Kokatat Destination Baja Hat

The best sun hat I am aware of. Provides complete sun protection from all directions.

For a long time I have been looking for a lightweight breathable sun hat which would provide complete head and neck protection. Sunblock creams are just not suitable for heavy athletic activities like mountaineering. Sweat will quickly wash the cream off the skin, causing burning eyes, etc. Standard sun hats cover only the top and sides of the head. Face is barely protected by most of these products. With those, I have repeatedly experienced sunburned tongue and other parts inside the mouth from UV radiation reflected off the snow.

Kokatat design eliminated this problem 100%. That does not mean it is a perfect product.

My main complaint is the poor face flap control. The flaps are attached to each other with two small Velcro dots lined up vertically. No adjustment is possible. One connection fits all. When breathing heavily and there is a wind from any head direction, I inhale the flaps instead of air. Velcro strips instead of dots would help at least partially. I did not figure out yet how to keep the flaps from inhaling them in the strong head/ side wind.

Unfortunately, the company does not make these hats anymore. Once my piece reaches the end of its life, I might have to stich another one myself.