Question about Ordering Akubras from EA

[Historyteach24]

Hey guys! Need some advice. I need a hat to wear kayaking, fishing, hunting etc and thought an Akubra was right up that alley. I am going to order from EA but I don't see an option to add a strap to wear so my hat doesn't fly into the water. Are there Akubras that come with chinstraps? Can EA add it to any hat? Thanks for the help.

 

[RJR]

They have them BUT you can add a "stampede string"to any hat.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I think a couple of the hats I've bought from EA came with leather thongs allegedly to be used as chin straps... but (unlike say, David Morgan's Akubras) there were no chin strap grommets in the hats themselves, so they weren't very useful. Likely they can put them in if you specify that you want them, but I'd be explicit about that question in your pre-buy correspondence with Sam.

 

[Historyteach24]

If you add a grommets is the strap removable? If I want to change straps or just if it ends up not being needed.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I have not ordered a Akubra for many years but back in the day EA didn't add that kind of thing but hatsdirect used to add one in automatically to every order, as well as weather stripping to size your hat. Don't know if hatsdirect still does that though. My suggestion is to contact the company and see. Horses mouth kind of thing.
Johnny

 

[Doctor Strange]

Hmm, maybe I'm thinking of when I got my Fed III from HatsDirect - way back in around 2003 - not the other Akubra hats I got later from EA and Aussie Bush Hats and Oilskins. In any case, I thought it was really strange that they sent along a strap... but there was no way to attach it to the hat.

 

[viclip]

Hmm, maybe I'm thinking of when I got my Fed III from HatsDirect - way back in around 2003 - not the other Akubra hats I got later from EA and Aussie Bush Hats and Oilskins. In any case, I thought it was really strange that they sent along a strap... but there was no way to attach it to the hat.

If the hat came with a pair of vent holes on each side of the crown, then you could use them to lace the thong through. Similar to shoe laces.

 

[Historyteach24]

Wouldn't the vent holes be too high up the hat?

 

[viclip]

If you add a grommets is the strap removable? If I want to change straps or just if it ends up not being needed.

The strap slips onto the grommets & is removable.
But be careful to ensure that the strap is compatible with the grommets. I found that leather Akubra straps weren't compatible with David Morgan grommets for example, calling for a work-around. I couldn't simply use David Morgan straps because they're made from kangaroo hide & can't readily be shipped to Canada from the USA (notwithstanding that they were sent to the USA from Australia, that really makes sense).

 

[viclip]

Wouldn't the vent holes be too high up the hat?

If the "thong" is what I'm thinking it's a good yard in length so no problemo

 

[Historyteach24]

Does EA automatically send a strap?

 

[viclip]

Also consider a rodeo string. Similar to a 2-piece chin strap, instead of using grommet hooks the rodeo strings simply sit inside the sweat band attached to cotter pins. Both of these make use of slits in the sweat band near the hat body for access purposes. The long thongs probably partake of slits as well although dependent upon how one's head mates or doesn't with the sweat band, there could be room along the sides to snake these things in directly without any discomfort.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I can’t stress this enough. E-mail EA and ask them.
The chin strap I got from Hatsdirect did not fit into clips or grommets. It was two leather strap with a tee bar at the top of each. They fed between the stitching on the sweatband and tightened together with a toggle/woggle. I used it on my Snowyriver for a few years till it shrank down and became snug enough the wind cord wasn’t necessary. When I didn’t need it I just flipped it into the crown when wearing the hat.
Again e-mail EA and ask them direct. Last thing you need is to get a hat you can't wear because it will blow off your head. If they do provide chin straps ask them what kind they provide.
Johnny

 

[Historyteach24]

I can’t stress this enough. E-mail EA and ask them.
The chin strap I got from Hatsdirect did not fit into clips or grommets. It was two leather strap with a tee bar at the top of each. They fed between the stitching on the sweatband and tightened together with a toggle/woggle. I used it on my Snowyriver for a few years till it shrank down and became snug enough the wind cord wasn’t necessary. When I didn’t need it I just flipped it into the crown when wearing the hat.
Again e-mail EA and ask them direct. Last thing you need is to get a hat you can't wear because it will blow off your head. If they do provide chin straps ask them what kind they provide.
Johnny

I emailed them. Its almost business hours in melbourne, will let you all know what they say

 

[johnnycanuck]

Here is a video of a similer style I got from hatsdirect. Hope this helps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Jpa1Iioq8

Johnny

 

[Historyteach24]

They give a free kangaroo strap and put two little holes in the brim next to the crown to hold it

 

[tuco1963]

They give a free kangaroo strap and put two little holes in the brim next to the crown to hold it

sam from ea is doing the same for me on my safari free of charge i just had to ask for it when i ordered

 

[Historyteach24]

Went with the tablelands http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=1027

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

Nice looking hat. Considered that one as well, but stayed with the Campdrafts.

I do hope that Sam was helpful - he is a pleasure to deal with and takes the extra efforts to make customers happy.

Fed

 

[Historyteach24]

Sam has been awesome and very quick to answer emails.