I work in a Lorikeet aviary and the birds are fascinated with hats.  I have fair skin and light-sensitive blue eyes and have to wear a big-brimmed hat to protect my face and eyes from the sun (sunscreen and sunglasses aren't enough).  I was wearing real straw hats but the birds tore them apart fairly quickly.  I went through about 8 hats before I found this one.  This hat has held up brilliantly.  The birds do chew on it but can't destroy it, the brim is nice and wide, the hat is attractive (and it keeps the birds and bird poop out of my hair!).  It doesn't breathe well, though, and my head gets very sweaty wearing this hat in hot weather.  It's a tradeoff - hot head or protected face and hair.  Overall I am very happy with this hat, although I only wear it at work.  I have other hats for other occasions.  It would make a good gardening hat for people who garden in the sun.