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Campdraft or Federation?

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
Tone said:
Definitely take the time to switch the ribbon on a Campdraft if it's down to these two choices.

I prefer the narrow ribbon on the Campdraft - I don't like the look if a thick Indy type ribbon. Just my taste - which is why I got the Campdraft.

What the Campdraft has going for it is that it is a relaxed fedora - not a cowboy hat and not a gentleman's dress hat. The perfect in-between hat.
 

Tone

A-List Customer
Messages
440
Location
Firenze
Seb Lucas said:
I prefer the narrow ribbon on the Campdraft - I don't like the look if a thick Indy type ribbon. Just my taste - which is why I got the Campdraft.

What the Campdraft has going for it is that it is a relaxed fedora - not a cowboy hat and not a gentleman's dress hat. The perfect in-between hat.

Could be the reason Akubra has always catalogued those "not quite western - not quite dressy" hats under "country". Yes, there are a few open-crowned Akubras in that category that take a greater range of personal style very well.
 

daddy0d0

A-List Customer
Messages
452
Location
Maryland
Good evening all, I need some opinions. I'm looking at getting either the Akubra Campdraft or the FedIV. Not sure which one yet. I was originally looking at the Fed in Tawny but I'm not willing to wait 3 months, then I was going to get the Campdraft in Silver belly but again I don't want to wait 3 months. I can get the Campdraft in BG but not sure how versatile the color is.
Can I get some of you to post pictures of yours? Looking for inspiration. If I have to wait 3 months I will but want to make the right choice.
Thanks
Gregg
 
Messages
12,005
Location
Southern California
Akubras_zpswvxq5rgr.jpg


Fed IVs on the left. Top - Dark Brown; center - Tawny Fawn; bottom - Moonstone Gray.
Campdrafts on the right. Top - Silverbelly; center - Taupe Fawn; bottom - Bluegrass Green.

These are all Imperial Grade felt except for the Moonstone Gray, which is Heritage Grade felt. In my opinion you can't go wrong with any of 'em. :cool:
 

daddy0d0

A-List Customer
Messages
452
Location
Maryland
Akubras_zpswvxq5rgr.jpg


Fed IVs on the left. Top - Dark Brown; center - Tawny Fawn; bottom - Moonstone Gray.
Campdrafts on the right. Top - Silverbelly; center - Taupe Fawn; bottom - Bluegrass Green.

These are all Imperial Grade felt except for the Moonstone Gray, which is Heritage Grade felt. In my opinion you can't go wrong with any of 'em. :cool:
I'm loving the pics!! Thank you. I think I may be partial to the thin ribbon.
 

Xylophile

One of the Regulars
Messages
132
Location
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Good evening all, I need some opinions. I'm looking at getting either the Akubra Campdraft or the FedIV. Not sure which one yet. I was originally looking at the Fed in Tawny but I'm not willing to wait 3 months, then I was going to get the Campdraft in Silver belly but again I don't want to wait 3 months. I can get the Campdraft in BG but not sure how versatile the color is.
Can I get some of you to post pictures of yours? Looking for inspiration. If I have to wait 3 months I will but want to make the right choice.
Thanks
Gregg
Try hatsdirect.com for Feds and Campdrafts in stock, however I think everythingaustraian.com is the only place for BGCD. There's about a $10 difference between the two sources and hatsdirect doesn't have that long wait period.
I kept putting off getting a silverbelly campdraft which was in stock in my size at everythingaustralian, and now its a 3 month wait!
There are lots of great picutures of the BGCD in "What hat are you wearing" and "akubra overload" threads.
 

Bob Roberts

I'll Lock Up
Messages
11,201
Location
milford ct
My Imperial grade Tawny Fawn Fed is ridiculously stiff. My Moonstone Deluxe (Heritage) grade Fed is really soft and pliable. I would never buy an Imperiale Grade Fed again.
 

Gromulus

Practically Family
Messages
573
Location
NE Ohio, USA
there is zero consistency in what grade or color is stiff and what is soft ... it's a roll of the dice

As an owner of seventeen felt Akubras in both qualities, my results are probably more "statistically valid" than many others here who only own a few - and I concur wholeheartedly.

Interestingly, both my Moonstone Akubras (Heritage FED IV and Imperial Stylemaster) are softer than the other colors I own.
 
Last edited:

addison

One of the Regulars
Messages
164
Location
Wisconsin
I wrestled with this for awhile and resigned myself to the fact that I'd end up owning (AT LEAST ONE OF) both, so I based my decision on what was available with now wait...I just ordered the Campdraft in BG from EA.
My next Akubra will be the Fed IV, probably in dark brown.

Does Akubra offer anything in a really nice medium blue? What I want is a blue that isn't so dark that it's almost black.
 

Rogera

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,365
Location
West Texas
...Interestingly, both my Moonstone Akubras (Heritage FED IV and Imperial Stylemaster) are softer than the other colors I own.

Yeah I had the same experience. I have 6 Akubras all imperial except my Heritage fawn and the moonstone Fed was the softest. I love the color and being as soft as it is it has the best looking crease but it feels like one good rain and it's a cone again. I dunno.

I will say though Addison, the BGCD is awesome. You'll love the color.

To prove Anthony's statement about inconsistent felt I feel the exact opposite about heritage and imperial felt as Bob. I've sworn off of heritage felt as too thick and difficult to crease......
 

johnnycanuck

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,008
Location
Alberta
I wrestled with this for awhile and resigned myself to the fact that I'd end up owning (AT LEAST ONE OF) both, so I based my decision on what was available with now wait...I just ordered the Campdraft in BG from EA.
My next Akubra will be the Fed IV, probably in dark brown.

Does Akubra offer anything in a really nice medium blue? What I want is a blue that isn't so dark that it's almost black.
You can go for this one. It's the most blue I have ever seen a hat. :p :0
http://www.hatsbythe100.com.au/akubra-rough-rider-hat-electric-blue.html
Johnny
 
Messages
12,005
Location
Southern California
there is zero consistency in what grade or color is stiff and what is soft ... it's a roll of the dice
I only have the six Akubras seen in post #2, but I agree. They all arrived with the same amount of softness/stiffness except for the Taupe Fawn Campdraft and the Moonstone Fed IV. The Taupe Fawn CD was as stiff as all of my other Akubras combined when I received it, but it has softened quite a bit after a couple of years of use, re-creasing the crown two or three times, and having been worn in a couple of rainstorms. The Moonstone Fed IV is different, I think, because of the Heritage Quality felt--it isn't stiffer than the others, and the felt isn't thicker, but it definitely feels more substantial and was a bit more difficult to crease. All things being equal, I'd guess it would outlast the Imperial Quality hats.
 

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