Melin Headwear Review

[Chilidog]

Hey gang, back with another review. This time for Melin Headwear. You’ve probably seen ads for them at this point, but if not here are the claims:

 

*Lightweight

*Breathable

*Floats

*Antimicrobial

*Doesn’t show sweat stains 

 

This is the hat company that currently makes Phil’s headwear and the biggest attraction for most buyers is that the hat will never show sweat stains. At $60 per hat, it comes at a cost though. I will break down my review from a textile technology side and let you guys make your own opinions. 
 

First, let’s talk fit. Melin makes a flat bill cap that they say can be curved to your likeness. In the headwear space, this is mostly achieved today by wetting the front of the bill and either putting rubber bands around it until it dries or putting it in a hat form. Here is the first major problem. Medlin uses a hydrophobic coating on their hats to make them repel water (the reason it floats). So, if you try and wet the bill to curve the hat, you are going to be very frustrated. If you have a steamer, the better option is to steam the hat with rubber bands and allow to cool. 
 

2) Let’s get back to that technology piece of finishing with a hydrophobic coating. This is where the hat broke down in wear testing for me with predictable results. Because the hat it is hydrophobic, it won’t soak up any water….or sweat. That means when you sweat, there is nothing there to prevent that sweat from rolling down your face. In fact, I found that I was constantly having to take the hat off and dry my face with a towel during my testing rounds. But, because it won’t take on sweat, you won’t have sweat stains. 
 

3) While the hat has a antimicrobial finish as, it is quickly worn off by human sweat which contains staphylococcus and klebsiella which grows on the hydrophobic coating. We noticed an increase in smell after wearing the hats for multiple rounds. 
 

Here are the positives for Melin…it is loaded with style, turns a lot of heads and is still a good fitting hat. It has laser cut holes in the hat to release heat and would be a joy to wear in comfortable climates. Overall, the hat isn’t terrible but you will have to judge if it’s worth it’s price point. 

[mccjud]

Great review Chili. I’ve been considering one after seeing so many folks wearing them… thinking I’ll wait until they come out with a visor

[dazedniteman]

Great review and perfect timing as I have been looking to purchase a new hat - specifically one that could be used when I go to the beach that can get wet and keep me cool with no problem. 

 

Do you have any recommendations for high quality hats that are breathable and keep people cool while also withstanding lots of water without becoming discolored or smelling?

[Chilidog]

1 hour ago, dazedniteman said:

Great review and perfect timing as I have been looking to purchase a new hat - specifically one that could be used when I go to the beach that can get wet and keep me cool with no problem. 

 

Do you have any recommendations for high quality hats that are breathable and keep people cool while also withstanding lots of water without becoming discolored or smelling?

The best that we’ve tested so far on the market is the Nike Aerobill. But after a while, all hats will smell and need to be laundered. 

[VNutz]

Thanks for the review @Chilidog. My brother in law got one for fathers day and was raving about it, so I looked them up and was shocked by the price. Going to stick with my Imperial TKO hats for running and bicycling for the time being. Very breathable, seem to take on sweat (or at least it doesn't pour down me) and very easy on washing when the funk smell kicks in.

[Minarets]

I bought one of the all whites like the one Phil uses.  Couldn’t wait to get it.   Was totally disappointed.  The bill was way smaller than a standard bill on a hat.   I don’t have a large head. 7-1/4 and bought the standard size.  Maybe I need the XL one?    Anyway, bought 3 white Nike aerobill and love them.  Then bought a light blue and navy one.    Now, my go-to hats.  

[Chilidog]

59 minutes ago, Minarets said:

I bought one of the all whites like the one Phil uses.  Couldn’t wait to get it.   Was totally disappointed.  The bill was way smaller than a standard bill on a hat.   I don’t have a large head. 7-1/4 and bought the standard size.  Maybe I need the XL one?    Anyway, bought 3 white Nike aerobill and love them.  Then bought a light blue and navy one.    Now, my go-to hats.  

They do have different size hats and different hat styles (shallow vs deep). I have a decent sized noggin and the classic fit me well. 

[timbo08]

 

On 7/27/2021 at 3:34 PM, Chilidog said:

The best that we’ve tested so far on the market is the Nike Aerobill. But after a while, all hats will smell and need to be laundered. 

Have your tried the Titleist Tour Elite yet?  Not the performance one or the traditional diamond shape but the one with the ripstop material?  I was a LOYAL aerobill guy till I found these.  Best lightweight hat on the market in my mind.  https://www.titleist.com/product/tour-elite/255HA1T.html Also helps that they are offered in flexfit XL/XXL! 

[dekez]

Not my style.  While I still prefer a visor, I have found running caps to be superior to a standard baseball cap.  They are MUCH lighter, breathe better and also have a "dad hat" fit rather than the structured crown made of cardboard.

[White&Gold]

Great review - didn't even think about the fact that a sweat-resistant hat wouldn't keep the sweat out of my eyes. Was just about to pull the trigger. Looks like I'll keep up my pattern of using a new hat (or three) each season down here in GA. 

[Minarets]

59 minutes ago, White&Gold said:

Great review - didn't even think about the fact that a sweat-resistant hat wouldn't keep the sweat out of my eyes. Was just about to pull the trigger. Looks like I'll keep up my pattern of using a new hat (or three) each season down here in GA. 

I ended up buying 3 white Nike aerobill hats and 2 other colors and rotate and hand wash. 

[Chilidog]

On 8/3/2021 at 8:50 PM, timbo08 said:

 

Have your tried the Titleist Tour Elite yet?  Not the performance one or the traditional diamond shape but the one with the ripstop material?  I was a LOYAL aerobill guy till I found these.  Best lightweight hat on the market in my mind.  https://www.titleist.com/product/tour-elite/255HA1T.html Also helps that they are offered in flexfit XL/XXL! 

We have not. We try to only focus on ones that have a yarn technology listed in their description. I’ll give it a look though. 

[bsoudi]

I am also a huge fan of the Nike Aerobills. I have a big head (7 5/8) and like the bigger crown (god, I hate dad caps) and the great brim. The key thing is the aweseomely soft and comfortable sweatband. Too many caps have crap sweatbands inside that scratch your forehead. Aerobills take a ton of sweat and tend to still look great – but eventually get salt stains. I then put them in one of those cages and wash in the washing machine and air dry.

 

While I love those, I also want to put a vote in for Flexfit hats. I picked up 2 Travis Mathew caps this spring and they're FlexFits. One is stretch-fitted, the other snapback. And I really like them. In our isnanely humid summer in Chicago, they take a ton of sweat and do not even discolor when soaked. I also like the nice fabric texture on thse caps and the elastic sweatband is pretty comfortable.  I think Adidas has also been doing FlexFits.

[Minarets]

46 minutes ago, bsoudi said:

I am also a huge fan of the Nike Aerobills. I have a big head (7 5/8) and like the bigger crown (god, I hate dad caps) and the great brim. The key thing is the aweseomely soft and comfortable sweatband. Too many caps have crap sweatbands inside that scratch your forehead. Aerobills take a ton of sweat and tend to still look great – but eventually get salt stains. I then put them in one of those cages and wash in the washing machine and air dry.

 

While I love those, I also want to put a vote in for Flexfit hats. I picked up 2 Travis Mathew caps this spring and they're FlexFits. One is stretch-fitted, the other snapback. And I really like them. In our isnanely humid summer in Chicago, they take a ton of sweat and do not even discolor when soaked. I also like the nice fabric texture on thse caps and the elastic sweatband is pretty comfortable.  I think Adidas has also been doing FlexFits.

See, I agree with you about the liner in the head band.  However, I love the design of TRavis Mathew hats but their liner scratches my head and leaves a ridge around my head, whereas the Aerobill doesn’t.  

[bsoudi]

On 8/8/2021 at 12:48 PM, Minarets said:

See, I agree with you about the liner in the head band.  However, I love the design of TRavis Mathew hats but their liner scratches my head and leaves a ridge around my head, whereas the Aerobill doesn’t.  

Aerobill is far superior here, for sure. The headband on the snapback is fine for me (less tight?). And yes, the stretch-fitted one can be scratchy.

[lc1342]

I’ve tried these. I think the bills are too small on the standard and XL. Wanted these to really work for me!

[Cwing]

In to follow thread.

[fjk]

I actually disagree w the main review. I have a few. 
 

no issues w the hydrophobic coating causing sweat to drip down my face. The sweat band absorbs it fine. The coating does a great job of not accumulating sweat lines though. None of my hats have any stain lines and I have worn them in hot dessert golf. 
 

to me they definitely last way, way longer than my other hats. 
 

I size down from XL. wear a 7 1/2 typically. 

[Pulledit]

I love my a game hydros.

 

Well made hat that will last long, keeps its shape, and wont show sweat stains.

 

i would recommend.

[TheMoneyShot]

Got a couple of PM Melin hats that I jog abd workout in, I love them.  So light, comfortable  and wicks away sweat perfectly!