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Messages
11,912
Location
Southern California
I'm going to take my wife to Alaska this August. Will be spending one week inland and one week on a cruise. I obviously can't pack several fedoras. Some of the excursions will involve being on salt water on smaller boats. Maybe even kayaks. I need some suggestions on the one fedora (or maybe two) that I should take.
My wife and I went to Alaska in July of 2011, except the "cruise" portion of the trip was four days. The only fedora I had at the time was my dark brown Akubra Fed IV, and I thought the brim might be a little insufficient if we were to encounter any serious rain so I brought my Real Deal Brazil Tarp Hat instead. This being our first trip to Alaska and not really knowing what to expect, for $30 (at the time) I figured it wouldn't be a problem if it got damaged or lost. And the hat did just fine. But if I were taking the same trip today I'd probably take one of my Akubra Campdrafts--comfortable, a wide enough brim (and durable fur felt) to handle any rain, and easy to replace without breaking the bank if anything should happen to it.
 
Messages
19,124
Location
Funkytown, USA
My wife and I went to Alaska in July of 2011, except the "cruise" portion of the trip was four days. The only fedora I had at the time was my dark brown Akubra Fed IV, and I thought the brim might be a little insufficient if we were to encounter any serious rain so I brought my Real Deal Brazil Tarp Hat instead. This being our first trip to Alaska and not really knowing what to expect, for $30 (at the time) I figured it wouldn't be a problem if it got damaged or lost. And the hat did just fine. But if I were taking the same trip today I'd probably take one of my Akubra Campdrafts--comfortable, a wide enough brim (and durable fur felt) to handle any rain, and easy to replace without breaking the bank if anything should happen to it.

My Camp Draft accompanied me to Anchorage last year for some field work. I was glad I had it.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 

Bill Hughes

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,126
Location
North Texas
Guess I should have said this first.

I'm not far from the Hatco factory in Garland, Texas. Because of this, to date, all my fedoras are Stetsons. I know there's a lot of bad talk about the modern Stetsons. But with the prices I've got so far - I will have to continue to shop there. They have other brands but the vast majority of fedoras when I was there were Stetson.

Metropolitan - sage with Brown Band $64.50
Ripley - natural with Navy Band $45
Temple - caribou $45
Tehachapi Loop - navy $70
Tehachapi Loop - black $70
Tehachapi Loop - chocolate $70

Yea, I know 3 Tehachapi Loops is excessive but... their are just such a nice looking lids. My wife was with me and she couldn't decide. So six hats $364.50 plus tax. Looking online that's about the price for two.

I was looking at getting the Akubra Fereration IV Deluxe for my first hat. But then a forum member told me about Hatco.

Bill
 
Last edited:

davidkhill

New in Town
Messages
1
Location
Augusta, GA
I have two Akubra hats and love them. I would like to get the Bogart. I asked at David Morgan and it is not available. Are there any other online places someone can recommend to purchase this? Thanks David
 
Messages
11,912
Location
Southern California
I have two Akubra hats and love them. I would like to get the Bogart. I asked at David Morgan and it is not available. Are there any other online places someone can recommend to purchase this? Thanks David
Everything Australian or Hats Direct. I've ordered from both--good, friendly service and problem free.

Thank you very much! Just noticed your Tom Waits quote from Tango Till They're Sore. What a genius that man is.
sB
You're welcome. Yeah, a good friend turned me on to Waits back in the mid-80s, and I've been a fan ever since.
 

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,340
Location
UK
Hello gents (and any ladies),
I am normally on outer wear, so first post here.

I wanted to know the difference between these two hats.
Also, the 'proper' way to wear them. I know that sounds odd, but I tried a few on the other day and there are many sizes.
Does one wear what fits comfortably, or a little over-sized etc...?

Also, what sets the good ones (expensive) apart from the hight st knock-offs...?

Pics very welcome. Thanks
 

The Wiser Hatter

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,765
Location
Louisville, Ky
I wear caps daily so I have a particular way that I wear them. Though it is similar to the way I wear fedoras. I never wear them straight on my head.
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I always tilt to the right with my caps adjusting the drape so that the cap hangs down on the right hand sir of your head. Play around with how you wear the cap. Straight on is never a great look.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DVNO

Familiar Face
Messages
56
Location
Hamburg
Maybe this seems to be a stupid question for some of you "old" hat folks, but after I bought my second Borsalino online and the website recommended some impregnation spray i was a bit confused. You don't have to impregnate a fur felt hat since it's naturally impregnated, or am I wrong?
 

Degaule

New in Town
Messages
2
I am about to purchase my first Panama Hat and I'm looking for some help. Which makers would you recommend for a straw Fedora in the $500 -$600 range. I have looked at these three websites: Optimo, Brent Black, Panama Hats Direct. I wasn't sure if Brent Black and Optimo were better only for higher end hats. My only other hat is an Akubra Federation Deluxe IV and it works well as I need a higher crown. Thanks so much for your help.
 

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