Tilley Hat User Guide

Alex Tilley

Tilley hats are carefully manufactured in Canada where Mr. Tilley can closely monitor all steps.

Article written by Mr. Tilley:

"Like a Rolls-Royce, it is exceptional and worth talking about. Born out of exasperation, the Tilley hat is the product of necessity. As an art dealer and consultant to major corporations, I had become quite demanding over the years regarding quality. I couldn't find a hat that met my standards and was worthy of my little floating palace (a 9.4-meter Brandelmayr sloop, a jewel made of teak and mahogany, brass and fiberglass).

A good sailing hat must float, stay in place, never shrink, last indefinitely, and look good. In January 1980, I set out to create this dream hat, not only for myself but for all sailing enthusiasts. Fortunately, I knew nothing about it: I didn't know that designing such a hat was considered impossible at the time! A milliner gave me advice on design and a sailmaker on materials to use. I then began producing the hat in collaboration with a local hatter. By March, some prototypes were ready. My family and I tested them during a wonderful cruise in Belize – caressing winds, relatively low waves (because of the reefs), beautiful islands, sensational snorkeling, and a warm atmosphere. (On the last day of the cruise, while docking, I managed to wrap the anchor line around the propeller shaft...)

That said, don't think for a moment that the Tilley hat is just for sailing enthusiasts! It's equally suitable for desert expeditions or Himalayan mountains as it is for a day of gardening, golfing, trout fishing, or walking in the rain in London. It's even issued to Canadian Armed Forces members during wartime and peace missions. Your Tilley hat is practically indestructible, though your dog might prove otherwise. The 10-ounce cotton sailcloth and 11-ounce HEMP, water and mildew-resistant, are the best of their kind. Each lightweight LT and LTM hat is made of Tilley Nylamtium®, a sturdy nylon that's water-resistant and mildew-proof.

The Tilley hat is entirely handmade (of course, small but powerful sewing machines are used to assemble the durable canvas). Rest assured, the sturdy threads won't come undone; the seams are lock-stitched, like all seams in everything we make. All LT and LTM hats are sewn with cotton thread that swells when wet, creating a waterproof seal at each stitch. Will rain seep through the ventilation eyelets and mesh? Yes, but so little... just enough to cool you down.

Tilley hats are not firefighter hats, except for our waterproof ventilated TWP hat. Its design with waterproof nylon seams and cooling zip ventilation system makes it an all-weather, go-anywhere hat.

Tilley LTM8 Hat in nylamtium with mesh

Where is the front?

If you see the "TILLEY HAT" label right-side up when putting on your hat, it's facing the right way.

How to know if it fits well

The Tilley hat is the most comfortable there is. It's designed to be worn low and not too tight. It stays in place by gravity, not by squeezing your head. There should be enough space between the front of the hat and your forehead to easily slide two fingers flat. You should be able to rotate the hat from left to right and tilt it from front to back without feeling friction on your forehead. When it's windy, use the cord! You'll surely appreciate this feature, especially in hot and humid weather.

We perspire... or we expire

Each pore of the skin releases beneficial moisture. Without this sweating, our body could not control its internal temperature and we could not survive. Of all body parts, the head releases the most heat and requires the most control... We must protect the wonders it contains! The ventilation eyelets and mesh allow heat and moisture to escape. The headband is soft and comfortable, and helps absorb forehead perspiration.

The cord keeps the hat in place

The securing cord is a long lace simply knotted at its ends. When the wind blows, slide the knotted part behind your head and the rest under your chin. The sliding knots move easily to allow you to adjust the length. If the wind is light, you can use only the back part, like an RCMP or State Trooper hat. (It took me weeks to find this simple method to keep the hat in place when it's windy.)

To adjust the cord length To tighten the cord under your chin, slide the knots at the back of the cord away from each other until satisfied. When you don't need the cord, remove your hat, bring the knots closer together, and store the cord in the crown of the hat. Some tuck it into the pocket at the bottom of the hat. I prefer to leave it as is!

Like the Titanic, it floats, but it can also sink

The air trapped in the water-resistant fibers helps your Tilley hat float, but it owes its buoyancy mainly to the closed-cell polyethylene foam inserted in the crown. This foam has also cushioned many a blow to the head! (Some have even claimed it saved their lives!) Some waves can sink your hat... and you too for that matter. You'll find that your Tilley won't sink – and won't blow overboard either – as long as the cord is in place behind your head and under your chin.

The hat floats well in relatively calm water; waves and rapids can sink it and keep it submerged for hours. It's up to you to take the precaution of securing it. The cord is like a safety belt; it's useless if you don't "buckle" it. Be sure to secure your hat!

Tilley R7 Raffia Hat

Washing instructions

Your Tilley hat might one day become a family heirloom! Wash it often and it will last long. Perspiration secreted by the skin can alter the fabric and ruin your Tilley. As you do with your clothes, wash your hat often to prevent sweat stains from becoming embedded in the fabric.

You can machine wash the hat in warm or cold water, or hand wash it using a soft brush and soap, powder soap, liquid soap, or even shampoo. The hat is not bleachable. Do not use soap containing bleach.

If your old Tilley hat yellows because you accidentally used bleach, use TINTEX brand color remover to correct the mistake. While it's still damp, reshape it with your fingers and let it air dry. (There's no need to dry it on an inverted pot!) Don't machine dry it; it would come out misshapen and look quite sad. When dry, stretch it as American sailors do, by putting your knee in the crown and pulling hard.

We've pre-shrunk the fabric mercilessly, but like jeans, it can contract and expand. When you need a bit more room – in hot, humid weather for example – remove your hat and stretch it slightly using your knee.

Water resistance

LT, LTM and TWP hats feature the water resistance you desire. Over time and washing, other hats lose some of this resistance. To restore it, we recommend using a waterproofing spray. Even a Rolls needs a tune-up from time to time!

False creases

Wrinkles around the eyes are attractive, but not on headwear! To remove wrinkles from your hat, fill the crown with lukewarm water and swish it around a bit. Also wet the outside of the crown. Your hat will arrive wrinkle-free even from the bottom of your suitcase if you stuff the crown with socks and underwear.

Excellent protection against UV rays

Tilley hats are certified to block 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays and offer a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 50+, the highest rating awarded. Since Tilley hats are guaranteed for life, this might be the last sun and rain hat you'll ever buy. In addition to the protection offered by Tilley hats, we strongly recommend using SPF 15 sunscreen and sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB rays.

Is it a bit too big? Or too small?

If it's too small, it will be practically impossible to stretch it to the right size. If you decide not to return it, you can always sell it to someone you know...

If your cotton hat is slightly too large but you prefer to keep it, you could soak the crown and sweatband in hot water for about three minutes then let your hat air dry completely... without stretching it; it should shrink about one size. Or, add a strip of terry cloth or soft fabric to the sweatband. Please don't return it if it has been worn or if you've tried to alter its size.

Some tips from experienced Tilley hat owners

• Using a permanent ink pen, write your name and phone number (with area code) inside the hat (history buffs can add the purchase date). If you lose your hat, you may have a better chance of having it returned to you.
  
  
• At the beach, or simply for everyday unexpected situations, keep a key, business card, credit card, or some emergency cash in the pocket at the bottom of the hat.
  
  
• Sailing, walking, or hiking in the rain? Wear the hat under your hood. You'll stay warm and enjoy better protection. Your hood will follow your head movements. Your glasses will also be better protected. The brass eyelets acquire a superb patina when exposed to salt air.
  
  
• When the front of the headband becomes wet, turn your hat around... the back edge takes over. And what a pleasure, the fit isn't too tight.
  
  
• Don't know where to store your glasses? Slide the temples of your glasses through the two ventilation eyelets on the side of your hat; the inner Velcro® tab will secure your glasses in place. Most glasses will fit very well. Of course, LTM, TM (mesh) and TWP hats do not have ventilation eyelets.

The Tilley Story

In 1980, from the house basement, we started selling Tilley hats by mail order. By 1981, we had already created the nearly indestructible classic Tilley shorts. Both the shorts and hat proved themselves during the 1982-1983 Single-Handed Round the World Race and were worn by the Canadian team during the 1983 and 1986 America's Cup. (Tilley hats, classic shorts, MAPP [Multi-Adventure Pocket Pants] and all Legends vests, jackets, pants, shorts and skirts

Non-conformists have a lifetime free replacement guarantee against wear.

In 1984, we embarked on the great adventure that became Tilley Endurables and we greatly benefited from the experience gained! Today we design, manufacture and sell classic and elegant travel clothing for men and women. Durable and comfortable, our clothes feature secret pockets and security pockets to protect your valuables. Their washing instructions are unbeatable: "Give them a hard time!" You'll appreciate our catalog.

We strive to produce the best in the world and, thanks to your suggestions, we continuously improve the quality of our products. In winter, you'll love wearing our hats that resist water and snow.

Insurance

All Tilley hats are covered by an all-risk insurance policy with a 50% deductible for two years. If your hat is permanently lost, stolen, or destroyed within two years of purchase, we will replace it at 50% of the current catalog price, plus taxes and shipping. See insurance policy for more details.

Our guarantee

If by chance your Tilley hat (not bleached) wears out, please mail it to us with a check for $7.50 (in North America), £4 (in the UK) or $15 (in other countries), or provide your credit card name, number and expiration date to cover shipping costs and we will replace it free of charge.

If you wish to keep your worn hat, we have no objection! Finally, you'll find "buddy coupons" at the bottom of the hat. But be careful, they might get you into trouble! Read them and you'll see! Contact us when you've used them up and we'll send you more at no charge! Enjoy your Tilley hat to the fullest and let others enjoy it too!

P.S.: LIFE'S LITTLE PLEASURES. Occasionally, you might meet exceptional people thanks to the Tilley hat. And beautiful friendships are born from these encounters. That's one more thing that makes it worthwhile! Much more than just hats! Twenty-five years later, Tilley hats that became famous overnight are still as popular. Today, they are offered in thousands of stores (listed on our website) in many countries. Our QUICK-DRY underwear really does dry overnight. You'll prefer them to all others for reasons too numerous to list here.

Our UNWEARABLE socks are guaranteed "hole-free" for three years even on teenagers' feet! They also dry overnight and are exceptionally comfortable. Our catalog and associated retailers await you.