What to Consider When Buying a Tilley Hat - T3, LTM5, TMH55

I want to talk about the three main areas when considering a Tilley Hat. I'll be using three styles of hats from my collection to demonstrate Build Quality, Sizing & Maintenance along with a few tips how to clean and wear your Tilley hat.

BUILD QUALITY
Yeah Tilley hats are expensive but they are quality made, look at my T3 Snap up hat that is almost 12 years old! I've worn that hat around 200 days per year for a decade! Other than one stitch and some discoloration around the band, this hat looks as new as the first day I got it - and I'm not even the original owner!

SIZING
Don't try to size these like a baseball cap, it won't work. Tilley hats are meant to be worn low & loose. Best bet is to consult their sizing chart on their website and pull out the measuring tape from the sewing kit in the house and measure your brow (just like you were to wear a bandana) and refer to the chart. If your size is half way or 3/4 of the way into a size, just go to the next size up.

LTM5 is a good example of a hat that is just a tad too small for the original owner who gave it to me. I like the Airflow mesh on this hat as it does a much better job at ventilation than the T3.

MAINTENANCE & WEAR
If you wear your Tilley hat, you will need to wash it. Sweat is the enemy. Consider washing your Tilley hat 3-4 times a year. You can put it in the washing machine but just put in the kitchen sink with a few pinches of Oxy Clean and give it a good swish. After a few cold water rinces, hang it dry by putting a cylinder underneath it like a Pringles can.

TMH55 - How I wear my Tilley hat is simple. I take the wind cord and size the back one so that it matches the radius of the hat and tuck in the front straps into the pocket. I never had to wear the front straps. If it gets windy, simply shorten the back strap so that it locks down your head like a baseball cap.

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[jnicksnewstart]

I've had my T3 for 13 years. I don't wear hats everyday. Maybe one or two days a month sometimes a little more if it's raining or if it's real sunny. It does however stay in my car year round so I have speedy access to it anytime. The only problem that I ever had with it, is when I bought it, I bought it like the gentleman said in this video. I bought it to fit snug. I didn't listen when I was told it was supposed to fit loose. Mine never stretched out like I thought it would. If I work for long periods of time it bothers me a little. Take heed to those words of wisdom. It is supposed to fit a little loose.

[brianhansen]

Good video. I’ve had the LTM5 for about a year and looking at getting another. I’ve never been a hat guy till I bought this hat and I love it. Wear it all the time. Blocks the sun from my eyes keeps my head neck and glasses dry in the rain which I pair with a gore Tex jacket and I’m set for a day in the rain. The fit of the hat is what’s so incredible. It just fits my head perfectly.

[eddiearuda]

I have several Tilleys and I am awaiting delivery of my TH4 hemp hat. The tip you gave on drying a Tilley by placing it on a Pringles can is the best tip I've ever gotten on how to dry a Tilley without getting wrinkles on the side of the hat. It was one of those ideas that is so simple I wonder why I didn't think of it. Thank you!

[sonofFredBLoggs]

I bought mine (T5) from a charity shop in Cornwall, UK, two years ago. It, the hat, was practically unused and was priced at £1.50 (GBP) (about $2.10 USD). It was displayed on a polystyrene/foam mannequin wig stand. My hat size is 7 & 3/8", the size of the hat was 7 & 1/4" (7 & 2/8"). Bother 1/8" too small. Did I buy it? You bet I did! In the secret pocket were the 'Tilley cards' and the original owner's name & address. (I contacted the owner, in case they had lost the hat, but they had moved from the address in the hat.) Thanks for the cord, cleaning and dyeing tips. (Yes, it does fit - I am able, just, to slide two fingers between the hat and my forehead. The hat's easy to stretch if necessary.)

[ericsalo]

Really good info. I've had my LTM6 for 5 years and am considering buying another Tilley. The TMH55 sounds like a good choice. Using a Ballcap Buddy Cap Washer (plastic frame), I've been washing my LTM6 in the dishwasher with good results. While the Ballcap Buddy is designed for washing ballcaps, it will accommodate a full-brimmed hat like the LTM6. I use a small amount of dishwasher detergent and run it on the delicate - not hot - cycle.

[MarkYoungBushcraft]

The video I have been waiting for. Thank you. I have a bit of an embarrassing Tilley collection. I started with an original T3 (all white) but ended up exchanging that for the newer T3 (green under-brim) after it started to wear through on the brim. I added an original T5 (two grommet vents). I then added the original black wool Tilley winter hat. Then added a Tilley newsboy cap and a Tilley Ivy cap (both are wool). In recent years (10 years ago) I added the TH5 hemp.. my best summer hat. It has faded considerably but it has the best airflow of all my Tilleys, Most recently I added the waxed cotton TCO6... I think I am finished... well maybe not... the mash-up does look good

[Outwestwithchris]

I need to look into getting one of these hats. The older I get the more I think about my ears and neck and the possibility of skin cancer. Thanks for sharing, very helpful.

[walkersjeep]

I used your video to help choose my first Tilley and help me get the right size. Thanks for your help!

[rowlandspear]

Thanks, Jim. I've had the T3 for at least 10 years, probably more, and I bought the LTM5 this year, looking for more ventilation while backpacking. The T3 is now relegated to kayaking. I was a little disappointed that the LTM5 didn't provide as much ventilation as I expected, but it is still a great hat. After reading the comments by you and Mark Young, I'll definitely look into some of Tilley's other models.

[NiqScott]

Great video, thanks mate. Just about to order a Wanderer. Off to Peru, Chile and Easter Island for a month next April, and figured I'd need something a bit better than my baseball caps.

[GreatIaker]

Nice vid, especially the way you compare the 3 hats. I have the LTM6. It's good for general purpose wear. The brim is way too big for use in windy conditions like kayaking. It flops around in the wind and blocks my vision if I pull it down in front, but rubs my PFD if I pull it down in the back. The dual windcords make it harder to adjust than a conventional windcord with a slide adjuster.

[myadventureoutdoors]

I never knew there was so much to learn about a Tilley. I have to say you are a Tilley Guru.

[markwalsh]

Great video Thankyou. I’m buying a tilly and needed this video.

[rsaathoff]

I do recommend as well if your in the upper end of a size to go one size up. I wear the largest size Tilley makes and when I wash it, it's snug but it stretches out. I am looking at the LTM2 for maximum sun protection.

I use mine (LTM6) daily at work and I need to wash mine once a week. It just gets too nasty with sweat in the SW US. Might be less in the cooler weather but I've only had mine since mid summer.

[KidAMRadio]

I'm looking at getting a T3 classic and yes I was going to say use Oxiclean but you said it. The only thing I would do differently is let it soak in warm Oxiclean water at least overnight. If you want the best results I'd do it for a full 2 days. Seems extreme but this is how I get the sweat stains and any other stains out of my clothing. 2 days, usually produces the absolute best results. I don't think 20 minutes would do much to get stains out. When I'm in a rush I do at least an overnight soak.

[micahyarbrough]

Found this looking for non-stock photos of the TMH55 before buying. I noticed that you mentioned to another commenter that you thought it may be better for hiking than the nylon airflo models. I had wondered about that since the cotton and hemp might wick some moisture vs the nylon. Thanks for the comparison video, even years later.

[rubegoldburg]

VERY GOOD VIDEO! Your voice delivery is super....smooth, clear, and concise! Than you. 👍👍👍👍👍

[hikingireland]

Brilliant information and just what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing

[lupuscanis]

Hey man, great video 👍 Lot of valuable informations. I just ordered my Tilley TM3. End of month I will walk the "Eifelsteig" here in Germany. I will tell you my experiences with the hat. Many greetings Jürgen.

[mustang]

Very interesting video about the Tilley hats. I don't have one yet but have been considering care, Mike.