Best felt fedora?

[belfastboy]

So I was telling my friend in Jerusalem about my akubra stylemaster. He said all the orthodox Jews there wear borsalino. I checked them out online. I saw a Humphey Bogart style fedora that looked nice, but then saw it was for $450. Like WTF? Why are they so expensive? I like my stylemaster, but I also think it looks a bit like a 1940s ganster, so was wondering what else is out there. Now I am wondering why akubra is so cheap? Almost all other felt furs go for several hundreds. As people told me though the stylemaster really is a starter hat, cuz once you get used to it, you don't want to leave home without it.

I've got cheaper cotton synthetic fedoras, but the difference in how it feels and how it makes you feel is no comparison.

What affordable brands other than akubra are recommended for felt fur?

IMHO, at the low end of the price range Akubra dominates as it represents absolutely great value. The other popular names in the market are more expensive and offer a lesser quality product. I have 5 Akubra hats and they are the only lower end hats I will bother with. I have had off the shelf modern Stetsons/Bailey/Christie/ and not a fan except for my Stetsonians that are discontinued and cost the same as a custom beaver felt from some custom hatters. I suggest you wear the hell out of your Akubra, save your schekels (sp?) and save for a custom. Look for pics of hats that you like (the What Hat are You Wearing thread here on the Lounge is a great source). All it takes is a screen grab, email it to your hatter and he/she will make you a close to identical hat.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

So I was telling my friend in Jerusalem about my akubra stylemaster. He said all the orthodox Jews there wear borsalino. I checked them out online. I saw a Humphey Bogart style fedora that looked nice, but then saw it was for $450. Like WTF? Why are they so expensive? I like my stylemaster, but I also think it looks a bit like a 1940s ganster, so was wondering what else is out there. Now I am wondering why akubra is so cheap? Almost all other felt furs go for several hundreds. As people told me though the stylemaster really is a starter hat, cuz once you get used to it, you don't want to leave home without it.

I've got cheaper cotton synthetic fedoras, but the difference in how it feels and how it makes you feel is no comparison.

What affordable brands other than akubra are recommended for felt fur?

Akubra dominates its price point. You have to spend more to get a better hat.

Borsalino made a great hat, but I don’t think the current hats compare to those made just a decade or two ago. They might still be quality, but I don’t see the value for money. I’ve never considered buying a Borsalino. The Stetson Premier hats aren’t perfect, but they are a good value and a step up from the Akubra.

If you want a decent hat without spending a lot, I can recommend getting a custom from Agnoulita where prices start under $200.

 

[tropicalbob]

I was just going to mention Agnoulita, whose prices have remained very reasonable. I was also going to suggest Hufvud, whose hats can also be seen on Etsy. I think most of us started out thinking that, for some reason, brand name hats would be a surer and less intimidating way to go, but once we realized the dearth of really nice hats to be found, eventually went to the custom guys and found them to be not only better hats, but that the whole experience was quite fun and even exciting. You might have to wait a bit, but you're going to get the hat that you want.

 

[belfastboy]

I was just going to mention Agnoulita, whose prices have remained very reasonable. I was also going to suggest Hufvud, whose hats can also be seen on Etsy. I think most of us started out thinking that, for some reason, brand name hats would be a surer and less intimidating way to go, but once we realized the dearth of really nice hats to be found, eventually went to the custom guys and found them to be not only better hats, but that the whole experience was quite fun and even exciting. You might have to wait a bit, but you're going to get the hat that you want.

I second and third this post (except for Hufvud as I have yet to order from him!). It describes my journey to a T.

 

[Louis Mountbatten]

I just wouldn't bother with any fedora made of wool. They look great for a few months. Then they start drooping, and becoming misshapen and they cannot be returned to shape for any reasonable period of time. Plus, they always have a displeasing rough feel to the body. They just aren't worth the money.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

The Agnoulita hats on the webpage look like felt from elementary school art project. Is that supposed to be that way? Are they a good hat overall? It's going to get warm here pretty soon anyway, but I really liked the shape of the borsalino bogart compared to my stylemaster, and was wondering what my options might be. But given that it's only $200+ I'll hold off for time being.

Look through the Agnoulita Hats thread and see if you like them. If you don’t like how they look on real people in real life then they aren’t for you.

I’m not sure what you don’t like. He uses standard blocks (he has the #52 I prefer), standard flanges, and standard ribbon/binding. He offers a huge selection of colors and finishes. His sweatbands are comfortable (much better than Akubra), his liners are beautiful (but glued in), and his build quality is decent and improving. His customer service is his weak link. In my opinion, his hats are better than any Akubra, but if I was looking for a rough use or rain hat I’d go with Akubra. We also all have different tastes; I don’t like the Stylemaster as it has too much taper, too low of a crown, and too narrow of a brim for me. YMMV.

 

[belfastboy]

So that's how it's done these days? Like that Agnoulita shop? Just show him a pic of a hat I like and he'll make it up? That's cool. I'll have to keep that in mind. This one caught my eye, but as I said it's for another day.

https://www.agnoulitahats.com/listing/462935440/wide-brim-fedora-the-reconnoiter-loden

I have never purchased from Agnoulita so not sure if he is a 'custom' hatter in that sense. He may only make his models shown on the page but to your dimensions. The North American hatters I have purchased from all will make a hat totally from my spec/picture.

 

[dkstott]

I might be way off base, but I look at the levels of felt along the lines of music.

Some folks are happy with the quality of MP3 and streaming music. They'd be happy with a wool felt hat

Some folks want CD quality or slightly better quality. They're happy with Akubra, modern Stetson's and others that will handle the rigors of everyday life and won't break the bank.

Then comes the audiophiles, who'll spend just about anything to get the absolute best quality music. These are the lounge members who insist that custom made hats and vintage ones are the only hats to own.

Dave

 

[belfastboy]

I might be way off base, but I look at the levels of felt along the lines of music.

Some folks are happy with the quality of MP3 and streaming music. They'd be happy with a wool felt hat

Some folks want CD quality or slightly better quality. They're happy with Akubra, modern Stetson's and others that will handle the rigors of everyday life and won't break the bank.

Then comes the audiophiles, who'll spend just about anything to get the absolute best quality music. These are the lounge members who insist that custom made hats and vintage ones are the only hats to own.

Dave

I would agree with the above with an adjustment around there being horses for courses. I have a few Akubras and a couple of modern Stetsons and they have their place in my rotation. Rainy day hats, chore hats, travel hats that Akubras fill that bill very nicely. Hell, I even have my wool & poly baseball caps! When it comes to my dress hats then yes, I want beaver or vintage.

 

[1961MJS]

I might be way off base, but I look at the levels of felt along the lines of music.

Some folks are happy with the quality of MP3 and streaming music. They'd be happy with a wool felt hat
Dave

Hi Dave, don't take this in a mean spirited way, but with respect to wool fedoras, I'd say way off base. I have an old Aussie bush hat, not Akubra, that's wool. I wore it in the rain and it no longer fits at all. It's more like wool hat = being dang near to deaf, Akubras = MP3, Bunny fur = CD quality, Beaver = half speed master records or audiophiles....

O.K. I don't plan to buy another wool hat no matter what. I don't recommend that my friends buy one cause the chances are that they'll wear it in the rain, hate hats, then hate me.

Later

 

[Héctor Fernández]

You forgot to add they also think stingy brim hats have no room in hat collecting, go figure, but it is laughable.

I might be way off base, but I look at the levels of felt along the lines of music.

Some folks are happy with the quality of MP3 and streaming music. They'd be happy with a wool felt hat

Some folks want CD quality or slightly better quality. They're happy with Akubra, modern Stetson's and others that will handle the rigors of everyday life and won't break the bank.

Then comes the audiophiles, who'll spend just about anything to get the absolute best quality music. These are the lounge members who insist that custom made hats and vintage ones are the only hats to own.

Dave

 

[Frunobulax]

You forgot to add they also think stingy brim hats have no room in hat collecting, go figure, but it is laughable.

Yes, because those folks whose opinions you do not share deserved to be laughed at.

I don't like 'em, I don't like the way they look on me, and there isn't any room for them in my collection.

Laugh away.

 

[Héctor Fernández]

Yes, because those folks whose opinions you do not share deserved to be laughed at.

I don't like 'em, I don't like the way they look on me, and there isn't any room for them in my collection.

Laugh away.

It is laughable, because people like you ostracize those who like them, so yes I'm laughing, not because I disagree with you, but the premise of your disagreement. Thank you for making my case in so many levels.

 

[Frunobulax]

It is laughable, because people like you ostracize those who like them, so yes I'm laughing, not because I disagree with you, but the premise of your disagreement. Thank you for making my case in so many levels.

Just exactly how have I ostracized stingy brim wearers? Do I not "like" yours and others' posts with stingies? Have I failed to engage you in conversation or comment? Do you honestly think I shun those with a different opinion on stingies? I said I don't like them on me, IDGAF if somebody else likes them, while you're judging me for my subjective taste.

Y'know, I just sold a couple of stingies on eBay. Beautiful hats. Great, velvet-like felt, Cavanagh edge on both. One a Kevin McAndrew, the other a custom made by a local hatter. Excellent examples of 60s stingies. I got $20 for each of them. If the second hadn't sold, I was going to box it up and send it your way just 'cause. Does that sound like ostracization?

Different strokes, Hector, different strokes.

 

[Héctor Fernández]

You took my comment personally and attacked me. I wasn't talking about you, but you took it upon yourself to assume I did.

Trust me, if I had something to say to you, you would have read it by now.

Sorry you took it personal, but the fact remains many people in here feel that way about stingy brims, but I agree with you, different strokes.

Just exactly how have I ostracized stingy brim wearers? Do I not "like" yours and others' posts with stingies? Have I failed to engage you in conversation or comment? Do you honestly think I shun those with a different opinion on stingies? I said I don't like them on me, IDGAF if somebody else likes them, while you're judging me for my subjective taste.

Y'know, I just sold a couple of stingies on eBay. Beautiful hats. Great, velvet-like felt, Cavanagh edge on both. One a Kevin McAndrew, the other a custom made by a local hatter. Excellent examples of 60s stingies. I got $20 for each of them. If the second hadn't sold, I was going to box it up and send it your way just 'cause. Does that sound like ostracization?

Different strokes, Hector, different strokes.

 

[Louis Mountbatten]

I always find it odd that people assume that a strong opinion MUST mean that the person who holds said idea hates everyone who doesn't hold that idea. Yes, I hate stingy brims. Yes, I hate woolies. I would never have them in my collection and find buying them a waste of money. Yes, I get annoyed at all those people who go nuts at the danged Indiana Jones hat. HOWEVER, that does not mean I discount, hate, or look down on anyone who like those things. Strong opinions are good. But they don't necessarily translate to hostility toward people who hold opposing strong opinions. I have my strong opinions, others have theirs, but we can all still get along just fine, regardless. Can't we?

 

[Frunobulax]

You took my comment personally and attacked me. I wasn't talking about you, but you took it upon yourself to assume I did.

Trust me, if I had something to say to you, you would have read it by now.

Sorry you took it personal, but the fact remains many people in here feel that way about stingy brims, but I agree with you, different strokes.

You insulted a group of people. One of them pushed back. You doubled down.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

You forgot to add they also think stingy brim hats have no room in hat collecting, go figure, but it is laughable.[

I prefer hats with more brim, but I like my sting brims too. Some people look better in them than others. As a bonus, they can often be found at bargain prices as the majority of the collectors want wider brims. I’ll also add that due to my larger head size even 2 3/8” brims look on the stingy side when I wear them. Two inches is my personal minimum, but others look great in 1 3/4 or even less. I like the more pulled together and formal look (to my eye) that modest brims give when I’m dressing up a fedora. I think 2 1/2” is my favorite with a suit when I’m not in a homburg.

I started the Show Us Your Stingy Brims thread to give them some more love, and as Charlie reminded me there are other similar threads that go back to the beginning of The Lounge. I’ve never had anyone express any rudeness over my hats, but plenty of folks don’t like the look for themselves. Same for my westerns, Homburgs, bowlers (I hate how I look in a bowler). I get that not everyone is going to like what I do. What I don’t accept is boorish behavior. Rudeness doesn’t have any place here, but I don’t think it’s rude if someone states they don’t care for a hat that I’ve posted. Heck, I had an electric blue custom and a bright yellow Tonak that got plenty of comments and little praise, but no one was rude or mean-spirited about them. There are some blunt folks here who don’t pull punches, but few who I’d call rude, and those few are well known and easily dismissed. And the fewer who like stingy brims the better for those of us who do!

 

[Héctor Fernández]

You insulted a group of people. One of them pushed back. You doubled down.

Oh boy! How old are you? Come on, if you consider that an insult, I don't know what to tell you. Perhaps, enjoy it and don't take it so seriously? Oh, I don't know. I tell you what sir, you can go on about it, I have better things to do. I'm going to block you so I don't have to read your stuff and I suggest you do the same, that way you don't have to "feel" insulted.

 

[M Brown]

The best Felt Fedora entirely depends on one's definition of "best" and the budget to go with it.
In the $850 (and up) range you cannot beat a Rand or O'Farrell in 100% Beaver
In the $150 range Akubra makes a very decent hat...all Rabbit fur.
and in between there are countless options.

Stetson still makes a very nice fedora...take a look at their Stratoliner...$175-$220 depending on where you buy and which specific one you choose. Then there's the option of taking a Stetson Open Road and wearing it with the front brim turned down. Just make sure you opt for the 6x or royal deluxe if you want to go that route. The lower x models are a bit stiff.

I have a 100% Beaver O'Farrell Fedora and it's a hat that will last well beyond my lifetime, beyond my son's, and far into my grand son's. I expect someone will still be wearing it seventy five to a hundred years from now.