Felt all seasons

[Fivesense]

Who here wears their felt hat all four seasons?

We're coming up on time for straw/palm leaf/hemp, but who has a hat that works for them regardless of the temps?

I'm talking fedoras of all types and cowboy hats.

Does a higher X count (ie more beaver) allow for comfortable multi season wear, even in warmer temps?

 

[jlee562]

Well, I wear felt year round, but the bay area does not have "seasons" per se.

I don't think there's a significant difference between rabbit or beaver, but to the extent that there might be, rabbit is less dense so there would be more airflow theoretically.

A good straw hat is never a bad addition to the hat collection though! I think one thing that does affect comfort in hot weather is that straws are lighter than felt.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

If you look around just a little you’ll see this has come up many times before. I like felt better than any type of “straw,” but comfort is my biggest concern. All things equal, a well-ventilated straw hat is cooler wearing so when it gets hot that’s what I choose.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/felt-hats-in-summer.3251/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/is-a-light-weight-felt-ok-for-summer.17209/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fur-felt-outback-western-hats-in-summer.55942/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/felt-in-summer.20556/


https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fur-felt-in-hot-weather.39590/page-3

 

[tropicalbob]

Wearing a felt hat in the Tropics from April until November can be done: you could also wear mittens. The question is: why would you? It's always a good idea to take your cues from the people who've lived in a place for generations: int the Tropics that would be straw hats, linen, and light cotton.

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

I live in Ohio where the joke is that you can experience all four seasons over the course of two days. Summers can be hot and muggy, while winter is, well, winter. I have no problem wearing felt year round, depending on what I'm doing. I don't own a nice Panama, so if I'm out and about, a lot of times I'll throw the felt on. Even if the temps are in the 80s or 90s. Heat doesn't bother me too much. On the other hand, I will not wear it while I'm working or doing something that causes me to sweat. I do have a straw that I will wear as well, even while doing work. I've never heard of the number of X's denoting a certain amount of breathability. It's usually used to determine the overall quality of the felt, although there is certainly no baseline to determine what the quality of X's is. A 10X Stetson could be completely different from a 10X from another manufacturer.

 

[Frunobulax]

I live in Ohio where the joke is that you can experience all four seasons over the course of two days. Summers can be hot and muggy, while winter is, well, winter. I have no problem wearing felt year round, depending on what I'm doing. I don't own a nice Panama, so if I'm out and about, a lot of times I'll throw the felt on. Even if the temps are in the 80s or 90s. Heat doesn't bother me too much. On the other hand, I will not wear it while I'm working or doing something that causes me to sweat. I do have a straw that I will wear as well, even while doing work. I've never heard of the number of X's denoting a certain amount of breathability. It's usually used to determine the overall quality of the felt, although there is certainly no baseline to determine what the quality of X's is. A 10X Stetson could be completely different from a 10X from another manufacturer.

What part of Ohio? We have a few Buckeyes on here.

 

[mayserwegener]

I am pretty much felt all year. Just lighter weight in the summer.

 

[nvilletele]

I find I sweat too much when wearing felt on hot days, but then I live in Southern California. It would be worse if I still lived back east I expect, what with the muggy weather. I went hiking with a straw hat a couple months ago on a sunny day and even then I was really sweating a lot, the band got really wet, so I don't think I'd want to wear a felt on such days. I wish I had used something like a vented Tilley hat. But it can get cool on summer evenings so I do wear a felt on such nights.

 

[mayserwegener]

Wearing a felt hat in the Tropics from April until November can be done: you could also wear mittens. The question is: why would you? It's always a good idea to take your cues from the people who've lived in a place for generations: int the Tropics that would be straw hats, linen, and light cotton.

Durability! Real sun protection. Not a large temperature difference. Felt hats can be side vented too.

I wonder what these guys are wearing? Percy Fawcett and crew -> Mapped the Amazon.

 

[tropicalbob]

Until they didn't. Perry and his crew also disappeared into the Amazon rain forest and were never heard from again. I don't know if I'd really want to use the Brits to illustrate this point, as they were famous amongst natives everywhere for their excessive baggage and inappropriate clothing. The first sales reps of the East India Company arrived in the subcontinent in 1606, but it wasn't until the 1860's in Abyssinia that the British army finally discovered the wonders of khaki (a Hindi word) from the Indian soldiers. So, back to the point I made above: always listen to the natives.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Well, a lot of the natives don't wear hats, especially felt hats. I live in Oklahoma, where we have all 4 seasons, Winter where it's cold and rainy with occasional snow, Spring where it rains some and is a nice 50 or 60 degrees for maybe a week, Summer where the gates of hell open and it gets a hair warm, Fall where it is a nice 50 or 60 degrees for maybe two weeks, rinse and repeat. I wear felt hats year round here anyway. Sweating through a $250 felt hat beats the heck out or ruining a $350 Panama. Sunbody / Palm leaf hats are cool only if you dip them in water before you put them on. They sell all kinds of Straw Western hats around here and as long as you are into the whole rodeo taco shaped brim that's great. Ain't any getting something different.

I do have Spring / Summer felt hats and Fall / Winter felts. I own several paired hats, one in Sahara, one in Black.

Just my $0.02 and worth maybe half that.
Later

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

What part of Ohio? We have a few Buckeyes on here.

Columbus area.

 

[Louis Mountbatten]

I do wear felt all year around, but I also wear straws in the summer, too.

 

[mayserwegener]

Until they didn't. Perry and his crew also disappeared into the Amazon rain forest and were never heard from again. I don't know if I'd really want to use the Brits to illustrate this point, as they were famous amongst natives everywhere for their excessive baggage and inappropriate clothing. The first sales reps of the East India Company arrived in the subcontinent in 1606, but it wasn't until the 1860's in Abyssinia that the British army finally discovered the wonders of khaki (a Hindi word) from the Indian soldiers. So, back to the point I made above: always listen to the natives.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

I am pretty much felt all year. Just lighter weight in the summer.

In my neighborhood in Minnesota I can easily wear unlined lighter felted hats or lightweight wool caps most summer mornings. When it gets warmer I switch to straw/palm leaf/linen caps. My experience is that I am fortunate to have many hats/straw/caps to rotate through so that I do not harm any particular one. I can wipe, clean and let them dry completely before putting them to chores or tasks again.

As others have eloquently said I do not find any particularly cooler, just let more breeze and transfer humidity quicker. My everyday wearing of hats/caps has me carrying a cotton handkerchief in my pockets (slacks/pants/shorts). I wipe my brow and the brim of the hat. Warm days I go thru a couple of handkerchiefs. Not a perfect solution, but works. My mother has told me stories of my grandfather (her father) doing much the same. He only had a handful of hats, but same scenario of rotate/clean/dry/wear.

I hope I added to the discussion of beliefs, opinions and practices. Cheers, Eric -

 

[mayserwegener]

In my neighborhood in Minnesota I can easily wear unlined lighter felted hats or lightweight wool caps most summer mornings. When it gets warmer I switch to straw/palm leaf/linen caps. My experience is that I am fortunate to have many hats/straw/caps to rotate through so that I do not harm any particular one. I can wipe, clean and let them dry completely before putting them to chores or tasks again.

As others have eloquently said I do not find any particularly cooler, just let more breeze and transfer humidity quicker. My everyday wearing of hats/caps has me carrying a cotton handkerchief in my pockets (slacks/pants/shorts). I wipe my brow and the brim of the hat. Warm days I go thru a couple of handkerchiefs. Not a perfect solution, but works. My mother has told me stories of my grandfather (her father) doing much the same. He only had a handful of hats, but same scenario of rotate/clean/dry/wear.

I hope I added to the discussion of beliefs, opinions and practices. Cheers, Eric -

Eric, Great observations! I usually stay away from such discussions but I had to defend the Soft Felt Hat!

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Eric, Great observations! I usually stay away from such discussions but I had to defend the Soft Felt Hat!

Agreed about staying away. The best I can do is share my "hat lifestyle." Crazy, but if folks stay around and watch the What Hat Are You Wearing they do get to see what goes on and what gets worn at different times of the year. This may be "old guy" perspective.

On with the show!

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Talk is cheap without a pic. Here is an example supporting my felt hat lifestyle.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[Rmccamey]

My father in law would dunk his 3X in the cattle trough frequently during the summer heat. It wasn't the best looking hat but the water never seemed to do it any harm.

Hi

Well, a lot of the natives don't wear hats, especially felt hats. I live in Oklahoma, where we have all 4 seasons, Winter where it's cold and rainy with occasional snow, Spring where it rains some and is a nice 50 or 60 degrees for maybe a week, Summer where the gates of hell open and it gets a hair warm, Fall where it is a nice 50 or 60 degrees for maybe two weeks, rinse and repeat. I wear felt hats year round here anyway. Sweating through a $250 felt hat beats the heck out or ruining a $350 Panama. Sunbody / Palm leaf hats are cool only if you dip them in water before you put them on. They sell all kinds of Straw Western hats around here and as long as you are into the whole rodeo taco shaped brim that's great. Ain't any getting something different.

I do have Spring / Summer felt hats and Fall / Winter felts. I own several paired hats, one in Sahara, one in Black.

Just my $0.02 and worth maybe half that.
Later

 

[Dm101]

For my first year (last year) in proper hats I was a part of this group.
No longer.
Love my vintage Resistol...but this year I'm rocking a Palm Leaf straw for the warmer seasons.
It's already much lighter, less sweaty and has a different aura to it.
Plus...I grew concerned about getting my resistol messed up as I can't find another. I won't mind the straw getting damaged or dirty.
The straw has a wider brim than the felt resistol by about an inch...took some getting used to...heh.
Definitely getting a lot more looks...people sneaking looks even...it's different.
My wife says I look like Huckleberry Finn...lol