Campdraft or Federation?

[Seb Lucas]

Definitely take the time to switch the ribbon on a Campdraft if it's down to these two choices.

I prefer the narrow ribbon on the Campdraft - I don't like the look if a thick Indy type ribbon. Just my taste - which is why I got the Campdraft.

What the Campdraft has going for it is that it is a relaxed fedora - not a cowboy hat and not a gentleman's dress hat. The perfect in-between hat.

 

[Tone]

I prefer the narrow ribbon on the Campdraft - I don't like the look if a thick Indy type ribbon. Just my taste - which is why I got the Campdraft.

What the Campdraft has going for it is that it is a relaxed fedora - not a cowboy hat and not a gentleman's dress hat. The perfect in-between hat.

Could be the reason Akubra has always catalogued those "not quite western - not quite dressy" hats under "country". Yes, there are a few open-crowned Akubras in that category that take a greater range of personal style very well.

 

[daddy0d0]

Good evening all, I need some opinions. I'm looking at getting either the Akubra Campdraft or the FedIV. Not sure which one yet. I was originally looking at the Fed in Tawny but I'm not willing to wait 3 months, then I was going to get the Campdraft in Silver belly but again I don't want to wait 3 months. I can get the Campdraft in BG but not sure how versatile the color is.
Can I get some of you to post pictures of yours? Looking for inspiration. If I have to wait 3 months I will but want to make the right choice.
Thanks
Gregg

 

[Zombie_61]

Fed IVs on the left. Top - Dark Brown; center - Tawny Fawn; bottom - Moonstone Gray.
Campdrafts on the right. Top - Silverbelly; center - Taupe Fawn; bottom - Bluegrass Green.

These are all Imperial Grade felt except for the Moonstone Gray, which is Heritage Grade felt. In my opinion you can't go wrong with any of 'em.

 

[daddy0d0]

Fed IVs on the left. Top - Dark Brown; center - Tawny Fawn; bottom - Moonstone Gray.
Campdrafts on the right. Top - Silverbelly; center - Taupe Fawn; bottom - Bluegrass Green.

These are all Imperial Grade felt except for the Moonstone Gray, which is Heritage Grade felt. In my opinion you can't go wrong with any of 'em.

I'm loving the pics!! Thank you. I think I may be partial to the thin ribbon.

 

[Xylophile]

Good evening all, I need some opinions. I'm looking at getting either the Akubra Campdraft or the FedIV. Not sure which one yet. I was originally looking at the Fed in Tawny but I'm not willing to wait 3 months, then I was going to get the Campdraft in Silver belly but again I don't want to wait 3 months. I can get the Campdraft in BG but not sure how versatile the color is.
Can I get some of you to post pictures of yours? Looking for inspiration. If I have to wait 3 months I will but want to make the right choice.
Thanks
Gregg

Try hatsdirect.com for Feds and Campdrafts in stock, however I think everythingaustraian.com is the only place for BGCD. There's about a $10 difference between the two sources and hatsdirect doesn't have that long wait period.
I kept putting off getting a silverbelly campdraft which was in stock in my size at everythingaustralian, and now its a 3 month wait!
There are lots of great picutures of the BGCD in "What hat are you wearing" and "akubra overload" threads.

 

[daddy0d0]

I'm loving the pics!! Thank you. I think I may be partial to the thin ribbon.

But then again I REALLY like the Fed in Tawney

 

[moontheloon]

just pick one and get it because not long after you will order the other

you will eventually have both ... trust me

 

[Bob Roberts]

My Imperial grade Tawny Fawn Fed is ridiculously stiff. My Moonstone Deluxe (Heritage) grade Fed is really soft and pliable. I would never buy an Imperiale Grade Fed again.

 

[moontheloon]

there is zero consistency in what grade or color is stiff and what is soft ... it's a roll of the dice

 

[Bob Roberts]

Aint rolling any more dice at the Imperial table.

 

[Gromulus]

there is zero consistency in what grade or color is stiff and what is soft ... it's a roll of the dice

As an owner of seventeen felt Akubras in both qualities, my results are probably more "statistically valid" than many others here who only own a few - and I concur wholeheartedly.

Interestingly, both my Moonstone Akubras (Heritage FED IV and Imperial Stylemaster) are softer than the other colors I own.

 

[RJR]

just pick one and get it because not long after you will order the other

you will eventually have both ... trust me

Agreed

 

[addison]

I wrestled with this for awhile and resigned myself to the fact that I'd end up owning (AT LEAST ONE OF) both, so I based my decision on what was available with now wait...I just ordered the Campdraft in BG from EA.
My next Akubra will be the Fed IV, probably in dark brown.

Does Akubra offer anything in a really nice medium blue? What I want is a blue that isn't so dark that it's almost black.

 

[Rogera]

...Interestingly, both my Moonstone Akubras (Heritage FED IV and Imperial Stylemaster) are softer than the other colors I own.

Yeah I had the same experience. I have 6 Akubras all imperial except my Heritage fawn and the moonstone Fed was the softest. I love the color and being as soft as it is it has the best looking crease but it feels like one good rain and it's a cone again. I dunno.

I will say though Addison, the BGCD is awesome. You'll love the color.

To prove Anthony's statement about inconsistent felt I feel the exact opposite about heritage and imperial felt as Bob. I've sworn off of heritage felt as too thick and difficult to crease......

 

[johnnycanuck]

I wrestled with this for awhile and resigned myself to the fact that I'd end up owning (AT LEAST ONE OF) both, so I based my decision on what was available with now wait...I just ordered the Campdraft in BG from EA.
My next Akubra will be the Fed IV, probably in dark brown.

Does Akubra offer anything in a really nice medium blue? What I want is a blue that isn't so dark that it's almost black.

You can go for this one. It's the most blue I have ever seen a hat. :0
http://www.hatsbythe100.com.au/akubra-rough-rider-hat-electric-blue.html
Johnny

 

[addison]

You can go for this one. It's the most blue I have ever seen a hat. :0
http://www.hatsbythe100.com.au/akubra-rough-rider-hat-electric-blue.html
Johnny

LOL
With that hat I'd also need a fur coat, lots of gold bling and a nickel-plated revolver.

 

[Zombie_61]

there is zero consistency in what grade or color is stiff and what is soft ... it's a roll of the dice

I only have the six Akubras seen in post #2, but I agree. They all arrived with the same amount of softness/stiffness except for the Taupe Fawn Campdraft and the Moonstone Fed IV. The Taupe Fawn CD was as stiff as all of my other Akubras combined when I received it, but it has softened quite a bit after a couple of years of use, re-creasing the crown two or three times, and having been worn in a couple of rainstorms. The Moonstone Fed IV is different, I think, because of the Heritage Quality felt--it isn't stiffer than the others, and the felt isn't thicker, but it definitely feels more substantial and was a bit more difficult to crease. All things being equal, I'd guess it would outlast the Imperial Quality hats.

 

[Kirk H.]

LOL
With that hat I'd also need a fur coat, lots of gold bling and a nickel-plated revolver.

Don't forget the pearl grips on the revolver too......

 

[daddy0d0]

You can go for this one. It's the most blue I have ever seen a hat. :0
http://www.hatsbythe100.com.au/akubra-rough-rider-hat-electric-blue.html
Johnny

WOW, that actually hurts my eyes