Most comfortable hat I have

job · Mar 12, 2012

I have some vintage and custom hats made for my long oval head but MY most comfortable hat is a modern Borsalino Alessandria. I think it is equal parts light weight felt, mallebility of the felt which lets it conform to my head, and its soft unreeded sweat band. Whats yours.

Seth Hawkins · Mar 12, 2012

A dark brown Akubra Federation IV. I'm the 4th owner. The felt shows some honest wear and is really soft, and the leather sweat band is like butter. It instantly conforms to my noggin. I can wear it all day without ever feeling it on my head. The rest of my Akubra's are well on their way to being just as comfortable.

DougC · Mar 12, 2012

How funny! I saw the title and thought "I'd have to say my Borsolino Alessandria..." In fact, its going on my head today.

Edward · Mar 12, 2012

Brimmed hats - My Akubra Fed Deluxe Mk III. REally looking forward to my Campdraft Deluxe being as nice to wear in a few year's time.

Caps - probably my brown Stetson Burney, which is now about eighteen months old. Great cap to wear in the cold; hogskin is nicely broken in and great in the wet. I deal in those rainy and windy situations where a wool cap will get unpleasantly soggy, and a brimmed hat will blow away!

Hot weather hats - either one of my many cotton and linen caps, or my customised Akubra Riverina, depending on circumstances.

Seth Hawkins · Mar 12, 2012

I bought a used Bluegrass Green Campdraft from the same Gent I bought the used Fed IV from. It's not as old, and I'm only the 2nd owner (I think), but it runs a very close 2nd to the Fed IV in comfort.

Edward - I've given all of my new Akubra's a good soak with distilled water (after removing the liner). I've "worked" them while wet, and again when dry. This really helps to get the "stiff" out of those that have been stiff. It's funny, though. Not all of them have been stiff. The CD Deluxe is the stiffest. All of the Fed IV Deluxe's have been very soft out of the box. And all of my Campdraft's have become nice and soft after just one soak. The CD Deluxe has been stubborn, but it's getting there.

By stiff I mean how easy or difficult is it to pinch the felt.

BR Gordon · Mar 12, 2012

This panama that Art built for me.

I've worn it almost every day for the last two months, and many times I forget that I have it on.

jkingrph · Mar 12, 2012

The new Hitchhicker I got from Art. I have a couple of others by him but this one just feels better. The Arkubra's are fine, but I am more of a long oval, so the customs feel better. I have an old Resistol 4x western with a c crown type factory bash that feels good also.

gtdean48 · Mar 12, 2012

VS Custom Natural ArtLite vented, 2 7/8" underwelt brim, 5 3/4" open crown. Wears like a cloud...

PHIL1959 · Mar 12, 2012

what a NICE looking hat.

BR Gordon said:
This panama that Art built for me.

I've worn it almost every day for the last two months, and many times I forget that I have it on.

SpeedRcrX · Mar 12, 2012

It's my Eddie by John Penman, I can take it with me everywhere

1961MJS · Mar 12, 2012

Hi

I have one custom 00% beaver hat by TonyB and it's by far the softest and best fitting. The Buckaroo is a close second in fit, but it's a Western weight (I think) Bunny felt and not quite as soft.

Later

Edward · Mar 12, 2012

Seth Hawkins said:
Edward - I've given all of my new Akubra's a good soak with distilled water (after removing the liner). I've "worked" them while wet, and again when dry. This really helps to get the "stiff" out of those that have been stiff. It's funny, though. Not all of them have been stiff. The CD Deluxe is the stiffest. All of the Fed IV Deluxe's have been very soft out of the box. And all of my Campdraft's have become nice and soft after just one soak. The CD Deluxe has been stubborn, but it's getting there.

By stiff I mean how easy or difficult is it to pinch the felt.

Yeah, I like letting them go naturally (or until the first heavy rain fall), feeling it get softer and more pliable over time (much like the carcass wearing it, alas!). My Akubra Rap did get seriously broken in one night at a Pogues show, though.... squashed totally flat.... Looked like it was gone, but fifteen minutes over the kettle and it came bac to its new shape - albeit a lot softer than it was!

jbucklin · Mar 12, 2012

All three of my VS hats---but especially the most recent one Art made for me:

mayserwegener · Mar 12, 2012

I would say my pre 1940 Echter Borsalinos. Light weight and very wearable.

BR Gordon · Mar 12, 2012

PHIL1959 said:
what a NICE looking hat.

Phil, Thank you for your nice comment. All of my VS hats are comfortable, but this one is the most.

bowlerman · Mar 12, 2012

SpeedRcrX said:
It's my Eddie by John Penman, I can take it with me everywhere

I've been wanting to see more of those Penman "Eddies." Yours looks amazing, thanks for posting. How wide is the brim?

My most comfortable hat? Probably my Falcon Park custom.

Brando11 · Mar 12, 2012

My Charcoal VS-

SpeedRcrX · Mar 12, 2012

bowlerman said:
I've been wanting to see more of those Penman "Eddies." Yours looks amazing, thanks for posting. How wide is the brim?

I think it's 1" but ask John for confirmation. It's a good hat that survived Disneyland Paris and its roller coasters

derleicaman · Mar 12, 2012

I was thinking my Allesandrio as well. I also have a Dark Brown Como that fits the bill as well. Soft as can be, easily put into any shape you want and you can wear it all day. I have another Como of the same vintage that is very rigid by comparison. Great hat, just not as comfy.

BTW, I snagged all three here from the Classifieds. Clearly a plus to being a member here!

EggHead · Mar 12, 2012

I have to say that all of my hats are most comfortable. I just pick the color and style for each outing based on what else I wear and the weather.

Most comfortable hat I have

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