Launching Today: Western Rise Versa Hat, Our First Look

Note: Western Rise sent this hat at no charge for review.

Today, Western Rise launches their all new Versa Hat. I’ve had a chance to try this hat for about 5 days now, and it is quite different from any other hat I have. I have been wearing hats for a while now, as a way to tame my COVID-haircut once the product I put in it wears off near the end of the day. I also wear hats working out.

Since getting the Versa hat I have only been using it, and using it a lot. I haven’t had it long enough to fully review it, but here are some thoughts:

The bill is likely to make or break this hat for you. Since it is all foam, it won’t get damaged no matter how haphazard you get. But since it is foam it doesn’t hold a curl. What’s weird is that you can form it in your hands and put on the hat and it will stay somewhat curled because of the pull from the hat. You need to wear the hat slightly more snug to get it to hold this better. And while wearing the hat I tend to form it every so often. If you don’t really care about how you bend the bill of your hat, then you are good to go, but if you do this might be your deal breaker.

The fabric is stretchy and breathable. Overall it is comfortable to wear around the house, or when working out. I found it never to get steamy and hot, but also does a good job keeping the wind from cutting right through.

The fabric is marketed as waterproof, but I have yet to be able to truly test this. I don’t doubt it though.

The DWR does make it easy to clean, which is good as black hats of this nature do tend to collect odd dusty marks. This hat cleans up nicely.

The clasp on the back clasps well and adjusts securely. I was not able to adjust the fit while wearing the hat, and instead had to remove it to do so — and even then it doesn’t seem like something which can accidentally be resized. So that’s nice.

I bet this would be great for travel, or for people who tend to take hats on and off a lot when they wear them. I think you either are the type who does that, or you put on a hat and just wear it.

The black does have a slight sheen to it, but it’s not overly noticeable or problematic in a hat.

I like this hat, and look forward to testing it more. You can back it on Kickstarter here.