to carry off with any credibility, but are easily carried off by the wind. The only one I ever saw on someone that looked as though he owned it was on top of Mervyn Wheatley's dome. He had completed the AZAB and been knocked down causing some damage, but his hat was still on his head.
For myself, having had and lost, it improved my looks 100% after it was gone. Well, maybe 50%
Tidewaiter2
Well-Known Member
Well. personally, if it stops sunburn, a skin cancer, I'll wear my Tilleys, kepi Breton, NVA style solar topee, boater, tweed hat, even a baseball cap.
On the way to wearing out my white Tilley as I write-fraying at the brow.
AuntyRinum
Well-Known Member
Yes, something.
Cruiser2B
Well-Known Member
On the way to wearing out my white Tilley as I write-fraying at the brow.
I wonder just how worn the hat must be to qualify for replacement per the guarantee? Has anyone made a claim?
Tidewaiter2
Well-Known Member
Earlier post in this thread? Or an earlier thread this month- someone has.
Gaaah, time for bed.
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
I have had a Tilley hat (or hats even) for the past 25 years, and all I can say to the detractors is dont knock 'em until you have tried one (or something similar).
If pose value / looking cool means that you wont be seen dead with one perched on your bean, fine.
If you are worried about keeping the sun off your noggin, helping to protect your eyes against terigiums (sp?). and even helping to keep the rain off your glasses, then invest in a hat of this nature - they are very effective.
I have recently lost one of my Tilleys (I had two) - I was out on a survey job on a boat, and I think I must have left it there. Was rather hoping that somebody would have found it and called me, but alas no. They probably chucked it in the bin, as it was literally in tatters, but the brim was still effective. A good working hat.
And this one was new about 8 years ago - sent to me compliments of Tilley after I returned it's predecessor to them (which was in much worser condition then - I had patched it so often that they initially refused to believe that it was originally a Tilley).
I have been told by a lawyer friend that when they offer a lifetime guarantee, they mean for the lifetime of the hat, not the bod wearing it...... so it was nice of them to give me a new one.
These ones that wore out were the traditional white cotton hats - if you dont wash them regularly (especially in the tropics), sweat does tend to rot the cotton fairly quickly.
I now have a very broad brim Tilley (almost a sombrero) made of a synthetic material rather than cotton - 3 years old, well used (including a transatlantic crossing), and it still looks like new (apart from some paint splashes).
DJE
Well-Known Member
Yes. I had one for 9 or 10 years and it eventually tore just above the brim at the front. Sent it back and they sent me a new one free. They even returned the old one with a large letter R marked on the label. SWMBO repaired the old one and still uses it.
After years of sailing and working outdoors without a hat I had both cataracts done in my mid forties. That sort of changed my attitude to hats.
If you are worried about how you look at sea then I don't think you belong on a small sailing boat.
[2574]
...
Agreed. I too am a regular visitor to the eye clinic in Salisbury General. Too far past my courting days (dim and very distant memory, 25th wedding anniv this coming weekend) to care about stuff like that.
A Tilley and a pair of Maui Jim's are required sunny sailing kit these days. Yes I probably do look like a plonker, that's fine with me.
BelleSerene
Well-Known Member
I find myself on both sides of this fence. Tilley hats aboard are deeply unfashionable in this country, being rather associated with the red-trousered, "don't quite know what I'm doing but I like to think I do' brigade. And they're generally a rather second-rate take-off of Australian or Southern US hats.
Then I went sailing in Australia on occasional bouts of business there. My Viking complexion won't stand up to the beating Sydney sun. In Australia it's equally unfashionable to expose your skin to the sun more than you must. And Australian hats are cheap there. And you can tie a leather shoe lace through the sides and under the chin so the breeze won't rip it off.
On a hot day back in the UK, I sometimes sail with an Australian hat and I know that some people will see me as part of the Tilley brigade. In spirit I'm not. By loose appearance I clearly am.
What the he**. It's comfortable and it works. Funny how these looks vary between cultures.
Then I went sailing in Australia on occasional bouts of business there. My Viking complexion won't stand up to the beating Sydney sun. In Australia it's equally unfashionable to expose your skin to the sun more than you must. And Australian hats are cheap there. And you can tie a leather shoe lace through the sides and under the chin so the breeze won't rip it off.
On a hot day back in the UK, I sometimes sail with an Australian hat and I know that some people will see me as part of the Tilley brigade. In spirit I'm not. By loose appearance I clearly am.
What the he**. It's comfortable and it works. Funny how these looks vary between cultures.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
No they are not - if you use the adjustable chin strap.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Is wearing a Tilley hat as detestable a crime as wearing red trousers, or a Breton cap, or (boo hiss) having a blue ensign?
Cruiser2B
Well-Known Member
That's a bit unfair isn't it? The price certainly doesn't suggest 2nd-rate; nor does the workmanship; nor the warranty. How does an Akubra stand up to a saltwater dunking?
Blue Drifter
Well-Known Member
When I was younger image was a factor - no longer and now it's comfort and function hence Tilley and Breton. Incidentally the next generation seem even less concerned about image, can't see anything looking out of place on this chap (assuming it is a chap):
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
I bet he wouldn't be seen dead in a Tilley hat though...When I was younger image was a factor - no longer and now it's comfort and function hence Tilley and Breton. Incidentally the next generation seem even less concerned about image, can't see anything looking out of place on this chap (assuming it is a chap):
mjcoon
Well-Known Member
Ugh, that should have come with a warning for persons of a squeamish disposition!
Henry Moore (sp?) sculpture made flesh?
Mike.
phanakapan
Well-Known Member
My man is on his 3rd or 4th- all wore out around the sweatband through, er, sweat.... (I did wash'em from time to time as it says in the instructions, but constant use in the tropics eventually got to them) . Tilley sends another one, no questions asked.
WoodyP
Well-Known Member
I have no objection to hats per se, just the cost and look of the Tilley. I think there is better to be had and cheaper, albeit without a lifetime guarantee. I had the straps on when single handing in a force 7 and trying to reef, it annoyed me more than twice as much as when I lost a £20 hat with a strap in a similar squall.
I am heading down market to the £1 bargain bucket for sun cover. It happens so rarely when I am out that I think I will be well into my box before the cost equalises.
I am heading down market to the £1 bargain bucket for sun cover. It happens so rarely when I am out that I think I will be well into my box before the cost equalises.