Real Deal Brazil Tarp Hat

I didn’t know what to expect when Real Deal Brazil sent me a tarp hat. The idea of a hat made from recycled South American tarps seemed cool from an environmental perspective, but I really didn’t know if it would make a good hat. When the hat arrived the smell of canvas reminded me of my time in the Army where many things are made of canvas so they can withstand war and time. When I put on the hat I immediately fell in love. This is the coolest hat I’ve ever owned.
Before I started testing the tarp hat I looked online for information about it and learned that it is the same hat Woody Harrelson wore in the movie Zombieland. I rented the movie that night and was pleased to see my home state of Georgia in many scenes of the film as well as my hometown of Newnan (downtown scene with tank just before they find the Hummer). Anyway, it’s fun to own a Zombieland hat, and if the world goes dystopic I have a hat to wear.

Hat Sewing in Brazil

Story Behind the Tarp Hat
I wanted to know more about the origin of the Real Deal tarp hat and learned that the company founder, Walter R. Perkins Jr., was in Brazil and found the canvas hat at a beachside market. When he learned that the hat was made from recycled truck tarps he thought folks back home might like the hat too, so he tracked down a family making the hat. The trip to the town on the equator was hot and bumpy (understatements) and dangerous, but Mr. Perkins finally arrived and arranged a business deal with the head of a family business that could adapt the hats to Mr. Perkins’ needs. Now Real Deal Brazil communicates with this family via a neighbors email (Internet service is spotty and rare) for orders and business. Real Deal Brazil is a small company and the arrangement

Appalachian Trail

with the small family business has gone well. I was personally worried about the conditions of the makers of this hat, but knowing that the production is helping a family, and a town, I can wear my hat knowing that it’s not only environmentally friendly (recycled from tarps), but is helping humans too by very likely becoming the biggest contract to ever hit this remote Brazilian town.

Fit and Comfort of My Brazil Hat
My recycled canvas hat fits well and is very comfortable, but is still tough and ready for work or play. I’ve taken it in the mountains hiking and it’s kept my neck shaded and my eyes protected from the sun. I’ve worn it in my yard while working in my garden, and I’ve worn it on the lake fishing.

If you’ve been looking for a unique hat that is different from anything else out there or a hat that can withstand difficult conditions this is the hat for you.

Like I said, it’s the coolest hat I’ve ever owned.