No matter the season or setting, a good hat is the icing on the cake for your outfit of the day. But first, you must choose the right hat for the job. Some hats are best suited to specific situations, such as fishing caps meant to protect your head and neck from the sun or formal event fedoras and berets. Others, from comfortable beanies to hand-embroidered sun hats, may primarily serve as a reflection of your personality. Of course, there are also the hats which offer both style and purpose. They are the perfect choice for a number of activities, serving as both a confidence-building accessory and a useful tool. And the best of these hats can be found in Colorado, at the Wallaroo Hat Company.
Co-founded in 1999 by Stephanie Carter, Wallaroo hats were designed to serve a very specific purpose. While those in Australia, like Carter’s in-laws, understood the risk of skin cancer, protective clothing was not yet popular in her home state of Colorado. An outdoorsy woman herself, Carter wanted to provide an attractive and functional option, inspired by the landscapes around her, for those seeking sun protection. More specifically, Carter’s goal was to create Wallaroo Hats and its variety of stylish, practical, comfortable and easily-packed offerings.
My personal favorite style is the company’s wide-brim hat collection. These versatile hats are suitable for everything from taking a hike in the woods to hitting the town with friends. The hat brims range from three to four and a half inches long, easily shielding your eyes and neck from the sun. Most of the hats come in a size medium—that is, 58cm—with an inner drawstring that allows the wearer to adjust the fit. Additionally, all but a few of the wide-brim hats utilize ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 30+ or 50+ fabric, which blocks between 96% and 97.5% of ultraviolet (UV) rays.
As someone who loves the outdoors herself, I was most drawn to the Colorado hat in truffle. This wool-felt hat, inspired by the Rocky Mountains, certainly reminded me of the national parks I visited as a child. Both in color—a lovely neutral shade of brown—and in its similarity to some park ranger hats. The cord hat band is a pleasant addition, providing an interesting pop of texture and breaking up the solid line of felt. As an added bonus, the hat’s material is light and breathable without being insubstantial. This makes it perfect for almost any climate. On windy days, my head is insulated from the cool air, while the material prevents the trapping of heat and moisture on warmer afternoons.
If this style of hat isn’t for you, however, there are plenty of products to choose from. The company’s myriad hats provide a wide range of options for customers of every age and most any taste. Wallaroo’s unisex designs, for example, are intended to suit any adult, no matter their gender identity. Bucket hats with chin straps offer wind resistance and an adventure-ready fit for those venturing into the great outdoors. Fedoras offer a sense of sophisticated elegance perfect for an afternoon on the town or an evening event. And the colorful—and often delightfully whimsical—caps of the kids collection are just right for any children in your life.
Of course, Wallaroo’s goals extend beyond making classy and comfortable hats. The company also displays their values through their efforts to positively impact the environment and the health of their audience. For example, in 2014, Wallaroo officially became a Certified B Corporation®. That is, the company met environmental and social performance standards, among other measurements, determined by B Lab, the non-profit which awards these B Corporation certifications to companies. Additionally, Wallaroo has stayed dedicated to its mission to help protect its customers from skin cancer through the use of primarily UPF 30+ or 50+ fabrics. In fact, the company’s 3+ inch brim hats have been recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as a UV protectant.
The innovation and care put into each of Wallaroo’s designs truly makes the hat company stand out. By combining function and fashionable, comfortable materials, the company creates hats which are an absolute pleasure to wear. The inner drawstrings mean that the hat can be as tight or as loose as I want, within reason, and the open ends of the inner lining allow me to tuck away the drawstrings once they’ve been tied. Additionally, the wide brim helps to keep the sun well away from my eyes and neck, which for a girl from Southern California is an important trait. So if you are looking for a new hat for your collection, or simply want to upgrade your sun protection, visit the Wallaroo Hat Company HERE and find the right hat for you.
