Summer Hat Suggestions?

[T Jones]

Hehe ... yes, that is a nice little toy, Rusty

Ha! It's definitely clever! :smile:

 

[T Jones]

The Bogart Panama by Capas is pretty decent for a not so pricey Summer hat. Around $100...

 

[Rogera]

Good stuff Rusty!

 

[Seb Lucas]

I fond that straws often let the sun in and don't work all that well. I generally wear a western Akubra in the summer - you need sun blocking and a wide brim so a Cattleman does the job- it has some eyelet holes which help ventilation. I wear it in 115 degree heat which is fairly common here.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

To get a long oval today going custom is the only way to get a good fit.

 

[kanuist]

I have a great Akubra felt hat I wear in the long Washington state winters. I'd like to find an equally long wearing straw or grass or?, to wear in the summer. I've had several; a Stetson Airway, Bailey Lite Straw and others. I know they are more fragile than a fur felt, but they just don't last that long.

Any suggestions?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Take a look at the Akubra polypropylene hats. I have a Capricorn and a Country Club that have held up well.


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[Just A Hat Rack]

Try checking out SunBody as well. They're definitely not a fine weave or a dressy looking hat, but I've worn mine since last summer and it has held up well. They also take water like a champ.

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[dawgvet]

So it’s Summer and too hot for my beloved Akubra Camp Drafts. Now I need a Summer straw hat and would like suggestions. Would like a fedora-style hat, preferably with a snap brim that I could snap up in back and down in front. Would like a decently wide brim for sun blocking and prefer straight or minimally-tapered crowns. Need to keep budget under $100 for sure. What material would be best, Panama vs straw vs synthetic?

I saw the Akubra Capricorn but haven’t been able to see one up close. Not sure about the bound brim look.
https://www.hatsbythe100.com.au/akubra-capricorn-hat-fawn.html

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,
Jed

 

[Tukwila]

I like semi-caldo Panama hats for hot weather, also the straw caps from Cordova and Well Dressed head.

 

[Scooterz]

I have an Ultrafino Monterey that is a nice hat for not too much. The brim is kind of set but its a fedora shape. Hemp straw is good stuff (like the stetson stratoliner and whippet models , a couple of Akubras are hemp). Sunbody is palm straw which is great and can handle water, plenty of threads about them you can dunk them in cold water and shape them or cool off. The sunbody hats are kinda tight they breathe some but not a ton, some have eyelet vents. I have a Kenny K that I got at Hatman Jack's in Wichita. Its a paper straw but a very comfortable & flexible hat so it can survive a little rough handling.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I need a straw hat that can take some hard use. I like Milan (of various materials) more than Panama hats. I also like well-vented shantung. The hemp Stratoliners are a nice option, and the vented Shantung Open Road hats deserve a look. The hemp Akubras are nice, and I particularly like the Balmoral. I also like the Akubra polypropylene Country Club; it’s well-vented and as cool wearing as any natural straw while also being waterproof. I’m too rough on hats for anything too fine in the way of a straw summer hat.

 

[Tukwila]

I need a straw hat that can take some hard use. I like Milan (of various materials) more than Panama hats. I also like well-vented shantung. The hemp Stratoliners are a nice option, and the vented Shantung Open Road hats deserve a look. The hemp Akubras are nice, and I particularly like the Balmoral. I also like the Akubra polypropylene Country Club; it’s well-vented and as cool wearing as any natural straw while also being waterproof. I’m too rough on hats for anything too fine in the way of a straw summer hat.

I agree about the hemp Straoliners. @Redfokker has one and it looks pretty nice and hemp is as tough as nails. I have a poly Stratoliner and IMO it's just ok; kind of hot to wear and very little airflow, the "Florentine" Milan is what they call it. If I had to do it over, I'd go with the hemp Strat. The hemp cap from WDH is a really nice weave, as wind blows right through.

I have an inexpensive Panama with the open weave and it's semi-calado and not delicate at all. I think I got it for $35 or so, but that was an in person purchase in Cuenca... the only thing I wish it had was a wider brim.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I agree about the hemp Straoliners. @Redfokker has one and it looks pretty nice and hemp is as tough as nails. I have a poly Stratoliner and IMO it's just ok; kind of hot to wear and very little airflow, the "Florentine" Milan is what they call it. If I had to do it over, I'd go with the hemp Strat. The hemp cap from WDH is a really nice weave, as wind blows right through.

I have an inexpensive Panama with the open weave and it's semi-calado and not delicate at all. I think I got it for $35 or so, but that was an in person purchase in Cuenca... the only thing I wish it had was a wider brim. View attachment 243046

I have a couple hemp Stratoliners and they are tough hats that also look good...I do wish they had a bit more brim. I have several cheap Panama hats, but the idea of paying several hundred dollars, or more, for one scares me. My summer hats get blown off, thrown in the back seat, fall in water, get knocked off my head while mowing the grass etc., so I’m just not interested in paying what a good one costs. I love the looks and artistry, but they don’t fit my lifestyle. Maybe one just for a summer dress hat.

i hade a Dobbs Florentine Milan and I don’t like it. Those synthetic hats need ventilation to be comfortable to me.

 

[Redfokker]

I do like my Hemp. The one issue I have, which can be fixed with some steam, is the droopy brim. It needs to be put on a flange and tightened up. I think this would also make the brim a little wider.

 

[tropicalbob]

I have a great Akubra felt hat I wear in the long Washington state winters. I'd like to find an equally long wearing straw or grass or?, to wear in the summer. I've had several; a Stetson Airway, Bailey Lite Straw and others. I know they are more fragile than a fur felt, but they just don't last that long.

Any suggestions?

Try a Sunbody. They're pretty much indestructible.

 

[tropicalbob]

I need a straw hat that can take some hard use. I like Milan (of various materials) more than Panama hats. I also like well-vented shantung. The hemp Stratoliners are a nice option, and the vented Shantung Open Road hats deserve a look. The hemp Akubras are nice, and I particularly like the Balmoral. I also like the Akubra polypropylene Country Club; it’s well-vented and as cool wearing as any natural straw while also being waterproof. I’m too rough on hats for anything too fine in the way of a straw summer hat.

I need a straw hat that can take some hard use. I like Milan (of various materials) more than Panama hats. I also like well-vented shantung. The hemp Stratoliners are a nice option, and the vented Shantung Open Road hats deserve a look. The hemp Akubras are nice, and I particularly like the Balmoral. I also like the Akubra polypropylene Country Club; it’s well-vented and as cool wearing as any natural straw while also being waterproof. I’m too rough on hats for anything too fine in the way of a straw summer hat.

This is the hole that Peters Bros. used to fill for me with their hemps. I have three in the Stratoliner style that have lasted very well, but they seem to have fallen off the map. Has anyone heard from them?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

This is the hole that Peters Bros. used to fill for me with their hemps. I have three in the Stratoliner style that have lasted very well, but they seem to have fallen off the map. Has anyone heard from them?

Peter Bros. wouldn’t answer my emails and their website *****; it’s been under construction for a couple years.

 

[tropicalbob]

Peter Bros. wouldn’t answer my emails and their website *****; it’s been under construction for a couple years.

Yeah, I know. I was a little ticked with them with my last dealings: I sent them my black hemp to fix the brim that had gotten a bit warped, and when I got it back I couldn't discern any real difference. Besides the $50.00 it cost me (plus postage), they didn't even bother to return the VS hatbox I'd sent it in. I called and left a message with them and never heard back.

 

[jlee562]

This is the hole that Peters Bros. used to fill for me with their hemps. I have three in the Stratoliner style that have lasted very well, but they seem to have fallen off the map. Has anyone heard from them?

PB is still making hemps AFAIK, a COW member received one as recently as November 2019. I recall a lounger has a negative experience with a ribbon job they had done, so it seems they were 'rebuilding' a bit.

I would also give a nod to the vented shangtung open roads. While shangtung hats are not normally my #1 choice for straw, there's something to be said about a 'straw' hat that you don't need to baby too much. Stash it under the seat on a plane? No problem. Well, when we can fly again safely anyways!

Seems like I am perpetually shilling for JJ Hat Center, but they're having a 25% fathers day sale if anybody is feeling impulsive.