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Messages
19,413
Location
Funkytown, USA
So....now I'm wondering if a Stratoliner is a step up, down, or lateral step from my Campdraft. What's the difference between the two? Maybe I'll just get another CD--they're cheaper. (I do like the look of that Cornhill though--is Taupe Fawn close to that?)

The Strat will have a better hand than the CD, and will likely be less stiff. The Royal Deluxe (Premier) level qualities and a above have very nice sweats, as well. Nicer than Akubras.

But for the money...


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Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
So....now I'm wondering if a Stratoliner is a step up, down, or lateral step from my Campdraft. What's the difference between the two? Maybe I'll just get another CD--they're cheaper. (I do like the look of that Cornhill though--is Taupe Fawn close to that?)


To me, they are two different hats for two different applications. My Campdraft is an all-weather hat. It’s stiff as cardboard but rugged. The Premier Stratoliner is soft and malleable and the hand is quite nice. Sure, the Stetson still has tolliker marks and the ribbon stitching isn’t great, but one touch and I was sold.

Cornhill Stratoliner on the bottom (more brown) and Taupe Fawn Campdraft on top (more pecan).

137f8a30a9c88dd77e0f5dff03b5513b.jpg



Campdraft on the right (notice the rough felt)
164886895259893cc7e3f20bbab4be75.jpg


Campdraft:
15bfe97b6b077ae45dd3bdfce99b7e87.jpg



Cornhill:
33369573900d62a9cd8087f7c0ed947c.jpg


Then again, my Silverbelly Campdraft was soft to the point of almost being floppy. If the dimensional differences don’t matter to you than in my opinion the Strat is heads and shoulders above most Campdrafts.



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jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,102
Location
San Francisco, CA
We recently had a very stiff silverbelly premier Strat posted to the board, which also had a discolored spot. That one was sent back. Other than that, not a lot of recent news/reviews of them.

The occasional clunker seems to be der riguer for modern manufacturers whether in the US or Australia.

I don't think anyone has done a serious A/B test under somewhat scientific circumstances that would prove a winner. I'd still bet on the Akubra felt in the long run. But the overall finishing and accoutrements on a Stetson are nicer than Akubra. The premier has a really nice roan leather sweatband.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
We recently had a very stiff silverbelly premier Strat posted to the board, which also had a discolored spot. That one was sent back. Other than that, not a lot of recent news/reviews of them.

The occasional clunker seems to be der riguer for modern manufacturers whether in the US or Australia.

I don't think anyone has done a serious A/B test under somewhat scientific circumstances that would prove a winner. I'd still bet on the Akubra felt in the long run. But the overall finishing and accoutrements on a Stetson are nicer than Akubra. The premier has a really nice roan leather sweatband.

The lack of consistency is a constant :) I’ll keep my Akubras and my Stetsons.

My bigger issue now is that I can have a 100% beaver custom made hat for just a bit more that the cost of a Stetson and the custom is better by every metric. I’m now only interested in modern factory hats if I can find them steeply discounted.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Thanks greatly for that in depth look deadly...that was quite informational. I am leaning heavily toward the Strat now, even though it's pricier. The look on the Cornhill is just striking--love the colors.

I own several of the Premier Stratoliners and I bought all but one used or through the outlets. If you have patience you might do well with eBay or the classifieds here. The outlets also often have them in the sub $100 range.
 
Messages
12,009
Location
East of Los Angeles
So....now I'm wondering if a Stratoliner is a step up, down, or lateral step from my Campdraft. What's the difference between the two? Maybe I'll just get another CD--they're cheaper. (I do like the look of that Cornhill though--is Taupe Fawn close to that?)
Differences in quality, felt, and colors aside, the Stratoliner has a narrower brim at 2-1/2" versus the 2-7/8" to 3" brim on the Campdraft.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Curious: When someone says they've purchased a hat at "the outlets," to what does that refer? The Stetson Outlet in MO? (If so, can you place a phone order?) Or somewhere else?

Thanks for the edification.

There are two outlets: Missouri and Texas. You have to go in person or place the order over the phone. They can also get current cataloged hats at a steep discount.



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Messages
19,413
Location
Funkytown, USA
Yes I have been to the Garland store several times. They do have returns and overstock. But I believe the majority are seconds.

Undoubtedly. All those racks are seconds. They put the overstocks in the aisle in the middle.

Having said that, I have some seconds from there that are still darn nice.


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Messages
18,185
There has always been this misconception about all Outlet stores & the Outlet store concept since back when it started. My son played competitive 3&2 baseball well into his 20's & I have bought more baseball gloves than I care to remember. Bought a lot of expensive gloves from a Rawlings Outlet store almost every time I was in that area, & every one of them was a factory second.

If I was an independent hat retailer selling the Hatco/Stetson line I would drop Hatco in a flash if I thought they were selling prime $300 hats for $64 in their Outlet stores as has been claimed here. And especially if they were selling & shipping into my market by taking orders by phone. How could any company support & keep their retailers & dealers by doing that?
 

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