Sailing hats and breton caps

Sailing Headwear

Sailing hat: aesthetics, comfort and protection!

The sailing hat is one of the most useful accessories for water sports. Man, woman or child, everyone needs a hat to protect themselves from the ultraviolet rays intensifying as you get closer to the sea.

It is a headgear usually made of a cotton fabric. Some models are designed in a composite material: a mixture of cotton, polyester and paper. Besides, the sun is not the only threat when engaging in water activities. Sea water splashes and rain can quickly become a significant nuisance while sailing. That's why manufacturers offer models that are both waterproof and reversible.

• The right size:With the variety of designs available in the shops, making the right choice can be laborious. It should then be remembered that the ideal bob should be selected taking into account a number of criteria starting with the morphology of the head and face. To guarantee an optimal level of protection, it is important to choose a headgear that fits you properly. To check this parameter, a simple trick can be applied: make sure that the sailor's bob covers a large part of the forehead and that it does not crush the ears. In addition, do not hesitate to measure your head size to be sure of the model.
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• A protective and comfortable texture: Ideally, the sailing bob should not be too noticeable on the head. For this, the choice of material, as mentioned above, is decisive. The preferred material to design a comfortable hat and that, above all, offers an optimal level of protection, is cotton. Another detail that has its importance in sailing in particular, the storm cord, the latter equipped with a clip allows you to hang your hat to a textile so as not to lose it in case of gale.

The visor: a good compromise for mid-season!

Let's start with the anatomy of the visor. This hat features a design that is very similar to the classic cap, with the only difference being the absence of a crown. This means that the forehead and eyes are protected and the top of the head is fully exposed. For this reason, this model of headgear is perfect for mid-season sea outings. In summer, the sun's rays are very intense, which requires an accessory that perfectly protects the upper part of the head. In winter, rainy sequences are not uncommon and the entire head must be covered to fully enjoy water activities and even for leisurely trips on board a boat.

To find the visor that fully performs its functions, pay special attention to these criteria:

• Ventilation: Opt for a hat made with lightweight fabric and breathability technology that facilitates the evacuation of water vapor in this case perspiration.
• The speed of drying: The material with which the visor is designed should have a percentage of synthetic components to ensure rapid drying.
• The adjustability: The strap or velcro of the hat ensures its adjustment and fit to fit the shape of the head. Thus, regardless of the movement made or the weather encountered, the visor remains fixed.
• The attachment: The visor must include a storm cord. This accessory allows you to maintain it and avoid seeing it fly away at the slightest gust of wind.
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  You can complete your equipment with sailing sunglasses. A must-have to accompany your sea outings!

The sailing cap: for flawless protection!

The sailing cap is composed of a crown with cutouts and a curved visor, it has become one of the most popular hats for water sports activities. While the visor itself is recommended for the spring and fall seasons, the cap is more suitable for sunny days. In the middle of a lake, the ocean or the Mediterranean, the sun's rays are more pronounced than in a city area. Water activities require adequate protection for the weather conditions. The head, eyes and forehead must be protected from UV rays to fully enjoy those days in the middle of the marine nature.

The marine cap is mainly made of cotton. Nevertheless, it is best to avoid 100% cotton models. A small percentage of synthetic material offers more elasticity to the fabric. Thus, even when moving or being exposed to the wind, the headgear does not move a notch and remains perfectly gripped to the head. So you see, this hat should be chosen just right for your size! However, the back tab can offer a few millimeters of flexibility that will come in handy for those who tie their hair back in a ponytail.

Finally, as with any hat meant for water activities, the sailor cap comes with a removable storm cord necessary so you don't have to worry about losing your headwear to the elements!

For winter or for your night watches, opt for a fleece cap to accompany your sea outings!

The waterproof sailor hat: the usefulness of water-repellent fabric for water activities

In its design, the Tribord sailor hat takes its features and aesthetics from the sailor bob. Here, however, we'll focus on the water-repellent properties of this headgear offering a highly satisfactory level of protection. Specially treated to prevent water from penetrating through its fibers, the water-repellent fabric can be a synthetic material such as polyester or even a natural material such as cotton.

When choosing a sailing hat, make sure the material has undergone a durable water-repellent treatment indicated by the abbreviation DWR. A coating is applied to the surface of the fabric during the manufacturing process. It forms a harder texture and is similar to a scale, allowing water to bead up on the outside without getting inside the fibers. The hair, head and face are then perfectly protected against rain and perspiration.

In addition, a quality waterproof hat must resist 100L/m�/hr of rain while remaining breathable enough to not risk keeping sweat inside. Note that the degree of breathability of the fabric is conditioned by the number of layers it is composed of. Choose a triple-layer laminate with a retention index of less than 15. To keep your hat in place, do not forget to check the presence of a strap below the chin, it is essential.

Finally, you will also be able to find for sale a model of hat calledsuit. The latter is recognizable by its oilcloth composition and its design coming down to the neck.

Maintenance tips for a marine hat

Whether it's a bob, a cap or a simple visor, the hat intended for marine activities must be subjected to careful maintenance gestures to ensure its longevity and retain its protective properties :

• Please read the product label carefully. If machine washing is possible, apply the indicated setting precisely.
• Clean the lining and inside of the hat after each use. Sweating not only allows the profusion of bacteria, but also deteriorates the hue of the hat.
• Never use a bleaching product to preserve the color shades and the brightness of the shades.
• When drying, avoid as much as possible too direct exposure of the hat to the sun. Prefer a place in the shade so as not to damage the fibers.
• As the water repellent treatment tends to lose its effectiveness over time, consider applying, from time to time, a waterproofing solution.