Packable 'straw' hat?

Check out Wallaroo hats. Stylish and can be smashed, rolled, flattened, washed and will regain their shape. I have a big head too and mine is not tight at all.

https://wallaroohats.com/

I hear you. Same here, but no brand to recommend.
I remember sewing fabric sun hats back in the 70's. Maybe I need to start that again...but they tend to be too hot.

I just used this hat for a trip: https://www.villagehatshop.com/product/sun-hats/451139-118912/sur-la-tete-traveler-toyo-straw-sun-hat.

It rolled up and fit in my suitcase. It was large and roomy (I have a big head and thick hair as well and, in addition, I need my hats to feel loose and non-constricting).

It was a great hat and perhaps it would work for you as well??

Look at the "rollable" visors form the San Diego hat company (available on Zappos). I have a large head and thick hair too (big brain, ha!), and the opening does not mess up my hair, they are comfortable, and they pack very well. I mostly use them for the beach, but they seem to air out just fine and I have not had to wash one.

I have a small head and need a small hat but have found that the Scala or LaScala brand has hats for most sizes. I usually buy the ones with the elastic headband inside that works like a charm.

Not a straw hat, but I've really had good luck with one like this from Duluth Trading. If you’re not looking for a women’s hat, I bet they have something similar in men’s. I believe I had a choice of sizes when I bought it.

https://www.duluthtrading.com/womens-crusher-packable-tulip-hat-61212.html?dwvar_61212_color=DKH#q=packable%2Bhat%2Bwomen&lang=default&start=1

Packable and washable, and comes out still looking good.

This company actually sells hats big enough for my head. The fabric hats wash beautifully.

https://www.sundayafternoons.com/

You might consider looking at REI.com. They have a selection of “Crushable” straw hats that have 40 UPF sun protection and wide brim.

Hi,

Try Kohls store (which would be a good idea to try different styles on -if you are near one)

or Kohls.com

It appears they have quite a few different styles of the soft (packable) straw hats for women - Fedora, wide brim, sun visor style, flapper style - most are neutral tan or white - and on sale.

Kohls has a generous return policy.

Examples below:

https://m.kohls.com/product/prd-4894035/womens-lands-end-packable-straw-visor.jsp?prdPV=3&userPFM=packable%20straw%20hat&diestoreid=609&selectShip=true

https://m.kohls.com/search.jsp?search=Packable%20straw%20hat&isFromSearch=true&defaultStoreId=609&spa=3

I think edgefield has lots to choose from now - lol.

I’ve never found hats in extra large at places like Kohl’s.

valadelphia, I agree, I’ve always said it’s because we have bigger brains!

The Lands End straw hat has an opening in the back according to the picture which looks like it has an adjustable tie or elastic band.

Add me to the big head list.
I don't really wear hats much, but when I need one it has to be an XL, and L/XL rarely does the trick. Visors tend to work better with my hair, and they are easier to find, though usually more sporty.

I do have an XL wide brim panama hat that I bought years ago. I don't think the place I bought it (online) exists anymore.

Another vote for Wallaroo Hats. I have the Sydney. Packs like a dream, looks cute with the brim turned up or down, good sun protection and stays on my head! The hat has a size adjustment cord built into the band and I can even wear it comfortably over an updo/French twist or low pony tail.

Wow, thanks for all the advice! I will start tracking down some of these suggestions!

At least these sites give you a hat size chart, but I know that my head still won't comfortably fit most of these women's styles. A 1/4 size makes a big difference and men's styles aren't in pretty colors or stylish.

Okay I looked at the Walleroo. Several of the reviews said they had a noggin circumference or 23.5 inches and they could wear the hats with the 22 5/8 size. One reviewer says it fit her size 7.5 hat size head. That's the size of my Tilley hat so will take a look at that. I would like it washable so that narrows it down even more. Victoria or Sydney should fit the bill. I like that the Sydney can be rolled and packed but the Victoria you have to stuff with soft goods in your suitcase.

Thanks again!!! Only 11 months to go!

Please let us know if it fits. Thanks

I have the Wallaroo Sydney and I love it. Super comfortable, very flattering, washable, and you could run over it with a truck and it will not affect it.

Pantropic. Very comfortable and packable.

But you may just want to wait and buy in Rome. That would make a nice, usable, souvenir.

A proper Panama is designed to be rolled up, so would work

Another vote for the Wallaroo Hats here.

Valerie, I used to live 2 blocks from the Village Hat Shop in San Diego. I love all their hats. My fav for travel is their Scala hat. It is not straw, but the material has sun protection and it packs beautifully. Also, when I get home from a trip I can wash it which I love.

I love the scala hat and have several colors and have taken it with me on trips quite a lot. It does pack and retain its shape beautifully. However, it doesn’t quite have the chic look of a straw Panama.

One suggestion is when you buy one of the packable hats, give it a packable tryout before ripping off the tags. Literally pack it like you would and place it somewhere overnight, the next day it will show you if it really is packable and retains its shape.

Best hats I have in my closet are from Barmah, made in Minnesota, nylon and canvas, even their leather hats are rollable and foldable. Stylish and a nice selection of women's.

barmahhats.com

Let me pile on to the votes for Walleroo.
I have the Victoria in a lovely periwinkle and have used it for at least 10 years, not just for travel but for frequent walks with friends.
It refuses to wear out, or even fade!
I've stuffed it in a jean's pocket as well as purses and suitcases.
I love it, and someday will splurge on a new one just to get a different color.

I wear hats all year round to protect my skin from the sun. I prefer straw hats, but I haven't found one that still looks good once it's been rolled, folded, or packed. So for travel I like Scala, mentioned already by several people. So many colors and brim widths to choose from. And they squish down into a bag while in museums or restaurants so you don't have to worry about where to put it. But if you do want to buy a straw hat once you get to Rome and feel like a splurge, go to Borsalino. I was there during the summer "saldi" a few years ago and bought a beauty. But even on sale, it was a big splurge. I don't buy many "souvenirs", but like to get thing that I use in daily life, so clothes, shoes, and hat are my go to when shopping on trips.

I have this hat. It's very good and I also have a a biggish head. It's washable.

https://www.muji.us/store/water-repellent-sealing-taped-cloche-55-57-5cm-dba01a1s.html

BTW, this brand also makes pretty good travel goods. Check them out.

For several years, I wore both the Wallaroo Sydney and Victoria on the golf course because they are washable. I no longer play golf, and keep the hats for dressy occasions. I have a large head and my Tilley hat size is 7 1/2.

I prefer the Sydney because it survives gentle machine washing much better then the Victoria, over time. The edge of the Sydney brim that curls up a bit is still curling up. Over several washes, the Victoria just looked awful and I finally tossed them.

Victoria looks more like a knitted "fabric" while the Sydney is more woven.

I did no special packing in the suitcase for either style.

I suspect your large head and thick hair are from too much Alcofrolic shenanigans. LOL. Cheers!

Ah stoutfella you know alcohol shrinks the brain! I prefer the explanation of a large and active brain feeding the wild and luxurious growth of hair!

SO I ended up buying the Sydney from Walleroo in the seafoam color. It did fit my size 7 1/2 head (!) and was surprisingly light. As suggested I also rolled it up and smushed it in my tshirt drawer overnight. ( confession here, I forgot for a minute where I had put the hat :) )
It popped right back into shape. I will add a chin tie since I do not want to lose the investment. I see it is hand washable--hope I never have to do that but you never know.

Thanks for all the comments and advice!

Edgefield, so glad that it worked out! Have a great trip.