Akubra Overload

[The Lost Cowboy]

Thanks. I’m leaning towards one of these as they are a bit hat than the squatter but still have a lot of the things I like about it.

Checking out the dimensions using PowerPoint the brim profile is noticeably smaller whilst still offering decent face and neck coverage from the sun.

i've worn a Fed IV for almost three years total throughout Asia. i never regretted it. I will say that the imperial felt seems to me to work better than the heritage felt in hot, humid climates - that's why I cut vent holes in the one I showed you because it was heritage felt and just a bit too dense for Malaysia. But my original imperial quality was great even in Malaysia.

But I believe you are in Japan? The Fed IV should work great there, even the heritage. I was happy in mine in Tokyo this last February.

 

[Dan718]

i've worn a Fed IV for almost three years total throughout Asia. i never regretted it. I will say that the imperial felt seems to me to work better than the heritage felt in hot, humid climates - that's why I cut vent holes in the one I showed you because it was heritage felt and just a bit too dense for Malaysia. But my original imperial quality was great even in Malaysia.

But I believe you are in Japan? The Fed IV should work great there, even the heritage. I was happy in mine in Tokyo this last February.

Yes, Japan here. Wool felt is a bit too much in summer so any kind of fur would be an upgrade.
February is generally pretty cold by Japanese standards, it being from the UK I’m generally in a fairly light jacket unless we get hit with a cold front or I have to go out at night. Summer is another matter entirely and I may find myself getting a dedicated work hat some time around April or May.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Yes, Japan here. Wool felt is a bit too much in summer so any kind of fur would be an upgrade.
February is generally pretty cold by Japanese standards, it being from the UK I’m generally in a fairly light jacket unless we get hit with a cold front or I have to go out at night. Summer is another matter entirely and I may find myself getting a dedicated work hat some time around April or May.

My very first felt hat was an Akubra Banjo Paterson. I wore it for two straight years (again, all throughout Asia) and never took it off. It developed a mold infection from a Thai ****alow (edit: b u n galow) and I was never able to get rid of it, so finally I retired the Banjo and moved to the Fed IV.

The Banjo would be a fine choice as well, and would make an excellent dedicated work hat, too.

 

[The Shoe]

I'm in Japan, too. Very happy with my Heritage felt Fed IV, but I don't wear it in summer. The only felt I wear in summer are my barbecue hat (Akubra Cattleman) and sometimes my gardening hat (Akubra Snowy River), but I have a straw gardening hat, too, that gets more head time in summer. Both the Cattleman and the Snowy River are unlined. The Cattleman has the side vents, too. I particularly enjoy the Cattleman.

 

[Dan718]

I'm in Japan, too. Very happy with my Heritage felt Fed IV, but I don't wear it in summer. The only felt I wear in summer are my barbecue hat (Akubra Cattleman) and sometimes my gardening hat (Akubra Snowy River), but I have a straw gardening hat, too, that gets more head time in summer. Both the Cattleman and the Snowy River are unlined. The Cattleman has the side vents, too. I particularly enjoy the Cattleman.

I’m going to see about picking up a cattleman or tablelands for the summer I think. I’m not exactly working the fields so always have the option of getting into the shade if it gets too much, so I’m thinking one of them would be ideal and robust enough to not mind getting dropped in a rice paddy.

 

[Dan718]

My very first felt hat was an Akubra Banjo Paterson. I wore it for two straight years (again, all throughout Asia) and never took it off. It developed a mold infection from a Thai ****alow (edit: b u n galow) and I was never able to get rid of it, so finally I retired the Banjo and moved to the Fed IV.

The Banjo would be a fine choice as well, and would make an excellent dedicated work hat, too.

The Banjo was one I considered, they do look great as an upgrade from a tablelands, but I think for a dedicated warm season work hat I’ll probably go with one of the unlined models with no thrills.

On the other hand, having gotten the fedora bug from my Borsalino but wanting something robust, and being the sort who likes a bit of do-it-yourself, I’ve opted to overcome the Indy-phobia and plumb for the Fed-IV, which aught to keep me contented for the time being. Your photos of the teardrop crease convinced me although I was already leaning in that direction as its the only hat that ticks all the requirements.

 

[ShadowXY]

Changes to be made to the Akubra range effective 1 October 2013. I do see a few favourite styles in the list, but likely not favourite colours. Most are western styles and black seems to be the colour that is falling by the wayside more the the other shades. I imagine retailors that have special agreements for certain styles or colours will continue on. With such a large number of styles offered, reducing the offereings will allow production to focus on their top sellers. Akubra also has a booming corporate business to fill as well as their increased orders for the military hats.

STYLES TO BE DELETED COMPLETELY
AKUBRA SPORT

DROVER

OVERSEER

ASCOT (to remain for corporate only)

EXETER

SILVER SPUR

BONDI

FLEMINGTON

SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA

BOSS OF THE PLAINS

FLINDERS

STINGY BRIM

BOOMERANG

HAYMAN

THE STRAND

CASUAL

JACKAROO

TURIN

CENTENNIAL

KOKODA

WALTZING MATILDA

CONTINENTAL

LONGREACH

WHIPPET

COWBOY

OLD WEST

WORN OUT WEST

DOWN UNDER

OXLEY

YARRAMAN


COLOURS TO BE DELETED FROM CONTINUING STYLES – FUR FELTS

AUSSIE GOLD
SANTONE

BOBBY
TANKBARK

BOOMERANG
BLACK

BURKE AND WILLS
BLACK

BRONCO
TANKBARK, LIGHT SAND

CEO
FERN

CAMPDRAFT
MID BROWN, GLEN GREY

COORONG
LODEN, BLUEGRASS

FEDERATION
GRAPHITE

GYMKHANA
BLACK

HOMBURG
MID BROWN

INTERNATIONAL
BLACK

LEISURE TIME
TAWNY, FERN, GRAPHITE, NAVY

PASTORALIST
BLACK, SAND

PLAINSMAN
BLACK, BLUEGRASS, REDROCK

QUEENSLAND
SANTONE

SNOWY RIVER
REGENCY FAWN, RODEO BROWN, TANKBARK

SQUATTER
BLACK, NAVY, RODEO RED, WILLOW GREEN

STOCKMAN
BLACK

STONY CREEK
BRIAR, STEEL

STYLEMASTER
BLUEGRASS

THE ARENA
REGENCY FAWN

THE BOSS
SANTONE

WENTWORTH
LODEN


COLOURS TO BE DELETED FROM CONTINUING STYLES – STRAWS

BROADBEACH
FAWN, WHITE

CAPRICORN
COPPER, GREEN, NATURAL

JIVE
GREEN

COUNTRY CLUB
WHITE G/UNDER, WHITE, FAWN, CREAM G/UNDER

LONG ISLAND
COPPER, GREEN, GREY, NATURAL

THE RINK
WHTE G/UNDER, CREAM G/UNDER

ZEPHYR
BLACK, COPPER, GREEN, GREY, WHIT

Oh, no, not Waltzing Matilda. I love Waltzing Matilda...the song.. Hey, anything about the Tenterfield Saddler?

 

[ShadowXY]

The Banjo was one I considered, they do look great as an upgrade from a tablelands, but I think for a dedicated warm season work hat I’ll probably go with one of the unlined models with no thrills.

On the other hand, having gotten the fedora bug from my Borsalino but wanting something robust, and being the sort who likes a bit of do-it-yourself, I’ve opted to overcome the Indy-phobia and plumb for the Fed-IV, which aught to keep me contented for the time being. Your photos of the teardrop crease convinced me although I was already leaning in that direction as its the only hat that ticks all the requirements.

Banjo just seems t be more of a town/dress hat as doesn't it have a 2 3/4 in brim? I wore the 3in brim Shark out in cooler CA sun & I needed more protection.

 

[CRH]

In honor of Halloween here in the States, I tried my hand at View attachment 743414 View attachment 743415 View attachment 743416 View attachment 743417 a coffin crease on my Silverbelly Campdraft. I like it a lot. It'll probably be permanent. I already have a Stetson Open Road with a cattleman's crease so I thought I'd do something different with the Campdraft.

Very cool and fun!

 

[Dan718]

Banjo just seems t be more of a town/dress hat as doesn't it have a 2 3/4 in brim? I wore the 3in brim Shark out in cooler CA sun & I needed more protection.

I’m not really into super wide brims as I’m as often in forested areas as fields. To me what makes it a free hat is the opal blind on the hat band, and for a dedicated field ht the liner is a little out of place.

 

[CRH]

Akubra wants to lesson us on American palm leaf hoods.

Straw

Shop our straw hats, crafted for comfort, sun protection, and classic Akubra style.

akubra.com.au

 

[CRH]

Very cool Very pricey. Who doesn't want a kick *** palm leaf hat?

 

[One Drop]

Akubra wants to lesson us on American palm leaf hoods.

http://[URL='https://akubra.com.au/collections/straw[/URL']https://akubra.com.au/collections/straw[/

I don't see anything they've said that implies teaching anyone a lesson, just your average marketing gobbledygook?

 

[One Drop]

Very cool Very pricey. Who doesn't want a kick *** palm leaf hat?

Yes, probably too rich for my blood. I just emailed them out of curiosity, asking if they stand up to getting wet.

 

[Zombie_61]

Yes, probably too rich for my blood. I just emailed them out of curiosity, asking if they stand up to getting wet.

Oh, for that you want Sunbody Hats. Several styles to choose from, and, speaking from personal experience, they'll hold up under your average rainstorm, maybe requiring only a little refinement of the shape after you're back in dry conditions. Good hats that will take a bit of a beating and bounce back without much argument.

 

[One Drop]

Oh, for that you want Sunbody Hats. Several styles to choose from, and, speaking from personal experience, they'll hold up under your average rainstorm, maybe requiring only a little refinement of the shape after you're back in dry conditions. Good hats that will take a bit of a beating and bounce back without much argument.

I have a Sunbody, with a big Gus shape I put in myself and a 4" brim, it's what I wear most of the summer; I love to soak it and put it back on on really hot days, and to adjust or correct the shape when it dries to that stiff clay feeling. I've had three summers wearing it almost every day and it's still looks and feels like the day I bought it, great hats for the purpose.

But it's a roughly finished and very big and rustic hat, that's not a complaint but it's what it is. There are many occasions I'd like to out something on that's a bit more stylish, or that dresses up a bit, or to wear in town and these designs are exactly what I had in mind, and look to be practical. I know the Sunbody Mexican palm straws are not recommended to soak, but the Guatemalan ones like mine just love the water.

 

[Dan718]

The Federation IV arrived last night, so it’s yet to be worn in anger, but I couldn’t resist some initial shaping and first impressions. It’s a size 58 and although initially I put tape behind the sweatband, I took it out this morning and the fit is about perfect. Perhaps some slight shrinkage after first shaping?

I decided to go with the simplest option first and just add a center crease similar to my Borsalino, I took the front and back down to 10.5 and 9.5cm respectively.

The brim came snapped up but I decided that this was clearly an outdoor hat, to steamed it into more of an outback style smalls down front and back for maximum sun/rain protection.

Looking at it, this hat looks to me like will take a beating. Despite its crown similarity it’s the opposite of a Borsalino. The felt is thick and solid, ‘built like a tank’ sounds about right, it feels like wearing a hard hat.

I may tinker if the crown still feels to big, perhaps add that teardrop, but for now I’ll let the hat speak for itself.

Excuse the 5am photos, I’ll aim to get some in better light over the next few days.

 

[jeffgarf]

The Federation IV arrived last night, so it’s yet to be worn in anger but I couldn’t resist some initial shaping and first impressions.
I decided to go with the simplest option first and just add a center crease similar to my Borsalino, took the front and back down to 10.5 and 9.5cm respectively. The brim came snapped up but I decided that his was clearly an outdoor hat, to steam it into more of an outback style for maximum sun/rain protection.
Looking at it, this hat looks to me like will take a beating. Despite its crown similarity it’s the opposite of a Borsalino. The felt is thick and solid, ‘built like a tank’ sounds about right, it feels like wearing a hard hat.
I may tinker if the crown still feels to big, perhaps add that teardrop, but for now I’ll let the hat speak for itself.

I've got one of these coming in from eBay. I like the look of how you creased it. I may follow suit.

 

[Dan718]

I've got one of these coming in from eBay. I like the look of how you creased it. I may follow suit.

It took quite a lot of steam to soften up enough to crease without crinkling, but going slowly and working out how the felt wants to go from an open crown is fun.
Here I found it better to have a slightly wider front pinch so as not to cause too much taper, but even with a low crown this still feels like a big hat compared to my Borso, and will take some getting used to.

 

[Lew Decker]

The Federation IV arrived last night, so it’s yet to be worn in anger, but I couldn’t resist some initial shaping and first impressions. It’s a size 58 and although initially I put tape behind the sweatband, I took it out this morning and the fit is about perfect. Perhaps some slight shrinkage after first shaping?

I decided to go with the simplest option first and just add a center crease similar to my Borsalino, I took the front and back down to 10.5 and 9.5cm respectively.

The brim came snapped up but I decided that this was clearly an outdoor hat, to steamed it into more of an outback style smalls down front and back for maximum sun/rain protection.

Looking at it, this hat looks to me like will take a beating. Despite its crown similarity it’s the opposite of a Borsalino. The felt is thick and solid, ‘built like a tank’ sounds about right, it feels like wearing a hard hat.

I may tinker if the crown still feels to big, perhaps add that teardrop, but for now I’ll let the hat speak for itself.

Excuse the 5am photos, I’ll aim to get some in better light over the next few days.

Let the hat speak for itself. Love that