JimWagner
Practically Family
- Messages
- 946
- Location
- Durham, NC
I finally received my new Stetson Stratoliner. Before I go any further let's get this out of the way; this is a positive review of the new Stratoliner. But there are some interesting things to discover along the way.
First, are they really the same hat? If you mean were they profiled and blocked alike the answer is probably yes. But there are a number of differences.
Here is a front view of the two hats I own. On the left is a late 80's Stetson Moose River in Silverbelly as sold by L.L. Bean. On the right, the new Stetson Stratoliner.
The Moose River originally came with a thin ribbon, but I replaced that with the leather band several years ago. The difference in color is pretty accurate above. The Moose River Silverbelly is more tan and the Stratoliner is slightly brown. The difference in the front pinch width is because of years of handling the Moose River. When new it was closer to what you see on the Stratoliner.
The brim on the Stratoliner is about 1/8" wider in all diminsions compared to the Moose River. Crown heights are the same, 4" in front.
Next, here are both hats viewed from the side.
The felts used on these two hats are very different. The felt on the Moose River is fairly thick, coarse and quite stiff, even after 25+ years. The felt on the Stratoliner is much thinner, finer, and flexible. More like the weight used by Akubra on the Tawny Fawn Campdraft. Comparing stiffness, the Campdraft is just slightly stiffer. I like the felt used in the Stratoliner and it's a good dress hat weight and stiffness. Both the Stratoliner and Campdraft are smooth and feel good in the hand.
Now for the pin shown below.
As you can see, the port wing is missing the tip and one engine, something noted in a number of other threads. I actually believe this to be intentional and not the result of defective manufacturing.
If the wing was not truncated like this it would have to be pinned quite a bit higher on the ribbon for clearance and to keep it flat against the hat. As is, it's pretty much centered on the ribbon. As an esthetic choice, it may not please everyone, but now that I've seen it up close I do not believe it was a defect.
The Moose River is definitely a country hat. The Stratoliner is a city hat.
I found the Stratoliner comparable in quality to the Campdraft and a good choice if you find the sheer size of the Campdraft puts you off. I do have a Campdraft and wear it all the time, but truth be told the Stratoliner looks better on me if I'm in a suit. If the Moose River is a country hat and the Stratoliner is a city hat then the Campdraft may be more of a Suburban hat.
Bottom line, for me the Stetson Stratoliner is a winner.
First, are they really the same hat? If you mean were they profiled and blocked alike the answer is probably yes. But there are a number of differences.
Here is a front view of the two hats I own. On the left is a late 80's Stetson Moose River in Silverbelly as sold by L.L. Bean. On the right, the new Stetson Stratoliner.
The Moose River originally came with a thin ribbon, but I replaced that with the leather band several years ago. The difference in color is pretty accurate above. The Moose River Silverbelly is more tan and the Stratoliner is slightly brown. The difference in the front pinch width is because of years of handling the Moose River. When new it was closer to what you see on the Stratoliner.
The brim on the Stratoliner is about 1/8" wider in all diminsions compared to the Moose River. Crown heights are the same, 4" in front.
Next, here are both hats viewed from the side.
The felts used on these two hats are very different. The felt on the Moose River is fairly thick, coarse and quite stiff, even after 25+ years. The felt on the Stratoliner is much thinner, finer, and flexible. More like the weight used by Akubra on the Tawny Fawn Campdraft. Comparing stiffness, the Campdraft is just slightly stiffer. I like the felt used in the Stratoliner and it's a good dress hat weight and stiffness. Both the Stratoliner and Campdraft are smooth and feel good in the hand.
Now for the pin shown below.
As you can see, the port wing is missing the tip and one engine, something noted in a number of other threads. I actually believe this to be intentional and not the result of defective manufacturing.
If the wing was not truncated like this it would have to be pinned quite a bit higher on the ribbon for clearance and to keep it flat against the hat. As is, it's pretty much centered on the ribbon. As an esthetic choice, it may not please everyone, but now that I've seen it up close I do not believe it was a defect.
The Moose River is definitely a country hat. The Stratoliner is a city hat.
I found the Stratoliner comparable in quality to the Campdraft and a good choice if you find the sheer size of the Campdraft puts you off. I do have a Campdraft and wear it all the time, but truth be told the Stratoliner looks better on me if I'm in a suit. If the Moose River is a country hat and the Stratoliner is a city hat then the Campdraft may be more of a Suburban hat.
Bottom line, for me the Stetson Stratoliner is a winner.
