Protecting ourselves from the harsh elements allows us to more enjoy the environment we venture into. A bush hat or wide brim hat are a great option for keeping the sun and even the rain off our face. While a quick-dry running cap or a sun protection hat such as a bucket hat,  provides sun protection, keeps the sun from our eyes and can be easily packed away when not in use. We stock a range of wide brim hats, hiking hats and camping cap options. Whether you’re after a more traditional leather wide brim hat, or a canvas or cotton sun protection hat for hot climates, a logo camping hat or visor, or even a mosquito head net - we have you covered.

FAQs 

What sorts of bush hats does Paddy Pallin stock?

A bush hat traditionally is a wide brim hat, for keeping the hot or wet weather out of an adventurer’s eyes. We stock a wide range of bush hats, from a kangaroo leather wide brim hat, to an oiled cotton bush hat, both suitable for hot weather and wet weather respectively. A canvas and mesh wide brim hat will keep the air moving in high humidity. Many of our leather and canvas ranges are also foldable for travel convenience. We stock leather care and protection products to help get the longest life out of your leather products. In our packable range, we also stock bucket hats from our leading brands, constructed from synthetic fast-dry materials and with high UPF ratings. These bucket hat options are perfect for sun safety whether you’re pack rafting the Franklin River or after a quick-stow option to head down to the local park. All our bush hat models are multi-adventure ready.

Is there a difference in protection from each sun hat?

Besides the shape, yes, there is. Beyond the material coverage that an outdoor hat offers, many in our sun protection hat range come with UPF 50 ratings, providing 98% sun protection from ultraviolet rays. Picking up a sun protection hat with a high UPF means you don’t have to reapply sunscreen as often. Also among our hiking cap snapback range, there are mesh backed options, which are invaluable in humid climates and for high output activities, however, the mesh is not sun-proof. We also stock a range of visors for a sun protection hat that offers maximum breathability while still sheathing your eyes. It is worth considering your needs before choosing an outdoor hat. Our friendly staff are ready to help with any queries about your upcoming adventure.

What features does a running cap have?

A running cap is a piece of performance gear, and it is relied on to do its job well. A running cap needs to be fitted, and ideally adjustable, it needs to be highly breathable, fast-drying and packable. It should also be able to fit under a rain jacket hood, have a low-crown to avoid wind resistance and it needs to keep the sun and rain from your eyes like most other hats. A running cap needs to work hard so you can concentrate on the adventure afoot. 

What type of hiking hat is best?

This depends on what type of hike you’re going on, and your personal tastes. A sun protection hat with a wide brim will offer you protection to your face and neck - popular if you are adventuring for hours in a sunny environment; these come in leather and canvas options. However, a wide brim hat can get in the way when hiking with a full pack that sits high on your back.  A hiking cap will fit nicely beneath a helmet or the hood of a rain jacket, while keeping the elements off your face. The type of material you choose will make a difference too. A hiking cap is usually made of a synthetic material for fast-drying and longevity, and some materials are more breathable than others in hot climates and high output activities. We stock a range of camping caps made from natural fibres such as organic cotton and merino options. 

Is there an environmentally friendly hiking hat?

We have many! At Paddy Pallin we love experiencing the outdoors, and we’re also passionate about protecting the environment we play in. We choose to stock industry leading brands that share our ethos for the natural world as we only have the one planet, and we understand fast fashion is a big issue for the environment at a global level - this is one of the reasons we are driven to stock products by brands who consider their environmental impact. Patagonia has created a whole range of hiking cap options that are made from recycled nylon, that was once fishing nets! They also make an organic cotton canvas hiking cap, and all their camping cap ranges are fair trade sewn! Among our wide brim hat options we stock kangaroo leather outdoor hat models. Kangaroo leather is considered one of the most sustainable leather options, as it is not farmed, it is a recycled by-product from the limited portion of the wild kangaroo population allowed to be taken for the food industry - a green alternative to other leathers. We also stock leather protection products by the carbon neutral brand Nikwax. 

What brands of outdoor hat does Paddy Pallin stock?

Our range of outdoor hat options is selected from industry leading outdoor brands and specialist outdoor hat brands. We stock a range from Australian outdoor hat company Barmah, who specialise in the iconic wide brim hat so readily associated with hard work and play in the Australian bush. We stock their kangaroo leather and cotton canvas styles. We also stock a wide range of hiking cap options in baseball cap, trucker cap, visor and running cap styles, by big name brands such as The North Face, Patagonia, Arc’teryx, and Mont. Whether you’re looking for a logo piece or a performance running cap, we have a wide range of fits and colours in-store, as well as camping cap options from travel brands such as ExOfficio, Kuhl and Sea to Summit.