Henschel HatsHenschel Aussie Crushable Solarweave Breezer (2X-Large, Green)

Ordering clothing online without trying it on first is always chancy, every manufacturer varies a bit from the "official" or labeled size. I wear XL for many shirts, L for some others, etc. This hat fit as expected and as labeled, which is to say a tiny bit bigger than I'd have preferred if it was a custom-made hat (slides down to just touching the ears, and hats are supposed to stop just short of the ears), but the next size down would've been too tight, so I got this one and added a sweat band size-adjusting tape (via Amazon) and it's fine. The hat itself is very comfortable, the headband is not one of those hard/rigid/uncomfortable types but stiff enough to hold shape, and the mesh ventilation is exactly what I wanted: Many hats provide sun protection but leave me awash in sweaty hair (sorry…), this one is very comfy. I don't think it floats like some outdoor hats (not going to test it, either), but it has a strap to use if one is canoeing or out in windy weather. Stylish, comfortable, functional.

This is the 5220 crushable Breezer hat. I first ordered a 5320 in XL, which is nearly identical in appearance, but chose to return it due to a slightly too snug fit. This 5220 is crushable, while the 5320 is not. I think the only thing that makes one crushable, while the other isn't, is the mesh. This 5220 model has flexible mesh, while the 5320 uses "firm mesh" according to the catalog. The flexible mesh seems to be finer, with slightly smaller holes than the firm mesh. When the 5320 (firm mesh) hat arrived I was certain that I'd have to apply sunscreen to my bald head, but with the flexible mesh I'm not as sure that it will be necessary. I prefer the crown of this 5220 model, which comes to just slightly more of a point in the front than the 5320, and holds a nice shallow U shape down the center where it's designed to fold when packed. On the other hand, this 5220 hat arrived with cloth shoelace chinstrap which had obviously gotten snagged on the rivets in several places. The leather strap on the 5320 version looked better. As for sizing, my head measures just between hat sizes 7 3/4 and 7 7/8. Most reviews said that Henschels run large, and the range listed for the XL hat on their website went up to 7 3/4. I tried it and it was a bit too snug. Since it was close to fitting I was a little worried that the XXL would be too big, but this 5220 XXL I received fit pretty well. It tends to rest on the top of my ears after walking around with it on for a couple of hours and weighing it down with sweat, but it remains very comfortable and requires only an occasional adjustment. Today I was wearing it in a hot, sunny spot, and took it off for a few moments to adjust my sunglasses. I was amazed by how oppressive the sun instantly became. I put it on my wife's bare head to illustrate the difference, and she walked straight to a vendor and bought a wide brim sun hat.Overall this is an affordable American made hat that looks about as good as any wide brim hot weather hat is going to.The seller of this hat was Avalanche. The snags in the chinstrap were obvious and unsightly. It also has a couple of small wrinkles on the very top, and there was an errant stitch protruding from the top, right where it met the mesh at the front of the hat. It arrived with tags, but without a bag. The first Henschel hat I ordered came in a sealed, clear bag. I wouldn't be surprised if this hat was a factory second or a return. It is a casual, utilitarian item so I don't want to bother with another return- but I would order from another seller if I had it to do over.I ordered a 58" strip of 3/16 rawhide leather baseball glove lace to replace the shoe string. It works well, and looks a lot better than the snag prone cloth shoestring.I'm not a hat guy, and certainly not a sun hat guy, but with a family history of skin cancer and a half head I've picked up several. Here is a breakdown I'll add to each review:Propper boonie hats: I've owned a number of these. They look OK, but aren't exactly stylish. I sometimes wonder if some Marine is going to punch me in the face and yell "Stolen Valor!" when I wear one in public. Brim is better than a baseball cap, but not wide or stiff enough to provide the amount of sun protection I want. Comes in hat sizes. Best use: camping. $15 range.Propper wide brim hot weather boonie: this hat looks ridiculous. It's oval shaped but appears perfectly round when worn. There's a wide strip of mesh around the top with holes that are too large for my preference in a sun hat. The brim is HUGE, and provides a ton of shade, but again- ridiculous. Comes in hat sizes. Best use- yard work, fishing (alone... where nobody can see you...) 94% nylon, 6% spandex. Low $20 range. Made in China.Henschel Aussie Breezer 5220: when you want the most protection you can get without looking ridiculous. Tons of protection and airflow, but it's a big hat that looks big even on a big guy with a big head. Comes in generic sizes (S, M, L, etc). Best use: "dad hat" at a theme park or the beach. Low $30 range. Made in the US!Tilley LT5B: Easily the best looking, best made hat of the bunch. Also the most expensive, least breathable, and offers less shade than the propper wide brim or Henschel Aussie breezer. It is more protection than a standard boonie. This hat isn't just "not ridiculous," but genuinely looks good. The shape of the crown, proportions, and wave of the brim (lower on the front and back than the sides) are all perfect. I don't have any qualms about wearing this hat out in public, where a big sun hat might stand out. Note that this model has a relatively tall crown and narrow brim compared to some of the other Tilleys. I found mine for just under $50 shipped on clearance. It has the older brass rivets, and may be made of Tilley Nylantium? The new ones have dark rivets and are made of It's made from a 93% nylon, 7% spandex blend. While it was the most expensive, at the end of the day none of these hats will do you any good if you don't wear them. This is a hat I'll wear. In fact, I like it so much that I ordered the TM5 Mash-up to have another one in gray (cotton & hemp). Also on closeout at $50. Available in hat sizes. Made in Canada.

Good looking hat, and durable enough to shape as you wish. I was so glad I purchased the green hat.Different color - Different look!

I finally found a hat that fits and stays on my head. I am a 7 5/8-3/4, I bought the xl. It is light and well ventilated, good summer hat.

I like the hat! It fit perfectly. I did not like that it was shipped in a bag and got smashed. I would have gladly paid an extra 2 dollars for a box and a new hat that was not smashed.

Seriously Amazon? crumpled up in an enveloppe? those creases are never going away. the hat itself would be fine otherwise.

I love henschel hats they make a beautiful hat.The Hat was folded in half and stuck in a bag which basically ruined the look and doesn't even look close to the picture that sells it.

It's a good hat, but it was very severely crushed when shipped. After a few weeks I still haven't gotten creases out of it. Good hat otherwise.