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While not exclusively a canoeing or kayaking hat, the Tilley T7MO Organic Cotton with 3D Mesh Hat certainly does have a number of paddler friendly features incorporated into it. So, I decided to put it to the test for exactly that while paddleboarding and fishing one day.

To be honest, it might be easier to list the features that the Tilley T7MO Organic Cotton with 3D Mesh Hat doesn’t have. I mean, it guaranteed against loss or destruction and requires a four page instruction manual to even begin to understand how to wear this hat and what it offers.

But seriously, this hat on paper is a paddler’s dream. The question is, does it work? Here are some of the many features that this hat has to offer and my experience with each. (And, by the way, I’m not kidding about the instruction manual or the guarantee.)

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

The Tilley T7MO Offers Shade and UV Protection

The Tilley T7MO Organic Cotton Hat is certified to block out 98% of UVA/UVB radiation. It has an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50+ which is the maximum rating it can receive. My trial of the hat and subsequent use didn’t offer any data to suggest otherwise.

This hat certainly offers great coverage, featuring a sloping front which shades the eyes and a longer back to offer coverage to the neck. It definitely provided the shade I needed while paddling and fishing on a lake in the South Florida sun.

The Tilley Floats and is Water Resistant

Yes, this is a hat that floats. Well, truth be told, most hats have a little bit of buoyancy to them.

The T7MO has more than the average due to the weave of the fibers and the material of the brim. The Tilley Organic Cotton hat will surface in calm waters. I wasn’t about to test it in a more turbulent setting. However, due to the next feature, it shouldn’t end up in the drink anyway.

The T7MO is water resistant up to a point. It will repel rain and doesn’t readily absorb water. Of course, if you submerge the thing or are caught in a downpour, as you’d expect, all bets are off.

Windproof and Breathable:

Ok, I must admit I didn’t read the instruction manual before taking this hat on a test drive. I therefore didn’t understand how to use the windcord so I just stuffed it into the crown. Remarkably, the hat still stayed on even with the occasional gust of wind. Still, I was skeptical. However, upon reading the manual and learning how to adjust the windcord I can say this hat isn’t going anywhere in the wind. Of course the brim will blow around and bend but at least the hat will stay on your head due to the cord fitting securely under the back of your head and underneath your chin.

As the T7MO is made of cotton, it naturally breaths. It’s the 3D mesh panel around about 2/3 of the hat that offers the most ventilation of hot air out and cooler air in. Hats tend to keep the heat in when I wear them. The Tilley T7MO definitely felt cooler on my head than any other full coverage hat I’ve tried.

Pros and Cons of the Tilley T7MO Organic Cotton Hat

Well, the pros are contained in the descriptions above. And the list goes on and on. The hat is washable, wrinkle-proof, and has secret compartments. You’ll have to read the full instruction manual to find out all about these and other features. I guess the main pro is that all the features a paddler would want in a hat can be found in the T7MO which makes it a welcome addition to your canoe or kayak gear. Its water resistant, breathable, windproof, float, and offers UV protection and shade.

I can only come up with two negatives about the hat. The first is the price. At $70-$80 the Tilley Hat is a certainly more expensive than a ball cap or “Gilligan” style cap. Of course, given the above features, it certainly is worth the money. The second con is that it is a bit larger than I like my hats but that’s just a matter of preference as I’m not normally a “hat” person. As far as hats go for paddling, I can honestly not think of a better one than the Tilley T7MO Organic Cotton with 3D Mesh Hat.