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Sunday, September 13, 2020

Sunday Afternoons Hats Review: "The Best Hats. Period"

Article by Jeff Valiiere and John Tribbia


Jeff V:  Sunday Afternoons makes the best hats.  Period.  

The whole family wearing our Sunday afternoon hats on the summit of Mt. Ashland, OR


But before we get to the hats, I have to express how impressed I am with the company and those whom I have met either in person or virtually.  


Based in Ashland Oregon and founded in 1992, they started by making high tech adventure picnic blankets, then eventually sun hats out of the excess material from the blankets, which evolved into the well known Adventure Hat with wide brims, mesh panels and a long neck covering which have become popular among the water sports crowd (kayaking, rafting, SUP), as well as hiking or anything outside where you want to keep the sun off of your face and neck.


Over the years they expanded their line to include kids hats, casual hats, winter hats, artistic hats, full featured running hats, you name it.  I previously reviewed Sunday Afternoons here. If you are dreaming of a specific hat, I can almost guarantee that they make it.


Every one of their employees whom I have interacted with at the trade shows or communicated with through email have been genuinely and sincerely helpful and knowledgeable. While on a family summer trip to Oregon, we had the pleasure of visiting their showroom in downtown Ashland, where the staff were incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the product, giving us a tour of all the hats, hat types, the materials used and the advantages of each.  


Even though Sunday Afternoons have been beyond generous with their review samples for myself and my family who have assisted in reviews, my girls were so excited about some of the new products in the store, we purchased new hats and masks for the family when we visited the store.


***UPDATE***


On Sept 9th as we were composing this review devastating wildfires ravaged the towns of Talent and Phoenix where Sunday Afternoons offices are located.  


Please see their updates below along with links on how to support their community if so inclined.  If you are considering a new hat(s), I strongly recommend Sunday Afternoons and supporting them during this difficult time, as their sales/shipments have not been disrupted AND they make the best hats.


Sept. 9th Facebook update:  


Dear friends and loyal customers,

As you know, devastating fires are occurring on the U.S. West Coast, including in our beloved home state of Oregon.

We want to let you know that Sunday Afternoons’ office building in our hometown of Talent, Oregon, was destroyed by a wildfire on September 9. Employees also lost their homes. Safety is our top priority, and we have thankfully accounted for all of our employees.

Sunday Afternoons’ business is completely operational. We cleared the office before the fire encroached and have been working remotely since the start of the pandemic.

Our warehouse has not been affected and is fully operational. Some shipments may be slightly delayed.

We are supporting our employees and our community. We will rebuild.

We appreciate your support and understanding.

Your Friends at Sunday Afternoons”

Sept. 11th Update:

“Your words of support mean more than you know.

💛

All of us at Sunday Afternoons are safe, and we are deeply grateful. Our thoughts are with the Southern Oregon community of family and friends who have experienced enormous loss.

If you are interested in supporting our community, please consider donating to the United Way of Jackson County.

Click here for more information:  https://bit.ly/35GzkOv 


Products and Features


Impulse Cap - $28


Jeff V:  I own about a zillion run hats and this one is my favorite.  Fit is perfect and easily adjustable for different size heads and with a quick cinch if the wind picks up.  Made of ultra lightweight microfiber, at 98% UV protective and sun protective mesh venting strips, it strikes a very good balance between staying cool while maintaining sun protection.  A moisture wicking sweatband helps keep sweat out of your eyes, dark under brim reduces glare, Hi-Vis reflectivity is a nice touch if you are out at night.




Kid’s Impulse Cap - $24


Jeff V:  We bought these for the girls at the Sunday Afternoons Ashland store, as my daughters liked my hat so much.  The kids Impulse cap has most of the same features of the adult Impulse cap, light, well vented, sun protection, adjustability and reflectivity, just in a smaller size.  Being so light, breathable and stylish, my girls love wearing these hats for hikes and playing outside (when they are not wearing their Sunday Afternoon Trucker Hats).  No matter where we go, my girls get compliments on their cute hats.


Aerial Cap - $30:



Jeff V:  This is another we bought for my wife at the Ashland store, as she was so struck by the fit, feel and look of the hat, with Ultra Lightweight Microfiber material, strategic crown ventilation, wicking sweatband and easy adjustable sizing.



Journey Cap - $28:



Jeff V:  I had previously reviewed this hat 2 years ago and Sunday Afternoons was gracious enough to provide me with a refresh, as I had run my old one somewhat ragged, wearing it every single day for casual use, washing it often, etc…  While this would be a great running hat due to the UPF rating, ventilation, wicking sweatband and adjustability, I find that because all of the above features, combined with the casual look, makes this my go to, everyday comfort hat.


Vantage Point Trucker Hat - $32


John: This is my first time wearing Sunday Afternoon and I’m very impressed with the product. The Vantage Point Trucker hat features a deeper bucket fit with exceptional ventilation. 


As opposed to other trucker hats, this has a more performance oriented design that comfortably allows sunglasses to be worn and fits very well on my medium sized head. (traditional trucker hats feel overwhelming to me because most are too deep and don’t accommodate sunglasses very well). 


Moreover, bonus points to the Vantage Point with back panel seams that are made with reflective material for better visibility in the dark, sunglasses security slits in the top front panel for keeping eyewear secure, and the reasonably broad bill provides an excellent platform for headlamps. Although the brim is flexible and can be easily washed without much physical alteration, it doesn’t bend or form into a curve, so stylewise you’re going to be flat-brimmed only in the Vantage Point.




UVSHIELD Cool Cap - $30

John: As with Jeff’s comments on the Impulse, I found the UVSHIELD Cool Cap to have a perfect fit that is easily adjustable for different size heads. It too, is made of UV protective material and is light colored, which provides excellent protection from the sun. 


In contrast to the Vantage Point, the Cool Cap has a much shallower bucket fit, giving it a lower profile and a much more traditional running hat fit.  The Cool Cap comes with sunglass holsters on the top of the hat front panel, allowing runners to navigate more bouncy technical terrain with sunglasses off and little worry that they will be lost. I have been victim to losing sunglasses on top of my hat more times than I wish to admit!


Overall, the Cool Cap is a great low profile hat that feels comfortable, wicks moisture well, and blocks sun really well.


Performance:

Jeff V:  The performance of all of the Sunday Afternoons hats I have tested are top notch, as they are light, breathable, quick drying, offer excellent sun protection, wick sweat very well without being drippy or clammy, great fitting and in my opinion, look great.  I cannot recommend Sunday Afternoon hats enough, as they are my (and my entire family’s) absolute favorite.



Please consider shopping for Sunday Afternoons Hats at the links below. You will also support them and their community as they recover from the wildfires.


PLEASE SHOP FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOONS DIRECT HERE

and at the links below

REI 

Men's, Women's, & Kids SHOP HERE


Read reviewers' full run bios here
The product reviewed was provided at no charge for testing. The opinions herein are the authors'.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below!
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