Straw for someone who sweats heavily

Paul_Va · Mar 7, 2013

First of all, hello. I'm new to this forum. I joined the other day because I am currently shopping for a new straw summer fedora, and I wanted to ask the people on this board a question.

What is a good straw material for someone who sweats profusely? I live in southern California, and the Scala hat I wore last year is stained with sweat marks and the brim has broken so that even a light breeze will blow it back. So, I'm wondering if there is a better straw and/or sweatband for someone who sweats easily. I've been considering the Stetson Andover because I like the style and color scheme, but I'd hate to spend $75 on a hat that will be destroyed in a year.

casechopper · Mar 7, 2013

Try looking into the poly-straw hats. They're plastic but look like straw. The plastic is easily washable and is very durable while still breathing well. The Akubra Capricorn is one that's popular and there are many others as well.

Paul_Va · Mar 7, 2013

OK, I'll look into that, Casechopper. Thanks for the quick response.

Joshbru3 · Mar 7, 2013

If you want a good real straw hat but are worried about sweat leaking through the sweatband, I would recommend finding either a vintage or moderrn hat with a plastic barrier behind the leather sweatband. Leather is very good at absorbing sweat, but if there is too much, it will obviously leak on the front side of the hat. I have owned and purchased hats that have an additional layer of plastic behind the sweatband which does a very good job of protecting the outside straw. Chances are that the Scala you bought was Shantung (coated paper) and not straw along with a fabric sweatband. Some fabric sweatbands offered by Stetson today advertise that the material will wick away sweat instead of absorbing it. Most cheaper "straw" hats will not do the trick. Your better off spending a bit more money for something better and you will have it for more than one season. If the sweatband winds up getting destroyed after one season, but protects the hat, its done its job. A new sweatband from a hatter is about 20 bucks.

Rick Blaine · Mar 7, 2013

Cheap
Disposable
Self Adhesive
Absorbent
and they make me feel so pretty!

Cattus Petasatus · Mar 8, 2013

Rick Blaine said:
Cheap
Disposable
Self Adhesive
Absorbent
and they make me feel so pretty!

Good Lord, man...I almost hurt myself laughing so hard.

Tomasso · Mar 8, 2013

Paul_Va said:
What is a good straw material for someone who sweats profusely? .

You might try a vented straw. I've found that they drastically reduce sweating though not entirely eliminating it.

GoldenEraFan · Mar 8, 2013

I would recommend having more than one hat. It's like a pair of shoes, always better to switch off. The sweatband, ribbon and brim on all of them will last a lot longer! I also second putting paper towels inside the sweatband.

Shangas · Mar 8, 2013

That paper-towels idea or whatever it was, that's a great idea. I'm gonna do that with my Panama now.

cookie · Mar 8, 2013

Paul_Va said:
First of all, hello. I'm new to this forum. I joined the other day because I am currently shopping for a new straw summer fedora, and I wanted to ask the people on this board a question.

What is a good straw material for someone who sweats profusely? I live in southern California, and the Scala hat I wore last year is stained with sweat marks and the brim has broken so that even a light breeze will blow it back. So, I'm wondering if there is a better straw and/or sweatband for someone who sweats easily. I've been considering the Stetson Andover because I like the style and color scheme, but I'd hate to spend $75 on a hat that will be destroyed in a year.

Akubra Hemp Capricorn...believe me I wear mine all the time and we have had the hottest summer on historical record in Sydney. Strong, keeps shape, durable and ventilated with a nice leather sweat.

http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=71&returncat=Straw+Hats&returnpage=0

TomS · Mar 8, 2013

Cattus Petasatus said:
Good Lord, man...I almost hurt myself laughing so hard.

+1

Edward · Mar 8, 2013

I highly recommend the Akubra Capricorn. I have a few straws, but don't wear them much. The polystraw Capricorn is superior if caught in rain, a better all-round hat imo. Not to mention significantly cheaper than a better straw. Never had a problem with sweat stains on one of these.

This is the fawn colour:

I also have the grey. I'd buy one in copper if I saw it.

cookie said:
Akubra Hemp Capricorn...believe me I wear mine all the time and we have had the hottest summer on historical record in Sydney. Strong, keeps shape, durable and ventilated with a nice leather sweat.

http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=71&returncat=Straw+Hats&returnpage=0

Interesting. How are those in the rain?

Hoyt Clagwell · Mar 8, 2013

Rick Blaine said:
Cheap
Disposable
Self Adhesive
Absorbent
and they make me feel so pretty!

Plus you can still play tennis and ride your bicycle!

I sweat heavily, and also recommend The Capricorn.It is inexpensive, and in a little breeze very well ventilated.The polystraw can be a little warm on real sunny days with no breeze. I got one for work last year and it will be back on duty in a couple months. I just wish they came with a ribbon instead of the pug.

Benzadmiral · Mar 8, 2013

I've been poking around the 'Net looking at straws and been disappointed at what I've found. Of course I should have checked out Hats Direct first! They have the polystraw Capricorn, the hemp one with the same size brim (about 2.36"), and a model called the Hayman with a 2.13" brim that comes in fawn, gray, and even *green*! Each for a little over $100 shipped. http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=75&returncat=Straw+Hats&returnpage=0

carldelo · Mar 9, 2013

In addition to the Hayman and the Capricorn (I have one in gray) there is also the Rink, exactly the same as the Cap in white and cream, and the Country Club with a very wide 3" brim in cream.

I put a ribbon on a cream Rink, as I didn't like the plain black pug it came with. It was pretty easy to do, the polystraw is tough. It's become a little sweat-stained, but the ribbon can be rinsed in place. These hats are fairly cool due to a band of open weave just above the ribbon that isn't obvious in the product photos.

I did a set of photos comparing my gray Akubra Capricorn with a tan Stetson Whippet polystraw, also a nice hat:

The rest of the comparison is here: http://s97.beta.photobucket.com/user/carldelo/library/Straw Stratoliner and Capricorn

PS the Akubra polystraws are under $70 shipped from Everything Australian, although with a big lead time. It's a good operation - they arranged the gray Capricorn above in a custom size 62, not available at the time. The Rink goes up to size 64, which is rare.

Paul_Va · Mar 9, 2013

Hmm, there's a lot of good advice here, and a lot to think about. I'm definitely going to look into that Akubra Capricorn several of you mentioned.

laotou · Mar 9, 2013

Sunbody would be worth a look http://www.sunbody.com/index.cfm/category/6/fedoras-dress-amp-sporty.cfm

Rick Blaine · Mar 9, 2013

Having made this quest myself, I finally resigned myself to the fact that a Tilley cannot be beat for summer.
And understand I tried EVERYTHING else under the sun.

But no joke if wearing a minipad on your head bugs you, some joker has taken 'em, colored 'em brown & is selling the at 10x the cost. Or look at these or these or these or these or these.
For me I'll go with whatever the Mrs. is buying, Kroger panty shields or whatever. Or go Tilley.

skyvue · Mar 9, 2013

laotou said:
Sunbody would be worth a look http://www.sunbody.com/index.cfm/category/6/fedoras-dress-amp-sporty.cfm

I like my Sunbody, but it's not good for those who perspire heavily. I get sweat stains on the dark blue ribbon I had put on mine; I'm lucky if the ribbon lasts a summer, and at that I'm having to constantly clean the ribbon.

tonyb · Mar 9, 2013

Rick Blaine said:
Having made this quest myself, I finally resigned myself to the fact that a Tilley cannot be beat for summer.
And understand I tried EVERYTHING else under the sun.

But no joke if wearing a minipad on your head bugs you, some joker has taken 'em, colored 'em brown & is selling the at 10x the cost. Or look at these or these or these or these or these.
For me I'll go with whatever the Mrs. is buying, Kroger panty shields or whatever. Or go Tilley.

I opted for the panty liners years ago, when I saw what the Byrnie Utz hat shop was selling for something like 10 times the price. Looked like it was made from essentially the same stuff. I cut the liners in half, as they really don't have to reach so far up the crown as the full width of a panty liner. Only problem is that the open end causes them to delaminate faster than they would if they weren't cut, but by the time they start falling apart it's typically about time to change 'em out anyway.

Among my straw hats are three identical ones. They're "real" hand-woven straw hats, albeit inexpensive ones. I like the style quite a bit (relatively tall, straight-sided crown, etc.), so I have one for use on occasions when I'm confident I'll get sweaty, one for occasions when I might, and one for occasions when I'm confident I won't.

Straw for someone who sweats heavily

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