HELP - Need New Safari Hat

[Mike K.]

Hello ladies & gents,
As a biologist, I spend a good amount of time in the outdoors and need some cranial protection from the sun. My "field" headwear is currently comprised of everything from ball caps to military boonie hats to Barmah leather outback hats. However, for the longest time I have been looking for a truly nice safari hat...something along the lines of what MDFrench has recently posted on this forum. I am looking for a broad-brimmed (single brim) hat, olive to dark khaki, with a puggaree band. Right now I'm leaning toward the classic Aussie slouch hat by Akubra. If anyone out there owns one of these hats, here's a question for you. The Akubra slouch hat comes with a brass clip for turning up one side of the brim. I'd like to wear the hat without this feature. Can the brass clips be removed without harming the fur felt? Thanks for the assistance.
-Mike

 

[Matt Deckard]

The brass clip is stitched on.. you can take it off. I just wear mine with the brim down... the clip being there is no issue to me.

Go for the Akubra, it's classic.

 

[Mike K.]

Thanks Matt. I was afraid the clip might be attached directly to the felt somehow and would leave a gaping hole if I removed it. I'd like to wear mine with the brim down too.

 

[Havana]

The Aussie slouch hat would be an excellent choice. I had one previously and liked it but found it to be a bit heavy and very hot. Also, the brim was just a bit too wide. I sold it off and bought an Akubra Cattleman and love it. It has just the right brim width (for me), is a bit lighter, and is ventilated! I have 3 now and have worn them all over Africa and here in US in the hot & humid Carolina summers. They're rugged and good working hats that are worth a look. You can always add the band of your choice. Either of these Akubras would serve you well in the field.
[http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/templr/FL-pic.jpg

 

[GA Wildlifer]

Field Hat

Mike,

I am, also, a biologist in the South with the same need. I have an unlined, light, felt fedora that is still too hot for summer field work. I have been talking to Panama Bob about ordering a hat or two for warm weather. I am hard on work hats so I have decided to go with a less expensive cuenca in the caballero block http://www.panamas.biz/cuenca.html. I don't like the bleached white color of the cuencas so I am going to ask Bob to get one unbleached. I have been told that the bleaching process damages the fibers of the straw as well.

I am going to get one of his less expensive monitecristis for an office/meet with clients hat.

Bob has been very helpful. If a Panama interests you, I would reccommend calling him.

 

[Mike K.]

Those lightweight straw lifeguard hats are pretty good for us southern field biologists.

Hey Havana, I like the idea of the Akubra cattleman hat. I was feeling a bit concerned about the brim size on the military slouch. Do you know where to purchase puggaree bands to go on the cattleman?

 

[Havana]

Unfortunately, I don't know any specific places to buy such a band. Try a web search and be sure to check costume & millinery suppliers also. You might also try searching for instructions for making your own. I have done my own homemade versions before using an olive drab bandana with good results - certainly not an authentic puggaree but pretty close. Good luck in your search.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Star Binding Co.

Those lightweight straw lifeguard hats are pretty good for us southern field biologists.

Hey Havana, I like the idea of the Akubra cattleman hat. I was feeling a bit concerned about the brim size on the military slouch. Do you know where to purchase puggaree bands to go on the cattleman?

Star binding will help you. Ask for Stuart.

http://www.starbinding.com/prod_pleated.html

 

[johnnycanuck]

Good day to you.
I am a big fan of the Akubra. I have the "Military" and find it a great hat. A lot lighter then my "beater" hat, a well used "Snowy river" that also holds up great but it does get a little hot about the 30 degree's celcius. The Snowy river is made from the same quality felt as the cattleman (Imperial Quality) and the military is made from Akubras (Superfine Quality) so I would personally go for the military The only concern I would have about the Panama hats are their UV protection. I know a lot of straw cowboy hats do not provide any protection from UV rays. Be it the weave or the material I don't know. It would just be a question I would ask before purchasing such a hat. I have contacted Akubra and there hats have been tested (at least the felt has) and do block the dangerous rays. But for proper protection outlined from the Canadian and Australian cancer society's the brim has to be a certain size and shape as well. Both the "military" and "Cattleman" meet said criteria....... That's my two cents worth anyway.
Johnny.

 

[Mike K.]

Thanks for that link SHARPETOYS.

Johnny, you sound like a dermatologist!

 

[Russ]

But for proper protection outlined from the Canadian and Australian cancer society's the brim has to be a certain size and shape as well.

Now you got me sweating. What size and shape is needed for proper protection? I've trimmed the brims on a couple of Akubra Colly hats recently (took 3 centimeters off in two sessions). I'm sure they are still plenty big, but I need to know where the line is so I don't cross over.

Regarding pugarees, I have searched all over the web in the past but somehow missed Star Binding. I wonder if they are happy to sell directly to consumers (they may get flooded with inquiries now). One can find pugarees on eBay sometimes, even an eBay store with them, but it's very difficult to find one as nice as the Akubra military version. The one they used on their military hat some 10 years ago was even nicer. I have a photo of one that apparently had 12 pleats. Now it looks like they use 4 pleats.

Still, with those air vents and superfine felt, the Akubra military looks like an excellent safari hat. I'm starting to drool over them myself, with what drool I still have left after drooling over Art's Bwana this week.

 

[GA Wildlifer]

Straw UV Protection

Johnny C,

I just checked a few skin cancer web sites. It seems like they recommend avoiding open weave straw hats (except for some ventilation on the sides of the crown) but tighter weaves are O.K. A finding of a study of farmers and sun protection was that hats have to be comfortable to be effective, otherwise they won't get worn.

I am sure a heavier hat will block more UV rays, but I don't know if I could stand it.

 

[BellyTank]

Pugarees-

This Australian site sells Slouch hat pug's.

http://www.lawranceordnance.com/new/hats-akubra.html

...scroll down the page.

B
T

 

[Russ]

Now THAT'S a pugaree

Fascinating web site, too.

Regarding skin cancer prevention, I did a search and found many web sites on the subject, and they all say you must wear a wide brim hat with the brim going all around (as opposed to a baseball cap). Let's hope the world is listening. As far as dimensions, they go anwhere from 3 to 6 inches, 6 inches being the best protection, naturally. I can't imagine wearing a felt hat with a 6 inch brim, though. With a chin strap, I might take off like the Flying Nun or something. Hmmm, I hadn't thought of the Flying Nun in years...

 

[johnnycanuck]

Good Day All
I seem to have brought up some discussion with the cancer comment. I have looked into it as my Father passed away of it the other month and one of my uncles had a 2" chunk of skin removed from his forehead as it was pre-cancerous. Both in there mid fifties. So if I get a little heated about such things, its because it hit a little to close to home.
A lot of information can be found on-line, "SLAP! on a wide-brimmed hat. Most skin cancers occur on the face and neck. This area needs extra protection. Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your head, face, ears and neck. Hats without a wide brim, like baseball caps, do not give you enough protection.." (from the Canadian cancer web page). But what is a good wide brimed hat? An e-mail to such organizations will give you more information. The brim should be more then 80mm wide and turned down for optimum protection. Made of material that blocks out the UV rays. With this guideline my Akubra "Snowy River" does not cut it as it has a turned up brim, the "Federation" falls short in length, but my "Military" meets all criteria. I still wear my federation all the time and my snowy river when working outside. One simple rule here - its better then nothing. If you will wear it. Then buy it. But sun protection does not stop at a hat. keep in mind sunscreen is your backup....
As for panama hats and tight weaves, it really depends on the material used, the bleaching process, ect. ect. I would still ask. Some company's like www.noggintops.com state in the hats description weather they protect.
To give you more information on sun protection, shirts do not always give you protection. Generally cotton shirts do not block any UV light. But we think it does. How do I know this? Columbia made a travel shirt, Poly cotton blend, quick drying, and a SPF 50. A shirt with a SPF factor? Yes. I found out most cotton is bleached during the refining process that removes most of the "light filtering quality's". I thought that was interesting. The only company I have found so far with any rating on there clothing are Columbia and Tilley.
Sorry for the novel. Just find this stuff interesting.
Johnny.

 

[GA Wildlifer]

Cancer information

Good Day All
I seem to have brought up some discussion with the cancer comment. I have looked into it as my Father passed away of it the other month and one of my uncles had a 2" chunk of skin removed from his forehead as it was pre-cancerous. Both in there mid fifties. So if I get a little heated about such things, its because it hit a little to close to home.

Sorry for the novel. Just find this stuff interesting.
Johnny.

Johnny,

I am sorry for your loss. I, too, have a long history of skin cancer. The reason I started wearing hats is that I had a melanoma removed about 2 years ago. I started wearing fedoras because, if I am going to wear a hat, I want to wear an attractive hat. Function is, however, the first requirement.

I found these Characteristics of good hats for cancer prevention helpful:

Does the hat have ...
— a wide, stiff brim (3 inches or more)?
— a design that does not interfere with
side vision?
— vents in the crown for air flow?
— an inside sweat band that’s comfortable?
— a secure fit to stay on your head?
— a chin strap?
— an extended flap to cover your neck?
Is the hat made with a ...
— material that will block UV-a and UV-b
rays?
— dark lining under the brim to reduce
eyestrain?
— crushable, resilient material?
Is the hat style ...
— practical for your work or other activities?
— lightweight and comfortable to wear?
— priced reasonably?
— attractive in appearance?
— one your friends will admire?
— one you will want to wear regularly?
from http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1683.pdf

A study that specifically looks at straw hats is http://phot.allenpress.com/pdfserv/10.1562%2F2005-10-27-RA-727 . The straw hat they tested was not quite as good as the more dense material for UV protection, but the comfort and likelihood that I will consistently wear it is higher with straw.

Perhaps this line of thought is a rationalization. I am prone to do that. I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth.

 

[Russ]

The role of hair in skin cancer protection

I wonder how effective hair is in skin cancer protection, assuming it hasn't thinned much. If it does protect, then we have a logical, natural guide for hair fashion; cover the neck and grow a full beard (I'm referring mainly to male hair fashion here). Also, a full beard might work well for those who prefer smaller brims because it would protect the lower parts of the face that are still exposed to the sun. My avatar was lit by a very low-in-the-sky winter sun, and doesn't count.

I am naturally drawn to this kind of thinking since I've had a full beard since I was a baby. Hat, too.

Okay, slight exaggeration.

 

[Mike K.]

Johnny, so sorry to hear about your loss. It's just one more reason to put lids on our heads.

Russ, you might be on to something for those northerners in the lounge. Personally though, if I grew out my hair & beard I would have a heat stroke down here in the swamps! I'll stick to a clean shave, short hair, and the propper hat.

...now where did I put that 5ft sombrero I own?!

 

[Pilgrim]

Personally, I'd think that a good start would be to find one of the Open Roads with a wide brim and join the Open Road guild. Ebay offers a not-very-expensive way to get a good, comfortable hat with a decently wide brim.

The Iowa State Extension recommendations seem a bit overblown to me. I've worked with Extension folks for 26 years, and many of them lose track of reality when they start making recommendations. Take that list and settle for the items that make sense in the real world.