HAT, JUNGLE

The HAT, JUNGLE has been made in Japan from a cotton poplin cloth and features era authentic details such as screened vent holes, drawstring, and foliage ring - a tape/band encircling the base of the hat, which was originally used for attaching foliage as a means of camouflage.

The origin of the boonie hat can be traced back to fisherman's "bucket hats," constructed of wool or tweed. By the late 1930s, the U.S. military had adopted a wide-brimmed design, inspired by bucket hats in the form of the Denim Army Hat, better known as the Daisy Mae and later in Olive Drab HBT as part of the P41 Uniform.

The design remained mostly unchanged until the U.S. military officially issued what became known as boonie hats in 1967, designating them as "hat, jungle, with insect net.". The Viet Cong had a very effective wide-brimmed hat of their own which likely encouraged R&D by the U.S..

Special forces like the MACV-SOG and Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols adopted the hat, personalizing it with slogans and insignia, as they famously did with Mitchell Camo helmet covers.

Designed for hot and humid climates, the boonie offers superior comfort and protection against rain and sun. The wide brim provides concealment, breaking up the wearer's silhouette. Modifications such as cutting the brim shorter or adding inside pockets for documents were common, reflecting the boonie's adaptability to various combat scenarios.

As the ‘Hat, Jungle’ was adopted by a broader range of servicemen, the nickname ‘boonie’ took hold, likely derived from the Tagalog word for Mountain — "bundok,", as with the ‘Boondocker’ name for FIELD SHOES, N-1 that came into use around the same time.

• 100% Cotton Poplin
• Cotton Sewing Thread Construction
• Screened vent holes
• Drawstring with Leather Toggle
• Foliage Ring
• Made in Japan