Pith helmets?

Question

okay, well, do they have a suspention system?

I know they have a swaet band, but i havent seen the inside of any.

like would they protect your head from falling objects?

do they soak up rain, or would rain just drizzle off??

I am thinking about getting one, but i need other uses for it other than blocking sun.

so i am thinking about just getting some full brim hard hats.

but there is no store that sells them, only online, this sucks!

Answer 1

Hi,

Pith helmets do have a suspension system that is usually adjustable.  The sweatband is a part of the suspension that rests on your head.  If you have ever seen the inside of an older U.S. Army helmet liner, it is very similar to the suspension systems used in pith helmets.

Besides just blocking the sun, they do repel water, so rain does drizzle off of them.  As for protecting your head, they would provide a very limited amount of protection, but I wouldn't want a rock to fall on one I was wearing.  The other advantages of these hats is that they keep your head much cooler that other hats because they allow for easy circulation of air around your entire scalp and they are very lightweight.

There are stores that sell them... try an Army/Navy Surplus Store or a uniform store where they sell police, security and nurse uniforms.  There are many law enforcement agencies that still use pith helmets.

I hope this is of some help to you.

Hiking Tony