Dutch Harbor GearMen's Sou'Wester Hat

Great Buy!!! This item is robust and well made. It is far heavier (thicker and solid) than I expected for under $10 delivered. It looks goofy on me but I don't care about that - I bought it to keep rain off my head and it works very well. The Dutch Harbor Sou'Wester's rain protection would be better than a sombrero from Seattle that I bought previously. The Sou'Wester unusually shaped brim not only will shed water further away from your face than the Sombrero, this Sou'Wester also has ear flaps that will prevent side blowing rain from hitting your ears and it ties down from the ear flaps giving a very secure feeling. The lining is very comfy too. Improvements I would like to see is an improved tie down system: The current configuration uses somewhat wimpy flat cotton strips about 9" long (see photo) that are to be tied under your chin in order to hold the hat in place during a wind. I would like to see something like round shoelace material plus the addition of a push button/spring loaded locking mechanism instead of having to tie a knot under your chin (in the rain) or try to untie a wet knot later. I added one of the spring loaded push button devices which can be seen in the picture I uploaded but I have not yet replaced the cotton tie strips for para-cord. Friends, for less than 10 bucks you cannot go wrong. I ordered a medium and it was a bit snug but considering I could be using this in stormy/windy conditions it makes sense to design these to be a bit snug. I recommend this to anyone interested in a solid rain hat that uses a design intended for function not necessarily looks.Update: It is now June of 2024 and I still have this fabulous piece of rain gear. I just noticed the update I promised was never posted so here it is. I was in a recent rain storm and pelted with what Forrest Gump calls fat rain - a lot of it. As it has in the past the rain hat's historic design kept my head and neck dry. What a fabulous Product! Added a 5th star - still happy after all these years !!!

Excellent rain protection.This rain hat runs big. I ordered medium because the size always works for me, but "medium" for this hat is like a normal "large".My first thought was to send it back, but because I am in the Dominican Republic, it would cost to much to exchange it for a smaller size. But now I am glad I couldn't. The size, I came to realize, has advantages. During the cold months, it fits nicely over a stocking cap or the hood of a sweatshirt, and in good weather I can easily keep it from covering my eyes by wearing a reversed (bill in back) baseball cap underneath it.In the Caribbean where I live there is no chance that I will want to wear a stocking cap or hooded sweatshirt, but there is in rainy, cold Alaska where I plan to go in May on a cruise, and the primary reason I bought the hat in the first place.The tail of the hat extends well beyond your neck, so no cold water will run down inside your collar. The front extends out enough to keep the rain water from running off the hat and onto your face.The material is rubber or rubberized, there is a soft cotton liner, and chin straps. If there is no wind, you can put the straps inside the hat so they don't hang lose.It is not a designer rain hat, but it gives excellent protection.I recommend this well made rain hat. Before ordering, decide whether you would like to be able, at least part of the time, wear something underneath the hat, such as a stocking cap or the hood of a sweatshirt. If so, order your normal size hat and what you get will be large enough to wear something underneath. But if you are sure that you will never want to wear anything under the rain hat, then order one size smaller than you normally take.

Keeps the rain off the neck. Durable product and the yellow color provides visibility.

Thanks to those who gave this hat the 5 stars it deserves as they convinced me to make this purchase. Completely worth the price, very well made. As previously stated, it will protect your eye glasses as well as the back of your neck, and has a comfy tie down that snuggly covers your ears if needed. I purchased an XL to accommodate a pony tail or having hair clipped up. Perfect. This is not a cutesy fashion statement hat, but it is a working style which states fairly well that the wearer is hardy and prepared. Umbrellas can flip around and turn inside out in the wind, let in blowing wind and rain, are tedious to tote around while you wait for the storm, and are easily forgotten somewhere (umm, by me anyway). so I'd rather have the hat with my nice slicker. VERY pleased with this purchase. In fact I'm going to purchase another in the event that I am in the company of someone wet and unhappy so I won't feel guilty.

Looks well made and waterproof, but it was stiff and did not sit very well on my head. The front "brim" is not wide enough to keep rain off your face. I returned it.

Nice hat!

I have seen these here and there for the past 60 years and finally got one to wear on deck and in town on those rainy, sleety, snowy, windy days in fall, winter and spring around Cape Cod. The fabric straps are really thin and not easy for old fingers to tie and untie. I ended up threading them through a couple of stainless washers to make an adjustable slide to obviate the need to tie and untie it. That's what old sea-dog does.

I have been using this over a year and I have been pleased with it. I added a small two hole leather piece that I stuffed the tie straps through before knotting them so I wouldn't have to shoe string tie them together all the time. This holds it securely on when using it and is quicker on and off. It lays flat in my gear bag when not in use and the XL is true to size and fits my big head just right.

I wear this when it pours (all the time on the west coast) and I want to walk the dog and need my hands free (i.e. no umbrella). Like other reviewers mentioned, for folks who wear glasses, it is great cover with no fogging of the lenses. It is very well made.

I really like the product.My only regret is that i ordered an XL because Large was not available. Maybe I'll wear a tuque under it this fall.

Keeps my big head (7 5/8) nice and dry.

Keeps the rain off neck and head. Heavy duty, well made. Beets carrying an umbrella.Eery hat lover should own one.

The hat is well made and does exactly what it should. Great for cold, windy, and wet walks with the hounds.