Stampede Strings, Wind Trolleys and Super Glue: How do you keep your hat on?

[Bob Roberts]

Yes. Head down into the wind.

 

[Luis]

Has anyone's dress weight fedora come off in the wind?

 

[JackieMatra]

Has anyone's dress weight fedora come off in the wind?

Most certainly.
There are few things sillier looking than a man chasing his hat down the street.
Therefore, I have long thought it foolish to wear a wide brimmed hat on windy days.
That's what wind trolleys and chin straps are for, or, better yet, very small brims, heavy bowlers, caps, and berets.

If you absolutely must wear a wide brimmed hat in a stiff breeze, I heartily recommend using glue. It worked for Indiana Jones, as I can offer no other explanation as to how his hat nearly never came off throughout everything that he went through.

 

[Bushman]

Has anyone's dress weight fedora come off in the wind?

Once, almost. I was standing on the top of a mountain when a particularly strong gust of wind came out of nowhere. Luckily, I was able to grab my hat before it left my head.

 

[Rogera]

To me it is all about angling my head into the wind...
... then holding on if I have to

Yep. Always keep a hand ready to grab. And if it's really windy or gusty there's no shame in holding on to it. If you have a wind trolley use it. A good sweat that has some grip to it and angling according to the wind have helped me the most. Rear gusts are your worst enemy since the sweat doesn't stick to hair.

 

[stratcat]

My hat isn't so tight that it leaves a mark on my head and I had a hat leave my head. Lowering your head certainly stops the feeling that it might fly off, having a hand ready is also a good idea.
Maybe a little padding behind the sweatband so it's 'just right' will hold it in place. You could always sew a wind trolley in?

 

[Capesofwrath]

Most certainly.
There are few things sillier looking than a man chasing his hat down the street.
Therefore, I have long thought it foolish to wear a wide brimmed hat on windy days.
That's what wind trolleys and chin straps are for, or, better yet, very small brims, heavy bowlers, caps, and berets.

If you absolutely must wear a wide brimmed hat in a stiff breeze, I heartily recommend using glue. It worked for Indiana Jones, as I can offer no other explanation as to how his hat nearly never came off throughout everything that he went through.

It worked for the earlier James Bond stunt doubles too.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Yes. Head down into the wind.

Yes.

 

[H Weinstein]

...If you absolutely must wear a wide brimmed hat in a stiff breeze, I heartily recommend using glue. It worked for Indiana Jones, as I can offer no other explanation as to how his hat nearly never came off throughout everything that he went through.

There's a very funny shot in an early "Raiders of the Lost Ark" promo showing Harrison Ford using a staple gun to attach hat to head. I've been tempted.

Some days I don't even attempt wearing a nice brimmed hat (fedora or western) and just stick with a baseball cap. But, yes, I also vote for angling hat and head properly (kind of like tacking in a sailboat) as a way to keep a brimmed hat in place against the wind.

 

[Bamaboots]

Yep. Always keep a hand ready to grab. And if it's really windy or gusty there's no shame in holding on to it. If you have a wind trolley use it. A good sweat that has some grip to it and angling according to the wind have helped me the most. Rear gusts are your worst enemy since the sweat doesn't stick to hair.

Maybe I'll find out today with the wind blowing about 20 for most of the day. Roger, since my forehead goes all the way around, maybe the rear gust won't be an issue.

 

[DOGMAN]

I have some hats that fit a little more snug then others.I will pick one of those hats on windy days.Haven't had one fly off yet.

 

[RJR]

I have some hats that fit a little more snug then others.I will pick one of those hats on windy days.Haven't had one fly off yet.

Same here.

 

[Rogera]

Maybe I'll find out today with the wind blowing about 20 for most of the day. Roger, since my forehead goes all the way around, maybe the rear gust won't be an issue.

 

[Loz Dawes]

a working link to Stoney's guide to installing wind cords.... http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/installing-wind-cords.27690/

I found a local milliner, and she used this guide to fit wind cords to 2 of my earliest hats... instead of a button on the inside, a large piece of felt was used instead.. there are pics posted on the thread.. hope this helps... and not forgetting... a big thanks to Stoney for the original post.