What do you guys think? Worth it? Have found that a double layer of sunscreen and zinc doesn't help and I'd rather not look like a 60 year old when I'm 30. If looking like a kook means that these hats actually work, I will go grab a hat tomorow!

Cheers!

if you're talking about stopping sun getting through altogether, you're going to have to go for spf 100+. that stuff doesn't come off easily either - a guy i sharehousing with in hawaii in december had some off and couldn't get it off for days. spf 30+ will never stop all sun rays. it's the mark of a mature surfer to have a good tan. it's also if you don't put sunscreen on at all at a young age that you'll look 60 when you're 30.

Where I live they are common, fcs is my preferred hat. You still need sunscreen as it does not protect your face that much, you still get hit with the reflective glare off the water. It's mainly for your eyes, I would never be without one in WA. it just helps when you have to look into the sun especially while you are paddling.
Worried about looking like a kook? Well any surfer who worries what they look like more than protecting themselves from the elements and has the advantage of seeing sets coming is the real kook.
If I was worried about looking like a kook, I would have given up surfing years ago.

Headhunter 'infantry' cap is really good. Sits low on your head so doesn't move when you duck dive.

I wore one everyday on wa and use it in summer here

http://www.mcsurf.com.au/products/headhunter-surfcap-/2005/1

I tried lots of stuff. Most of it comes off too easy.. I just look at the sun , and my lips blister.

Best compromise I've found is Bronze (pink) Zinc. It works for a few hours in Perth sun, no problem, and comes off generally in the shower.

Trouble is, it gets into your wetsuit and clothes. But was told by their customer service people try bicarb I think.
As for the hats,, they don't really cover lower face/ neck anyway with reflections.

i stock headhunter surf hats also fcs peak and bucket type

Going in for a cancer excision and full skin graft on my nose today due to years of looking after my tan!Not only does it mean more time out of the water,the expense of surgery is worth a couple of new boards,or a month in indo!Whatever you do,hat or sunscreen will make a difference in later years.
CHEERS

FCS bucket hat and invisible zinc and I don't mind looking like a kook. Apart from the sun protection it stops your head frying on those hot summer days.

Hats are great during summer, up north, Indo etc.

I have had a few different cap style hats. So long as there's not a lot of duck diving involved they are great.

I connect it to my wettie zipper pullie, never lose it.

With my sh!+ eyes its a necessity for arvo surfs. Damn pterigyums(who can spell that word, not me).
I find caps better in wind and lots of duck diving, brims better for neck protection on still summer days

vertra zinc is amazing stuff but as mentioned before it is a bitch to get off... not cheap to.
www.vertra.com/

Thanks guys, think I will definately pick one up now. Is there a preference between the cap or the bucket? Which would be easier to duckdive? Furthermore think I'll be picking up a pair of those doc plugs or something for the ears. Funny what a string of relatives passing away and even more being diagnosed with lifestyle diseases does to make to your outlook and looking after yourself.

Brims , I tried once , and haven't since.. mine simply didn't work with duckdiving. It was a dumb idea or hat,, either one.

Duck diving just more place your chin to your chest. Hats though i find they get in my way when paddling and looking down the line. Maybe its my neck needs better movement but i struggle with them. I have both and the bucket style is better as when i paddle i just pop up the front, but it does look super stupid

I hate sun burn cream but its a must and i use clear zinc and a bucket hat through summer, unless its early morning as I'm out by 8 anyway..

Best hat by far is a Protec sun from MC surf designs in Byron.
Bucket and caps.
They are fine for duckdiving in even solid waves.
www.mcsurf.com.au/shopping/surf-hats/29/1

I have found this stuff really really really good.

I am a borderline ginge (mousy freckler) and have tried so many brands - this is the one that works best out of what I have tried

Coco Island Clear Zinc (its pretty cheap too!)

Gath.

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Glasssssy said..

What do you guys think? Worth it? Have found that a double layer of sunscreen and zinc doesn't help and I'd rather not look like a 60 year old when I'm 30. If looking like a kook means that these hats actually work, I will go grab a hat tomorow!

Cheers!

I have a West Suits all round brim. I cut up some old boardies & got the missus to sew a 2x4cm strip with like a button hole onto my rashie that gives me something to tie it too. Got sick of chasing after my last hat in the impact zone before I finally lost it. I need it these days, don't know if its age or climate change but the sun hammers me big time without one.

I like the cap style as when it comes off it just flips back over head and not lost like some of the brim styles

I have found it has stopped th ear aches I was getting from cold wind so hopefully enough to slow down boen growth.

Wish they still made the caps with the french foreign legion cover at the back over the neck