How to Buy an Outdoor Hat as a Gift

A good outdoors hat makes a great gift for anyone from the weekend gardener to the backcountry adventurer. Make sure you get something that protects from both sun and rain, and add a few accessories to personalize your gift.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cowboy Hats
• Sporty Hats
• Sun Hats
• Sun Visor Or Billed Hat

Choosing a Hat

1. Shop at a large, reputable outdoor gear store - a place with a large selection of hats, a knowlegeable and helpful sales staff, and a reasonable guarantee and return policy.
2. Look for a wide brim that will protect well from both the sun and rain.
3. Consider the personality, hair and eye coloring of the recipient when selecting the color. Choose a neutral color if you are unsure whether or not a bold primary color will be appreciated by the recipient.
4. Consider the activities the recipient is likely to be participating in when wearing the hat. You'll want a light-colored hat for hot-sun activities, a water-proof hat for rain or water sports, an insulating hat for cold-weather activities.
5. Look for an adjustable hat if you are uncertain of the recipient's head size. Most hats are sized small, medium and large - if you find just the right style of hat, it's worth a gamble for size if the hat is returnable.
6. Consider a hat with adjustable ties that slip under the chin and hold the hat in place. These are very cute on both men and women - and the recipient will appreciate this feature when the wind kicks up!
7. Buy a hat that is lightweight and collapses for easy packing if the recipient will be using it for backpacking or travel.

Accessories and Presentation

8. Consider the activities the recipient is likely to be wearing the hat for and buy a fun accessory or two to personalize it. Colorful gardening gloves for the weekend gardener; a disposable camera for the traveler; a lightly tinted lip balm with sunscreen to accompany a feminine hat for a romantic day-hiker; a boldly colored sunglasses case and sunglasses leash for the fashionable extrovert.
9. Select a greeting card with an outdoor theme appropriate to the recipient's interests.
10. Wrap the gift in wrapping paper with a nature or sports theme appropriate to the recipient's interests.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are shopping online, buy from a reputable outdoor manufacturer and double-check shipping costs and expected delivery dates.