I need a good hat.

[dogmush]

  There are places, and I think the OP's anticipated AO counts, where you don't want to look like you're in the military.  If someone can afford a safari, they can afford a Tilley.

Indeed.  In fact some of my expenses has been a new 3 day pack. (Mine is ACUPAT and has "Hill" and "US Army" name tapes), a new hat (this thread), a "Safari Jacket" (My field jacket is perfect but see the nametape issue), and rain gear (ACUPAT or Woodland Gore-tex again with nametapes).  There's only so much I can do against a trained observer, but I'm really trying to limit how much my gear screams "US Military" at a casual glance.

[Viking]

Pith Helmet 

 

Only if he wears a monocle as well. And grows a nice walrus mustache.

[roo_ster]

*ahem*  My first Firefly reference.   

DD

And a rather cunning reference it is.

Tilley has a good return policy.

[Tallpine]

I'm thinking about going with an oilskin Aussie hat with chinstrap ... 

[Harold Tuttle]

I bought my aussie snap brim in Sydney before my expedition thru Kakadu

I also have this beauty:
http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/product/clothing/accessories/hats/african-suede-mesh-hat

and I covet one of these for twinkie huntin:
http://realdealbrazil.com/

[Cromlech]

Cobb Hat

*ahem*  My first Firefly reference.   
DD

My own, courtesy of Ma Cobb's Hat Shoppe of Canada. 

[charby]

I have a Columbia Bora Bora Boonie had that I've had since 2000. Been on lots of trips all over the US. Its faded but still holds up, when it gives up up the ghost I'll probably move up to a Tilley.

-C

[Viking]

I'm thinking about going with an oilskin Aussie hat with chinstrap ... 

With corks hanging around it?

[Kingcreek]

I have 2 tilleys. One I keep nice for casual wear and the other is my farming/gardening/lawnmowing/fishing/dovehunting/etc hat beat to hell and frayed but comfortable and functional. The Tilley guarentee says if you can wear it out they will replace it free but I like it too much until there isn't enough left to park it on my sorry head.

[Waitone]

Go with the Tilley.  I'd get one with a wide brim.  Advice to wash it new is sound.  Over do it with the Scotchguard. 

[Tallpine]

With corks hanging around it?

It's raining corks 

[sanglant]

oh, and if you see sweat on a tilley. WASH IT NOW!!!!! if you let them set, the stains won't come out, not that anyone seems to notice them.

[Doggy Daddy]

My own, courtesy of Ma Cobb's Hat Shoppe of Canada. 

Very nice.  'cept you're lacking the jaunty angle...

DD

[KD5NRH]

oh, and if you see sweat on a tilley. WASH IT NOW!!!!! if you let them set, the stains won't come out, not that anyone seems to notice them.

And if you see sweat soaking through a Henschel leather fedora...well, it's gaining character. 

[MondoFranken]

Try the RDB. It's tough as can be, made out of old truck tarps. Smells a little funny (like old truck tarps!) when you get it, but the odor's gone quick, especially after you get caught in the rain in it. Had mine in the ocean, ripped at by my dog and run over by my wife's car. The thing gets better the more beat up it gets.

I've had mine for about a year. Had a Tilley from years ago, but have to admit, it made me feel like an older dude at Disney, and I'm not ready for that, yet! With the Real Deal hat, I sometimes I think I may not actually be cool enough to wear it. Their site's kind of fun, realdealbrazil.com.

[roo_ster]

Had a Tilley from years ago, but have to admit, it made me feel like an older dude at Disney, and I'm not ready for that, yet! With the Real Deal hat, I sometimes I think I may not actually be cool enough to wear it. Their site's kind of fun, realdealbrazil.com.

Nah, you're just feeling Canadian.

I think I'd like to try one of those RDB hats.  It looks like s**t to begin with, so its not either I or my kids can mess it up.

[Harold Tuttle]

swagman hat FTW

[Tallpine]

Does that keep the flies away     

[Harold Tuttle]

yip! it keeps the mossies at bay

It also aids in keeping attractive women at bay