It was worth the wait!
I waited months to get my hands on one of these hats. Last year I tried to order the Outback Travel Hat UPF 50+, only to find it was completely sold out and backordered—which, in hindsight, says a lot about how good it is. I wasn’t chasing a fashion piece; I needed serious protection. I play lawn bowls in the first sun on most days for around three hours in the Brisbane heat, and the exposure is relentless. Face, ears, neck—you feel it all, and over time it wears you down. What struck me immediately once I finally got one was the quality. This is genuinely the highest level of sun and heat protection I’ve experienced. The UPF 50+ rating gives you real confidence, blocking the vast majority of UV, but it’s not just about protection—it’s the way the hat actually performs in those conditions. The broad brim and neck coverage protect all the areas most people miss, and importantly, it doesn’t just shield you from the sun—it actively deflects the heat. That’s a big difference when you’re standing on a green for hours in Queensland humidity. Comfort matters just as much, and this is where it really stands out. The hat is lightweight, well-ventilated, and breathable, so you don’t get that trapped heat feeling. Even after a few hours, it remains comfortable, and the structure holds its shape nicely, which is critical when you’re playing—there’s nothing worse than a floppy brim interfering with your vision or needing constant adjustment mid-roll. I’ve since gone back and purchased a third hat—the Traveler Broad Brim Hat—which probably tells you everything you need to know. You don’t buy a third unless the product delivers consistently. They hold up, they perform, and rotating them is actually a smart move given the amount of use they get in these conditions. The company itself has also been excellent to deal with. From my initial attempts to purchase through to follow-up orders, the experience has been smooth and professional. It’s rare to find both product quality and customer experience at this level. One word of caution though—don’t make the mistake I did and “loan” one to a friend. I never got mine back. And just as a final note, even with a hat of this quality, remember that UV reflects off the green. If you’re spending serious time outdoors like I am, pairing it with polarised sunglasses and a zinc-based sunscreen under the chin and around the nose makes a noticeable difference. The bottom line is this: I didn’t just buy a hat—I solved a daily performance and health problem. That’s why I’m extremely pleased and confident recommending it to anyone dealing with prolonged sun exposure, especially here in Brisbane.
