HatDoc
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
At long last, my Akubra Capricorn straw hat has arrived from Australia. Since there have been many inquiries about this hat on the Lounge, I thought I might add my $.02.
I ordered it from Everything Australian . I have ordered from them once before and have received good service. The order was placed on 1-22-09 and was received on 2-6-09. Not bad at all. The hats arrived packed well and safe (I ordered a total of 3 hats this time.....but only 1 Capricorn).
The Capricorn, as most of you know, is made of a synthetic "straw" called polypropylene. This is not the first had made from this material. The Riverz Delta and Joe Fedora, to name two, are made from a similar synthetic. I was in the market for a dress straw hat that would withstand a rain storm. I already have a Sunbody, which is awesome, but it is more of a casual rain-resistant straw hat. The Akubra Capricorn fits the niche just right.
I bought the Fawn color. It also comes in Copper, Green, and Gray. I've seen a photo of the Green on eBay, but it didn't appeal to me. It looked like something out of a St. Paddy's Day parade. The Copper looks good, but I decided on the Fawn.
The specs are as follows:
Brim Width -- 63mm (2.38 inches)
Height at the front (bashed) -- 108 mm (4.25 inches)
Here are some photos that I snapped during a slow time at work tonight:
Here's some on my noggin'. The color of the hat is most accurate in these photos.
Here's a close-up of the weave and band:
Here's the only "flaw".....the clip shows, but the color blends in well and I doubt anyone will notice:
Opinion:
Bottom line......I LOVE this hat.
Fit: The size is a perfect 57mm. The sweatband is a supple brown leather, very similar to my felt Akubras. The crown is high enough inside to allow the hat to sit correctly on my head without touching the top of the hat.
Looks:
The color is NOT a sand color.....it's more of a taupe/cafe-au-lait color. Beautiful and versatile. The look of the polypro "straw" is essentially identical to many of the Milan straw hats that I own. I doubt that anyone could tell that it wasn't a natural fiber by looking at it.....or even by examining it closely. (N.B. This is NOT true of some of the other polypro hats that I've seen.....they look and feel like plastic. The Akubra is a cut above any of the others.)
Feel: It feels just right. The straw feels like the stiff Milan...it's not flimsy and supple like a Panama. It's about the same weight as a Milan. Not an ultra-light Panama, but not heavy either. Some people have suspected that it might be hot in the summer. Well, it's winter now, but it doesn't seem to be a particularly warm hat, and it's ventilated well.
Summary:
This hat is a winner. It wears and looks great. It'll take the rain without losing it's shape.
I'll be ordering a Gray one when I finish this review. I'm also going to order a Cream-colored "Rink", which appears to be the same hat.
So.....that's about it. If you're looking for a nice straw that can withstand the weather, order the Akubra Capricorn with confidence.
--Randy--
(aka: HatDoc)
I ordered it from Everything Australian . I have ordered from them once before and have received good service. The order was placed on 1-22-09 and was received on 2-6-09. Not bad at all. The hats arrived packed well and safe (I ordered a total of 3 hats this time.....but only 1 Capricorn).
The Capricorn, as most of you know, is made of a synthetic "straw" called polypropylene. This is not the first had made from this material. The Riverz Delta and Joe Fedora, to name two, are made from a similar synthetic. I was in the market for a dress straw hat that would withstand a rain storm. I already have a Sunbody, which is awesome, but it is more of a casual rain-resistant straw hat. The Akubra Capricorn fits the niche just right.
I bought the Fawn color. It also comes in Copper, Green, and Gray. I've seen a photo of the Green on eBay, but it didn't appeal to me. It looked like something out of a St. Paddy's Day parade. The Copper looks good, but I decided on the Fawn.
The specs are as follows:
Brim Width -- 63mm (2.38 inches)
Height at the front (bashed) -- 108 mm (4.25 inches)
Here are some photos that I snapped during a slow time at work tonight:
Here's some on my noggin'. The color of the hat is most accurate in these photos.
Here's a close-up of the weave and band:
Here's the only "flaw".....the clip shows, but the color blends in well and I doubt anyone will notice:
Opinion:
Bottom line......I LOVE this hat.
Fit: The size is a perfect 57mm. The sweatband is a supple brown leather, very similar to my felt Akubras. The crown is high enough inside to allow the hat to sit correctly on my head without touching the top of the hat.
Looks:
The color is NOT a sand color.....it's more of a taupe/cafe-au-lait color. Beautiful and versatile. The look of the polypro "straw" is essentially identical to many of the Milan straw hats that I own. I doubt that anyone could tell that it wasn't a natural fiber by looking at it.....or even by examining it closely. (N.B. This is NOT true of some of the other polypro hats that I've seen.....they look and feel like plastic. The Akubra is a cut above any of the others.)
Feel: It feels just right. The straw feels like the stiff Milan...it's not flimsy and supple like a Panama. It's about the same weight as a Milan. Not an ultra-light Panama, but not heavy either. Some people have suspected that it might be hot in the summer. Well, it's winter now, but it doesn't seem to be a particularly warm hat, and it's ventilated well.
Summary:
This hat is a winner. It wears and looks great. It'll take the rain without losing it's shape.
I'll be ordering a Gray one when I finish this review. I'm also going to order a Cream-colored "Rink", which appears to be the same hat.
So.....that's about it. If you're looking for a nice straw that can withstand the weather, order the Akubra Capricorn with confidence.
--Randy--
(aka: HatDoc)
