I say this without any exaggeration, there is no better hat for hot weather hiking hat than the Stetson Montana “No Fly Zone” Mesh hat. Now we all want to wear a straw cowboy hat for that look. If you have sweat into a straw hat while hiking in the sun, you know that they don’t breath, they smell like lawn clippings and you can’t clean them. Or heck you’ve bought into the hype and bought a Tilley hat, they are just too darn heavy, and don’t get me started on the sizing. So lets go into why this is the greatest hat for hiking in hot weather.
The Stetson Montana No Fly Zone Mesh hat is as the name implies, mesh. The hat just breathes so well while also being UPF 50. In fact it breathes so well that you will rarely soak the brim in sweat.
The Montana No Fly Zone has a large 3 1/4″ brim providing plenty of shade on a hot day. If you are in the blistering sun like I am in Moab you can’t wear a ball cap, you need more protection from the sun than a ball cap can provide.
The hat can be hand washed which is a failing of all felt or straw cowboy hats. Seriously though, this breathes so well you will only need to wash it occasionally.
This is the best outdoor hat you can buy for active pursuits in hot climates. These are a bargain at $55. In fact I have a spare that I found on sale if this ever wears out. But frankly they do not show their age at all.
Go buy one.
Stetson says: https://stetson.com/products/montana-no-fly-zone-mesh-hat-willow
The No Fly Zone Mesh Montana Hat is constructed of nylon & polyester and features bug repellent properties of patented No Fly Zone technology. This style features a sun protective brim and chin cord offering ultimate protection from outdoor elements.