Firebird V2 (L/XL, Light Silver)

I really wanted to love Shelta hats. There is one signifiant fail for me and that is brim paddling at the forehead. The rigid plastic piece that gives the brim it’s shape places pressure on the band and overcomes the provided paddling creating a hot spot. Thicker padding or a slight reconfigure of the intersection between brim and padding could make this hat perfect. For me, it’s unwearable. So, two stars for lack of comfort.

I have two of these - a tan one and a grey one. Why do I have two? Well, the first one became completely impregnated with dirt and grime from so much use hiking. The dirt wouldn't come out with hand washing, so I bought a second hat. I then put the first hat in our front-loading washing machine on the gentle cycle and I couldn't believe what came out - the hat looked brand new. No limpness in the bill, no ragged fabric, no dirt, no stains, just a pristine hat. Now I have two great hats.Here's what else I love about the hat - the bill curves up to give you good visibility, while at the same time being long enough to give good sun protection on your face and nose. I do a lot of photography and birdwatching, and the bill is perfect. The sides of the hat are stiff and extend out, giving good sun protection on your ears, while not blocking sound. I can hear other people and birds much better with this hat than hats with draping ear flaps. The hat is comfortable, with an effective adjustment for tightness. I have a bald spot on top of my head, and many hats with claims of high UPF still let enough UV through to burn my head. I no longer trust the UPF rating of any hat. The V2 completely protects my bald spot, even on a full cloud-free day in July at 10,000 feet in Colorado. I really have nothing negative to say about the hat, but if I find a flaw, I'll update this review.

This is a top quality hat that also looks good due to its unique shape and quality materials.I was torn between Seahawk and Firebird. I decided to purchase the Firebird because I wanted maximum sun protection for my prolonged days of backpacking. I think I made the right choice. The brims are not too large at all and are of perfect size.The hat, when worn properly, does handle the wind very well. But it isn't perfect and it can definitely fly off your head in a heavy wind. To me, the hat's main advantage is its ability to not flap much in a wind which gives you sun protection in a windy situation.As far as sizing, when in doubt, order one size larger. The size is somewhat adjustable and it is far better to have a larger hat that you can shrink in size. I ordered large/xlarge and it fit me perfectly (I do have a large head).I can highly recommend this hat for hiking/backpacking in heavy sun and windy weather.

This is my 2nd Shelta. First one simply isn’t presentable after a couple of years in the garden and outdoor projects. It still functions great but has gotten terribly dirty. Fit is right on. The ‘solid’ brim is wonderful. The breadth of the visor covers ears, shoulders and neck. On the water, the floatation ability has been tested and it works. Flipped the boat around and snagged it with a pole. None the worse for wear. Love it.

Materials, quality, and workmanship are very good. Size was exactly as expected. Yes, the brim stays inplace and protects you from the sun in high wind. I've used on several bicycle rides in the summer heat and my head did not overheat. Like some other reviews say, spend the extra money and get a hat that you will use for a long time. Glad I did !