David Bresch
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 81
- Location
- Philadelphia, USA
A hatmaker writes me that felt is cooler than Milan straw in summer. Of course, he only makes felt hats, so he has a bias. What sayeth the forum?
Well, I have a Panama with about 500 WPI and the new Art Fawcett tropic aire ultra lightweight felt
David Bresch said:Can someone elaborate on the Art Fawcett light weight felts? How are they built? Are they unlined?
This is so true, I think you hit the nail right on the head, as they say.Bebop said:I think the fact that straw looks like it is cooler in warm weather and felt looks a lot warmer may have something to do with why most people believe it is. I find that any hat warms my noggin. The coolest is no hat at all. After that, I feel like I am splitting hairs.
Let me guess...wpsi is pronounced "whoopsie", right?Zohar said:A high wpsi montecristi is hotter than one with a lower wpsi, or a cuenca.
AlanC said:They can be if you choose it. When I got mine Art hadn't gotten his lining pads in yet, so mine is fully lined. Although cool, I don't rate it as cool as my Panama Bob Cuencas (low end, very airy). In the summer heat and humidity of Dixie I've rarely worn my Tropic-Aire. I'm going to send it back to Art for a lining removal and a retrofit of the top pad only. I know that will cool it down somewhat.
Honestly, though, I don't think I'll be wearing felt when it's 90+ degrees with equivalent humidity, although an unlined Tropic-Aire that was vented might get the job done. I can't wait for it to cool down so I can put the Tropic-Aire to good use.