Akubra Casual Search

[gtdean48]

Hat for taking on the motorcycle...

With Casual being a crusher but not a roller, what would be a good hat for placing in saddlebags of a motocycle to wear when you remove your helmet? I've carried ball caps for years & have some wool crushers but want a good felt hat. Of the travelers, Akubra, Borso, Christy's, anybody got good experience with packing these guys around?

 

[gtdean48]

Bump...

Wanted to see if other bike riders had an opinion, since no replies...[huh]

 

[Goose.]

Hey GTD... I took a pic of mine in a hard bag. Will post it later. I figured you were waiting for an opinion that counts...you know, from a lounge vet, not the platoon's FNG or troop Tenderfoot. (plus I forgot )Well, maybe ya are, too bad...I'll post pic and review of that drill later. Right now I gotta look busy...Jesus is coming.

 

[gtdean48]

Goose, I've got a tour pack that I can easily carry any of my regular hats in but I don't ride with it on that much. My RK Classic always has the bags attached but always packing rainsuit, extra gloves, goggles, etc. Just cause you're new to the Lounge, don't mean you're new to the problem posed for discussion. Jump on in, Bro!

 

[gtdean48]

Goose,
Did you see these = http://www.eagle-pins.com/ ?

 

[Goose.]

Goose,
Did you see these = http://www.eagle-pins.com/ ?

Hey GTD...thanks for that link. I may try one of those. Speaking of the Eagle...note that in the pics below I found my sterling...looks better, I think than the over-shiney rhodium one they issue for the whipper snappers nowadays. Still can't find my lapel one though

Anyway, here's a pic of the Casual flattened out w/o much care. I wanted to see how it did in a real test. So, I putted around with it stuffed in the bad for awhile. Came out fine. One slight dent that some light rain took care of all by itself.

This crushable Casual works and my bag was stuffed. I think it would obviously fare better with a bit more room and perhaps being placed in the
bag vertical instead of horizontal.

Plan on wearing this Causual every day for a bit. Want to see how it holds up. The rain has already started to take it's toll on the heat applied Akubra sticker in the crown...starting to wrinkle a bit...not bad, but it's only about two weeks old I reckon.

Been raining like heck and I'm gonna take out again today.

But, I wonder, how many crushes will this thing take before it starts looking ratty. Guess we'll have to stand by and see.

Click the pic:
. .

 

[gtdean48]

I do like the muted pewter pin much better.
Thanks for the photo & keep me posted on how the casual fares.
I may be looking at Akubra Traveler or even a Christy's.

 

[Goose.]

Glad My Beagle Sydney Didn't Crush My Sydney

Set my Casual down on the bed while I went to get my water sprayer for a hat touch up. Wanted to work the rear brim flip a bit.
Just took "maybe" thrity seconds and my 35 lb. beagle Sydney was sitting on my Casual. (That's the younger "Kona" in the pic with the "I didn't do it" look).

Anyway, the Casual remains crushable. Figure it's been crushed maybe a dozen times in just a couple of weeks. And it still pops back w/o a need to be bashed/creased w/ water or steam.

Testing to continue...

 

[Hoss & da Posse]

That Casual has got to go on my "must have" list...versatile color, goes from the overhead bin to the conference room, dresses up and down AND even I can afford it...gotta love it

 

[Goose.]

That Casual has got to go on my "must have" list...versatile color, goes from the overhead bin to the conference room, dresses up and down AND even I can afford it...gotta love it

Yeah, H&dP, it's a great lid. I can't say enough great things about it. Have worn it everyday since I received it.

Could not wait any longer - ordered mine yesterday at lunch time.

ValEag...
Did you get your Casual yet?
Waiting for pics and review.

Warm Regards to All for a Great Weekend!

 

[ValEag]

Got it! Only I didnt'!

Goose -

I got a hat, and it is an Akubra. I'm still trying to figure out what it is, maybe some of our hatoligists here will know. What I got was an unbashed hat that has a liner and a lapel cord and the sweat band is not cloth. It looks a lot like what Hats Direct shows as the "Fedora" model. Definitely dressier than the Casual. I just opened the box about an hour ago.

I've emailed Hats Direct to see how to return it, but if they will give me a good price on it I might just keep it - still want the Casual though. I don't know if it shows in the pic but the bow looks odd, the back of the bow is kind of pulled up and not even like the front is.

Can anyone tell me what it is?

 

[Hoss & da Posse]

not sure...but my two newest Akubras had the model name printed on the sweat, right at the forehead

 

[ValEag]

Thanks Hoss, didn't even think to look. It is a Fedora.

 

[Hoss & da Posse]

nice hat...be great if you got a smokin' deal on it. Regarding the bow treatment; your description sounds like it's all good...that its supposed to look like that. Take a look at some of the pics in the Art hall of fame and I think you'll see what I mean. Enjoy if you decide to keep it.

 

[ValEag]

Thanks again Hoss - right you are - I see from the pics in Art's hall of fame the exact same bow 'oddness' - I just never really noticed it before as a hat newbie.

It would be sweet to get a good deal on the Fedora - I'll keep you posted if I do.

 

[Goose.]

nice hat...be great if you got a smokin' deal on it. Regarding the bow treatment; your description sounds like it's all good...that its supposed to look like that. Take a look at some of the pics in the Art hall of fame and I think you'll see what I mean. Enjoy if you decide to keep it.

Yep, what Hoss said. That bow is correct. I really like it that way...slighty off kilter works for me in many ways.

And it is a Fedora. Well, you know that now.
There's a comparison shot of my Sydney and Casual in Post lucky #13 of this thread (have since removed the chicken feathers) http://mongoose.smugmug.com/photos/470955193_hottv-X2.jpg

My Sydney is Charcoal (from David Morgan). The Sydney and Fedora are the same...well, except the color, liner-color, name, lapel cord, and distributor.
That's my Sydney in my avatar with Charlie in the background.

So, what happened ValEag? Did you order a "Casual" and they sent you a "Fedora"?

Kind of curious about the lapel cord on that Fedora. Not certain I'm into that. Can you tuck it in so it can't be seen when not deployed? Is it discreet or does it look like a fishing line coming outta your noggin and wrapped around your hat?

If you don't like your Fedora, PM me

Gotta tell ya, get the "Casual". Love it. Can't go wrong having one of each.
Here's my Sydney so you can see the bow:

Click the pic:

 

[ValEag]

Goose -

Thanks for the pic - that clearly shows the bow detail I was wondering about. I completely understand the off kilter thing too!

I did order the Casual - actually just took a peek at the packing slip and it states 'Casual' too - but that is not what was in the box. I'm not sure how the lapel cord works, but I'm sure no matter how I'd use it that it would end up wrapped around my neck someway. I suppose I could apply a little CaseXX to it. It appears to just wrap around the hat and is not hidden or discreet at all. You can see the cord wrapped around the outside of the band, not tucked in. Can't say I like the looks of it too much.

The Fedora is a nice looking hat though and it is Carbon Gray which is a great color. I started to review some of the 'how to bash a hat' threads when I realized that I should not need to do that, then I noticed the liner and realized I better stop before I went any farther.

I am going to wait to see if HD wants to make a deal to keep from paying shipping back to them, and if so I'll probably keep the Fedora, but I want the Casual anyway. This is my first fur felt, kinda disappointing that it's still in the box.

 

[Goose.]

Goose -
...
The Fedora is a nice looking hat though and it is Carbon Gray which is a great color. ...

I am going to wait to see if HD wants to make a deal to keep from paying shipping back to them, and if so I'll probably keep the Fedora, but I want the Casual anyway. This is my first fur felt, kinda disappointing that it's still in the box.

HD or me...BUT, if you can swing it, I'm telling you...KEEP it. After you get over the dent in your wallet, in a month or two, you will realize you made the right choice.

No matter what, order the Casual...I'm sitting here at my tiny desk wearing mine while I'm mesquite smoking a whole chicken outside in the dark.

PM me if you don't work it out with the vendor and decide not to keep it...you don't have PM enabled for me to scribe you ValEag.

I got it bad ValEag...real bad...

 

[ValEag]

Goose -

From the FL FAQs:
"Why can't I send a private message (PM)?
Make sure you are logged in and that your browser is accepting cookies. When someone first joins they are a "Registered Member". When they have 15 or more posts then they become a "Fully Fledged" member and will be able to have private message privileges."

Ironically - this is my 15th post so you should be able to PM anytime now.

I'll certainly keep you in mind if I can't work out something with HD. My hope is to keep both of them.

The question I want to ask is do I get an extension on your 'two week' buy back for the Casual for extenuating circumstances? lol

 

[Goose.]

Goose -

From the FL FAQs:
"Why can't I send a private message (PM)?
Make sure you are logged in and that your browser is accepting cookies. When someone first joins they are a "Registered Member". When they have 15 or more posts then they become a "Fully Fledged" member and will be able to have private message privileges."

Ironically - this is my 15th post so you should be able to PM anytime now.

I'll certainly keep you in mind if I can't work out something with HD. My hope is to keep both of them.

The question I want to ask is do I get an extension on your 'two week' buy back for the Casual for extenuating circumstances? lol

I've sent three PMs to other Hat Junkies today. So, maybe you have to go a full 16 posts? Do you have PM enabled in your USER CP (under EDIT OPTIONS)?

You seem like a good eag...(ha ha...get it? ValEag)...so I can be flexible on the Causal two week gig...it's gonna take ya at least that long to get your new Causal. So let's go three from now (Disclaimer: So long as you haven't crushed it to where it's ratted out, had the brim creased/screwed-up, or sweat (or other) stains on the felt or sweat, hat band or ribbon).

Same for the Fedora...and I don't even mind if you bash it so long as it is not creased (fold bends) or damaged in the process.

I budget a little each payday for my "habit"...and I get paid the 15th and end of each month. Can't do both at once and I can actually order cheaper from the vendor, cuz I'm picking up your actual cost of shipping to me in the factory box, but I believe so much that you will really like that Casual...in fact I trust that you will like them both and they will remain in Ohio.

If ya don't, PM me. Don't wanna take up this thread with dealios, but I am so confident that you won't be sending that Casual anywhere is why I offerred.
Having stated such, Eagle Scout's Honor, if you don't like it (the Casual), I'll take it as I would consider myself responsible for your disappointment and wouldn't mind a spare anyway.
The Syd error ain't my gig (I mean "Fedora"), I just want it...I'm so lustful :rage:

You will like the Casual...and the Sydney if you ever try it...
But, I've been wrong twice before...two ex-wives to prove it.