Akubra Overload

[Ent]

I'm sorry that your order was cancelled.

My recent experiences with Akubra do not reflect your experience. During the recent half-price sale, I placed two orders with two hats each to be sent to me in Japan. Both orders arrived in a week with no problem at all at customs that I usually get when I order from Everything Australian or The Hattery. Mind, I've always gotten those orders in a timely way, too, but they were held at customs unless I gave specific instructions to write the price I had paid on the outside of the box. At any rate, that 50% off sale was strictly for hats with the old branding. I suspect that they simply ran out of the hat in your size with the old branding, though one certainly should have been held for you if inventory was available at the time of your order.

Those hats were flying off the shelves during the sale. I put one in my size in my cart one evening and didn't pay for the order. When I went back to my online cart the next morning to pay, I was too late and my size had been sold out, so I missed out. That was my fault. If your card had been charged, and you still didn't get the order then you certainly have a complaint. I imagine that they were flooded with orders. You might consider asking customer service for the same model in the new branding for the same price that your card was charged. If they deny you, at least you can still purchase that model at retail price if you really want it. Or look for the same hat at other websites on sale.

As told to me by The Hattery, the online sites that continue to sell Akubra had to agree to sell for the same price as Akubra, but that may or may not hold true for hats with the old branding.

One thing I'm unhappy about is that prices are more even in Australian dollars if you order from an Asian country. I'm unsure about why that is cuz taxes and duty seems to be charged separately.

As for sizing, exactly which hats are you talking about with S, M, L sizing? I see nothing on their website to indicate a move away from sizing in centimeters. What am I missing?

At this point, I seriously doubt that Akubra are going to move drastically away from what has brought them so much success. Hat lines have changed all the time throughout history with different models being discontinued and others being introduced. Some classics have even been re-introduced recently. I think that we should not speculate and there's nothing we can do about it anyway. The trend seems to be moving toward more 'Western' hats for now, but their offerings of city hats are quite awesome as is.

As for actual evidence of structural change, I do have one of the newly branded hats. The sweatband has changed, which is actually a thing that Akubra owners have complained about for ages due to shrinkage. The new sweatbands are different in color, coming in at a much lighter 'tan/beige' color. Also, they are much softer. Whether this is a good change or not remains to be seen. Personally, I'm worried that the color will show dirt/sweat more, but that may or may not be the case. I also wonder if the sweatband will shrink as much as the old ones. I actually hope that the shrinking continues because I bought it big as I have done with older ones, many of which have shrunk to fit me well. In the new Brisbane store, they told me to buy a size up due to shrinkage, so I guess they still expect the new sweatbands to shrink. I can report that after wearing the new one and sweating in the hat almost daily for 6 weeks about an hour a day (it's my walking hat, a Cattleman in sand) that it is starting to shrink like the old ones, but who knows how much? It's too early to tell, and it hasn't been rained on yet.

Anyway, these hats are still my favorite. I'm off to Brisbane next week and will likely get another soon.

The Traveller is the hat I am thinking about as leather band has gone, replaced with fabric and sizing in the small, medium, etc.

The card was charged and maybe six weeks refunded with no option for later supply.

I followed up a few times with AI responding first couple of times.

I brought from Akubra’s website.

Still an Akubra fan but just a bit worried as seen what has happened with RM Williams where country outfitters now receive a limited range and sizing outside the Chestnut/Black colours. Such country outfitters’ loyalty to such brands helped them survive.

I understand families get tired and sell out so good on them but a large corporate mindset is often not the best for customers. In bushwalking gear we have seen respected brands become fashion houses with local production replaced with Chinese production. Statements that the quality are the same are dubious at best and the sizing models become Asian so arm length shorter, etc.

So far I have not spotted Chinese made product lines at Akubra though on newer hats the felts look bit washed out loosing the deeper tones. I am thinking specifically of the RW Williams Akubra I brought.

Anyway, not a hater, just weary.

 

[Boomerang]

Just an FYI to all Loungers, the David Morgan site is showing the black Campdraft on sale as a discontinued color. If you had a hankerin' for a black CD but have been stalling, now's your time.

 

[rogueclimber]

The Traveller is the hat I am thinking about as leather band has gone, replaced with fabric and sizing in the small, medium, etc.

My Traveler (bought a year and a half ago) being crushable, has a fabric sweatband, but still had a cm sizing

 

[ErWeSa]

This is the Snowy River Akubra my late father bought in 1993 when, after his retirement, he toured Australia with a friend. It was, as he said, his greatest adventure which is comprehensible as none of the two spoke English. He bought a little bagde at all the places they went to and met up with another friend who had emigrated to Australia in the 1950s they had always stayed in contact with. Quite touching to have this hat in my hands again 5 years after my father passed away. Unfortunately it is too large for me so I can't wear it.

 

[Lew Decker]

This is the Snowy River Akubra my late father bought in 1993 when, after his retirement, he toured Australia with a friend. It was, as he said, his greatest adventure which is comprehensible as none of the two spoke English. He bought a little bagde at all the places they went to and met up with another friend who had emigrated to Australia in the 1950s they had always stayed in contact with. Quite touching to have this hat in my hands again 5 years after my father passed away. Unfortunately it is too large for me so I can't wear it.

Do you have any pictures of him wearing it?

 

[ErWeSa]

I had a look in the photo album he made after his return and found one. I think he wouldn't mind me showing it, so here you are:

Forgot to menttion that they went to New Zealand, too.

 

[Lew Decker]

I had a look in the photo album he made after his return and found one. I think he wouldn't mind me showing it, so here you are:

Forgot to menttion that they went to New Zealand, too.

Great picture!

 

[Marcus G]

This is the Snowy River Akubra my late father bought in 1993 when, after his retirement, he toured Australia with a friend. It was, as he said, his greatest adventure which is comprehensible as none of the two spoke English. He bought a little bagde at all the places they went to and met up with another friend who had emigrated to Australia in the 1950s they had always stayed in contact with. Quite touching to have this hat in my hands again 5 years after my father passed away. Unfortunately it is too large for me so I can't wear it.

If it's just a little too big you might put some foam spacers in sweatband to have it fit. Or you could try to shrink the leather band. They will usually shrink down about one size.

 

[ErWeSa]

If it's just a little too big you might put some foam spacers in sweatband to have it fit. Or you could try to shrink the leather band. They will usually shrink down about one size.

Thanks for the tip! Unfortunately, it's a size 58 – I wear a size 55.

 

[Zeuloa]

Thought I'd grab a collection pic:

View attachment 681789

Territory
Warrego
Stylemaster
Fed IV Deluxe
Traveller
Banjo Paterson

Great hats!! I’m currently debating on the bottom 3.

Any preferences for any of the 3, specially between the BP and Fed IV (is it delux). Which do you wear the most of the 3?

Thanks!!

 

[rogueclimber]

Great hats!! I’m currently debating on the bottom 3.

Any preferences for any of the 3, specially between the BP and Fed IV (is it delux). Which do you wear the most of the 3?

Thanks!!

The Fed IV Deluxe is my nicest Akubra, with the summer weather I have mostly been wearing my newer Camp Draft as it is in silverbelly

 

[StoryPNW]

Great hats!! I’m currently debating on the bottom 3.

Any preferences for any of the 3, specially between the BP and Fed IV (is it delux). Which do you wear the most of the 3?

Thanks!!

Of my 6 Akubras I think my favorite is my BP followed by my Fed IV and my Angler.

 

[Zeuloa]

The Fed IV Deluxe is my nicest Akubra, with the summer weather I have mostly been wearing my newer Camp Draft as it is in silverbelly

That’s another one I’ve been eying… Does the color really make much of a difference in hotter days, or is the felt heavier on the Fed IV as well?

Apologize if the question seem a bit basic, but I’m just getting into felt hats.

 

[Zeuloa]

Of my 6 Akubras I think my favorite is my BP followed by my Fed IV and my Angler.

Thank you! May I ask why that is? (Comfort, looks, built, etc)

 

[StoryPNW]

Thank you! May I ask why that is? (Comfort, looks, built, etc)

I think the Heritage felts are just nicer, the preference mostly comes down to style though. I find the "outback" style of the BP super easy to wear and can be dressed up or down easily. I have the Graphite color.

 

[Zeuloa]

I think the Heritage felts are just nicer, the preference mostly comes down to style though. I find the "outback" style of the BP super easy to wear and can be dressed up or down easily. I have the Graphite color.

Nice! Are they both graphite? Would love to see a pic with each one if you wouldn’t mind…

 

[StoryPNW]

Sorry not the best pictures but here they are.
My BP in graphite:

My Fed IV Deluxe in dk brown:

Angler in Loden:

 

[rogueclimber]

Does the color really make much of a difference in hotter days, or is the felt heavier on the Fed IV as well?

The color works with the outfits of summer... as far as heavier, I think all my Akubras are similar in weight except maybe the Territory and Warrigo which are thicker and more 'solid'

 

[Zeuloa]

Sorry not the best pictures but here they are.
My BP in graphite:
View attachment 723697
My Fed IV Deluxe in dk brown:
View attachment 723698
Angler in Loden:

View attachment 723699

Sorry not the best pictures but here they are.
My BP in graphite:
View attachment 723697
My Fed IV Deluxe in dk brown:
View attachment 723698
Angler in Loden:
View attachment 723699

Very nice, thank you!!

 

[Ent]

Laid back Sunday before afternoon stroll with the Snowy River. Line ball on crown hight for my head and hair.