Miller Hats Vienna or Akubra Bogart?

[JohnnyB53]

For about $100 +/- $10, I can get either a Miller Hats Vienna made by VM Hats of Baltimore,

or an Akubra Bogart in carbon grey:

After acquiring a tawny fawn Akubra Federation IV, a cruiser grey Akubra CEO, and an Akubra David Morgan Adventurer, I've determined that what looks best on me is a fedora with a somewhat tapered crown of about 4-1/2" with a brim at 2-1/2 to 2-3/4". I'm looking for something in grey.

The Akubra Bogart is available in carbon grey, has a bogie bash, 2-1/2" bound brim. The Miller Hats Vienna has a bound 2-5/8" brim. I live in Seattle and want something that does well in the rain. Seattle rain is seldom a soaky downpour, more typically an incessant mist-to-shower. I have implicit trust in the Akubras to stand up to the weather; I'm wondering how well a VM-sourced Miller would do? Between the two, I think I slightly like the Miller better for appearance but I'm only going by pictures.

Thoughts? Feelings? Opinions?

Oh, and here's a third option: How about if I just put a black pugarree band on my grey Akubra CEO and snap the brim up in the back? That's certainly the cheapest solution.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Keep in mind that the Bogart in Carbon Grey isn't a stock item. I just had a full 12-week wait for one from HatsByTheHundred - I ordered it September 7, and I just got notified that it finally shipped yesterday. And given that the Akubra factory is about to close down for five weeks, the Bogart's really only a contender if you can wait until well into spring!

 

[JohnnyB53]

Keep in mind that the Bogart in Carbon Grey isn't a stock item. I just had a full 12-week wait for one from HatsByTheHundred - I ordered it September 7, and I just got notified that it finally shipped yesterday. And given that the Akubra factory is about to close down for five weeks, the Bogart's really only a contender if you can wait until well into spring!

Yeah, I know. But if wait time is not a factor, which would you pick? The Vienna looks a little more refined, but for me the weather-resistance of the VM-sourced Miller Vienna is an unknown. I'm hoping someone could weigh in on its ability to hold its shape in the Seattle climate. If I can't wear it in the rain I don't want it.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

If time is not a factor, then the Akubra is your best choice. If you know from the onset that it's going to get good and wet with frequency, the Miller is just too risky. Some Millers are really durable, others shrink and taper from a single walk in the rain. Besides, the Akubra carbon gray is one of those colors that tends to dress-up a hat. It will look great.