Arctic Hat Review: Does This Cooling Hat Work? 

I was thinking about the saltwater, just as Dawn wrote a year ago. I believe saltwater did make a difference in the cooling capability of the hat because I've noticed the difference in swimming in lakes, chlorine pools, and saltwater pools, or the Gulf of Mexico. There is definitely a difference in the cooling factors. The saltier bodies of water do not cool as well.

I think I will get one for my husband. He does HVAC work here in Las Vegas, so he is out in the sun a LOT during the year. Looks like a great idea to keep him cooler during the days. Thanks, James!

This is the only video I've seen on this product that talks about humidity, so thanks for that! Where I live it's always very humid when its hot and I'm working outside on an organic farm with little shade. I think I'm still going to buy it out of sheer desperation, but knowing about how humidity affects the hat helps to gauge my expectations. I have a Slogger's brand sun hat that I adore, but out in the field I need something different. Even if I have to take it off every ten mins and wave it around, it's better than what I'm doing now. Thanks for the spectacular review, it was really well thought out and preformed. Best one I saw!

I bought one. I like that it does block the sun very well. I’m not crazy about the style, but when it’s very hot, the style is not the first consideration. I will say that it’s not too bad looking. I bought mine at an end of season sale, so I’m not disappointed with the price.

Given it's ghastly reflective properties (looks bedazzled) will it block the interdimensional reptillian overlord mind control too? ;) Love the channel, take care.

Years ago baseball players used to put wet lettuce in their caps to stay cooler in Florida spring training. Just a bit of trivia for you. My Father played for the NY Giants and they trained in Sanford FL.

Salt water could change results.

THXS I appreciate the review. My hubby does construction here in Jacksonville Fl. I was thinking about getting him one but I think his straw hat would work better. He does have a cooling vest that works awesome

My wife bought it for me for Christmas and I was like WTH, I'm not wearing that, but then I wore it to the beach and it is awesome, I now fish offshore with it (lost it a few weeks ago so I am buying a 2nd one) and love it. p.s. I live beachfront in Cocoa Beach, Fl.

I just bought the artic hat wondering how it would do in our very humid weather. Now I know. I think I will keep it anyway for the other properties it has. Thanks for the tips.

I was considering buying it for my father who works outside regularly. We live in Florida where the humidity can reach 100% your review convinced me that the hat would not work any better than a wide brimmed hat... thanks for the info. Jennifer

I'm glad you tested in Fl (I live near Clearwater!) because I know that evaporative products just don't work here.

Well i have put in about 100-120 miles this past summer using this as my long run hot weather hat, including an ultramarathon, 50k Green Lakes Endurance Run. I have to say this damn thing actually works. As long as the humidity is not high the evap layer really does work. And even in humidity the hat is better than anything else I have, decent ventilation, huge brim and the reflective layer really works. Best case I can make, on July 20th here in NY the big heatwave we had got up to 112 F, I went for an 18 mile run, about 9 miles of it was in the sun and I put some water in it every so often from my hydration pack, the brim was HOT, but the head area was cool to the touch...112 F.. unreal. I finished and was not wiped out, no heat exhaustion. Yes it is now my summer running hat, can buy one at Bed bath & Beyond.

It actually looks great on you. I live in Nevada too. In Carson City, I might just have to give it a try. Thanks for another great video, James!!!

"Arctic Hat" sounds more like some super warm hat for -40 C. Seems quite good hat for hot weather though. Won't be winning any style points.

You should have tested it against a similar style hat, but the reflective brim does sound like a good idea for a hat. I'd wear it over a regular ball cap on a hot day.

I find that it works quite well in humid conditions, Just after a hour or so I poor more cold water in and I'm cool as a cucumber, Plus the wide brim keeps most of the sun off and the reflection works great as well ! How do you think Kung- Fu got through the desert.

Love this channel! You have saved me so much money!

I have a different brand, Chill-it evaporative hat that is neon green and has similar things as the Artic hat. Mine you wet the inside and then spin it around which activates the cooling. I use it when I cut my grass here in NOLA. It works for a while but the humidity is powerful here. Sometimes our humidity is close to 100% but like your review it has a wide brim and a strap. This hat differs in that it's a bright reflective color instead of that reflective material on the Artic. It probably evens out in effectiveness. Thanks for your review.

I just bought one. I live in southern Spain and it is often 30-40c (in shade) in July and August. I am going to try it now whilst I feed my horses. I usually wear a straw hat but I am hoping this will be better. Dry heat here mostly. Glad I saw your review.

FYI...Esfrankie sponsored ad popped up on FB and they used a portion of your hat review on their ad. It was the temp reading portion of the video. Your reviews are really thorough and well done. Keep doing what you do. Thanks.

Just got one in NC. Wears well, good shade but you are right...humidity is 90% and have to keep going to the outdoor spigot. It's worth the money. Thanks!

Lol... "I'm not big headed, I just have a large head." Classic.

I live in Illinois and it gets pretty humid but if I lived in a drier climate I would use it.

I live in humid Minnesota, so I wear a regular sun hat. If I want the cooling, I keep a moist bandanna in the freezer, and wear that under the hat.

like many have noted any evaporative cooling materials just don't work effectively in humid environments... I am curious if the reflective material would feel any cooler than another wide brim hat of the same color or not

Was hoping to see some more head/hat temperature readings in florida.

Let me start by saying i work as a roofer in Florida. I seen this hat yesterday at Wal-Mart. Todays high was 101 degrees. I could feel my head baking in that sun. I went back to Wal-Mart and bought that hat and im sure it will be well worth the 20 bucks.

Hope you enjoyed your visit. After living in the Clearwater area for 42 years I’ve learned nothing will keep you cool outside. But, some things help better than others. I’m not much of a hat person but if I’m driving with the roof off or working in the yard I’ll wear a military style Boonie hat similar to the Arctic hat. The Arctic hat looked like it has better ventilation, it might not keep your head cool but might avoid it getting hot and still provide some shade.

Thanks so much for being such a great source of untried useful items. You have earned my trust and the few times I needed things I haven't been disappointed...I think the Arctic hat looks great and being in a desert climate with temperatures in the 100 degree plus range in the Central California summer sun, it will be a Godsend!

That hat would work great for my dad and I fishing. He is always worried about to much sun

The test in Florida was bogus because you used ocean water, which probably was 70 to 80 degrees. It appeared in Vegas you poured water from an insulated cup that was probably cool/cold water. I think the hat works best using cool/cold water.

I am 75 and must keep head cool. Look forward to using it this summer. 2021. Thanks.

7:55 - You should also factor in the dew point temperature. Because anything above 65 (F) degrees in dew point is when you start to feel it uncomfortably muggy and evaporation doesn't work. You mentioned that it was 88 (F) degrees temperature but only 63% relative humidity. Well the dew point was 74 (F) degrees! Of course the hat isn't going to work or anything that uses evaporation to cool the air. Also the heat index that day was 97 (F) degrees.

I just saw an online d for this product. There was a clip from this video included in the ad. I hope they got permission from you to use it.

Reminds me of my Tilley hat, which I love... I live in Charleston SC, and it's VERY humid here, so I want the hat for protection from the sun... and it appears to work for that function.

How warm was the Gulf water? I know in Sarasota the water is 84 degrees. Maybe put cold water in it?

My wife and I both agree, that 100% complements your style bro.

My poor hat. How dare you disrespect the mech! Haha. JK. Thanks so much James I had no idea you were doing this. Your reviews are second only to your character. Subscribe to Freakin Reviews!

I've got it! I need to start reviewing cooling items so I can travel to FL! 😂 That's the problem we have here In Indianapolis. It gets so humid, not much helps cool except jumping in water. For instance, it was 83° yesterday with 75% humidity... BLECH!

My mom likes to hike here in Colorado, where the air is super dry. I'll think about getting it for her, but I'm not 100% sure she'll wear something in this style :) Always hit and miss to give someone a useful gift that's also a bold fashion choice.

I would use it in mountains where it is usually low humidty. I've been looking for something like this.

Happy to see this review. Hubby and I are going to several western National Parks next week so this will be good for the hikes we plan on during those visits

I’m always too hot and live in an area that’s dry/hot for about 6-7 months out of the year.I’d wear it to a sports event in an open arena, although my naturally curly hair would probably frizz badly from the humidity that would ultimately be inside the hat. The big brim is a good idea, too, as your shoulders can attest to! I actually think you look good in it! Thanks for the reviews!

Thumbs up for the Arctic Socks

I wear a similarly styled hat with UV protective fabric when I hike in the desert, and dampen it occasionally. I wonder if upgrading to tin foil reflective material and absorbent lining would make much difference. If the Arctic Hat's still around when my current hat wears out, maybe I'll try it. Thanks for the review, James!

I think you nailed it. Yes I would wear a big floppy hat to keep the sun off me. I have one I bought in Hawaii with a mesh suspension band that keeps the fabric away from my scalp. The sides have mesh around where a hat band would be. The air flow helps substantially in a humid environment. The brim is very wide. Stylin' is in the eye of the beholder. Pain is personal.

so what was the temp of the water in nevada and what was the temp of the ocean water that you wet the hat with ? was there a difference ? that could change your results

If it doesn't work in humidity it won't work here in Tennessee, drats...we need SOMETHING to work for us here.

ya for humid environments, you need clothing that blocks and breaths.. not actual cooling effect you can get in humid environments for clothing just trying to not trap heat while blocking the sun. i do wear hats similar to these myself when i go hiking or fishing, but my hat is all vents and light weight and designed to keep sun blocked while exhausting my heat.. dont wanna add moisture to it, it will hold heat, in fact you want clothing that wicks moisture away from you and rapidly dries. i lived most of my life on east coast, and i have family out west live in desert areas like Phoenix, Vegas, and areas around there they come to east coast to visit sometimes and they always do this where they say used to the heat, gets much hotter there than it does here, but they arrive here in dead of summer and are suffering... have to always remind them coolest they will get outside is whatever temperature is in the shade, no evaporative cooling here.. and one reason i go fishing in dead of summer during the hottest hours,,, find a nice shady spot of the creek under the trees and enjoy it for next couple hours...

I would definitely wear it fishing, but I would only use tap, or bottled water. Not lake, stream, or salt. Thanks for the review. I like to see an unbiased review of all products before I purchase anything. Richard

Was about to ask if you could review this. I think it would be great for when I’m mowing the yard.

I live in Lancaster, CA which is a desert so I think I'd wear it. I never wear a hat indoors so this wouldn't make me change my mind. If it work I'd wear it. Its ok looking, it looks like a safari hat. I think it looks better than a cowboy hat (sorry cowboys and cowgirls). Usually if I wear a hat its either a baseball cap or a beanie. If it was something I could try, I'd be more likely to buy it, but then again to see how it feels, how I look (typically I don't look good in hats). Good review!

Rule is, above 30% evaporation is reduced substantial. So any evaporating cooling systems, stop at 30%

Your content is gold, more live streams would be wicked!! Keep up the incredible work

The best type of hat to wear here in Florida is a wide brim white straw hat. Here evaporative cooling is useless due to the high humidity. You have to allow the heat to escape from your head to keep you cooler hence a straw hat. Also if possible stay out of the sun between the hours of 11am and 4pm and hydrate hydrate hydrate

I just saw this on HouseHold Hacker's channel, cool to see different opinions on the same item

I am absolutely thinking about getting this. Here in AZ might be the best possible scenario to wear it. In AZ people fight over shade.lol

One thing, and the most important thing, you didn't state or test the uv rating. Here in oz that, is the one thing you need. Cooling effect be a bonus if very high uv rating.

I am unloading a trailer full of Beach hats right now and I was just curious to know what was in the box and I did get three boxes that was already open and these has the great can't wait to try one once I go buy it at my local Home Depot where all these hats being shipped off to

I think to do an honest and fair comparison you have to use same methods on both hats. And they should be of the same style/shape. ie. Fresh water used in both tests, and same style of hat, not a generic baseball cap. 👍🏻

4:05 Arctic Socks 😂😂

I want to say that I just ordered the baseball cap version off of eBay. Even though it may not keep your head cool like they say for a long time. I'll just keep a bottle of water with me when I do work. So that I can recharge the ir when it starts to cool down. I have no problem having a bottle of water with me when that happens. It's no big deal.

Nice hat for grandma 🤔😁✌️

FYI. Covert US militaria has been sending these hats to top Taliban leaders under the guise of YT reviewers because the Infra-Red signature off the top reflection of these is perfectly synched for Predator Drone missile recognition and strikes. Thanks for being part of the battle Freakin' Reviews!!! 'Merica!

Welcome to the Tampa Bay Area.I'm about 20 minutes from Clearwater. There is no keeping Cool down here with the Humidity.July,August and September can get Brutal with the Humidity especially after an afternoon Thunderstorm .We tend to hibernate in the A/C for those months

I really hope you get some kind of discount at the As Seen On TV store.

Just recently aquired the same hat, may try out while mowing the lawn...

My personal experience is that nothing works well for evaporative cooling in high humidity conditions. The only thing that seems to work a little is misting fans. The mist absorbs heat from the surrounding atmosphere. The side effects are you get a little wet.

My Arctic hats just arrived. My grandson and I will be trying them out next time we cut the grass out here in NC.

I already wear a desert-cammo army boonie hat for hiking normally. I would wear the Artic Hat, but I won't go out of my way to get one.

I live in FL and none of the “cooling products “ work from April - September

As a resident of Death Valley I can confirm this works just took a run in 120F and I’m fine

Getting performance socks wet definitely helps! I live just outside of Vegas. When riding my bike soaked socks makes a huge difference. Jersey as well.

I'll probably get one, I like the brim, kinda like an umbrella 😀 any little bit of coolness when it's hot will work!! Thanks for last years review. Yea it looks good on you. The very top, not so much looks more like a reflector, but that's what keeps the uv out. I will still try one of those Arctic Hats.

I live here in Florida and wear a fishing hat similar to that but with a neck shield works good no water needed you should have been here when it's a100°f and 100% humidity then see how we feel during the hot season it's hot in the sunshine state good job on your reviews by the way

I would wear that hat hiking, boating and kayaking. I already have a couple of wide brimmed bucket hats that I dunk in the water when I get hot. Neither one is well ventilated though, so the Arctic hat would be better.

Thanks for the review as I had been considering buying one. I have a Sun Tek golf umbrella that I have used hiking or walking as I have had skin cancer in the past, (oddly on my legs which is why I bought a golf umbrella). It does work for reflecting sun and keeping me cooler but is rather bulky so I thought the hat might be nice for out doing yard work but I think I will pass as I live not all that far from Ft Myers and the humidity will negate the value.

I like the Artic hat. Good for yard yard too. 🙏👍it looks good. I guess the brim could be bigger. But it works in hot weather San Diego.

The hat is distinctive and has a shadow from every direction 📝 And cooling every hour put cold water if the sun is hot

I used to live in Reno and Carson I love it. Greetings from Ottawa I like your channel, I love tv products too mate. Keep the hard work bro.

I got a REALLY BAD sunburn when I lived in Chicago, attending a great outdoor concert featuring Robert Randolph and the Family Band. 　 The sunburn later turned into skin cancer. I later had to have that cancer surgically removed by Bellingham Ear, Nose and Throat, in Bellingham, Washington. 　 Chicago gets pretty humid, being located next to Lake Michigan. 　 When I saw an ad for the Arctic Hat, I found myself wondering how it would have worked for me on that day. 　 My suspicion is that the cooling function would have worked a lot better in a dry climate like Las Vegas or the Hoover Dam, which is pretty close to Vegas.

Do you think the salt water affected the cooling properties versus the unsalted water you used in Vegas?

Clearwater!!! My neck of the woods. I’ve lived here for 20yrs. I hope you enjoyed your stay 😁

The style is fine. It's the standard gardening style, Indiana Jones style. Good review.

I have a theory about the body/head temp conflict: I thought our normal internal body temp is supposed to be about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, so why would/should it differ much when taking our temp using a ray gun?

I loved this video james. Thank you for your time and hard work. I am so surprised they chose the next product to be a hat. Hmmmm wandering what's next ... I would have thought so.e sort of neck cooling product or something. Not a hat. Hahaha.

You are a step away from my hometown Safety Harbor and the Skyway away from my current home in Bradenton. Hope you are enjoying our neck of the woods. It’s a beautiful place.

I live in the humid south. Try soaking and then freezing the hat and then try it out. That's what I do with evaporative neck bandanas while cutting the grass.

Good review! Not only did you test 2 different climates, but also a control?!?! Dope.

Honestly, I do not care about stylish or not. Right now I am considering this thing.

Thank you for the review I am a Mail Carrier in Hot Atlanta thinking about purchasing one for the Summer

Loved the review, but I think the control hat should have been a similar style hat rather than a baseball cap. (I live in Florida btw)

I live in Yuma, Arizona. It gets super hot down here with low humidity. I am going to give the hat a shot when I work outside. As long as it is not humid, it should work.

When you used the hat in Las Vegas you used bottled water, was that cold, cool or warm water? I think that would make a difference. I know putting it in the ocean water isn't going to do anything but make the hat stink. I live in Florida and I have used a few things to keep me cooler. I have been watching for a long time now, and I really enjoy watching your show.

I LIVE IN NORTHERN ARIZONA. DONT MATTER HOW IT LOOKS, IN SUMMER UR GLAD TO HAVE ANY FULL BRIM HAT HERE. MIGHT ORDER ONE FOR MYSELF. GREAT REVIEW AS ALWAYS JAMES.

An excellent hat that I use for my work and it keeps me in an excellent condition of freshness every day

As others have pointed out the test is not the same as an arbitrary was added in - salt water. One the water is warmer I expect than the water used from your bottle and two the salt content will effect cooling I am sure.

I always love your reviews. Thank you so much! God bless. Hugs

I’m in Southeast Virginia, don’t believe it’ll be any better than a regular hat here.