Howdy folks!
I figured that since I got my Kakadu hat the other day, I'd review it! I considered going outside to do so, but it's windy and overcast - not having a neck cord for it yet, and there being no sun to shine in my eyes or rain to soak me I figured it would be a pretty pointless review, so I'll try and add that at a later date...
First impressions? See for yourself!
Nice hat! I was surprised at how soft the leather was. Not too thin, but certainly not too thick. The edge is folded over around somethingorother to keep the brim in shape - it seems to be the same sort of stuff that they use around the edge of those foldable mesh laundry hampers. Very flexible but very elastic, and firm enough to stay in place. It does mean that you can't alter the shape though, as you can with wire brims, but it makes it more packable (as you won't constantly be bending and restraightening the wire, which could lead to it breaking I guess). I've been wearing it round the house the last couple days to see how it is for comfort and it does wobble slightly when you walk, but I only notice it when looking for it to be honest. The headband is nicely made - I'm not sure what leather it's made from, but it's braided and crimped together with a metal band. it's slightly oversized though, IMO.
As you can see there's a bit of softer leather on the front, which I presume is to make it a bit nicer on the forehead. Nice idea, I like it
I wear a bandana with it to keep my hair out of the way though, so I could do without - still, it shows a bit of intelligence in the design. It's only sewn along the bottom, like the flap on a baseball cap. It also has a couple loops for a neckcord - it didn't come with one though, and I may or may not bother. I'm thinking that I might just have a short loop of leather from one which can be attached to a pack, strap, passant etc. I prefer that to wearing it around my neck.
Feel free to avert your eyes Sorry for the mirror picture too, but I'd have been here all day if I had to point it at myself. The hat sits a little high for my liking, but after looking on google images, this seems to be quite common for this type of hat. Certainly, it won't sit any lower without putting my head through the top Shown better in this picture...
Now I look at that picture it seems to be the curvature of the brim more than anything else...
Then I took a shower Careful not to shampoo the hat, of course.
As you can see, most of the water beads on the surface rather than soaking in. There are a few damp patches... my hair was bone dry, as were my glasses.
No soaking through at all.
A wipe with the towel had it good as new!
Packable as said! This was how it arrived in the box (having been like that from last thursday to yesterday at least) and recovers remarkably well.
Feel free to sit on it, too.
Pop it back on your head, and good as new
I love this hat, I have to say. It's comfortable, water-resistant (I won't say waterproof, because of the damp patches, but it shed the water great), light, packable. Now I just need to find out how to care for it!
Peace folks!
Pete
I figured that since I got my Kakadu hat the other day, I'd review it! I considered going outside to do so, but it's windy and overcast - not having a neck cord for it yet, and there being no sun to shine in my eyes or rain to soak me I figured it would be a pretty pointless review, so I'll try and add that at a later date...
First impressions? See for yourself!
Nice hat! I was surprised at how soft the leather was. Not too thin, but certainly not too thick. The edge is folded over around somethingorother to keep the brim in shape - it seems to be the same sort of stuff that they use around the edge of those foldable mesh laundry hampers. Very flexible but very elastic, and firm enough to stay in place. It does mean that you can't alter the shape though, as you can with wire brims, but it makes it more packable (as you won't constantly be bending and restraightening the wire, which could lead to it breaking I guess). I've been wearing it round the house the last couple days to see how it is for comfort and it does wobble slightly when you walk, but I only notice it when looking for it to be honest. The headband is nicely made - I'm not sure what leather it's made from, but it's braided and crimped together with a metal band. it's slightly oversized though, IMO.
As you can see there's a bit of softer leather on the front, which I presume is to make it a bit nicer on the forehead. Nice idea, I like it
I wear a bandana with it to keep my hair out of the way though, so I could do without - still, it shows a bit of intelligence in the design. It's only sewn along the bottom, like the flap on a baseball cap. It also has a couple loops for a neckcord - it didn't come with one though, and I may or may not bother. I'm thinking that I might just have a short loop of leather from one which can be attached to a pack, strap, passant etc. I prefer that to wearing it around my neck.
Feel free to avert your eyes
Sorry for the mirror picture too, but I'd have been here all day if I had to point it at myself. The hat sits a little high for my liking, but after looking on google images, this seems to be quite common for this type of hat. Certainly, it won't sit any lower without putting my head through the top Shown better in this picture...
Now I look at that picture it seems to be the curvature of the brim more than anything else...
Then I took a shower
Careful not to shampoo the hat, of course.
As you can see, most of the water beads on the surface rather than soaking in. There are a few damp patches... my hair was bone dry, as were my glasses.
No soaking through at all.
A wipe with the towel had it good as new!
Packable as said! This was how it arrived in the box (having been like that from last thursday to yesterday at least) and recovers remarkably well.
Feel free to sit on it, too.
Pop it back on your head, and good as new
I love this hat, I have to say. It's comfortable, water-resistant (I won't say waterproof, because of the damp patches, but it shed the water great), light, packable. Now I just need to find out how to care for it!
Peace folks!
Pete
