If you're thinking of purchasing this hat, take note: the size L is a snug fit on a head measuring 23 1/4" (59cm). Measure your head with a tailor's tape measure, as instructed on the Tilley site and order accordingly with confidence. In my experience this hat does not run large, if anything I'd say a tiny, tiny bit small.
The hat itself is perfect. The beauty of the bucket design is rain water doesn't collect at the seam on the brim, rather it slides off onto your raincoat which should be designed to remove water without it collecting anywhere. In certain rain conditions you're going to get wet whatever you're wearing, and the wool content in this hat will help retain body heat.
The ear flaps are helpful too for cold weather, and the way they're designed is clever in that this extra layer inside the hat when they're not being used doesn't noticeably reduce the interior space.
The other good thing about this design is there's reasonable 360 degree sun protection while not going full broad brim. In lots of my forest walks I don't want a broad brim hat.
I've not used this hat much since buying it, but I will be using it a lot, it's already my go-to hat.
Finally a word about the company, there was a hiccup with an earlier order I made and they were open to a mutually acceptable compromise resolution. In this day and age, that's a good company!
