This hat is large enought to block the sun not only from my head and ears, but also most of the time from the neck.  The really great thing about this hat is not seen in the pictures.  There is a floating open wicker-like weave "bowl" that sits on one's head to secure the hat to the head, and which allows for a space between one's scalp and the hat itself.  This nicely allows for air circulation between one's head and the actual hat.  This open weave "bowl" is attached to the actual hat by three stiff reeds.  The ends of the stiff reeds are inserted into the reed weave of the hat.  The stiff reeds run through the "bowl".  If these stiff reeds break, the hat probably would be useless.  This is a weak part of this hat's design. It is to this weave "bowl" that the strings are attached which go under the chin.  With me being bald, I have to wear a thin knit cap on my head.  If I did not have one, the "bowl" would probably be quite umcomfortable.  Unfortunately, if there is a strong wind, it can rip the hat away from one's head and actually pull one or all (there are three of them) stiff reeds which hold the open weave "bowl" to the actual hat.  However, it was easy to re-insert the reeds in the weaved reeds of the hat.  My greatest concern was that this hat would be too hot (something that occurs with a baseball cap and a light, thin wicker-like weave cowboy hat that I have).  Despite its weaknesses in design, it is more comfortable and protective than baseball caps for outdoor work, and allow for more air circulation than the open weave, wicker-like cowboy hats.