Bush hats

[arctic hobo]

I've been after one for ages, especially since my favourite jacket has no hood. I really like the Barmah bush hats and similar, and I figured I'd get one with my Christmas overtime pay (wohoo!). Trouble is, looking round the net, that in the US you'll find 'em for about 40-50 USD, while in the UK it's more like 50 pounds. Do I put up with the price or do you friendly folk know anywhere where I can get a similar kind of thing for less?

 

[grumit]

check these out http://www.leejames4x4.co.uk/shop-hats.htm

or here even cheaper http://www.thegorgeoutdoors.co.uk/acatalog/The_Gorge_Outdoors_Hats_and_scarves__64.html

 

[bambodoggy]

I seem to almost live in my Drizabone hat when out and about....from the cold damp of Ashdown the other month to the scorching heat of the Arizona desert last June.... I love it come rain or shine :biggthump

I think it cost me about 25 quid.....somewhere off the net... ): (not Ebay for a change)lol

 

[Doc]

I still live in hope of finding the perfect hat - something that is warm in winter, but shades the face, wards off rain, doesn't blow away, and looks good. And can be shoved in a pocket when not required.

There is no such thing of course. I guess when talking about bush hats you mean the broad brimmed variety. I have family out in Australia and they kindly gave me an Akubra Snowy River - apparently the best selling Akubra in Oz. Made of 'Imperial Quality' rabbit felt. It is very good - my preferred headgear in summer. Surprisingly waterproof. Very comfortable to wear and cool in hot sun. As you might expect, it is none too warm in winter, and can blow away in strong winds. The brim is maybe too broad for the UK.

Lots of people swear by Tilley hats. I like mine, but prefer the Akubra.

In winter I used to wear a deerstalker (not so unusual in these parts) but I found a very good but cheap (£5) hat by Gelert (gear snobs look away now....) - olive waterproof outer, peaked, fold down earflaps, thinsulate lined. Not particularly stylish, but excellent up on the hill.

 

[maddave]

Look at www.denewear.co.uk Their kit is mostly very expensive but I found the Barmah hats reasonable (I have two) :biggthump

 

[nodd]

hi all i find the tilley T3 hat works well in both sun and rain www.tilley.com

 

[Chopper]

If youre looking for Barmah hats try Gavin at Tradewinds, he is the UK importer for the full range.

He will be out of the office until 07-03-05.

www.bushgear.co.uk

 

[ChrisKavanaugh]

The problem with any stiff brimmed hat is storage when not in use and catching on everything if the bush in bushcraft is really thick and tangled. I like the US issue 'boonie hat.' You can roll it up into a pack when not needed. For cold weather a balaclava is hard to beat and likewise is pack friendly.

 

[bambodoggy]

The problem with any stiff brimmed hat is storage when not in use and catching on everything if the bush in bushcraft is really thick and tangled. I like the US issue 'boonie hat.' You can roll it up into a pack when not needed. For cold weather a balaclava is hard to beat and likewise is pack friendly.

I can roll up, flatten or just scrunch up my Drizabone, the brim is stiff enough to stay where I want it and soft enough to move when caught on branches etc....it's thin so cool in the heat and it's main advantage over the US boonie hat or British Army jungle hat is that it's waxed so waterproof in the rain.... unless it's really cold when a woolly hat or fleece hat takes over I wear my Drizabone everywhere... ):

Here's me in it at Ashdown last month:

 

[BorderReiver]

Usually wear the Tilley when it's raining.It folds into a pocket when not needed.When it gets really filthy (usually with sweat) it gets bunged in the washing machine.Try that with fancy leather hats

One problem with brims though,they obscure your vision of low branches and you're more likely to bang your head :shock: Still that also happens with peaked caps and hoods.