Stetson Open Road vs Akubra Campdraft

[gtdean48]

.... I am thinking Campdrafts are less vulnerable to wavy brim, which would mean that the brims are thicker, if I am guessing correctly.

What grade Open Road are you comparing to a Campdraft? Vintage OR to Campdraft is apples to oranges in my book. I had a early 1950s 3X OR which had a brim as every bit as thick as my Campdraft. I have a Royal Deluxe OR about the same period that seems to have a thinner brim than the CD, same for a Royal Stetson OR.
The Akubra Imperial felt of the Campdraft is not the same as the felts of Stetson from the early to late 1950s. They are GREAT rain hats that serve you well & let your OR last & last...IMHO

 

[jimmy the lid]

The Akubra Imperial felt of the Campdraft is not the same as the felts of Stetson from the early to late 1950s. They are GREAT rain hats that serve you well & let your OR last & last...IMHO

Agreed. The distinctive characteristic of the Campdraft is the felt, which is very different from a vintage OR. It is coarse, and well-suited to taking a beating in the elements.

 

[The Good]

You know, I measured the height of my modern Stetson Open Road, and it is about 5 1/2 inches. Not very far off from the Campdraft, actually, although it's supposed to be higher. But there is a thing I'm noticing about my Open Road now, when it had come into contact with rain, there are now "water-spots" on the hat that look bumpy.

See what I'm talking about? Is this supposed to be normal for wearing a hat in the elements, especially considering the fact that this is a modern Stetson here? I have sweat in the hat as well, actually. I remember seeing some similar "bumps" on my Akubra Federation before, but it could be that the darker felt color (dark brown) masks the effect and makes it less visible?

 

[DougC]

The Good--I don't think that is normal. I wore a modern OR in Canada this summer when I went fishing. It rained every day and my hat got soaked. The only thing I regret is putting it in the cabin with the heater one nght when I went to dinner...I came back to a dry hat and wrinkled sweat band. But, the felt is still smooth and even all over the hat.

 

[Yeps]

You might want to try brushing that. It might do some good, then again, it might not.

 

[monbla256]

You know, I measured the height of my modern Stetson Open Road, and it is about 5 1/2 inches. Not very far off from the Campdraft, actually, although it's supposed to be higher. But there is a thing I'm noticing about my Open Road now, when it had come into contact with rain, there are now "water-spots" on the hat that look bumpy.

See what I'm talking about? Is this supposed to be normal for wearing a hat in the elements, especially considering the fact that this is a modern Stetson here? I have sweat in the hat as well, actually. I remember seeing some similar "bumps" on my Akubra Federation before, but it could be that the darker felt color (dark brown) masks the effect and makes it less visible?

THATS NOT normal at all ! I would send/take it back and either get a refund or a new hat. A quality fur felt hat DOES NOT do that when it gets wet! Either the shellacing was not done properly or there is something wrong in the felting but if it were mine, it would be going back to where I bought it!!

Onward thru the Fog

 

[The Good]

So my product is defective, then? Water does not effect most Open Roads like this at all?

 

[Neophyte]

I've never seen anything like that on ANY hat, on the Lounge or otherwise. [huh]

 

[The Good]

I'm going to email Shepler's then. At the very start though, there was what appeared to be a slight bit of discoloration (maybe powder issues?) on the under-side of the brim. Just a spot. I will be using this as my justification to send it back too, if possible. My only problem is that I may have lost my invoice... the box is intact with a couple of stickers on top of it, if it means anything.

 

[monbla256]

I've never dealt with Shepler's long distance so to speak ( There is a store near me that I go to ) but they have always been good to deal with as far as standing by their products they retail in my experience. I'm sure they will be for you also.

Onward thru the Fog

 

[danofarlington]

You know, I measured the height of my modern Stetson Open Road, and it is about 5 1/2 inches. Not very far off from the Campdraft, actually, although it's supposed to be higher. But there is a thing I'm noticing about my Open Road now, when it had come into contact with rain, there are now "water-spots" on the hat that look bumpy.

Wow, I never imagined a rugged Western style fur felt hat would be so touchy about raindrops. Imagine if it had really rained hard--it would look like it had the measles. I hope the sun won't burn it. An Akubra would never worry about those things, if I have the stories about them right.

 

[DougC]

Dano--Don't get down on Stetson. It's just a bad hat. I've got two modern ORs and they both have done great in the rain. Someone hit it on the head--your hat just has an issue with either the felt or the stiffener. Either way, if brushing doesn't take out the lumps, send it back.

Now, I need to find a Akubra that doesn't have a 3 month wait...

 

[Sam Craig]

Sadly -- in fact it's an outrage -- I don't own a Campdraft yet. So I can't compare one to an OR, however, there is a HUGE difference in ORs.
The older ones are much better hats than what is being produced today.
The felt quality was better 20-plus years ago and the dimensions are different, too.
They are much easier to reshape from the cattleman's crease to a fedora pinch and you also have a taller crown to work with.
Anyone who has owned an older OR and then tried to duplicate their success in making one into a fedora, using a newer model, will have experienced the frustration.
I only wish I'd paid attention 20-30 years ago when the older ORs were so easy and cheap to get ahold of. I'd have squireled back a dozen or so.
I shudder to remember ... but I used to pick them up at thrift stores and reblock them for Indian War reenactor friends to use as campaign hats.
Mea Culpa

Sam

 

[1961MJS]

Hi Sam

I'll have to mention the difference in quality to the lady at Saint Joseph's Stetson Outlet next time I'm up there. I think we'd pay a bit more than the current $100-150 for an Open Road (Range?) if they were up to the earlier quality. Winchester can obviously get them the raw material...

Later

 

[monbla256]

Sadly -- in fact it's an outrage -- I don't own a Campdraft yet. So I can't compare one to an OR, however, there is a HUGE difference in ORs.
The older ones are much better hats than what is being produced today.
The felt quality was better 20-plus years ago and the dimensions are different, too.
They are much easier to reshape from the cattleman's crease to a fedora pinch and you also have a taller crown to work with.
Anyone who has owned an older OR and then tried to duplicate their success in making one into a fedora, using a newer model, will have experienced the frustration.
I only wish I'd paid attention 20-30 years ago when the older ORs were so easy and cheap to get ahold of. I'd have squireled back a dozen or so.
I shudder to remember ... but I used to pick them up at thrift stores and reblock them for Indian War reenactor friends to use as campaign hats.
Mea Culpa

Sam

This is a very familiar discussion that I have heard on the watch collecting Forums. Sadly much of what has been said is probably true but the thing many of us hat fanatics forget is that WE are NOT the market that the larger hat firms are trying to sell to. The current Open Road has been relagated to a position of a "western" hat and as such is now marketed to folks who are only familiar with stiff, pre-creased off the shelf hats. And since hat wearing has not returned to a position of being a "part" of being well dressed and the "norm" the market share of Fedora type of "dress" hats is much smaller and I don't think the larger hat firms such as Stetson will be returning to marketing the OR in the wide variety and quality level as they did. All this being said, the current OR is a GOOD hat, just vastly different in most aspects than what it was. JMHO

Onward thru the Fog

 

[Sam Craig]

I currently own two modern ... less than 10 years old ... ORs
I like them both, compared to other off the shelf hats today
I have one in a fedora crease and it looks OK
I would say ... other than the felt quality ... the great change is one of dimension.
There is simply not as much brim or crown to work with
Having beat that obviously dead horse ... it is true that the people I have known who bought a modern OR off the shelf to wear with a western crease are universaly pleased with the hat and it remains a popular western dress hat in this part of the West

Just NOT as easy to turn into a snazzy fedora as those from years gone by

My, how beautiful the past is once we have left it behind us

Sam

 

[The Good]

Well, I just got an email back from Sheplers. They had asked me if I knew a certain individual (whom I will not name here), that happens to be my grandmother who ordered the hat. After I answer the question in particular, she had also mentioned that they can send out a UPS to pick up the defective hat so that it can be returned to Sheplers for an exchange. I'm pleased with what I'm seeing so far, with regard to the customer service. They just need my address for which they will deliver the replacement, at this point. Hopefully things go along smoothly, and I receive a perfectly normal Open Road, rather than one that is prone to whatever it is mine had going on.

P.S. I don't own a hat brush yet, but I should seriously consider it.

 

[monbla256]

Well, I just got an email back from Sheplers. They had asked me if I knew a certain individual (whom I will not name here), that happens to be my grandmother who ordered the hat. After I answer the question in particular, she had also mentioned that they can send out a UPS to pick up the defective hat so that it can be returned to Sheplers for an exchange. I'm pleased with what I'm seeing so far, with regard to the customer service. They just need my address for which they will deliver the replacement, at this point. Hopefully things go along smoothly, and I receive a perfectly normal Open Road, rather than one that is prone to whatever it is mine had going on.

P.S. I don't own a hat brush yet, but I should seriously consider it.

Good,
Glad to hear that Shepler's is being a stand-up firm in regards to your OR. I have ALWAYS had good customer service from them in all my dealings since I first walked into their store in the '80s. And yes, you need to get a hat brush ASAP

 

[Yeps]

Well, I just got an email back from Sheplers. They had asked me if I knew a certain individual (whom I will not name here), that happens to be my grandmother who ordered the hat. After I answer the question in particular, she had also mentioned that they can send out a UPS to pick up the defective hat so that it can be returned to Sheplers for an exchange. I'm pleased with what I'm seeing so far, with regard to the customer service. They just need my address for which they will deliver the replacement, at this point. Hopefully things go along smoothly, and I receive a perfectly normal Open Road, rather than one that is prone to whatever it is mine had going on.

P.S. I don't own a hat brush yet, but I should seriously consider it.

A new shoe brush will work, but a used one will not.

 

[The Good]

And I'm not so sure about that either. I don't think there's a shoe brush in my household that I know of.

Anyway, I think Akubra definitely wins on quality, and believe me, I have a lot of experience with their felt. My Fed IV is my go-to rain hat (and up until recently my Open Road has had a piece of the action), and has been in what seems to have been over a dozen hard rainfalls, as well as a number of lighter rainy weather. Personally, I'm under the assumption that, given some of the comments here, my modern 4X Stetson is a factory defect or something. Hopefully, Sheplers will help me acquire another at no extra cost.