Which hat?

[Schwert]

If I wanted a hat that could take everything thrown at it and still provide protection from sun and rain and look decent then the Tilley would be my hands down choice. I always take my Tilley traveling because modern travel is very unfriendly to hats...never a place to put a good hat on a plane, restaurant, but I need a hat badly in the sun....no hair, and stuffing the Tilley in a bag, or in my coat pocket really works.

Now a nice fur felt just has style and provides all the necessary protection but I am less willing to stuff it in a bag (even though it could be done) because I sort of like the nice look I get with it....vanity and all you know.

Temperature also plays a role; the Tilley is really a 4 season hat for me. The first image I have an alpaca knit hat under it for warmth, the Tilley providing shade and rain protection. My felt hat is more a 3 season hat...really too warm in the summer.

So for me it was never a choice between an Akubra and a Tilley...both were required and get used based on the circumstances.

I am currently saving up for an Akubra Bushman

This one should accept rough treatment a bit better than the finer Lightning Ridge. It is an open crown in their standard weight fur.

One can never have enough hats....especially if one has not enough hair.

 

[bushman762]

Hi Group,
I don't have one of these myself but a friend has had one for years...you might like to have a look...and the price isn't too bad.

Check out their hats.

www.3riversarchery.com/

Best Regards,

 

[MagiKelly]

Temperature also plays a role; the Tilley is really a 4 season hat for me. The first image I have an alpaca knit hat under it for warmth, the Tilley providing shade and rain protection. My felt hat is more a 3 season hat...really too warm in the summer.

I have actually got a slight modification for my Tilley (a T5). I have two small pieces of cork that I carry in the secret pocket. In the cold months I use these to seal the front two ventilation holes. Makes it much warmer. Never needed to seal the back holes but it would be an option too.

 

[Doc]

I have a Tilley T3 and although it is more crushable I much prefer my Akubra Snowy River. The brim is a bit wider than strictly necessary for Scotland though.

 

[Spacemonkey]

Schwert, I love that hat. Although you'd need a good whip and leather jacket to go with it!

I got a Tilley style hat from Cotswolds for £20. It was much cheaper thatn the Tilley, and with a wider brim and shorter crown. I prefer the wide and low style hat. It has the coling crystals in the crown tape, and a pocket in the top of the crown too. And it's teflon coated to give it some waterproofing. All in though, it's the only hat I've ever worn that actually keeps me cool in this weather. I guess the air vents (like the Tilley) help. It also has two poppers two banana the hat if you so wish. http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Cat/108524?history=search results?Ref=

 

[Schwert]

I guess all I need is the leather coat eh?

This is my Grandfather's Stetson and a knife by Grant Hawk, on a 10' Kangaroo Bullwhip braided by David Morgan.

 

[Chopper]

I have to agree totally with Schwert as I have exactly the same Tilly and Akubra Coober Pedy as he does, and strangly enough for the same reasons (no hair).

The Tilly I have had for approx six years and has really been abused, it is still as new, it spends a lot of time kicking around in the back of my Landy, not something that you could do with the Coober Pedy, although it is well made and qyite robust, I just don't like things to look shabby, so I don't abuse it.

The Tilly I bought at a local shop for about £40, but the Akubra came from these people www.bootsonline.com.au/ the service was unbelievable, I orderd the hat and a full length "Drought breaker" stockman coat from them on the friday and it arrived on the Monday morning at 8:30 by DHL, the shipping for both items was £15 (would have cost £60 to send it back to Oz by DHL, ripoff Britian).

The chap from the supplier actually called me on my mobile from Oz as they were having problems with their online order form, took my order and then called me back as soon as DHL had picked it up, you don' get that service here at home, oh and BTW the whole order worked out 1/3 of the cost of ordering it in the UK.

Schwert, just remember one thing, you cant have hair and good looks, its one or the other, obviously we had the looks.

 

[Schwert]

remember one thing, you cant have hair and good looks, its one or the other, obviously we had the looks.

Ok I will buy that one.....


Here is the hat and look I lust for....Calvin Rutstrum from Challenge of the Wilderness 1970

 

[bushman762]

Trying to put this link on again...this is a 'Fred Bear' hat quite popular in the 50's & 60's.

www.3riversarchery.com/Product.asp?c=11&s=26&p=0&i=8072X

Best Regards,

 

[Rebel]

Looking at all these hats has made me start thinking about getting a new hat too .

I've been using a USA made felt hat for years now (the one I'm wearing in my avatar). I looked to see what brand it is but the sweat has worn away the name, "Double (illegible) Brand". It's been a great hat. Looking at it I'm wondering if I can get it cleaned and reshaped somehow.

I like the look of those Akubra hats, might get one of those when the finances are looking up. It'll look great with my Justin boots .

 

[Rebel]

Anybody had any experience with Jacaru hats? They seem quite reasonably priced but are they any good? http://www.jacaru.com/

I haven't owned a leather hat before are there any problems or advantages to leather over felt?

 

[Northern Giant UK]

Anybody had any experience with Jacaru hats? They seem quite reasonably priced but are they any good? http://www.jacaru.com/

I haven't owned a leather hat before are there any problems or advantages to leather over felt?

Bought one a couple of weeks ago.

I chose the "Snowy" (referred to as the snowy river here)

http://www.ausdesco.demon.co.uk/hats/jacaru.html

This is my first foray into "Proper" hats as until now I've only used a cotton digger (press stud sided type (I needed some kind of wide brim as I burn badly due to very fair skin) but I found the digger way to weak and floppy as well as pretty useless in rain etc.

So far I'm very happy with it, it's tough, rainproof (good thing in the north east lol) and surprisingly not heavy (I was expecting it to be much heaver due t the matrial used).

All in all i'm very impressed.

Hope this helps.

Kev

 

[Jared]

Have a barbour wax cotton hat, perfect for when its raining.

Though do like the rogue hats, http://www.unbeatentracks.com/hats.htm .

 

[Gailainne]

Amazing I'm on my second Akubra (Snowy River) and I did'nt know other types existed ! I bought both mine will on holiday in Oz, Cairns (about 20 years apart)

I think you may be right Chopper the "Coober Pedy" might be a better choice for the UK, mine (second) is going on 7-8 years old, still looks good but starting to get a bit wrinkled around the edges .

BTW I've got a BCB wire saw under the hat band and a length of snare wire wrapped around the band itself, I'm thinking of adding a small (very) possibles pouch, for bulkier items, and changing out the hat band for paracord. It should also be easy to add fishing line and a few hooks, flys and weights.

"Whats on your hat" ?

Stephen

 

[Chopper]

Bird crap at the moment.

 

[scoops_uk]

I love my Tilly, they go on and on and on. if you wear it for long enough it does start developing character ;-)

Scoops

 

[Rebel]

This is a resurrected old thread. Just to let you know my avatar changed since this thread started; it is no longer I in the picture nor my hat .

My hat collection has also grown a little since then.

I got this one (see my charity shop bargains post. )

I sprayed some Scotch Guard on it to make it a bit more water resistant. I guess I could have tested it this weekend but I didn't, I used my Goretex hood instead.

and I got a Columbia Booney hat. This one has no character whatsoever but it keeps the sun off, fits in my pocket, does what it's supposed to and it's cheap.

 

[twisted firestarter]

I found this cool U.S. site which specializes in felt hats...

http://www.felthats.com/index.htm

 

[Chance]

Not very bushcraft-y, but if you know you're going to be in pyssing rain for a long time, the Seattle Sombrero's a good bet. It won't win any fashion plaudits, but it beats a hood when you're on the long walk out from the hill. Popular with canoeists, as well.

And have a look at the hemp Tilleys, if looks are important. Fine for anything but a protracted chilly downpour.

 

[EdS]

stand out from the crowd and get an old style scout hat:

http://www.worldscoutshop.org/somma...4,200&prcidm=184&sid=4A3ALCH91PLWKG3E4T4BUG04