Akubra questions

[Neophyte]

If it helps at all in your decision, Fermenter, I've got a good pic of my Akubra Cattleman in Sand. I was trying out my new GoPro in preparation for some cinematic SCUBA. This was taken in Cabo San Lucas, and I had to alter the photo a bit so it wasn't washed out by the extreme sunlight and light surroundings. I think this pic best represents the color and dimensions of the hat in sunlit conditions.

The Territory has the same crown shape as the Cattleman, but has a slightly wider brim, no bound edge, and a leather hatband rather than a ribbon. The crown of the Cattleman/Territory is very slightly tapered, but it's hard to tell. The taper of the Riverina crown is going to be a bit more pronounced, but some are into that look.

EDIT: Oops, sorry. I didn't originally see that you went ahead and purchased both. Can't wait to see the pics!

 

[hatophile]

Hey nice to see you Alex!

 

[Neophyte]

Thanks Hato, you too! I've admittedly seen little of the Lounge in the past couple months. Grad school has been busy, but now that I'm in the rhythm of things, and weather is starting to become more hat-friendly, I'm sure I'll be a little more active on the forums. Only so much I can contribute without bringing any new hats to the table, but that's gonna change soon as my budget increases.

 

[hatophile]

Good news^^^

By the way, Fermenter, although I'm American and love the Cowboy Culture, I agree it's sad if the Aussie cowboy culture is being lost.

 

[beetleything]

Just bought one of these - pretty good quality i think.

 

[Fermenter]

Woohoo! New hat day!

Well, there was a box waiting for me at the post office this afternoon, so these pics are as fresh as they come!

Apologies for the naff indoor photography and the low viewing angle, this is me being a fashion model in front of my webcam. Not a regular occurrence.

Riverina:




Territory:




First impressions: both are beautifully made, of course. Both are unlined, virtually identical inside, and neither crown slips easily inside the other, suggesting the difference in taper is not as big as all that. The Territory is a little tighter against the front and back of my head, indicating a rounder crown, although there's not much in that either. My Cattlemans always felt like that at first, too, supporting my suspicion of shared genes.

The Riverina is about 20mm taller at its highest point than the Territory. The felt on the Territory is noticeably thicker - 4mm-ish, as opposed to the 3mm-ish of the Riverina. I actually just gave my old Cattleman away, but I don't know if it was as thick as this Territory, even when it was new. The Riverina's band is woven, a little wider and IMO less formal than the flat band of the Territory.

It's interesting how the centre crease of the Riverina doesn't really show in these pics - that's partially because of the lighting, but the effect in the mirror is similar, too. You've really got to look at it head on to see the crease, once the hat tilts up or down by a few degrees it pretty much disappears from view.

Straight away I've formed a preference for the Riverina - it's lighter, taller, probably cooler, and a little more rounded and casual, which I like. It could just be the novelty of a different shape than I'm used to, but I think it suits my face a little better - let me know what you think.

The jacket is more a winter item here, in summer it's strictly shirtsleeves only. My initial thinking was to get a pale wide-brimmed hat for the summer, and probably just another Cattleman in a darker colour for winter, but let me know what you think of the light hat / dark jacket combo. I'm also liking the proportion of the wider brim over my wide body - not sure a 'winter' hat really needs a narrower brim.

So right now I'm thinking of returning the Territory, they are really very similar hats and aside from a hair more formality I can't see the Territory offering anything the Riverina doesn't.

Interesting about the different felt thickness though, I didn't see that coming!

 

[Brian Niebuhr]

They both look good on you. I don't know how you can send one back after getting both of them. I'd be too attached and would end up with two more hats.
Are those "sand" or "light sand"? My sand Woomera is more greyish. Almost like a light chocolate milk color. Yours seem more like actual sand color. Maybe it's just the lighting and the wood in the room giving off more of a tan color.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

There's very little between 'em to be honest but my preference would fall on the Riverina, the taller crown clinches it for me & it also appears to have a little more style .........I would have to reshape it though, I'm allergic to factory creases.

 

[Fermenter]

They both look good on you. I don't know how you can send one back after getting both of them. I'd be too attached and would end up with two more hats.

Thanks Brian - I just haven't had time to get attached to them, and if I didn't have the Riverina I'd probably love the Territory, but side by side the Riverina just has the Territory beat. The only thing going for the Territory is the sturdier felt, and the fact that it's not normally available in this colour. But I just can't see myself ever choosing it over the Riverina, so I'm not sure what I'd gain from keeping it. It was a fairly expensive order, as well as the 2 Akubras I also got a Tilley LTM2 as a daily knockabout. It cost the same as the Akubras, so returning 1 of the 3 seems sensible.

Are those "sand" or "light sand"? My sand Woomera is more greyish. Almost like a light chocolate milk color. Yours seem more like actual sand color. Maybe it's just the lighting and the wood in the room giving off more of a tan color.

Yeah I think it's the lighting, and my nasty pine panelling. I'd say they are greyish with a touch of caramel, probably like a weak chocolate milk as you describe. I'm actually really liking the colour, it's a new one for me and I can't wait for an opportunity to wear it out.

I would have to reshape it though, I'm allergic to factory creases.

What would you do to it? I'm not really a basher of hats, they just become more working class as they lose their shape. At least they do for most of the farmers round here, I can't work in a felt hat, so I end up giving them away once they've picked up too many bruises.

 

[Preacher Man]

Fermenter, thanks for sharing those pics! I've got to side with you and say Riverina. I really like the way it looks on you, the taller crown, wide brim, and the bash. It just suits you better. Even though they both suit you, the Riverina wins the race. The pic of it on you even settled it for me, I'm ordering a Sand Riverina! Wear it proudly!

 

[Bad Co]

Both look great
Is the Territory more like the Cattleman or Snowy River ?

 

[Fermenter]

Is the Territory more like the Cattleman or Snowy River ?

It's an oversized Cattleman. The Snowy has a more upturned brim, and MAYBE a slightly shorter/more rear-sloping crown (but that may just be the brim playing tricks). The Territory looks like every Cattleman I've owned, just bigger.

 

[Brother cavefish]

If the roundness bothers you , soak the outside of the hat completely and wear and form, it will oval out almost immediately

 

[CurlyW]

I just got my new CD and everything I heard and the info with it says a loose fit is advisable. mine seems to fit pretty snug front to back, in fact I can bend over almost completely and it stays on until my head is completely upside down. the only place it might be a little loose is at my temples. I can insert a finger at the band on both temples. I certainly don't need any of the foam inserts and was wondering if I should send back for larger size. should I expect significant shrinkage.

thanks

 

[Eliesti]

I just got my new CD and everything I heard and the info with it says a loose fit is advisable. mine seems to fit pretty snug front to back, in fact I can bend over almost completely and it stays on until my head is completely upside down. the only place it might be a little loose is at my temples. I can insert a finger at the band on both temples. I certainly don't need any of the foam inserts and was wondering if I should send back for larger size. should I expect significant shrinkage.

thanks

Mine was pretty loose when I first got it. I had to put in foam strips behind the band. Now it fits much more snug, and I can almost take them out. Sometimes the color matters with how much it shrinks, so I will mention that mine is the bluegrass green one.


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[CurlyW]

thanks, mine is a silver belly.

 

[Eliesti]

thanks, mine is a silver belly.

I'm not sure how much that one will shrink. Maybe someone else who owns one can comment. It's a nice, versatile color though.


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[Lean'n'mean]

Prehaps if you steam the base of the crown, back & front, & pull a little, you might be able to use that extra space at the temples, could be your head isn't a perfect oval or it might even be a long oval...... but if it's so snug as to be uncomfortable &/or leaves a red mark on your forehead, it would better to send it back & get the next size up before you start playing with it.

 

[RJR]

It sounds like you're a long oval.See YouTube videos re adjusting the hat.

 

[CurlyW]

I'm 65 and don't hardly look at youtube, are you saying google how to shape hat for long oval.
the hat isn't uncomfortable at this point, but it is new and hasn't shrunk any