Ever since a cancer was surgically removed from the center of my nose, I've followed religiously the surgeon's admonition to always wear a hat when in the sun. I know hats are sold which are fold-able and roll-able, but as I have to always wear one I like them to be the kind of hats I like....usually crocheted cotton in cool colors, with wire in the generous brim for stiffness. Here's what I've invented to perfectly pack my hats: I sewed a fabric cylinder, the height the same as the height of the crown of the hat and diameter the diameter of the crown of the hat. A zipper'd opening goes around this cylinder. My underwear and socks get stuffed in this cylinder, the cylinder gets stuffed into the hat, and my other stuff is packed around it with the brim of the hat lying flat, on top. It works really well and was not difficult to make.
Posted by
Las Vegas, NV
54 posts
Brilliant! I don't know how many "packable" hats I have had to toss when they turned out to be too crushed to wear.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6811 posts
I swear by my "Seattle Sombrero". Weighs nothing, stuffs or packs anywhere, always holds it's shape, is 100% waterproof Gore-tex, keeps the sun off and your head cool, sheds rain, snow, sea-water when waves are breaking over your boat. I've worn mine in every climate imaginable around the world, and it's never failed me (as long as I kept it on my head). Worth its weight in gold, one of my most treasured pieces of gear.
HIghly recommended. You can have mine when you pry my cold, dead, sunburned hands off of it.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16618 posts
If one doesn't sew, I wonder if one of the cylander-shaped, lightweight storage cases made for protecting fine china might work? Something like this?
https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/quilted-china-storage-case/
Couldn't handle widest brims but maybe smaller ones?
Posted by
TX, USA
529 posts
I am trying to picture this, and I think I have it. You basically made a cylinder packing "cube", that fits into the crown of your hat. So, a packing cylinder! Love this idea, I am a big fan of packing cubes/folders. Dual purpose solution, it keeps your hat from getting squashed and provides storage for undies and socks.
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
Grace, fabulous invention and I think you should patent your idea. I'm going to give it a try on my next trip as I also have to wear a hat whenever I'm out in the sun. Thank you. Brilliant!
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
Now can you work on a device that keeps my husband from losing his? I'm thinking mitten strings for his hat, bag, book, jacket. (All items that he lost on our last vacation. Three of them we got back. One is gone forever.)
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6583 posts
Karen :) I'm not sure how you feel about red, but I started to buy things that are red and find that I lose them less--red iphone case, red ipad case, red wallet, etc. And Grace, what a clever idea. I have vitiligo and need to protect myself from sun as well. I have quite a collection of visors that I can fasten with velcro to the strap of a purse.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7877 posts
Great idea, Grace! And for people who don’t have a sewing machine, an option could be to purchase a laundry mesh bag that are used to wash sweaters, lingerie, etc. in the washing machine. Looking on Amazon, there’s even a few cylindrical ones.
Agree with the idea of red to not forget items. I little colored tape or nail polish on adapters helps me not forget to unplug them.
Posted by
1531 posts
Good job, grace@
Karen, this is how I manage to never leave my room with out my cell phone and charger..... I i thread the cord thru my birkenstock
Posted by
US
73 posts
Like David, I have an Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero; REI has them. It's great for a light rain but a hooded jacket is better if it's windy. Other good hats can be found at Solumbra (http://www.sunprecautions.com/shop/unisex_mens/hats). I am quite sun sensitive and must wear a hat if walking around out of doors. Recently had a benign thingy removed from my scalp; see your dermatologists, folks! Hats are not just an affectation; they are a necessity for some of us.
Posted by
3 posts
I packed a large brim straw hat once in a way that took up very little space. I made a “hole” in my clothes in the middle of the carry on bag and put the hat upside down in the hole. I packed small things in the head part of the hat and the brim was flat over the clothes. I packed other things on top of the brim and on top of the stuff in the head part of the hat. It worked great.