Tilley Endurables

I have had a Tilley hat replaced that had worn out – I wore it in Afghanistan. About two months ago a lowlife stole my Tilley hat at a restaurant. I paid $ 45 for my «free» replacement. That is not exactly free!

I have been buying Tilley clothes for several years now. They are comfortable, easily washed, endurable (heh) and often quite stylish. I wear my Tilley clothes for years and love their comfort and durability. Shopping can be a challenge– the sizes are all over the place. The staff is usually quite helpful though not consistently so. Sometimes the size I need is elusive but must say that when I find something I love it for years. I’m a traveller and there is nothing like an easy, packable, comfortable outfit from Tilleys. And I adore and constantly carry and wear my Tilley hat both travelling and at home for protection from sun and rain.
There have been a recent couple of years where the colours of the Tilley clothes were awful– but we seem to be back to more flattering colours and styles now.
In conclusion– a wonderful line of clothes when you find your size and a flattering colour.

Service is stellar here. There’s usually parking available. You can help yourself to a beverage and cookies, too.
It’s buried in the back of a plaza, but you’ll recognize it when you see a big totem/​Easter Island wooden statue.
Try to enter from Barber Greene to avoid the messy construction on the Harvey’s side.

We’ve bought several Tilley hats & items of clothing over the years. Most of their clothing is pretty pricey. Even though their clothing is pricey, they really do endure years of wear. So if your pocketbook can’t take the prices, keep your eye out for the yearly clearance sales in August. We came today & bought some nifty travel things in the store & partook of their complimentary cookies & drinks. A nice touch for a flagship store. Service as always was friendly & unrushed.

Summary: I love my Tilley hat.
Recently, my family and I were planning a vacation at a beautiful lakeside resort, when I remembered that my beloved, fitted Seattle Mariners cap just didn’t fit the bill when considering overall sun protection. So, I started looking for a good vacation hat. Various local retailers, haberdasheries, and traveling vendors all had interesting styles, that just didn’t fit me. My problem is that I’ve got a big head (Size ~8) that is bigger than any hat I could find. That’s when a friend suggested I check out Tilley hats — according to him, «they’re the best.»
Upon reviewing the Tilley line, I was immediately pleased to see that they aren’t some sort of pretty-​boy, Hollywood wanna-​be, fashion hat statement. They aren’t the «teacup Chihuahua» of the hat world — Tilley hats are practical and meant to be used, and are clearly «fashion resistant.» They have definitely given a *lot* of thought to function, durability and comfort. The Tilley Hat will be around long after that other head-​art is long forgotten, fashion has moved on, and the garbage man has come and gone.
Not having easy access to their main store in Ontario, I found my way to Tilley’s slightly clunky website (it ain’t no Amazon). I studied all their hats, and wound up ordering a size 8 (they have even bigger sizes) T4IS hat (with insect shield treatment). My hat arrived quickly, and fit my big ‘ol mellon perfectly. It came with lots of interesting literature, a replacement guarantee, and a lifetime warranty! The included literature gave a history of the Tilley hat, some user stories which I loved, and the guarantee. I especially enjoyed the story of the Tilley hat-​owning elephant trainer who had his had grabbed, swallowed, and «processed» by one of his herd, where he retrieved, washed and used it — THREE separate times!
My T4 hat is a bit warm, but provides excellent shade, floats on the water when dropped, retains its shape when dried, and actually repels mosquitoes. Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, it’s perfect for up here. If I were in a more tropical climate, I’d probably opt for one of their lighter, more ventilated hats. However, that being said, I can see that my T4 will be with me for many years. It’s a bit pricey, but is the best, most functional hat I’ve ever owned.
I’ll still keep my Mariner’s cap for baseball games, but for the rest of the time, my Tilley T4 will be atop my big ‘ol head. I’ve written my name in indelible ink inside the hat so, hopefully, it’ll never be lost. You can keep your fashionable and non-​functional thin-​brim Fedora’s and newsboy caps, and I’ll be happily comfortable in my Tilley. End of story.