Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Sombrero - Women's Review

A colorful selection of hats available, this cute hat falls short in the breathability and comfort categories.

Performance Comparison

The Outdoor Research Women's Oasis Sun Sombrero scored low in the pack mostly because of its lack of breathability and comfort and its deformed brim.

Protection

The Oasis Sun Sombrero has a wide brim that measures 3.25" in the front and 4.25" in the back for extra neck coverage. It scores right up there with the unisex version of this hat the Outdoor Research Sombriolet in this category. Horizon Brimmer Women's has a full 4" all the way around, and we think provides slightly better coverage. The Oasis Sun Sombrero does have a stiffer brim than the Horizon Brimmer and would stand up better to gusty winds.

Comfort

This cap is not that comfortable compared to the Sombriolet or other competitors like the Arc'teryx Sinsola. The rim of the brim feels like it digs into your forehead and may leave a dent there if worn for a long time. We tested a size small which Outdoor Research says is for heads sized 21.5" - 22" circumference. Our tester with a 21.5" sized head found it fit just right and if it were any tighter, it would have given her a headache. The Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure was also one of the more comfortable hats and it provided amazing sun protection.

Breathability

We were disappointed to discover that the Oasis Sun Sombrero has no added ventilation. This is a major difference between it and the OR Sombriolet, which has added mesh and vents around the entire crown. The Oasis Sun Sombrero's crown is one solid piece of material with no holes or mesh. The nylon/polyester material is probably somewhat breathable inherently, and there is a sweatband around the rim to wick sweat away from your head.

Durability

We're not sure if the product we received was flawed or if all of the Oasis Sun Sombrero's are like this, but the brim arrived already slightly warped and got worse with each wear. It seems like the materials used inside the brim are too big for the outside material and are puckering inside.


The odd brim materials aren't necessarily a durability issue but more of a quality issue. The materials also make the hat look strange. We didn't notice any permanent creases in the model after the ziplock bag test, but it's hard to tell with the warped brim. The Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure, Outdoor Research Sun Bucket, and the Tilley model are among the most durable in our fleet.

Style

We were excited about this hat when ordering it. It seems like one of the more stylish women's sun hats on the market and is slightly more stylish than its male counterpart, the Sombriolet. We like that it comes in so many different colors, but the warped brim diminishes the look of this hat, and the flower pattern on the underside of the brim is much more understated than in the photos on Outdoor Research's website. We think the Sinsola is the most stylish women's hat in this review, while the Tilley LTM6 has more of an Indiana Jones style that we like.

Best Applications

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.

Value

Retailing for $39, it is right in the middle of the pack for value. We would choose something like the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat ($39) or the Horizon Brimmer Women's ($35) over the Oasis, as they provide more sun protection and versatility.

Conclusion

A cute, effective sun hat, we're a bit worried about the quality of the Oasis Sun Sombrero. We like all the colors it comes in, its rigid brim, and the amount of sun protection, but it falls short of its big brother the Sombriolet in ventilation and quality.