Akubra Overload

[Eliesti]

A lot of guys have been buying the Hemp , especially this year , Stetson OR and Strats , I'm not big on synthetic , love the Hemp . Plus I noticed the custom Hemps and others from Peters Bros Hats in Fort Worth , custom $90 , I think , for most . Nice Hats . But these are Nice , too . Meyer has a few genuine Panama Stetson OR's left , not my size , but they're nice , and more expensive , too . But I don't think they're making them anymore , but Peters Bros might do a Shady Oak in Panama , or Hemp , Custom , pretty sure they do , but you'll have to call Shane and ask probably , but they'll build it exactly like you want . Nice Hats !

I will probably make my second straw a Peter Bros. if they are that cheap. For my first though, the Balmoral is only $48 US right now, so since I just bought other hats, I think that's all I can shell out right now.

 

[Michael R.]

I will probably make my second straw a Peter Bros. if they are that cheap. For my first though, the Balmoral is only $48 US right now, so since I just bought other hats, I think that's all I can shell out right now.

Yeah , I'm in the same boat , I would like a Peters Bros , and will probably order one , but it'll probably be next month . Plus man ! So many Hats , summer is almost here , but I'm still lining up fur felt , but straw is next , and they do really nice ones , and you can feel better if you use the $48 Akubra for more stuff sooner than a $90 Custom . I'm still messing with an old Panama that I abused , trying to straighten it out , may take a pro , but its still sound , just out of shape . It wasn't anything special to start with . I don't like synthetic , but there are pluses I guess , but I'd do Hemp .

 

[Michael R.]

I like the looks of Both the Zephyr (synthetic) , and the Balmoral (Hemp) , though , nice hats .

 

[Eliesti]

I like the looks of Both the Zephyr (synthetic) , and the Balmoral (Hemp) , though , nice hats .

Me too!

 

[tropicalbob]

One of the best things about my Peters Bros. hemp is that, because of the nature of the hemp and the way it's woven, it allows for a bit of air flow (the hemp is very light as well). I'd be interested in seeing if the Balmoral is made the same way.

 

[Obsessed]

I've been thinking of getting a Cattleman or a Tablelands in sand for summer use in those instances where a straw hat would be too fragile.

Do you guys by think that the more vertical shape of the crown on the Cattleman would make the hat any cooler than the Tablelands by permitting more airflow through the vent holes?

 

[Michael R.]

I've been thinking of getting a Cattleman or a Tablelands in sand for summer use in those instances where a straw hat would be too fragile.

Do you guys by think that the more vertical shape of the crown on the Cattleman would make the hat any cooler than the Tablelands by permitting more airflow through the vent holes?

You know , personally , I can't tell a lot of difference in vented and non-vented (could just be me) , but when its super hot the well vented straws seem better . I guess the vent holes may allow moisture to evaporate , which cools you off , but generally the felt Hats I've worn keep the frying sun off , and in winter the warmth in . Lighter colors are cooler in the sun though , and dark seems to absorb the light making them seem warmer . I've got both , but no noticeable difference to me , no big difference anyway .

These guys work in the heat (if this posts) and I'm not sure if I see a vent hole (can't recall) ...

But to me the one on the left looks like a Woomera , then a black Arena (maybe), and a ... ? I'm not sure , on the right . Light sand or crystal something , I think .

 

[William G.]

One of the best things about my Peters Bros. hemp is that, because of the nature of the hemp and the way it's woven, it allows for a bit of air flow (the hemp is very light as well). I'd be interested in seeing if the Balmoral is made the same way.

My Balmoral had so much stiffener in the crown that it didn't breathe at all. The weave allows airflow but the stiffener is like shellac. I've roughed up the crown quite a bit to break some of the stiffener up — at first, it looked like baby powder, so much came out — and it's gotten much, much better over the past couple of months. I wear mine out walking just about every day for an hour or so. I sweat a lot on these walks, which is why I like the leather band. Someone else's experience may be extremely different than mine, but that's how mine went.

 

[Michael R.]

Yeah , when I'm hot , I'm hot . My Hat really just protects from the sun , but I prefer a leather sweat band . I have a panama with a cloth sweat . It might be a little cooler , but WOW ! You talking about losing shape ! But working in the yard , sweat and rain , it happens . You can imagine why Willie Nelson wears a bandana under his a lot , and who knows the deal with Billy Gibbons and the rag , shower cap thing , and Hat . WHEW ! That's got to be hot . Not Cool for sure in either regards to my thinking .

 

[tropicalbob]

I really don't go for the cloth sweats at all and don't think they're any cooler. In fact, I find some of the cloth ones to be irritating. The leather ones(lamb skin I think), especially those used by Akubra, Peters Bros., and Art Fawcett, are so comfortable I seldom even think about them. I don't care what the manufacturers say: they use the cloth sweats because they're cheaper to produce. I have to laugh when I see them selling for upwards of $150.00.

 

[RJR]

I really don't go for the cloth sweats at all and don't think they're any cooler. In fact, I find some of the cloth ones to be irritating. The leather ones(lamb skin I think), especially those used by Akubra, Peters Bros., and Art Fawcett, are so comfortable I seldom even think about them. I don't care what the manufacturers say: they use the cloth sweats because they're cheaper to produce. I have to laugh when I see them selling for upwards of $150.00.

I agree.

 

[GGlep]

If my CD has shrunk and I use a hat stretcher to regain the half size or so that I seem to have lost, will it shrink again, or is like a shirt--it shrinks once and then that's pretty much it?

 

[Michael R.]

If my CD has shrunk and I use a hat stretcher to regain the half size or so that I seem to have lost, will it shrink again, or is like a shirt--it shrinks once and then that's pretty much it?

Hats shrink , that's why the hat shops sell retainer/stretchers , but you can put leather conditioner on the sweat and it helps . Leather sweat bands are like leather boots , they get wet they shrink , or over time they just do . Remember the gloves ? If they don't fit , you must acquit . < Leather gets wet , it shrinks . Marines used to fill their boots with water , soak them , pour it out , the wear them until they dried . They fit like a glove . Conformed . They used to sell shoe stretchers , too , may still .

Most sweat bands shrink , especially if they get moist (or wet) and dry . Just get a stretcher . Everybody has one , or more . But if you over stretch (immediately feels too big) in a couple of hours it will fit fine .

 

[Zombie_61]

If my CD has shrunk and I use a hat stretcher to regain the half size or so that I seem to have lost, will it shrink again, or is like a shirt--it shrinks once and then that's pretty much it?

In my experience with Akubra hats their sweatbands do most of their shrinking when you first start wearing them. Your Campdraft might shrink a little again after you use the hat stretcher, but it shouldn't shrink nearly as much as it did initially.

I agree with Michael R. about using leather conditioner on the sweatband. Leather sweatbands shrink because the moisture and sodium (i.e. salt) in your perspiration dehydrate the leather. Leather conditioner rehydrates them to some degree, and helps to keep them from dehydrating again.

 

[RJR]

In my experience with Akubra hats their sweatbands do most of their shrinking when you first start wearing them. Your Campdraft might shrink a little again after you use the hat stretcher, but it shouldn't shrink nearly as much as it did initially.

I agree with Michael R. about using leather conditioner on the sweatband. Leather sweatbands shrink because the moisture and sodium (i.e. salt) in your perspiration dehydrate the leather. Leather conditioner rehydrates them to some degree, and helps to keep them from dehydrating again.

Agree,the leather conditioner should stabilize the sweatband pretty well.

 

[Michael R.]

I keep hoping wedgetail will get back on and show his Woomera . Man I have the itch for a Woomera bad , and a Loden Rough Rider ain't looking too bad either . Everyday I check , and the trigger finger is itchy . EA has the price looking too good . It's tough .

 

[Mm25]

I keep hoping wedgetail will get back on and show his Woomera . Man I have the itch for a Woomera bad , and a Loden Rough Rider ain't looking too bad either . Everyday I check , and the trigger finger is itchy . EA has the price looking too good . It's tough .

I agree, I would love to see how he set his up. Mine has been on order for a while, but not expected till about July !

 

[Michael R.]

I agree, I would love to see how he set his up. Mine has been on order for a while, but not expected till about July !

I think wedgetail was shootin for a Canadian Brick crown crease , like the guy in that picture of the 3 guys and the stock trailer/truck on hats direct , the guy on the left sure looks like he's wearing a Woomera in Sand with a Brick to me . It looks really good . Wedgetail's plating looked super and dyed just right . It's fall down under , so he maybe just super busy .

Mm which color did you get ?

 

[Mm25]

I think wedgetail was shootin for a Canadian Brick crown crease , like the guy in that picture of the 3 guys and the stock trailer/truck on hats direct , the guy on the left sure looks like he's wearing a Woomera in Sand with a Brick to me . It looks really good . Wedgetail's plating looked super and dyed just right . It's fall down under , so he maybe just super busy .

Mm which color did you get ?

I ordered the fawn in the woomera and tawny in the cd. I had to go check since it's been a while. Pretty sure sign I have too many already. I picked a black drover yesterday on ebay too... it's a sickness, but I seem to wear my akubras more than any other hats .

 

[Michael R.]

Boy I know what you mean , but Akubra makes some great hats for the money , hard to beat . I remember seeing my first Akubra at a Rodeo in 78 , I think , but it got my attention . Never forgot it .