Miller hats: The Chicago

[Spatterdash]

I thought I'd throw this out for discussion.

The Chicago
http://www.millerhats.com/millercd_catalog/index.html

This hat has nearly 5 inches of untapered straight-sided crown (4 5/8) and a 2 3/4 inch bound brim. Classic vintage style available in five colors for $120.00. Good price for someone unable to drop a couple hundred on a custom and never able to nail an ebay vintage in their size and color.
I figured since good ol' Biltmore was the maker of this hat I'd fish for a few comments. Opinions?

 

[jamespowers]

I thought I'd throw this out for discussion.

The Chicago
http://www.millerhats.com/millercd_catalog/index.html

This hat has nearly 5 inches of untapered straight-sided crown (4 5/8) and a 2 3/4 inch bound brim. Classic vintage style available in five colors for $120.00. Good price for someone unable to drop a couple hundred on a custom and never able to nail an ebay vintage in their size and color.
I figured since good ol' Biltmore was the maker of this hat I'd fish for a few comments. Opinions?

Sounds interesting. Do you have one of these? I would like to have a review from someone who does. By reputation and my friend's testimony, Biltmore is one of the better factory made hats of today. It sure was lucky that it broke away from Stetson. I can certainly tell you that the Biltmore is a better hat by leaps and bounds. Comparing it to a modern Stetson though that isn't saying much. [huh]
I am interested in others' experience with these. Maybe I can con my friend into buying one so he can test it for me.

Regards,

J

 

[Spatterdash]

Nah, I'm in the same boat, I'm lookin' for some reviews before I buy.
I trust Biltmore, though, and may end up buying one anyway.

 

[jamespowers]

Nah, I'm in the same boat, I'm lookin' for some reviews before I buy.
I trust Biltmore, though, and may end up buying one anyway.

Then I can tap you for information.
Actually, someone must have one here. They'll respond eventually.


Regards,

J

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Hi. Read my review I recently posted on the Miller/Biltmore "Raider", open crown hat. Not the same model obviously, but probably the same quality. It's a mixed bag, unfortunately. The sweatband is awful - calling it leather is a joke. Some of the stitchwork is sloppy, and the felt is fairly stiff. Reportedly, they don't hold up in the rain - which as we know is the only reason one could possibly buy and wear hats...

Sarcasm aside, on the positive side, it's a nice looking hat, and is very light. I've had several compliments on it so far.

Joel

 

[Spatterdash]

I was under the Impression the Miller dress line was Biltmore, but the "Indy" line was Dorfman Pacific. Do they offer the "Indy" in both brands?

 

[Spatterdash]

A followup and some confusion...

Yeah, a look through the archives indicates that the Indy Miller is a Biltmore, but now I'm really confused.
I've never heard of a Biltmore having bad sweatbands or not being able to handle rain. I've never heard them described as 'stiff'.
I gotta admit, I'm wondering what's up.
I've heard nothing but compliments on Biltmore and this Forum enforces that perception with lots of similar reviews.

Ya know, I'd buy Akubra feds, I just do NOT like their gray and tawny.
If they had a more medium gray and a less brown fawn, I'd be all over them. That's one reason I'm looking at the Chicago.
But I expect real leather sweatbands and durability in a fedora.

I'm really thrown for a loop here...

 

[jamespowers]

Hi. Read my review I recently posted on the Miller/Biltmore "Raider", open crown hat. Not the same model obviously, but probably the same quality. It's a mixed bag, unfortunately. The sweatband is awful - calling it leather is a joke. Some of the stitchwork is sloppy, and the felt is fairly stiff. Reportedly, they don't hold up in the rain - which as we know is the only reason one could possibly buy and wear hats...

Sarcasm aside, on the positive side, it's a nice looking hat, and is very light. I've had several compliments on it so far.

Joel

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Resident Miller Champion

I think,at this point, I'm the strongest supporter of Miller Hats on the forum. I don't know what happened with Joel's Raider hat. I have one that is really nice, no stitching problems or anything.

I'm not an expert on durability and all that. I only wear my Akubras in heavy rain. Are Millers as good as an Akubra or a vintage lid? No way. But as modern off-the-shelfers go, they are good dress hats. I have a Chicago (available open crowned by request), and it really has the right look. You'll get what you pay for, and a far better deal than, say, Stetson.

As for who makes Millers, they are Biltmores, including the Miller Raider. However, Miller sells several "Licensed" Indy hats that are DP's. Just look for any mention in the hat description for "licensed" or "official".

Miller's grays tend to be dark or light, and finding a medium gray is tough. But that seems normal with most vendors. In the end, if you want a nice dress hat, I recommend Miller, and definatley the Chicago. If you want a tough, bad weather hat, stick with Akubra.

NB

 

[tonyb]

In my admittedly limited experience, Biltmores are no great shakes. I have two, purchased new within the past 10 years or so. I must have been on strong medication when I bought one of them. 'Nuff said about that. The other is a black Open Road-like lid. It looked good when new. Got lotsa use for a while. The rain caused its crown to dimple and its brim to take on a wobbly appearance. In other words, it sucks. Haven't worn it in years.

 

[besdor]

Biltmore is starting to have the same problems as Stetson is having . The quality isn't what it used to be . They still make nice hats but as a vendor I'm a little worried that they are following in the footsteps of Stetson .






Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Joel Tunnah]

I don't know what happened with Joel's Raider hat.

Nobody wanted to like this hat more than me, since I have such a hard time finding vintage eBay hats that a) fit me (7 3/8 LO), and b) are the style I'm looking for (tall crown, wide-ish brim).
As I said before, I do like the look of it and the felt is nice - but it's a bit stiff, and the sweatband sucks. For $117 I expected a little more. Do I regret the purchase though? No.
Stand by for the replacement 5/8" schiff ribbon. I'll post pics this weekend.

Joel

 

[BigSho]

The quality of the hat is really gonna depend on the type of felt that miller had the style made in. In many cases with Biltmore you can have the same hat made in quite the variety of different felts. I am going to venture the guess that the "Chicago" is a smooth senator or presidential felt. Both are nice felts and of good quality but are firm, and can't really be compared to a vintage. Biltmore makes a great hat by far my favorite of any of the large hat companies today. I don't know about Besdors experience but I just recieved a shipment form biltmore about 3 days ago and all the hats looked and felt great.

Jeremy
http://www.hats-plus.com

 

[ledsled]

Biltmore Yukon

I'm repeating myself here, in the event it looks familiar to any of you.... but I've had a Biltmore Yukon for a good month or so. I got it on sale at Noggintops. While I have not worn it in a downpour, I have put it through the paces of daily wear and hiking.

For the sale price, I think it's a lot of hat. I have not noticed any problems with the sweatband or stitching, but now I'll take a closer look. I'm pretty fussy, so am sure sloppy stitching or a lousy sweatband would have stuck out like a sore thumb. Having a few Akubra hats, this Biltmore is much softer. It's also softer than the Stetson three forks, and I feel like it is a notch above it in quality. While being softer than the Stetson, it retains it's shape much better. (Seems to me that a firmer felt would hold it's shape better, but what do I know). Sorry to say I have zero Borsalino experience, so cannot make that comparison!

I am not posting this information to dismiss the concerns of others here. I just want to give an honest appraisal of my one Biltmore hat. I like it and think it is well worth the sale price. It was about $75 and I think the full retail was about $130. Maybe I lucked out.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

The Modern (Hat) Condition

I guess it's all about what the market contains. Nowadays, a durable, high quality fedora is hard to come by, and even the great hatters of old are slipping (Stetson, Biltmore, HJ). As many have said on COW when comparing hat brands, it's all about what the hat is intended for, and what you demand in a hat. I haven't had any complaints about sweatbands, but then, I'm just getting used to leather (I loved fabric back in my LiteFelt days).
I've come to expect only so much from a modern off-the-shelf hat, and put my trust for true quality in custom lids from the likes of Art Fawcett. If I had the money, Art and Steve would constantly have a hat on order or me, duplicating half of Miller's stock! lol Until I hit the lottery, $117 is a bargin.
NB

 

[Prairie Shade]

Put me with NB-13

I believe that you should be able to buy a "good" quality modern hat if you wish and yes you will pay for the priviledge depending. I have had very good experiences with Millers for new hats from my second favorite hat to Milan straws. While my opinions may vary somewhat from the "vintage" factions, I'm just a hat wearer. As such, if anyone can find a better value for the money than Millers Italian Line from Gurerra, their doing a better job than I have been able. I still believe that a hat is just an article of clothing, albeit an obsession with yours truly. So, if you like a hat, go for it!!! Join the club and spend the money you should be saving anyway you wish. BE A HAT GUY! Dont we all have enough jockey underwear???? I am a defender of the Gurerra hat line from Millers!!!