Moose River Hat

[MattJH]

Looks like people are about 50/50 on this hat since the thread's inception. I like the silver belly color, at least in the photographs. We'll see what happens. If I don't like it, I can always re-auction it! And if I like it, I plan to beat the tar out of it.

 

[jeboat]

I have one for sale which I also bought from Grapevinehill. Never again, their stuff is all rejects or seconds.

As for the hat, I recommend one very much like it found only at Noggintops who are top notch vendors. It is called Stetson Bear Creek, a much better hat in the Sovereign line. I wear mine everywhere and it has held up well these last few years. It has not shrunk but I use a stretcher for all my daily hats just in case.


jeboat

 

[dawgvet]

LL Bean Moose River hat?

Looking for a decent everyday hat to fish/hunt with and really like the looks of the Moose River hat in the LL Bean flyfishing catalog. I have a big, round head (7 5/8 or so) so I like the appearance of the taller crown in front. I have experience with good quality cowboy hats but have become enamored with a classic fedora. Budget around $100.

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge and check out this thread on the Moose River.
It used to come with a Open Road type thin ribbon.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=14626

 

[Rick Blaine]

Hiya Dawgvet,

Glad to see you here. The Moose River is a looker. I have had a Three Forks by Stetson for Cabela's and I think it is very similar. You might also take a hard look at an Akubra Campdraft. Were in GA. are you? I grew up in (& miss) Athens. Are you a DVM?

 

[dawgvet]

Yeah, I'm a veterinarian. I live in Cherokee County but spent my time in the Classic City through vet school. Tell me more about a Akubra Campdraft.
Thanks,
Jed

 

[gtdean48]

Yeah, I'm a veterinarian. I live in Cherokee County but spent my time in the Classic City through vet school. Tell me more about a Akubra Campdraft.
Thanks,
Jed

Jed, we are close neighbors it seems, Cherokee County myself. I have had both the LL Bean hat in both colors & the Cabellas in the olive color. I also have 2 Campdrafts on order. I like the Cabella Three Forks more because of the 2 1/2 brim size. The LL Bean ones are a touch stingy on the brim for my face/head shape. I like a 2 3/4 brim like an Open Road/Campdraft but do wear 2 5/8 & 2 1/2. The Cabellas is a good knock around hat & handles rain fairly well. I can give the Campdraft report as soon as I get them.
Welcome & where do you practice vet medicine?

 

[Flitcraft]

If it helps...

I've had one of the Moose River hats for about 20 years and its still going strong...

 

[Rick Blaine]

Yeah, I'm a veterinarian. I live in Cherokee County but spent my time in the Classic City through vet school. Tell me more about a Akubra Campdraft.
Thanks,
Jed

The campdraft is the Stetson Open Road under a new name. Akubra renamed it campdraft after Stetson pulled the licence for them down in OZ. It is the closest to a vintage Open Road available. The brim at 2 7/8" is a full 1/2" wider than the Moose river. Right now the exchange rate is super & Akubras can take a lickin' & keep on tickin'.
fftopic: What year did you graduate from UGA CVM? I have a few friends (& a few enemies ) there.

 

[Bob Smalser]

LL Bean fedora (Moose River Hat? Been so long I don't remember what it was called.) circa 1970, fur felt in Silver Belly with a 2 1/4" brim edged with grosgrain ribbon. Also originally had a thin, matching grosgrain hat ribbon similar to an Open Road. The sheepskin ribbon I replaced it with is in a tackle box somewhere.

It's been my main fishing and bird hunting hat for over 30 years. A middlin quality hat, probably made by Stetson....but quite durable and comfy.

PS....we don't have a Campdraft but my wife has another Akubra Imperial Quality felt Snowy River hat, and I frankly don't see what everyone is so impressed with. A rather coarse rabbit felt in an unlined, middlin-quality hat that's relatively stiff and heavy compared to even this old LL Bean standby. A good, serviceable hat for the money....but a 3X or better vintage Open Road it isn't by a long shot.

 

[carter]

Welcome to the Lounge, dawgvet! I have good memories of GA from the early 70's when I spent some months in Columbus courtesy of Uncle Sam.

For the $100.00 that you have budgeted, the Akubra Campdraft, as mentioned, in either Tawny Fawn or Silverbelly would be an ideal choice.

Take a look at these threads.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=35843

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=36368

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37618

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=34674

 

[toobacat]

One more Campdraft thread here.

 

[dawgvet]

Thanks for all the replies. I am at the Animal Hospital of West Woodstock off Bells Ferry Rd. I graduated from UGA College of Vet Med in '03. I'd love to see a comparison of the LL Bean vs Cabelas gtdean if maybe we could meet somewhere. I hate to buy something like a hat without getting to feel it out. I also have a big noggin (7 5/8) so fit sometimes can be a challenge.
Thanks to All,
Jed

 

[gtdean48]

Jed, I live right where Forsyth, Fulton & Cherokee counties come together. You & I are right there with the same hat size. I was a 7 1/2 Long Oval but seem to be a 7 5/8 these days, still long oval shaped head. A fellow Lounger just bought the old LL Bean I have left & I'll be shipping it out shortly. I will be around this weekend if you are in my area any & can find a place to meet & show you what lids I have to help your decision. Oh yea...Go Dawgs! My brother graduated from UGA the year they won the National Title (we were at the Sugar Bowl to see it). I was at Emory then & hate Ga Tech!

 

[carldelo]

A similar hat

Noggintops has an almost identical hat called the Bear Creek:

http://www.noggintops.com/page.cfm?p=52

It's Sovereign felt, which has a soft, comformable texture and is probably higher quality than the Bean hat - different color, though. The description talks about a comfort sweat band which might be desirable for a hunt/fish hat. If you check this thread, there's a code to take $20 off, so the price is close to the Moose River.

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=30112&page=2

PS - there is some concurrent discussion about the Moose River on another thread:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37816&page=2

That thread is focused on the possibility of an uncreased modern Stetson Open Road, which may interest you as well - but it won't be happening quickly.

 

[dawgvet]

gtdean,
I tried to send you a PM but apparently I haven't been given that priviledge yet. Please shoot me an e-mail at dawgvet2003@yahoo.com as soon as possible. I really would like to meet up and check out some hats in person. Maybe we could meet around Hickory Flat or Free Home somewhere tomorrow afternoon as I work until about 1 pm.
Thanks,
Jed

 

[gtdean48]

email sent...

 

[tinmanzzz]

New Moose River Hats

Don't waste your money.
see this thread on current M.R. Hats

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=25658&highlight=moose

The old ones were great hats. Not so now...

 

[gtdean48]

Good point TinMan, I've had mine for well over 10 years & more. Current reviews on LL Bean are positive. My Cabelas Three Forks is a Royal Stetson line & seems to be in their Gun Club line now which has been fairly good material...

 

[scotrace]

PS....we don't have a Campdraft but my wife has another Akubra Imperial Quality felt Snowy River hat, and I frankly don't see what everyone is so impressed with. A rather coarse rabbit felt in an unlined, middlin-quality hat that's relatively stiff and heavy compared to even this old LL Bean standby. A good, serviceable hat for the money....but a 3X or better vintage Open Road it isn't by a long shot.

There is no comparison between a Snowy River and a Campdraft. The former is extremely stiff. Like a helmet. Stiffest hat I have ever seen outside the local western store. The latter is more shapable. They are manufactured differently.