Answered! The Questions Everyone’s Asking

At Wallaroo, we know that selecting a hat is serious business. There are many things to consider when you’re choosing headwear - whether you’re ordering online or shopping in person. How do I know what size to order? Which hat is best for my upcoming trip? What’s the deal with UPF protection? We get questions like these every day from customers around the world, and we thought the best people to answer them would be our trusty customer service team. 

How do I measure my head? 

This is one of our top questions, and we always start by saying… proper fit starts with proper hat placement. This means, for best fit and comfort, your hat should be worn right above your eyebrows so it’s not too high on your forehead or so low that it covers your eyes. 

With this in mind, let’s measure your head! Simply take a piece of soft string or a tape measure, and wrap it around your head, positioned above your ears and eyebrows. Then, measure the string, and refer to our handy sizing guide. Still have questions? No problem! Watch our hat-sizing tutorial.

What if my head measurements are between sizes?

We get it, everyone’s head is different. That’s why, in addition to our standard Women’s collection, we also offer an extended size collection for larger heads, as well as a petite collection for smaller heads. For Men’s and Unisex styles, each hat comes in two sizes, M/L and L/XL. And we haven’t forgotten our kiddos - we’ve got sizes for them too!

In cases where your measurements fall between sizes, we recommend you order the larger size and take advantage of the inner adjustments to create the perfect fit. Most Wallaroo hats feature an adjustable drawstring, while our Carkella line has a “Comfy Fit” elastic inner strap with a pull-tab for instant wind resistance. Plus, many of our styles feature chin straps to keep your Wallaroo with you even in the windiest conditions. (Or if you’re jetting across a lake on a speed boat.)

What exactly is UPF protection? 

Great question! UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, measures the percentage of UV Rays blocked by the hat fabric. A hat with a UPF 50+ rating blocks 97.5% of UV rays. Trusted agencies, including the Skin Cancer Foundation, recommend wearing hats with this top rating for the best protection from the sun. Protection depends on the weave density, and darker colors usually provide greater natural protection. Best of all, UPF ratings do not expire, as no chemicals are involved - the protection comes from the weave. Our extensive UPF collection has hats for every person and every activity!

Will a non-rated hat still offer some protection? 

Yes! Even our Wallaroo hats that do not have a UPF rating still provide substantial sun protection. When you wear a hat, you are helping protect your skin from the sun. Combine this with sunglasses, sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ or more, and UPF clothing, and you are ready to head outside and enjoy the day. 

What are the best hats for travel and packing? 

Whether you’re headed to Europe or the next town over for a weekend away, we promise your Wallaroo will be a great travel companion. Flexi-Weave hats are highly recommended for traveling, due to their packability and UPF 50+ protection. These hats can be easily packed using the “soft taco” method: fold them gently in half and pack them with clothes. (We recommend you skip the hot sauce, though.) You can also place your hat in your suitcase and stuff it with socks and other small, soft items to keep the hat’s shape. Some of our hats (like the Summit or Casual Traveler) can pack completely flat! If you prefer to keep your Wallaroo within easy reach at all times, try our  Klipsta Hat Clip that easily attaches your Wallaroo hat to your bag or belt for easy carrying. Still wondering how to keep your Wallaroos in tip-top condition on your next trip? We’ve got you covered in this packing tutorial.

What if my Wallaroo gets a little floppy? Or wrinkled?  

Even though our hats are packable and durable, we understand that life happens. To remove creases or reshape your hat, steam your Wallaroo over boiling water, or use a handheld steamer carefully around the brim. For makeup stains, take a soft washcloth with mild soap and warm water. (Just be sure to avoid machine washing or drying.) Visit our Packing and Care section on the website for videos on how to care for your Wallaroo hats.

Last but not least, are Wallaroo hats waterproof?

While they’re not fully waterproof, our hats are water-resistant including the Flexi-Weave styles, microfiber styles, Lycra styles, and other hats like the Charlie and Tahoe.   If any of these hats get wet, they will dry quickly and retain their shape. For our hats made from natural materials like raffia, we recommend avoiding exposure to water or rain. 

And finally, for any other questions about sizing, cleaning, packing, or care, we always recommend checking the specific care instructions for each hat on our website. 

Do you have a question we didn’t cover? Drop us a line! We pride ourselves on customer care and attention and are here to answer your questions and help you find the perfect Wallaroo. 

And remember…

It’s a sunny life, wear your hat!