Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Sombrero - Women's Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Looks good, good sun protection
Cons: Fewer color selections, not breathable, need to size up
Manufacturer: Outdoor Research
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Sombrero - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $42 List $31.32 at Amazon | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $32.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $40 List $39.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Looks good, good sun protection | Lightweight, durable, great sun protection | Excellent protection, removable cape, good in the wind, good value | Great protection all around, especially on the back; brim is angled for longer protection, good ventilation, comfortable | Comfortable, very breathable, good color, great value |
| Cons | Fewer color selections, not breathable, need to size up | Not super stylish | Looks a little funny, can get hot on the back of your neck | Not stylish, brim is not crushable, shows stains easily | Not very stylish, brim could be wider |
| Bottom Line | This cute women's sun hat fell short in the comfort and breathability categories | This hat wins our Editors' Choice for Technical Use for being the highest performing and most versatile of the bunch | This super protective hat is lightweight, versatile, and an excellent value, winning our Best Buy Award | This hat has great coverage and is a good choice for any sunny activity, although it is not the most stylish | One of our top choices for a full brim hat that is extremely comfortable and breathable and a great value |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Oa... | Sunday Afternoons U... | Outdoor Research Ru... | Sunday Afternoons A... | The North Face Hori... |
| Protection (30%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (15%) | |||||
| Durability (15%) | |||||
| Style (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Outdoor Research Oa... | Sunday Afternoons U... | Outdoor Research Ru... | Sunday Afternoons A... | The North Face Hori... |
| Weight (ounces) | 3.2 oz | 2.6 oz | 2.8 oz | 2.6 oz | 2.9 oz |
| UPF rating | 50+ | 50+ | 50+ | 50+ | 40+ |
| Size of Brim (inches) | 3.25" front/sides, 4.5" back | 3.25", with 6" neck cape | 2.75 brim, 7.25" neck cape | 3.75", 7.25" neck cape | 2.9" |
| Material | 86% nylon, 14% polyester double weave ripstop | 88% nylon, 12% polyester dobby | 100% Supplex nylon | 100% nylon with 100% polyester mesh insets | Nylon Ripstop, 97% recycled polyester mesh lined |
| Cinch Cord | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Packable/compressible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Packs flat, but do not fold or compress the brim | Yes |
| Size tested | M | L | L | M (21" - 23") | L/XL |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Outdoor Research Women's Oasis Sun Sombrero scored lower overall in the pack than its competitors, mostly because of its lack of breathability and comfort. We do think it is a stylish-looking hat, so it would be best used for more passive leisure activities.
Performance Comparison
Protection
The OR Oasis Sun Sombrero has a wide brim that measures 3.25 inches in the front and 4.5 inches in the back for extra neck coverage. The Oasis Sun Sombrero has a stiffer brim than many other sun hats and would stand up better to gusty winds.
Comfort
This cap is not as comfortable compared to some other hats we tested. The fit is a bit snug with this model. And, we could feel the brim dig into our foreheads. It may even leave a dent there if worn for a long time. This time around, we tested a size medium, which Outdoor Research says is for heads sized 22 ¼ - 22 ⅞ inches, and our tester with a 21.5-inch sized head found it more comfortable than the size small we had previously tested. This leads us to believe that it's worth sizing up in this model.
Breathability
We were disappointed to discover that the Oasis Sun Sombrero has no added built-in ventilation features. The Oasis Sun Sombrero's crown is one solid piece of material with no holes or mesh. The nylon/polyester material is somewhat breathable inherently. And, there is a sweatband around the rim to wick sweat away from your head. Still, this hat is less breathable than most.
Durability
We were much more pleased with this version of our Sun Sombrero than the model we tested previously. This one seemed to keep its brim shape much better than the previous model. We didn't notice any permanent creases in the model after the ziplock bag crush test, either. And, the brim held its shape well overall.
Style
There have been a few changes to the newest version of the Oasis SunSombrero. Outdoor Research has removed the floral patterned material from the underside of the brim and replaced it with flat grey, which we think looks just as good. The previously huge color selection of this hat was definitely a leg up in the style department over the competitors and we're sad there are fewer colors to choose from. Of all the wide brim hats in this review, we think the Sun Sombrero is one of the most stylish.
Value
This hat is right in the middle of the pack for value. It has a reasonable price compared to the rest of the lineup and provides nice aesthetics for the right wearer. We would choose something else if you're looking for more sun protection and versatility, though.
Conclusion
A cute and effective sun hat, we like the overall quality of the OR Oasis Sun Sombrero. We like its rigid brim, stylish look, and the amount of sun protection it provides. But, it falls short in the ventilation department. This hat could be a good choice for activities where it is windy and sunny, like day hiking in the mountains or out boating where you want to keep your hat. It would also be a good choice for leisurely activities like gardening or taking the dog for a walk. We wouldn't recommend this one for backpacking as the long brim in the back would annoyingly hit your backpack.
— Jessica Haist
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