I am an amateur photographer and need advice on a Tilley hat. These are used by many other guys that do similar hobbies and hope there are folks here that can help me make a choice. I can get sweaty in this marvelous Iowa heat and humidity so need at least some ventilation and being a former redhead, now mostly gray, need sun protection for sure. It is great to see they have my size, 7 5/8, also.

I have narrowed it down to 3 possibilities:
LTM2 - Broadest brim, 3/4" vent panel
LTM6 - Intermediate brim, 3/4" vent panel
LTM8 - Intermediate brim - fully vented side panel
The ideal might be the LTM2 brim with the fully vented LTM8 sides but alas this doesn't seem available

Any comments regarding how above choices might work for shooting pix? Would the LTM2 brim be too wide? Does the fully vented side offer much better cooling than the 3/4" vent?
All comments are appreciated and thanks in advance.

Don't get the really broad brim. I had one and it was hard to get in the car.

Tilleys are excellent hats. One minor issue is the fact that the brims are not very rigid, and tend to flop around if there is much of a breeze, especially with the (very wide) brim of the LTM2. The LTM2 has more of a round fit as opposed to the oval shape of the LTM6, but my hats are several years old, so this my no longer be the case. The LTM6 is my favorite as an all-around hat. I would order up 1/8th size up as you want to avoid a snug fit. The 3/4" vent seems to work reasonably well. I don't have any experience with the fully vented models.

If your body thermostat runs hot (like mine), the hat with the larger venting should be strongly considered. Removing the foam padding from the top of the hat also helps to vent the heat.

I bought a Tilley years ago (not sure which model, but sounds like the LTM6) with the 3/4" vent, but in retrospect I probably should have purchased the LTM8.

Rob

quote:

Originally posted by NOCkid:
Tilleys are excellent hats. One minor issue is the fact that the brims are not very rigid, and tend to flop around if there is much of a breeze, especially with the (very wide) brim of the LTM2.

Very true. I wear a LTM6 for fishing and like it a lot. However, it's useless when driving at any speed. The brim flops right down in front of my eyes.

I have an LTM6 Airflow that I got for this summer's vacation in Europe and it worked out very well. Pay attention to their sizing. I used their measurement system and it worked with a 7-5/8. If I had ordered on what I normally wear it would've been a 7-1/2 and been too small.

I forgot which model I have (LTM2 or 6?).

Often, I do wish that the brim were wider, especially in the rear, for better coverage of my neck later in the afternoon when the sun is going down (usually the hottest part of day as well).

The front is actually, for the most part, okay.

Agree with the flop in the wind -- wish there was some way to stiffen up just slightly. But maybe that's by design so that the hat doesn't fly off (although the strap system is good). Better to flap then to fly away?

The larger venting seems like it would be cooler - the 3/4" vent still seems to get hot. But I also use it in the rain so the larger vent may not work as well...

Take a look at the Tilley Orbit.White with brown edge trim, great oft hot summer days.My other one is a n LTM5.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

quote:

Originally posted by NOCkid:
Tilleys are excellent hats. One minor issue is the fact that the brims are not very rigid, and tend to flop around if there is much of a breeze, especially with the (very wide) brim of the LTM2.

Very true. I wear a LTM6 for fishing and like it a lot. However, it's useless when driving at any speed. The brim flops right down in front of my eyes.

I think the lighter weight nylon hats, LT series, have less rigidity than the traditional cotton duck. I have had my T3 for almost 25 years and I've not had an issue in wind that I recall, and that includes while sailing. There's not much structure, but the brim seems to stay where I shape it. I don't think I'd want a larger brim, 2 3/8 on the sides, 2 3/4 front and back. As for heat, well it is cotton duck, but when I bought it that was the only option. Photos on the website don't do a lot of these hats justice.

I first bought a nylon Tilley, but then got a T3 (I think), the classic cotton duck version. I much prefer this for style and function, but then I don't live in Iowa.
However, it is at this moment packed (smashed) in a suitcase; the suitcase, hat and I are leaving for Malawi today.

sjtill you have that right for sure. We don't have much "style" here in Iowa but we kind of prefer it that way!
For me with light skin and bald dome sun protection is where it's at.
Have a great time on your trip.

Camera use with flash impossible. Great customer service. Hat can shrink. 1/8th larger makes sense.

I just bought one after reading this thread. I have a cheap knockoff that doesn't fit right and is always blowing off my head. I thought I would risk the $95 on a real one. I purchased an LTM6Airflo primarily as you have much fewer choices in a size 8 melon.

I purchased one earlier this year and would do it again in a heartbeat. You need to order them large enough that that fit low on your head, by design.

Washable and good as new.

quote:

Washable and good as new.

Washed mine in the washer, dried in the sun, then sprayed with permethrin insect repellent. That hat has character!
Thanks for the good wishes, bettysnephew!

It's almost impossible for me to keep the Tilley on and use the viewfinder, especially when the camera is on a tripod.
A hat with a rigid bill works better although I often have to push it way back.

If you curl the sides up it makes the front brim stiffer. Some have snaps for that.
My cheap-o one doesn't so I take the chin strap and lift it up and over the top to the rear brim and it holds the sides up perfect, and that holds the front brim up better.

 
T3 here, very happy camper.
 

I wish I could sell mine that I got years ago.
I bought too small.