Rain man

[dr greg]

Empirical data: we are in the middle of cyclonic conditions here, and cut off by floods, I can therefore report that during my perambulations about the district assessing creek crossings and the like, a brand-new Resistol Haymaker lasted just under 45 minutes before leaking down my face, whereas my modern Akubra Squatter took nearly twice that long to give way to saturation, none of this is good enough, 20+ years ago my old featherweight Squatter would go all day without letting a drop through in atrocious conditions, but that was then I suppose.
Also a Drizabone is far more suitable for HEAVY rain than the finest Aquascutum, and a Dhobie 3/4 is bloody useless.....

 

[Goose.]

Ahhh....ok.
But, what the hell...you're on the right side of the grass.

 

[Chinaski]

Sage words, Goose!

Dr., good scientific work on the shedding/absorption capabilities of modern vs. vintage felt. Sounds as though you have frog-strangling rains upon you - an actual rain hat or umbrella may be the ticket, but I appreciate your reportage.

 

[carter]

It's always good to hear from a man in the field.
Would the application of a product such as Scout Rain & Stain Protector help those hats?
Drizabone results are as expected. Those are fine functional garments.

 

[Goose.]

Sage words, Goose!
...

Actually, I was pondering the original post. And not to determine if "perambulations" was something I may have picked up on my latest trip to Polynesia (think it means "traverse" or "travel"...at least something you don't catch).

ANYWAY, what does one think is the diff from the old Squatter Vs. the new from a water resistant perspective?

Have actually been considering spraying my Moonstone and Tawny Fawn Feds with Scotchgard...or something. Not for rain...I don't care...hell, I lived in the Philippines after Hawai'l. Once you're wet, you're wet.

But as much as I am wearing those lids, I'm thinking about the coating from a stain resistance perspective. I get grimey around the scoot and grill.

Wow, that was a long way to go nowhere...

Carter...your avatar with you and that yellow rose of Texas gig makes me smile. Cool beans Brother.

 

[dr greg]

It's always good to hear from a man in the field.
Would the application of a product such as Scout Rain & Stain Protector help those hats?
Drizabone results are as expected. Those are fine functional garments.

Never treated hats with any preparations, I was always of the impression that well-made felt was enough in itself...interesting thing about the Drizabone though, you will get uncomfortably hot in them very quickly when exerting yourself such as walking up a steep hill in a hurry, but if you remain motionless for any length of time in chilly conditions especially with a cold wind, they don't have much actual inherent warmth. You need to have extra garments underneath to capitalise on the basic protection from the elements which is the main function of the garment.
They were designed for horsemen in the cold hill country down south, and are beyond compare in that regard but are not as versatile as you might hope...or that's my experience in a wide variety of climates and conditions in this country over the last 30+ years or so, still, wouldn't be without one, especially if you're hitch-hiking long distances.....