A Programmer's Guide to Practical Hats

Why wear a hat?

• protect against cold air
• protect against cold wind
• protect against sun
• be easy to spot or recognize
• look cool; look distinctive
• declare social identity to others; attract folks with similar identity

When to especially wear a hat?

• extreme weather
  • very cold or windy
  • very sunny
• long exposure to weather
  • going boating
  • going hiking for > 2 hours
• weak or missing natural protections
  • reduced or no hair
  • sensitive skin
• if you want to appear older or more mature, as these kinds of people are more likely to know how to use, afford, and store hats

There are a huge number of hat types. Here are a few kinds I work with commonly:

“Paperboy” / “taxi driver” (One-piece cap.)

• General purpose for cold weather and mildly sunny days, for men.
• Compact: Folds. Pocketable.
• Medium insulation and wind resistance.
• Light sun resistance.

Beanie

• General purpose for cold weather, mostly for men.
• High insulation.
• Medium to low wind resistance.
• Compact: Folds. Pocketable.

“Fisherman’s cap” (Medium brim.)

• Good for sunny days, for men and women.
• Medium sun resistance.
• Compact: Folds. Pocketable.
• Medium insulation and wind resistance.

“Explorer’s hat” (Wide brim.)

• Excellent for sunny days, for men.
• High sun resistance.
• Medium insulation and wind resistance.
• Stylish.
• Not (usually) compact: Unpocketable.

Baseball cap

• Good for sunny days, for men and women.
• Medium sun resistance.
• Medium insulation and wind resistance.
• Stylish if you want an informal look.