Tilley Charlotte Hemp Sun Hat Review: Chic Sun Protection for Travelers

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

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Price and Where to Buy: $85 on Tilley.com.

How the Tilley Charlotte Hemp Sun Hat Rates:

Usefulness: 9/10. With its broad brim and 50+ UPF rating, this hat delivers real sun protection. It’s exceptionally comfortable to wear (owing, in part, to Tilley’s actual hat sizes, meaning you’ll get a hat that fits your head). And, it adds a note of glamour to any outfit.
Value: 10/10. For $85, you get a hat that’s guaranteed for life and delivers extras like wind-cord systems (to keep the hat from blowing away in windy conditions), a moisture-wicking sweatband, and a secret pocket.
Portability & Durability: 8/10. While this hat fits well in a tote, it’s a bit big to stow in a smaller purse or daypack on the go. And because it’s white, it’s important to take a bit of extra care about where you toss it when you’re not wearing it to prevent it from getting dirty.
Cool Factor: 10/10. This hat looks great, and dresses up even casual travel-wear.

Final Verdict: If you’re looking for your next long-term travel hat, and want an option that marries form and function, you’d do well to consider Tilley’s Charlotte Hemp Sun Hat.

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Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com.

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