Review: Miller "Raider", open crown

[Joel Tunnah]

Just arrived this weekend, and I couldn't find much in the way of photos or reviews in the Lounge for this hat, so here goes.

This is a very light hat, and it breathes very well. The felt has a velour-like finish, and it seems on the thinnish side. The crown was very easy to shape without steam, and it holds the dents very well. The brim, on the other hand, is pretty stiff - and even after a lot of steaming it still wants to do its own thing. Since I wanted it flat all around, the result as you can see is a little wobbly, but I guess this does make it look broken-in which is good.
The ribbon is nice, as is the bow (Biltmore always makes a nice bow). My only complaint here is that it wasn't centered on the side of the hat. Sloppy.

The leather sweat is cheap feeling, and stiff. Akubra's sweat is much much nicer than this one. I can understand good felt or ribbon being rare, but leather??? Come on guys! The satin liner doesn't have the plastic center cover.

However, having said all that, overall fun factor is high. This is a nice feeling hat on the head, I like the way it looks, and I'm not afraid to wear it everywhere like I am with a nicer hat. I have no idea how it would hold up to a monsoon, nor do I care.

For sizing - I wear 7 3/8 LO, and the 7 1/2 fit me without any extra padding.

This hat is almost exactly half of what you get from someone like Art - and it costs less than half. So it seems fair from that perspective. Not as nice as the Akubra I own though, and I would say that unless you're in love with one of Miller/Biltmore's particular styles, then you should look elsewhere.

More pictures:
http://joeltunnah.com/hats/jtMillerRaider02.jpg
http://joeltunnah.com/hats/jtMillerRaider03.jpg
http://joeltunnah.com/hats/jtMillerRaider04.jpg
http://joeltunnah.com/hats/jtMillerRaider05.jpg

Joel

 

[epic610]

Joel...

which brim width did you choose?

 

[Joel Tunnah]

The brim is 2 3/4".

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I love the turn-of-the-century bash. I'm trying it on my softer hats.

 

[Fedora]

I have no idea how it would hold up to a monsoon, nor do I care.

Others might care, before they invest. I owned 3. My advice is keep away from rain. If the sky is cloudy, take no chances unless you own an umbrella.

With that said, I liked mine very much, but they are fair weather hats. Strictly a dress hat due to the issue with rain. Fedora

 

[deanglen]

I love the turn-of-the-century bash. I'm trying it on my softer hats.

So do I, love the look of this hat!

 

[Joel Tunnah]

new ribbon, new bash

Just trying something different. I replaced the ribbon with a 5/8" Schiff 705, rayon/cotton blend. Directly comparing this ribbon to actual vintage ribbon, the difference is subtle at best to my eye. For the price, it's a great way to go.
I also changed it to a teardrop crown, and I like this hat a lot more now. It's definitely grown on me.

Joel

 

[Razzman]

Joel, I like the look of that hat very much. I also like the way you have bashed it. Wear it in good health. Congratulations :eusa_clap

 

[RBH]

Just trying something different. I replaced the ribbon with a 5/8" Schiff 705, rayon/cotton blend. ...I also changed it to a teardrop crown, and I like this hat a lot more now. It's definitely grown on me.


<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7792/joelaf3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

Joel

Joel, You did great. I love the way this hat looks now. I have gotten to where I like the thinner ribbons and this one looks very classy.
Lets see a photo of it on you.

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

I'm liking the new ribbon

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Sadly, the ribbon reminds me of those on early 1960s womens' hats, dresses, and even shoes. Jackie Kennedy comes to mind.

.

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Sadly, the ribbon reminds me of those on early 1960s womens' hats, dresses, and even shoes. Jackie Kennedy comes to mind.[/COLOR]

Ouch. Harsh. But, the question comes to mind Marc, why are you so familiar with women's hats, dresses, and shoes? Hmmm...

 

[deanglen]

How about this style bow, but keep the 5/8 ribbon? Look familiar? Even as it is, it's a great looking hat, Joel.

dean

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Thanks for all the positive comments guys.

Dean - I like that bow style a lot, and I may try that out also - at the risk of it reminding Marc of ladies underpants, circa 1850.

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

I just put on a new ribbon on my old Resistol cowboy hat now "reborn" as a fedora. My ribbon was standing out away from the hat band as yours is in the photo. I placed a folded cuptowel over the bow, and with a steam iron on the silk setting (with steam), lightly ironed the bow so it would lay flat against the crown.

 

[DanielJones]

All in all Joel not a shabby looking hat. Looks to be a nice general wear hat for either dressier purposes or at least to keep the sun off of the ole' knoggin. Looks nice, enjoy.:eusa_clap

Cheers!

Dan

 

[DOUGLAS]

I like that color very much and the open crown is very appealing. Great hat Joel.