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Akubra Overload

monbla256

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,239
Location
DFW Metroplex, Texas
Actually, I'll partially retract my statement above. While I thought the DM version came creased (site says "shipped uncreased"), I'd remembered a line from the Hattery (Hats Direct), which says of the Squatter "An older style with classic snap brim sold as an Open Crown hat so you can put your own shape and style into the hat". That must've been the one I was thinking of. About $20 Aus. more than at EA, but appears to be in stock in Carbon Gray (in my size anyway).

Now did I recall reading of a difference in the crown taper bnetween the US and OZ hats? Or was it just lining and crown ht. (and how much difference there?).

As has been discussed on previous Squatter threads here, the majority of OZ Squatter's have a slightly shorter crown, are unlined, and have dimensional brims just under 3" and apear to have more of a taper to the blocking than the US versions as are imported by DM. All 4 of my Squatters which I bought from DM came with a full 5 3/8" straighter open crown, 3" brim all around and were lined. Sadly, DM is only selling it in two colors now, the Mid-Fawn and Moonstone. On the Akubra website, they only now list three colors, Black, Deep Fawn, and Steel Grey. Check through the previous Squatter threads here, there is LOTS of info and many pics of this particular Akubra for your info :)
 

T Rick

Practically Family
Messages
934
Location
Metro Detroit
As has been discussed on previous Squatter threads here, the majority of OZ Squatter's have a slightly shorter crown, are unlined, and have dimensional brims just under 3" and apear to have more of a taper to the blocking than the US versions as are imported by DM. All 4 of my Squatters which I bought from DM came with a full 5 3/8" straighter open crown, 3" brim all around and were lined. Sadly, DM is only selling it in two colors now, the Mid-Fawn and Moonstone. On the Akubra website, they only now list three colors, Black, Deep Fawn, and Steel Grey. Check through the previous Squatter threads here, there is LOTS of info and many pics of this particular Akubra for your info :)
Thanks for that nice summary, good to see it spelled out (again).

Noticed one other thing, for smaller heads (size 7 and under) DM also lists the Squatter in black and it's on sale at a substantial discount. If only they had 7 1/8... (not stretching a new hat, not really inclined to go that route with vintage anymore either).
 

monbla256

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,239
Location
DFW Metroplex, Texas
My experience with all my DM Squatters is that they are slightly big at first and after some wear and rain they sittle down to size. Since i'm sorta BTWN sizes I always order my size and they stretch/shrink as req'd to fit my head. You may find that the DM size 7 might work for you. Give 'em a call or e-mail, they are GREAT folks to work with. I bought my Black one on sale and I really like it though if I wore it up in Crown Hieghts Brooklyn, I would be looked at funny as I am not Hasidic :) It is VERY similar in appearance to the hats worn in that community :) Here's a pic of the Black on my head and the shots a bit washed out to where the color looks sort of charcoal but the hat is BLACK :)

007.jpg
 

T Rick

Practically Family
Messages
934
Location
Metro Detroit
Thanks, but I'm reluctant to give a 7 a try. I am a 7 1/8, never yet have I found a 7 that fit (I have two vintages that I've stretched, but TBH, still feel it's a less than ideal situation). That plus my two Campdrafts, both 57 (7 1/8) though a bit large at first, now fit perfectly. I'd hate to have a 7 that fit at first, and shrunk to where I didn't think I could wear it.

That is a great looking hat on you though!
 

SgtRick

One of the Regulars
Messages
186
Location
FOB Salerno, Afghanistan
I am a 7 3/8 (59) and have ordered all my hats in that size in hopes that when they shrink a little they will fit perfectly. I did order my Adventurer in a 58 and it fits great right now. I tend to wear my hair longer or shorter depending on where I am at in the world. Here in Iraq I wear it close on the sides so the 58 was the right choice. However, in the states I do have my Fed IV in a 59 and that will be perfect in time I'm sure. Bigger but not smaller is my motto. You can always add the little foam inserts that will take up the extra size.
 

Orangegrad

Practically Family
Messages
918
Location
Northeast, OH
Willow green photos

Hatsdirect sells their Squatter in willow green, but the photo on their site isn't all that good at showing the color. Anyone have a photo of a willow green Squatter or Stylemaster that gives a good idea of the color? Or is this color a chameleon like my acorn Stylemaster?

Thanks,

-Andy
 

Orangegrad

Practically Family
Messages
918
Location
Northeast, OH
Photo23-1.jpg

IMG_9999.jpg

Photo1.jpg


Here are some pics of my Willow Green Squatter, to show the variation.

Thanks, John. This is helpful. Like my acorn Stylemaster, the willow green seems to be something of a chameleon. I suggested to my 18-year-old daughter that I was considering a green hat, and she was concerned it would make me look like a leprechaun. Willow green is a fairly muted color. I like it. And I like the fairly wide brim with not-too-tall crown of the Squatter.
 

Orangegrad

Practically Family
Messages
918
Location
Northeast, OH
Outback with vent holes question

I'm thouroughly enjoying my new Stylemaster. And so I'm considering placing an order with one of the Australian vendors for some models that we don't get in the US (maybe a Fed IV, maybe a Campdraft). Thought I might pick up an outback style. My question is - for those hats with vent holes, are these strictly warm-weather hats? Do the vent holes make them impractical for cold weather?

Thanks.
 

monbla256

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,239
Location
DFW Metroplex, Texas
I'm thouroughly enjoying my new Stylemaster. And so I'm considering placing an order with one of the Australian vendors for some models that we don't get in the US (maybe a Fed IV, maybe a Campdraft). Thought I might pick up an outback style. My question is - for those hats with vent holes, are these strictly warm-weather hats? Do the vent holes make them impractical for cold weather?

Thanks.
My experience with an Akubra with vent holes has been restricted to a US model Cattleman ( a GREAT working hat by the way) which I got from DM and as is the case with ALL his Akubra's, is lined and the vent grommet does not go thru the liner. It does not make the hat that much colder to wear at least not down here than my unvented Akubra's in the winter. Most of the "Outback" styles which are made for the OZ market are UN-LINED so I'm sure the vent holes might make some difference especially up where you live. But when it gets really cold, I find NO felt hat able to keep my head as warm as a wool watch cap or beret which is usually what I wear in the coldest days :) Ive not noticed any more rain getting thru my Cattleman when I have worn it in the rain either.
 

James71

A-List Customer
Messages
447
Location
Katoomba, Australia
Ive got akubras aplenty both with and without grommets. I havent noticed the vents to make much difference at all really. The inclusion of a liner, particularly if you leave the plastic part in, (which I never do) makes a significant difference to how the hat breathes and how hot it gets in there.
 

mikemxyzzy

New in Town
Messages
3
Location
SW Wisconsin USA
Here's a photo to help with color ID. It was taken in 10:30AM sunlight. Front left is the David Morgan Bushman in Nullarbor Tan, Right Front is the Campdraft in Taupe Fawn from Everything Australian, back is the Cattleman in Fawn from David Morgan.

Photo on Picasaweb

IN between the hats is an 18% grey card, so if you have a calibrated monitor and photo editing software you can use the grey card to get the colors closer to reality.
 

monbla256

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,239
Location
DFW Metroplex, Texas
mikemxyzzy,
That is an EXCELENT pic which shows the colors of those hats PERFECTLY !! Nice job! I have the same two DM Akubra's you show , the Bushman and the Cattleman and those ARE the true colors. !! Thanks for posting as folks can get a good idea of them from your pic.:)
I've copied them and posted here:

Hats1of11.jpg
 
Last edited:

Orangegrad

Practically Family
Messages
918
Location
Northeast, OH
Here's a photo to help with color ID. It was taken in 10:30AM sunlight. Front left is the David Morgan Bushman in Nullarbor Tan, Right Front is the Campdraft in Taupe Fawn from Everything Australian, back is the Cattleman in Fawn from David Morgan.

Photo on Picasaweb

IN between the hats is an 18% grey card, so if you have a calibrated monitor and photo editing software you can use the grey card to get the colors closer to reality.

This is really helpful. Is the Bushman crown significantly taller than the Campdraft when both open?
 

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