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Akubra Bogart in Carbon Grey review

GLB Pro

New in Town
Messages
33
Location
Singapore
Greetings everyone. I noticed that there is not at time of writing a dedicated review on this hat on this forum so thought I would post one:

My Akubra Bogart in Carbon Grey:

NvxMO7AKxKgTeCe0fiu89xjj7KleuOZ92-AQC3VX8ZlYN3pABPEN7QHzxBAgp6Il_JOHAdCKjcpGJ-G-P9-WklXDlKPNAV7B4_i_v-uod8FdUH8IzP5EzChOtxpzGoF0ooVbZAZdC7IlNREyQyYiLVuyV3sjmETOQgFdNKWHU2fyveRqjvqDQsQ58OS5id6y3-jJVQqrdaS9kEXqh-ZwatYlBa8HNdEKsh6bHFvZsHkvNsZHXcTntap3od2qq6bqrEls4CD7tYiEhy8eXOtenTatcRn1UjAFkr4eDgRIq-fwYVov_trQPNdaZp5Kpch93W59K9h0YxY0cxG4mvDLrzJbsE-zV_hkWf2mUKajWzM7xVGjxBX16XuceWRiYTcXF4r1Db1TDNyIFD-R6CCoLMe2HICM2Tl4Z-IfKfsJzMvAF83Ta3a2VECocINnVn9j8CgNYze6iaPOTZJQSbSDQB3UpUktfe8G5MejsP3WcB6411W4W8oFnD0exOL73pDNWOrmnhNr724I4R880Eh1PViR2zBIabENTTmmeqHwCa3z4vR6-Eb2guHF18Bf26qrRWm6dVg695fBgEREG3f9jJODGbUU-F8=w1305-h979-no

I've had this hat for about six months and really love it. It has a 64mm brim with bound edge, 38mm ribbon band, and a 120mm crown, measured to the highest point. If you measure the inside height, i.e. to the lowest point on the bash, the height is 90mm.

From the side, straight on:

u1M_xNpVylrPrAr-8JQ25yP_klWNiR-xlztmEEH61G9QMu2XwtUkZUIztmCKIqj_NKJY8EUmFf0-_HHuxMU2kVlbvqv4pDCV0caoO-In8PLGXyFvbks8xGIxvSrmJqJ7GSUQMBByJPOB-8Ei_R2x4M_THEmNBxozn8wiDdcsngx3sfp0eR_ZlKWKG9nLLhVgaNZYj4njWnjAfkcVG8pFiFe2D4hjijCKc34bQ09QBQEPTTbZFVr_IfK3amWvvmbDLMPEEd4etYnOwCeupXjrIQGfg7m7S5z-sfocthWiX0i6YatOl3SN7Sm3andbsbiSd3geTy2F3hPFUsr6ph01y-zdwGkWsH6avqCqx_D3BxTnjwDOIufEkVLrTGzZeLcRZf-PZtipfoWTssg7DeCSNiTKpuvZy3SPZbCn63Ro_Jwfh46av33HszWtvpMO78s2PAbbTIs_ix5xY8PWtlSunpDlHcR0r6O9mDDB9r3yppUMQwcFHfRC6wiYpiMf0xu5CCCezu-SUEGnHAMGfCYuqXBGn0DnJUa1m28sPlJNU8lVlNIOViaSrAfaIy3YX5vQV5pX4b3io3HrDVr0-KaOiPOwjLUxCwk=w1305-h979-no

As you can see the front to back crown taper is moderate. The brim can be worn snapped down in the front or snapped up all around. I much prefer the former. It's not really designed to be worn snapped down in the back as this produces a rather 'lumpy' back brim. Personally I find the proportions of this hat to be very pleasing to the eye, and it immediately looks good on anyone, even those with no experience of hat wearing.

From the front/top:

hw1uDc8vlpXB15slkKzWh_Yis3GP3cHOPmTzZN7jO6P-cmAChe_lgpwatRAtfvEOopkt8mQnfRNG6OqRyIO3WD1KGWnqf31fvRoPVQhDQXoX9oZuaC9F11CWP4fmgfGqeSyXJCDTV7oK7rSFoCmc9CWCFVv5Z6HhcEz1nRdLbp6USvhq7gUPEZV1eg8CuuHcBixS5MiR_ejlcWWqkcNfx4eP3UMdQ_D4-uO9gG6F53w8HDLgbokYnRzHFMrIYOQuRtpvUcqu5OUurHyx0YrYaEZ47qG4mtSyeSi_yBhwQe8oQAYWlLyel0aL8bkZJLVqjWKPEPwpeIL1_Sj2HVvQ90tR131LkgqKHqZPqypmYrfs5hJ9Iwn78-r0eQ7xvFiDjGawFyWawsLOzm6V9obL_Eaodz9TE1ZV_t_EjmW_KPQDjJbvdDi3sB4mTNF1BNM8Q3OiAe_iUFQHSgrXiceqyokRlEXo7HNK8uAXlz2BYqIKSuRCkZootnUMXwu85_jjw1qkAf3PI736CFuID-tZ2a5URrv9DIK9IyuavUPJNAA3cDTYLj5UjXokmdyxOAaZY6fmv3Vonj_FXTn8PUldsDA1Hc5Sfns=w1023-h979-no

You'll immediately notice that despite the name it really does not look like the hats that Humphrey Bogart wore - the pinch is much less sharp and is really more on the sides of the hat than on the front.

From the front, straight on:

adWVPP6vYPFbV2FQgDF33pEmGTTgHWlaL72N5urxLR7uhhe2Hobn66-EySQ96oDTP-JRoOaMT2HAvGXF5AkoZ9HcpDjRFBFpS-4N3RhxXloVGhf1qgqVsaNcaPqtGP0EF_jLBsCOw-pR-U5NoyvtLmg_NBbgydCdGLX0uLyVEEFm1bARInAAK3Ov6OEAY1_hE45jP3Jmouy40qYuOoxB0LtEOTZIPveZtLLH_fry9W-66YMBnOaNFIe4XVhqYBwKy1BYjb-m7MN5IyNUjZvNhLIKFKGF4LDNC9A5JeLKYqJFJhe_4UWm-UPlC9scoBn4bVqUOrxsCAfNOYc6Nu1cwsXxXQQu7MMbQLFiVgv2_R76UdM_bYE7P4P_WRwbmyv_9bz3xdqslu18oskzDnQFJCZmoa3FqodStbWKH2Bw7ff4EmlFr_kFUc_sz6lRzz5f9BtoA11loZhd1-ReLF3ciCekXiWiq27Yb4SxfqZTAu4DXLNvvcmUGCbk_wVs-kBXWPQ53_UtmWBl9FqPCbnnpEBgYF1jFCrjbWrdVCeyhIUta5rgDigsRa6sEvT467i4qq5sngoZWJHJNtJzvoYrFjdboilsGVE=w1299-h979-no

This picture shows the taper of the crown which is progressive and increases towards the top of the hat. I have found that because of this taper the bash cannot really be increased much beyond the factory depth - any attempt at a real 'Bogart' style bash results in the hat contacting your head on the inside.

The man himself:

headshot-of-actor-humphrey-bogart-wearing-a-hat-and-an-overcoat-for-picture-id521916345

As you can see the name is not strictly appropriate as far as appearance goes. However I think the Akubra namesake (especially in this colour) does a very good job of capturing the essence of Bogart's headgear - it's a great everyday Fedora-style hat that will instantly double your style and cool levels. I mean, just putting this hat on makes you feel like the man in charge. The brim is just the right size for urban use and despite being compact is large enough to clearly differentiate the wearer from hipster-types :rolleyes:

From the back, showing the cigar-style crease. The centre of the crease is slightly raised to make room for your head:

o8k3HEhoTTywNBbKP68sYkmz2Erk3gPPPWwohVUvJmJM1xf2WmmyqLdjCzQbmxSkQBDPtjLoNniQT_MVJcqkwD13lOIzIRzyyx84T6f_2OK6BzqQogIA2iL503SS3SfBhWbUecN7QchjC3pVHjwiaVlESv135QfSJ3Cgs-oOaLM4ezMX9_Cib1Mo06KvOQomGILbQ6wYGhRhoRl9CkEZZH5nJOooS4kh_RWJYEnfg4HZf7vSvSv0Ir3plJqAhuFvJgOj47IbzxEUXGwtMaY-4s9T5QdYa5KZ7J9yZkBeLk5gFJ4Ol9L1-lv506T40eWG7Ab8BtsUeBnLQtGrHSmwzh_wnVf-2IMVEJSQD3D8uI2OEcCS_J9GKKvwA9LGTZKRFGnb_d5iZrdra3fyPOWGFMDVw0QdXKuLoHY_LteALHk_mdFs2NxJ8X0pl-mzLjtuY42yf8ooXwmqOGQ85nHxDgmCohHONlkzvtZsAqVa_VYN8HpOWJB0pTTqMAbqmQ7FOC3QiMQylZWFuh1wCPV5Ul3KkZg_YnvdtJhYv48hpAViz8uvCNmynTzM5ap4jMyTiC60EXaMAufjBRcOIs-AnfiBGkXKkjM=w1298-h979-no

From the back, straight on - again showing the compound taper to the crown:

ONDRMBLi3IGyqbZJUkdKTe12_O-IJPYKWBiXMGu08h0yWUyCoflVOn81qeeLsIuJh5PJrNoRdTJ9qeebgj6jIb5jEkJvpamZzjJJNe6uXIewQ69ZWXt-aI6Zb3j_ZxXbQyPLUxA5vV3zEBGY_W1j3mZEBN0PLMkwA4v60VzIKrzL8bt10kgU8N-NYE9cxyZl67NrH8AL1lEMuZXtCLd3SiFDPbHVtG3ErsN9qgxgaIBSU9DAwqYphrCOg8MF62MTEoXL6xgmwtSpZF9F1dKxUUFhodKIRfYFbKcq5JoPgXqgFl83s55qLb_j7fkBXiTbM2h_cMRF1nR918sdJJHXRoxNk8RXDdfcDxCn2yjBsFQRb2wqs0gadWOoluMETzQ7WuAVfaaTEUpT-zPzF_AkJDFq022W9Ncs8eP3SIObN5BMevjnLdQLn755K3ZancdvPBScRqa5W9iGje8Pvh9PUekwno28nkoWZuxP7ukx_wOYy6N1wLWtB9DZ0suRGcPGiXM9aWKsSr199JBp71pgoQ_eVG9MLbLURn08ht-UJJGLsrDzbIEKBeQ9gZLppd_wLzfA7A2VFdnXGGRhWLkZuWnjb-g17fI=w1469-h979-no

Inside:

rOYMhD_vV09T7RSdpDLF0TDhDPFGu7ZwkH-uBmBe4GiS1L-NftFTvWCMugbVdzfTsihIKwQubxKXP2Sa-OL_k8Q32Pur68OfYO6SHdN2YVWiDVOGcxconSCVXGedIl6Y6IpfzUuHmUBs2zoaf7cEfKhkAKNk48moAC-DURwrL3awudPl1oyAmfZT2hsKPkAOz8_RHUsfuAVm7LFcHJjYzKP0sTigH5weF8EQLpclBOuSkRd31Ex21gyV27doxoNPAh-rOuFQTtPV2nV-HPXd5DbD8adGFeQPb7A9h4X-8eIcUUH-btfnB_4WU5iuPL5sTA4i4WDVFHz3d_8rSYjA7FQezsZqzGLPXVD_cMCuANPeKNGHTuVqYknHTUSKb5QbhPqLnWbVKHfTDQ2hVd8R8Voqc_vaUw06EEidTp_6h3YsFWOaD6YjQD5Gv-p4mFIOKDDzUc2rMSztBq1YNp5qGTpnn2HUeOiCQLEpz8ZYS-MM_Z7cadVjdAQ390a2ua520tGbTS83ZHGgOIw-rEraGcxD3CjQ7Y0e_4Nx9EOUA-TJveWwO9CvYlS1xp2LCCh5XZJI4AfSF5pV-Siu0chdT8mX6fly_7E=w895-h979-no

Fit and finish on this hat confirm to Akubra's normal high standards - I can't find a flaw anywhere! The felt is beautifully uniform, all the stitching precise and absolutely consistent. The lining is a nice touch and the leather sweatband helps to keep the hat on your head on windy days.

A note about the colour: Carbon grey is one of the most versatile colours I've found for a hat, and is something of a chameleon. As you can see from these pictures, during the daytime it does look medium grey and as a result matches with virtually any ensemble, although in my opinion it suits darker colours better. In subdued lighting or at night the grey appears darker, very much like the colour of pencil lead, and the black hatband becomes almost indistinguishable. This hat is thus a very good 'do it all' Fedora suitable for both day and evening wear.

From the top, an angle you don't see too often:

ME531AuZKrguMfmzdbu4EQMxQcyK2c9KsKa55PR-7z7Fm47ikQ52JVYiYFRR7FoxRyGCX2eHP4jROdGzf8Fo2hge7cyey__LOVeiOdbjtkM2HXCmvJdxsxQy6xSYT4-mwLKvNrUaXrbVECweV4Kf5ZJNNcjyvGOrnV8tay6KF27_mVYYe5OwQkKeab5QqiI6_z9P0SXs5KmAwqh9JUR_xQt_VM5ctPSiaiXLPhJ74EmLGP89WBGkmQ3gPaeQu7o34zpVDht6YbPbuxLizWBxwHMvI0SPwh4gKdK8OhJv9xBDBuGuPqq6u6BK5QadroYFe-Rl6r4PdmawIzUR8XwD8Bp-2hUlcoJhhM53eQZvKtxTf74HgQ-uvDKOQKtv1JPml8j81orNIC6AwRxsK8g2Tloicg9lc5f-34a1fgamFza70Y_LkPoQS2GFh2aoU42mUfrn5_gsvtJeWdDGh6_4Lohp-NeFIIBdmyNas928prjgH7WivDd5fKsgZ3SRmHc6dH8PgA3jZ0VmMwgwUBz7ty00ZBuH0RJBTBP9zTAwKksHc39yXbW7wLwmVaYnQ5kZF0AIeNO9ctzJu0G3soAqO8D8fkVppa4=w907-h979-no


Another point to note, made clear by the picture above, is that this hat is shaped like an oval from the factory, and is thus suitable for oval-headed people such as myself. When I wear this hat there is no space at all between the hat and my head all the way around. My head measures exactly 58cm and this 58cm size hat fits about as perfectly as is possible, which I suspect may not be such a good thing when it begins to shrink as all felt hats tend to do. Right now though, it's almost an air-tight seal :D

If you're looking for a good first fedora this is definitely one to consider. The other option would be the Akubra Stylemaster, which is apparently the same brim with an identically-dimensioned teardrop-style crown. I have one of these on the way and will post a comparison at some point.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Bruno
 
Messages
19,439
Location
Funkytown, USA
Thanks for the review, Bruno. It's a good looking hat, and the Carbon Gray is indeed a nice color. A note about shrinkage - while both of my Camp Drafts were "shink-to-fit," my Akubra Fedora fit perfectly right out of the box and has not experienced any shrinkage whatsoever. I don't know if this is by Akubra's design, or not. The Fedora is a much softer, "city hat," and they may approach the construction a bit different.

Nice review. Enjoy your hat!
 

GLB Pro

New in Town
Messages
33
Location
Singapore
Thanks for the review, Bruno. It's a good looking hat, and the Carbon Gray is indeed a nice color. A note about shrinkage - while both of my Camp Drafts were "shink-to-fit," my Akubra Fedora fit perfectly right out of the box and has not experienced any shrinkage whatsoever. I don't know if this is by Akubra's design, or not. The Fedora is a much softer, "city hat," and they may approach the construction a bit different.

Nice review. Enjoy your hat!
Thanks for the reply! I have in fact noticed a very slight degree of shrinkage over the six months I have owned this hat. This may be due to the climate I live in, and also because I don't wear the hat every day - I find that if I don't wear it for a week or more it feels a little bit small when I next put it on. Wearing it for several hours restores that 'perfect fit' feeling. Nevertheless Akubra were bang on with their sizing with this particular hat.
 

Doctor Strange

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,255
Location
Hudson Valley, NY
Very nice review! I have a Stylemaster - the exact same hat, but with a teardrop instead of a center-dent bash - in that color. I think it looks pretty dark even in bright light, and reads as black in anything less... I'd recommend the Moonstone over the Carbon/Steel/Mid-Grey to somebody who really wants a "gray" hat. That said, I wear mine plenty, it matches all my blue/black/gray clothing beautifully. (Essentially, my entire wardrobe is "Batman colors".)

Re sizing... I've had five Akburas, and all of them started a little big and eventually shrank to a perfect fit... except for a Federation III that was still too large after a dozen years of regular wear. (I sold it to somebody here last year and replaced it with a Campdraft.) Fantastic hats for the price!
 

ptjoe

Familiar Face
Messages
70
GREAT POST!!!!
I'm purchasing an Akubra FedIV. and was undecided about which color to go with.
At first it was the tawny fawn, but I didn't want a brown hat band.
I wear a lot of navy blazers as well as tan along with black.
So i was looking for a more versatile color.
My casual wear living in Florida are shorts and polo shirts of all colors.
The moonstone I thought may be too light a color and not a good contrast when wearing browns and tans.
After reading and seeing your post I think the carbon gray I think will fit the bill nicely , it will be a good contrast.
Anyway, it will give me an excuse to get another hat!!
Thanks.
 

GLB Pro

New in Town
Messages
33
Location
Singapore
GREAT POST!!!!
I'm purchasing an Akubra FedIV. and was undecided about which color to go with.
At first it was the tawny fawn, but I didn't want a brown hat band.
I wear a lot of navy blazers as well as tan along with black.
So i was looking for a more versatile color.
My casual wear living in Florida are shorts and polo shirts of all colors.
The moonstone I thought may be too light a color and not a good contrast when wearing browns and tans.
After reading and seeing your post I think the carbon gray I think will fit the bill nicely , it will be a good contrast.
Anyway, it will give me an excuse to get another hat!!
Thanks.
You're welcome, glad the post was helpful. The carbon grey is about as versatile as you can get as long as you don't mind having a hat that blends in to an outfit rather than standing out if you know what I mean.
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
I see the resemblance.

ws6wc4.jpg
really ?

You must have better eyes than me because to me that sure looks like a thin ribbon hat with a raw edge brim off a block that couldn't be more different

further more the hat that Akubra is attempting to "emulate" is the hat the man is known for such as the one he wears in the Maltese Falcon ... which this hat also doesn't even remotely resemble
 
Last edited:
Messages
18,240
really ?

You must have better eyes than me because to me that sure looks like a thin ribbon hat with a raw edge brim off a block that couldn't be more different

further more the hat that Akubra is attempting to "emulate" is the hat the man is known for such as the one he wears in the Maltese Falcon ... which this hat also doesn't even remotely resemble
Please allow me to apologize for what was obviously a poor attempt at a little humor. I was in agreement with your referenced post. And let this serve as a reminder to me...to stay out of such threads!
 
Messages
11,392
Location
Alabama
really ?

You must have better eyes than me because to me that sure looks like a thin ribbon hat with a raw edge brim off a block that couldn't be more different

further more the hat that Akubra is attempting to "emulate" is the hat the man is known for such as the one he wears in the Maltese Falcon ... which this hat also doesn't even remotely resemble

Moon, I respect your opinions on most matters hat related but that seems like an awfully contentious response to one opinion, light hearted or not, about one hat resembling another. JMO
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
Please allow me to apologize for what was obviously a poor attempt at a little humor. I was in agreement with your referenced post. And let this serve as a reminder to me...to stay out of such threads!
my apologies for not picking up on it ... I'm usually pretty good at that ... I had actually hoped you were but wasn't quite sure
 

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