Thanks for the great review Man Makes Fire

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The Shelta Seahawk sun hat uses a stiff brim that won’t fall and block your vision when it’s wet or windy. In fact, the Shelta sun hat, which now has four versions, was invented to handle water-focused adventure sports like standup paddling and surfing — without flopping around or getting in the way.

I’m not a surfer, but I swim, raft, kayak and fish in the water often enough to know that sometimes slathering on sunscreen just isn’t enough protection from the sun’s UV rays. For those long days on the water in relentless sun, I ordered a Shelta Seahawk sun hat and promptly put it to use. This is what I learned:

Shelta Seahawk Sun Hat Review

The Shelta claim to fame comes from its stiff brim that won’t sag when it gets wet or hit with a blast of wind. If you’re an outdoor water adventurer, you can’t have your brim blocking your vision while you’re paddling, surfing or kite boarding. In addition, you don’t want a more traditional ultra-wide brimmed sun hat getting in the way.

So Shelta founder Jurgen Schulz set out to create an amphibious sun hat with a slim profile, a stiff brim, and fabrics that won’t get waterlogged. He succeeded.

Let’s start with the brim, which Shelta calls its Winged Vision Visor. It uses dual layers of closed-cell foam to give it stability. It’s lightweight and stays put and it works well. The closed-cell foam also floats, so you won’t lose your hat in the water.

This photo shows the Shelta Seahawk hat mesh vents and removable cord toggle system.

The Shelta Seahawk has mesh vents and a removable cord system.

The Shelta Seahawk includes a removable cord system that you can use to cinch down your hat so you won’t lose it if you get hit with a wave or a gust of wind. In fact, the cord system includes a removable clip that you can tether to your clothing or life jacket. For safety, it will break or bend under extreme force.

The entire cord is also removable through a toggle system in the brim.

Better yet, Shelta includes a pocket in the top of the hat where you can stow the cord when not in use. Or stash your license or a credit card.

A rear toggle lets you fine-tune the fit, and mesh eyelets help with venting.

Shelta Seahawk, Osprey, Griffin & Phoenix Explained

Shelta makes four different models of its sun hat: The Seahawk, Osprey, Griffin and Phoenix. All come in a variety of colors, but not all color options span each model.

The Seahawk and Osprey are aimed at water sports with near constant exposure to water while the Griffin and Phoenix are water resistant but aimed more toward dry sun protection. The Griffin and Phoenix, for instance, have a mesh liner to help wick moisture off your head.

They all float, of course, and they can all handle plenty of water.

The other key differences are the width of the brim at the sides and back. Here are the measurements in inches:

Basically, if you want the trimmest sun hat, go with the Osprey for water-focused use or the Phoenix for land-focused use.

If you want more sun protection, go with the Seahawk for water or the Griffin for land.

Personally, I think the best all-around option for most people is the Seahawk or Griffin — I think the extra inch on the sides is worth having to help protect your ears . . . and it still results in a trim experience compared to most sun hats.

This photo shows the Shelta Seahawk hat from the rear view.
This photo shows the rear cinch cord on the Shelta Seahawk hat.
This photo shows the interior of the Shelta Seahawk hat.
This Shelta Seahawk hat review photo shows the interior stash pocket on the Shelta Seahawk sun hat.

Shelta Extras: Face Gaitor and Shade Mullet

Because Shelta is all about sun protection for active outdoor adventurers, the company also produces lightweight Face Gaiters with a contoured shape designed to fit well.

The Shelta Shade Mullet is a lightweight fabric sun shield that you can attach to the rear of the Shelta hats with the toggles on the cord systems.

All-in-all, if you’re an adventurous outdoor person who likes to get wet, the Shelta series of sun hats should make your must-have gear list. The Shelta Seahawk is lightweight and offers far more sun protection than a standard baseball cap — and it holds up well to water sports. Its lightweight material does just fine on hikes, works great while fly fishing in waders in full sun, and I plan to take it backpacking later this month. Very highly recommended.

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Stoked that @kaner5150 was able to work with the @huntington_beach_lifeguards as a medic serving the armada of boats watching the @pacific air show show from the sea

Stoked that @kaner5150 was able to work with the @huntington_beach_lifeguards as a medic serving the armada of boats watching the @pacific air show show from the sea. Best view in the house! @hobiepolarized @sheltahats @sheltatestpilot @hobiesurfshop #haveahobieday #hobiepolarized#sheltatestpilot #sheltahats #airshow#huntingtonbeachfirefighters#huntingtonbeachfiredepartment #repost #sheltahats#sunprotection #outdoorlife #brim_technology

Bought a Seahawk in August for my big trip to French Polynesia in Sept

Bought a Seahawk in August for my big trip to French Polynesia in Sept. Also brought my Tilley. I started with my Shelta hat, and never used anything else on the trip. Took a few dunkings while I was SUPing and it held up great. Dealt like a champ with lots of rain, and with serious wind and sea spray on the zodiac rides. The fixed brim just makes such a positive difference in the feel and performance of the hat. Lots of little features that show you used real world experience to guide the development of this hat. Only thing I haven’t managed to test yet is real high temps and how well the Seahawk vents heat. But regardless, I’m a fan.

Kevin Zarling
October 2 at 2:25 PM

Thanks Kevin

Football is here! Coach @warrior_scholar_1 using his Shelta to keep cool and protected during the season. Good luck and Thanks for the tag coach!

Football is here! Coach @warrior_scholar_1 using his Shelta to keep cool and protected during the season. Good luck and Thanks for the tag coach! ……………….
Tough loss today but the loss presents us with an opportunity to grow and get better as a team. Game day is the highlight of my week. Lots to work on next week. .

Monte Coon reviewed Shelta Hats — 5 star

Monte Coon reviewed Shelta Hats — 5 star
February 20 ·
Best outdoor hat I’ve ever owned and I’ve had all of them including the Tilley which is nice but has nowhere near the breathability or functionality of the Shelta Hat. Being a competitive bass angler I need a hat that will stay on my head making long runs in the boat at high speeds without flapping in my face and it has to be comfortable for 10-12 hour days on the water and the Shelta is perfect for that in every way. I just got the sun gaiter and shade mullet and can’t wait to try them too. Shelta is more than a hat it’s a high performance sun protection system with style and I couldn’t be happier with mine!!!