Following a trip to the beach I realized the value of a good straw hat for keeping the sun off your head, face and neck. During my next long hot training run I started thinking, "I should get a straw hat for running". It had been 100 degrees for many of my long run days this summer and I was just baking when there wasn't shade on the trail. I saw this hat while ordering more GU and thought, "let's try it". So I can say this - I love it. It fits great. I generally have a smaller head size (many hats are too big and I wear smaller framed sun glasses). But I'm really happy with the fit. It feels really light and airy on the head and vents really well. I debuted it at the Speedgoat 50K and sure appreciated it on those long hot exposed climbs. I literally imagined myself chilling on the beach in the shade of a tiki hut while everyone else was cooking in the sun. Pina colada anyone? Yes please. At home, I simply rinsed it with the hose and let it dry. It's ready for the next run.
My only complaints would be that it doesn't seem super durable. It already has some broken fibers from use. The straw is much lighter than another hat I have. But even if it only lasts a season or two, it's probably worth it to me. I was also surprised by the way the GU shipped it to me. I ordered a number of boxes of GU an a canister of drink mix along with the hat. And the hat was just thrown in the box with everything else and it arrived totally crushed with a break in the top. I…