Cloth vs. Leather Sweatband

[hargist]

I recently purchased a new Panama for the summer (I'm wearing it in my avatar). I love the hat, but it came with a cloth sweatband.

I'm a little worried that my sweat may soak through and discolor the straw. I think my sweat is particularly acidic or something because I destroy undershirts.

Anyway, I'm considering having a leather sweatband installed. I'm just wondering how common is it to have a cloth sweatband in Panama hats. It's darned comfortable, but since it's made to be worn in warm weather, wouldn't a cloth sweatband be more likely to stain the hat?

 

[Orgetorix]

I'm a little worried that my sweat may soak through and discolor the straw. I think my sweat is particularly acidic or something because I destroy undershirts.

I don't know about hats, but your undershirt issue is probably due to your deodorant, not your sweat. Using a non-antiperspirant deodorant that doesn't have aluminum oxide in it can help reduce the incidence of underarm stains.

 

[hargist]

No, it's the sweat. The entire shirt becomes discolored very quickly. My shirt collars also need special care. That's why I'm concerned for my hat.

 

[Prairie Shade]

When Its Hot you Perspire!!!!

Welcome to the club!!! I personally think that fabric(?) sweatbands are more comfortable in hot weather than leather. Thats just me. IF you perspire a lot, any sweatband is going to transfer to the hat. Wear what you feel most comfortable in, and trust to fate. If you ruin your hat, get another!!!!!

 

[hargist]

I agree that cloth is more comfortable in hot weather. The funny thing is that I don't perspire that much. In fact, I perspire less than most. There's just something about the quality of my perspiration that tends to cause discoloration very quickly.

I suppose I could simply not worry about it as you suggest, but after spending $140 on the hat, it's not exactly disposable.

 

[bolthead]

If you ruin your hat, get another!!!!!

Yeah, after all....it only cost you $145, right?

 

[jamespowers]

I think I would worry more about ruining the ribbon or pugaree on the hat more than rotting the straw. [huh]
Pugarees are easy to fix. I just take it off and take it to my local drycleaner. The ribbon is another story. :eusa_doh:
If you are worried about it, I would have a leather sweatband with vent holes installed in place of the cloth sweat. You kind of get the best of both worlds that way.

Regards,

J