Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Recommendation for Outdoors Hat

Blackthorn

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,568
Location
Oroville

Highlander

A-List Customer
Messages
473
Location
Missouri
Thanks for all of the input. I have an AKUBRA Riverina, and I do wear it out in the rain some. Rain seems to give fur felt hats a little character :) I like the softened look. I am looking into the Cabela's hat and the Filson (I do like their stuff). I like the waxed cloth like Barbour stuff has too.
 
Messages
10,524
Location
DnD Ranch, Cherokee County, GA
For an adventure hat, you have to divide them into categories of warm weather and cold weather. It looks like you are wanting a warm weather hat. Here is one i have worn around the world for many years, and it has never let me down. Being made of canvas, it is waterproof.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Outb...er+guide+hat&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

I'm liking the looks of the Eagle's Pass model =
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...48480|104380380|104042880|&WTz_l=RI;IK-900390
 

ingineer

One Too Many
Messages
1,088
Location
Clifton NJ

carranty

One of the Regulars
Messages
108
Location
England
I feel like I should mention Tilley. They're on the pricey side, but really are the best hat I've found for hiking/camping, both in terms of comfort, durability and practicality. They're admittedly not the most attractive hats though.
 

Lean'n'mean

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,087
Location
Cloud-cuckoo-land
Rainproof & adventure don't always go together, especially when refering to hats. Every material has it's advantages & disadvantages.
The hats you posted are mixed cotton blended fabrics 'made in China' & can't be relied upon to hold off the rain for long, besides they're pretty ugly too.
Oilskin/tin cloth/waxed cotton (basically all the same thing) will be pretty rainproof if kept regularly proofed but although very little water will seep through they do absorb a certain amount of rain & can become heavy if under the rain for any length of time & can be very hot in sunny weather.
Waxed leather hats, especially the Aussie versions ( Barmah, Jacaru, etc.) make really excellent rain hats (provided they are regularly waxed) but again can be heavy & very uncomfortable in hot weather. Also they are very sensitive to ambiant temperatures i.e.. may feel tight in cold weather & loose in warmer weather......the Aussie leather hats also size on the smaller side so it is advised to buy the next size up from your usual hat size.
There are also the Brazilian tarp hats which as well as looking very cool will also keep of most of the weather off you (especiaaly if waxed) but can't be folded or scrunched up.
If you're looking for a hat that you can sit on, collect wild berries in, stuff in your pocket or rucksack, swat buffalo & fan camp fires with as well as keeping your head dry in a shower or prevent the rain running down your collar then something like a tilley or Filson will probably fit the bill........but aesthetically they just don't cut it.
 
Last edited:

D.C. Perry

New in Town
Messages
1
Location
Blackfoot, Idaho, USA
Hello! I am looking for recommendations for a fedora that, well, is not a dress one. One that I could take hiking and camping and hunting or that I could wear casually or while hauling pipe and haybales and so on and so forth.

I've heard about the wonderful Akubras, but those are just a little bit out of my price range. It doesn't have to last me decades and decades, just longer than these cheap trilbies I've been getting from Wal-Mart. (They start fading just a month or less after you get them.)

I'm thinking more around the fifty dollar range. Hundred dollar range is possible, just not preferable.

Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I just bought an Akubra Campdraft a few weeks ago for $86.00 from Sam at Everything Australian. Beautiful hat and really sturdy. I don't think there's a better deal around.
 
Messages
10,857
Location
vancouver, canada
I have picked up two Akubras on Ebay for well under $100. With the strong US $ a new one of your choice of style and colour from Sam at Everything Australian to me is one of the world's great bargains. Great hats, great price and stellar service. I betcha it will last waaay longer than twice the life of any $50 hat.
 

Fed in a Fedora

Practically Family
Messages
739
Location
Dixie, USA
Hello! I am looking for recommendations for a fedora that, well, is not a dress one. One that I could take hiking and camping and hunting or that I could wear casually or while hauling pipe and haybales and so on and so forth.

I've heard about the wonderful Akubras, but those are just a little bit out of my price range. It doesn't have to last me decades and decades, just longer than these cheap trilbies I've been getting from Wal-Mart. (They start fading just a month or less after you get them.)

I'm thinking moer around the fifty dollar range. Hundred dollar range is possible, just not preferable.

Thanks in advance!

I thought the same thing about price when I started looking into getting a decent hat for daily wear. What I have found is that there is not a cheaper rout which lasts. False economy is the concept to keep in mind here. The easy choice is to go cheap and constantly replace the hats as they look rough. Or you can spend that little extra to buy quality which lasts. But you have seen this already, haven't you?
You might find a good used Akubra in your price range here in the Classified, but is this what you want?
As to new, my buddy keeps buying cheap hats and actually has more money in his outdoor hats than I do, but his deteriorating collection of hats always looks cheap. I took the plunge and got a pair of Akubras for my frequently worn hats and it immediately shows.

http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/displayproduct.asp?id=2&cat=Akubra+Hats

Most of my Akubra hats are not ornaments - I keep a Silverbelly for dress and the other two are worn in all conditions. Rain, dirt, sweat or whatever comes along - they protect me. I do not take great pains to protect them as I did with my older Stetsons in the past. They are often transported in the saddlebag of a motorcycle or tossed on the seat of my old pick-up truck.

If you want a hat to use hard that will last and look good, buy an Akubra.

Fed
 

Historyteach24

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,447
Location
Huntington, WV
Spend the 100 dollars on an Akubra. I own two one for fishing and hunting and one for yard work like lawn mowing, chopping wood etc and they can't be beaten for the price. If you go cheap you will just spend more on multiple hats.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,293
Messages
3,078,154
Members
54,244
Latest member
seeldoger47
Top