What are the lightest vintage felt hats out there?

[alanfgag]

The Dobbs Hankachif Garrett mentioned earlier, 2.7 ounces. Unlined - very thin, lightweight felt... without the brim binding and wind trolley it would be in the hunt.

 

[Rodkins]

The Dobbs Hankachif Garrett mentioned earlier, 2.7 ounces. Unlined - very thin, lightweight felt... without the brim binding and wind trolley it would be in the hunt.

I love that hat. If I could just find one in 7 3/8 long oval...sigh...

 

[John Galt]

Hello all. I collect primarily lightweights, and am lucky enough to have a pretty small head (7 1/8) and a hat stretcher. My Knox Vagabond is 2 5/8 oz., and my Stetson Bantam is 2 7/8. I haven't weighed my Lee Adventure yet because it is at the office. Anyone have a weight on one?

John

 

[alanfgag]

The new contender for lightest of the light in my fedora collection - a Borsalino Pocket hat.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Stetson Privateer.

 

[John Galt]

There is a beautiful but moth eaten vita-felt Stetson Riviera on the 'Bay at the moment, if anyone is looking. I will, regrettably (?) save this week's hat allowance for other pursuits. I have reserved a No. One Quality Stetson western on Etsy.

 

[mayserwegener]

This size 5 1/2 Point 1930s Echter Borsalino weighs 2.5 ounces.

 

[John Galt]

The 1950's Lee Adventure I am selling on eBay weighed in at 2 5/8 oz, slightly more than the Borso above.

 

[Mystic]

Pedigree "The Airie" that I recently picked up for hot humid Florida days with the regular afternoon showers. Love Milans in the summer. but, I am quickly getting spoiled by this hat. 2.5 oz.

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[John Galt]

Pedigree "The Airie" that I recently picked up for hot humid Florida days with the regular afternoon showers. Love Milans in the summer. but, I am quickly getting spoiled by this hat. 2.5 oz.

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Just added this hat to my list!

 

[alanfgag]

Bump @Garrett... looks like the Stetson feather weight is just a wee bit heavier than the Dobbs Hankachif. I have that one to my uncle some years back.

 

[Garrett]

Bump @Garrett... looks like the Stetson feather weight is just a wee bit heavier than the Dobbs Hankachif. I have that one to my uncle some years back.

Completely forgot that I sold you that hankachif - has it been 9 years already? Time really does fly. How light is the borsalino pocket hat posted above?

 

[steur]

Must have seen this thread when I was still lurking, but great to see it bumped. Thanks, Alan. Love these lightweight hats. I've been weighing most of my hats to see how they compare. Let's see what I can add here.

Borsalino Bocciasti in Ghiaccio colour. Weighs 77 grams (2.71 ounces)

Borsalino Caunosca in Dattero colour. Weighs 75 grams (2.64 ounces)

Vimenet Frivol Has 65 gramm written on the sweatband, but weighs 78 grams (2.75 ounces).

Borsalino Martora in gaggia colour. Weighs 76 grams (2.68 ounces)

But the winner by far is this Borsalino Ergosan in palladio colour. Weighs 61 grams (2.15 ounces) with a leather sweatband.

 

[mayserwegener]

Wegener "Em / 7" is just about 3 oz. / 85 grams.

 

[alanfgag]

Completely forgot that I sold you that hankachif - has it been 9 years already? Time really does fly. How light is the borsalino pocket hat posted above?

Right?... we were kids.

Seems the Europeans have the trophy on light. The Borsalino Pocket Hat is remarkably light thanks to its grosgrain sweatband... though it does retain a full liner with paper crown protector. 65 grams:

Just slightly heavier is this white Vimenet at 67 grams:

Stepping outside the topic of this thread, straw hats are not constrained by the "two ounce body" - the class of ultra-light felts as spoken by hatmakers. This Knox Baku is unlines but with a full leather sweat and wide (silk, I think) ribbon - 60 grams:

Finally, what is probably the lightest brimmed hat in my collection, a parabuntal body that I received in its original bamboo tube, blocked and styled by Graham Thompson - 53 grams:

 

[alanfgag]

But the winner by far is this Borsalino Ergosan in palladio colour. Weighs 61 grams (2.15 ounces) with a leather sweatband.
View attachment 265038

Great additions, Stefan...The winner and champion, so far... ;^)

 

[steur]

Right?... we were kids.

Seems the Europeans have the trophy on light. The Borsalino Pocket Hat is remarkably light thanks to its grosgrain sweatband... though it does retain a full liner with paper crown protector. 65 grams:

View attachment 265147

Just slightly heavier is this white Vimenet at 67 grams:

View attachment 265148

Stepping outside the topic of this thread, straw hats are not constrained by the "two ounce body" - the class of ultra-light felts as spoken by hatmakers. This Knox Baku is unlines but with a full leather sweat and wide (silk, I think) ribbon - 60 grams:

View attachment 265149
Finally, what is probably the lightest brimmed hat in my collection, a parabuntal body that I received in its original bamboo tube, blocked and styled by Graham Thompson - 53 grams:

View attachment 265150

Great additions, Stefan...The winner and champion, so far... ;^)

Wonderful examples, Alan. I think these lightweights are fascinating and are testaments to some outstanding craftsmanship. That comes at a price of course; the Ergosan loses shape even in a breeze with the brim blowing in front of your eyes.
Hats like these make me curious about the "50 grammi" hat that Borsalino had in their collection I think only two or three years ago.