Sweatband Question

[dnjan]

I've been lurking for a while, but have a question to post so here goes:

Why are leather sweatbands preferred?

From the reading I have done here, it seems that they are. However, in the last few warm days that we have had here in Seattle, I've noticed that a cloth sweatband seems more comfortable while the leather sweatband is more "sweaty".

Is the leather sweatband just better for protecting the hat?

 

[johnnycanuck]

hot and what?

For people like me, who sweat a lot, leather is preferred. My Tilley hat is, of course, cotton and I can sweat threw the thing in about an hour mowing the lawn. I can dump the Tilley in the washer to get the sweat out but a felt hat is another story. With a cotton sweatband, even if you don't sweat a lot, it will absorb the sweat, accumulate, saturate threw, discolour the hat, matt it down, and generally not look very good after a while.

So the short answer is yes is does protect the hat and make it last longer.

Johnny

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge dnjan, Johnny answered your ? pretty good I think.
You will find this place full of helpful answers and even more helpful folk!

 

[dnjan]

Thanks!

I guess I'll put up with feeling a bit sweatier for the good of my hat.

 

[johnnycanuck]

If you are more comfortable with a cotton sweat band, and the sweat is not showing, by all means wear it and be comfortable.

I sometimes tuck a sheet of folded paper towel into the sweat band and fold it over the leather so the towel soaks up the sweat rather then subject the hat band to the sweat. Another trick is to put a Woman's tampon in your hat to soak up the sweat (a old drill sergeants trick) I also have the Tilley hat that is good for sweaty outdoor pursuits, as I say washable. the final option, I learned about form a guy I worked with, is a hat sizer http://www.villagehatshop.com/hat-sizer.html most western shops that carry hats should carry them as well.
Johnny

 

[dnjan]

I like the folded paper towel idea. That should be just enough to absorb some sweat if/when it warms up here in the afternoon.

Thanks!

 

[Samsa]

Another trick is to put a Woman's tampon in your hat to soak up the sweat (a old drill sergeants trick)

Do you mean a sanitary napkin? I'm not trying to be crude, but am trying to figure out the mechanics of using a tampon...

 

[johnnycanuck]

Sorry, one of then feminine hygiene pads. I probably called it the wrong thing. Sorry.

 

[Samsa]

Sorry, one of then feminine hygiene pads. I probably called it the wrong thing. Sorry.

Thanks for clarifying! I will try this over the upcoming summer...much more sweat and my only panama will be ruined.

 

[Stoney]

Seriously guys, I think I would rather put up with a little sweat than jam one of those sanitary napkins in my lid.

 

[Samsa]

Seriously guys, I think I would rather put up with a little sweat than jam one of those sanitary napkins in my lid.

But just think, it would make an awesome conversation piece....

 

[tonyb]

Seriously guys, I think I would rather put up with a little sweat than jam one of those sanitary napkins in my lid.

I think we're talkin' panty liners here -- those thin jobs, you know. Cut in half lengthwise they make effective sweat absorbers, and they're cheap.
I've seen, at a hat shop, little quilted-paper strips supposedly made for use as sweat absorbers in hats. I wouldn't doubt that they ARE made specifically for this purpose, but they appear to be made of essentially the same stuff as panty liners. They even have the pull-off strip on the back to expose that bit of low-tack adhesive. But for what the retailer charges for one of them a person could buy a box or two of panty liners.
So, if you're considering this method, but the sight of half a panty liner stuck to your sweatband is something you would rather be spared, and if your straw hat is a bit loose anyway, you can apply those feminine hygiene devices UNDER the sweatband, with the adhesive actually sticking to the inside of the crown. And they're so cheap that you can change 'em out frequently during the sweaty season without concern for the expense.

 

[Vintage Sunburst]

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about this. I just received this brand new Stetson Open Road Royal Deluxe in Walnut. I ordered it online. It's a beautiful hat, but I noticed that there is a section of the sweatband that seems to be out of adjustment or something. The best way I can describe it is it looks like the section in question is pulling away at the edge from the inside of the hat. I already have two Dobbs fur felt fedoras (both are Daytons) and five other Stetson fur felt fedoras (two Stratoliner Bs, one Stratoliner Premier, one Open Road RD in navy, and one Whippet) and none of them have this problem with the sweatband. I included pics with the problem area red circled. Should I send this back where it came from or can this be easily repaired?

 

[jlee562]

The sweat is not 100% seated correctly. You don't need to fix it per se, but if it bothers you, exchange it. I don't think that's unreasonable in this case.

If you pull the sweat down and look behind the liner, you will see the sweatband stitches. As long as those are intact, the hat is perfectly wearable.

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks!

I guess I'll put up with feeling a bit sweatier for the good of my hat.

I live just up the I5 in Vancouver. For those few very warm days I have my Panama. I keep a cheaper one with the cloth sweat for those days of 85 degrees plus. Yes, I sweat through to the straw but if the hat gets too disgusting after a few years I toss it and get a new one.