Tilley Hat Guide

Tilley Hat User Guide by Alex Tilley:

or Much Ado About... Something Worthwhile by Alex Tilley. Made in Canada where I can closely monitor every step.

Click here to discover our collection of Tilley hats!

Introduction to the Tilley Hat
Tilley Hat Design
Where is the front of the Tilley Hat?
How to know if your Tilley hat fits well?
One sweats... or one expires
The cord keeps the Tilley Hat in place
Adjusting the length of the Tilley Hat cord
Take care of your Tilley Hat!
The excellent UV protection of Tilley Hats
Is it a bit too big? Or too small?
Some tips from experienced Tilley Hat owners
The Tilley Story
Insurance
Our Guarantee
More than just hats!

Introducing the Tilley hat:

I'm certain you'll be satisfied with your new hat. Like a Rolls-Royce, it's exceptional and worth talking about. Designed out of exasperation, the Tilley hat is the fruit of necessity. As an art dealer and consultant to large companies, I had become, over the years, quite demanding when it came to 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 be able to float, stay in place, never shrink, last indefinitely and look good. In January 1980, I resolved to create this dream hat, not only for myself but also for all other sailing enthusiasts. Fortunately, I knew nothing about it: I didn't know that designing such a hat was then considered impossible! A milliner gave me advice on design and a sailmaker on materials to use. I then undertook the production of the hat in collaboration with a local hatter.

In March, a few prototypes were ready. My family and I put them to the test during a wonderful cruise in Belize – caressing winds, relatively low waves (due to 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 reserved for sailing enthusiasts! It's just as suitable for an expedition in the desert or in the Himalayan mountains as it is for a day of gardening, golfing, trout fishing or for a walk in the rain in London. It's even distributed to members of the Canadian Armed Forces in times of war and for peacekeeping missions.

Your Tilley hat is practically indestructible although your dog might well prove otherwise. The 10-ounce cotton sailcloth and 11-ounce hemp, water and mildew-resistant, are the best of their kind.

Short history of the new Tilley House

THE STORY OF THE TILLEY HAT OR : A HOBBY TURNED INTO OBSESSION We are convinced that you will love your new hat! It's quite special. Do you know why?

The founder of Tilley Endurables, Alex Tilley, was looking for a hat that met his criteria for sailing, but it was rather difficult. His hat needed to float, stay in place, never shrink, be infinitely durable, and pleasing to the eye.

In January 1980, he decided to have one made. Fortunately for us, he knew nothing about hats and therefore didn't know that making such a headwear was considered "impossible" at the time. He sought design advice from a milliner and material advice from a sailmaker. He then supervised its manufacture at a local hatter. The rest is history.

But I didn't buy my Tilley hat for sailing...

Tilley hats are not just for boaters! They are used both at home and in the desert, in the mountains, in the garden, on the golf course, while fishing, or even at the beach.

Tilley Hat Design:

Each lightweight LT and LTM hat is made of Tilley Nylamtium®, a sturdy, water-resistant and mildew-proof nylon. The ventilation eyelets are made of solid brass imported from England. The Tilley hat is entirely handmade (of course, small but very powerful sewing machines are used to assemble the resistant canvas). Rest assured, the sturdy threads will not come undone; the seams are lock-stitched, like all the seams in everything we manufacture.

All LT and LTM hats are sewn with cotton thread that swells when wet, forming a watertight seal at each stitch. Can rain infiltrate through the ventilation eyelets and mesh? Yes, but very little... just enough to cool you down. Tilley hats are not firefighter hats.

Where is the front of the Tilley hat?

The knotted part of the cord and the seam joining the sweatband and the brim go to the back. Also, if you see the "TILLEY HAT" label right side up when putting on your hat, it's in the right direction.

How to know if your Tilley hat fits well?

The Tilley hat is the most comfortable there is. It is designed to be worn low and not too tight. It stays in place by gravity, not because it squeezes the head. There should be enough space between the front of the hat and the forehead to easily slip two fingers flat. You should be able to rotate the hat from left to right and tilt it back and forth 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... The wonders it contains must be well protected! The ventilation eyelets and mesh allow heat and moisture to escape. The Hydrofil® sweatband is soft and comfortable, and it helps absorb perspiration from the forehead.

The cord keeps the Tilley hat in place

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

Adjusting the length of the Tilley hat cord

To tighten the cord under the chin, slide the knots at the back of the cord away from each other until you're 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 layer of closed-cell polyethylene foam inserted in the crown. This foam has also cushioned more than one 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 it won't blow overboard either – as long as the cord is in place behind your head and under your chin. The hat has good buoyancy in relatively calm water; waves and rapids can make it sink and keep it at the bottom for hours. It's up to you to take the precaution of tying it. The cord is like a seatbelt; it's useless if you don't "buckle" it.

Take care of your Tilley Hat!

Washing instructions:

1. You can machine wash the hat in warm or cold water, or hand wash it using a soft brush and soap, powdered 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.
2. While it's still damp, reshape it with your fingers and let it air dry. (There's no need to dry it on an upside-down pot!) Do not machine dry; it would come out all misshapen and look quite sad.
3. When it's 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 little more space – in hot and humid weather, for example – remove your hat and stretch it a bit using your knee.

Water resistance:

LT and LTM hats are characterized by the water resistance you desire. Over time and washes, other hats lose some of this resistance. To restore it, we recommend using a spray-on waterproofing agent. 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 creases from your hat, fill the crown with warm water and swish it around a bit. Also wet the outside of the crown. Your hat will arrive at its destination crease-free even at the bottom of your suitcase if you stuff the crown with socks and underwear.

The excellent UV protection of Tilley hats

Tilley hats are certified to block 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays and offer a UV Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+, the maximum rating given. 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 sunscreen with SPF 15 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 big but you prefer to keep it anyway, you could soak the crown and sweatband in hot water for about three minutes and 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 to us if it has been worn or if you've tried to change 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 date of purchase). If you lose your hat, you may have a better chance of it being returned to you.
• At the beach, or simply for everyday contingencies, keep a key, a business card, a 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 be warm, and you'll have better protection. Your hood will follow your head movements. Your glasses will also be better protected.
• Brass develops a beautiful patina when exposed to salt air.
• When the front of the Hydrofil® sweatband becomes damp, turn your hat around... the back brim takes over. And what a pleasure, the fit isn't too tight.
• Don't know where to store your glasses? Slip the arms of the glasses through the two ventilation eyelets on the side of your hat; the inner Velcro® tab will hold your glasses in place. Most glasses will fit very well. Of course, LTM and TM (mesh) hats do not have ventilation eyelets.

The short story of Tilley

In 1980, we started selling the Tilley hat by mail order from the basement of the house. By 1981, we had already created the nearly indestructible classic Tilley shorts. 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 America's Cup in 1983 and 1986. (Tilley hats, classic shorts, GAMP [Multi-Pocket Vest] and all Legends The Nonconformists jackets, vests, pants, shorts and skirts have a lifetime free replacement guarantee against wear.) In 1984, we embarked on the great adventure that Tilley Endurables has become 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 have 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 constantly improve the quality of our products. In winter, you'll love wearing our elegant and warm wool 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 lost forever, stolen or destroyed within two years of the purchase date, we will replace it at 50% of the current catalog price, plus taxes and shipping. Please consult the insurance policy for more details.

As of January 1, 2021, this insurance policy is no longer practiced by Tilley.
We will therefore no longer be able to apply this insurance policy.

Our warranty

If, by chance, your Tilley hat (not bleached) wears out, please send it to us by mail along with a check for $7.50 (in North America), £4 (in the UK) or $15 (in other countries), or provide the name, number and expiration date of your credit card to cover shipping costs and we will replace it free of charge. If you wish to keep your worn-out hat, we have no objection!

Much more than just hats!

Finally, you'll find "buddy coupons" at the bottom of the hat. But be careful, they could get you into trouble! Read them and you'll see! Contact us when you've used them all and we'll send you more free of charge! Enjoy your Tilley hat to the fullest and let others enjoy it too!

Nowadays, they are available in thousands of stores (listed on our website) in many countries. Our QUICK-DRY underwear really dries overnight. You'll prefer them to all others for reasons too numerous to list here. Our UNWEAROUTABLE 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. Tilley. The best travel hats and clothing in the world.

P.S.: THE SMALL JOYS OF LIFE. Occasionally, you may meet exceptional people thanks to the Tilley hat. And beautiful friendships are born from these encounters. That's one more thing that's worth it! Much more than just hats! Twenty-five years later, Tilley hats that became famous overnight are still as popular. 

 Click here to discover our collection of Tilley hats!

© Tilley Endurables, Inc. 2006