Where to find Akubras in Chicago?

[Insp. Bumstead]

Hello,

I will be in Chicago for the new year and I'd like to find a store which stocks Akubras. This will be my first fur felt fedora so I'd really like to try before I buy. Does anyone know of a good place?

I know Hats Plus is located in Chicago, but they do not stock Akubras. They DO stock the following:
• Stetson
• Dobbs
• Biltmore
• Bailey
• Borsalino
• Christys
I'd like to hear opinions on which of these offers a fur felt hat similar in price/quality/value to Akubra.

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[Tomasso]

There doesn't appear to be a Chicago retailer for Akubra. Though they don't carry Akubra, there is that nice little hat shop in Beverly.

 

[Viper Man]

...Though they don't carry Akubra, there is that nice little hat shop in Beverly.

Better bring your wallet for that one.

 

[scotrace]

Akubra is not a brand that us readily stocked in retail hat shops in the USA (though there are notable exceptions!)

You picked the brand that is going to be difficult to try before you buy dpending on what model you want. Some fedora models are only available via mail order from Australia.

Again, with certain exceptions, the other companies you mention are hungry, onacounta Akubra done et their LUNCH.

 

[Aerol]

an idea

David Morgan, davidmorgan.com , is the U.S. importer. You could contact them and ask if they sell to any stores in Chicago.

 

[Tomasso]

David Morgan, davidmorgan.com , is the U.S. importer. You could contact them and ask if they sell to any stores in Chicago.

Or you could just click on the link that I posted above.

There doesn't appear to be a Chicago retailer for Akubra.

 

[ortega76]

I love Biltmore, and I have my eye on a diamond crown lid from Biltmore for Christmas. I like the look of Dobbs but I don't like their quality for their price.

 

[Insp. Bumstead]

Again, with certain exceptions, the other companies you mention are hungry, onacounta Akubra done et their LUNCH.

Thanks for the responses guys. I will still go to Hats Direct to see if I like any of their hats in lieu of an Akubra.

Scotrace, can you explain what you mean? I'm afraid I don't follow.

Tomasso, thanks for the Biltmore recommendation. Would you say that Biltmores have a similar price/quality value as Akubras?

Viper Man, yeah I turned up that little hat shop in a forum search. Great stuff, but I am afraid those kinds of prices will have to wait though!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Thanks for the responses guys. I will still go to Hats Direct to see if I like any of their hats in lieu of an Akubra.

Scotrace, can you explain what you mean? I'm afraid I don't follow.

Tomasso, thanks for the Biltmore recommendation. Would you say that Biltmores have a similar price/quality value as Akubras?

Viper Man, yeah I turned up that little hat shop in a forum search. Great stuff, but I am afraid those kinds of prices will have to wait though!

if you ever do go there, pm me & we can meet up.
thanx!!!
Charlie

 

[carter]

FYI - US Akubra distribution

The official Akubra website lists David Morgan Hats in Bothell, Washington as their sole US Distributor. *

http://www.davidmorgan.com/

*The official Akubra website is notorious for not being updated regularly. This is what they have posted as of 12-09-2008.

 

[besdor]

A lot of stores here in the US have stopped carrying Akubras because the distributor (David Morgan)decided to sell them himself. As a distributor, he pays less than a retailer and can offer lower prices.
Thats an unfair advantage that caused a few stores to drop the line.



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Insp. Bumstead]

Thanks for the replies. So, it seems like there are no Akubras in Chicago, but I can live with that. I've done a Fedora Lounge search of the brands stocked by Hatsplus and it seems like Biltmore and Dobbs have the best reputations for price-to-quality ratio, while Stetson has the worst. Is this an accurate conclusion?

Bruce Wayne, I'd be glad to meet up! If I go it'll be over New Year's so I'll let you know in advance.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[warbird]

Thanks for the responses guys. I will still go to Hats Direct to see if I like any of their hats in lieu of an Akubra.

Scotrace, can you explain what you mean? I'm afraid I don't follow.

Hats Direct sells Akubra hats, they are not in lieu of Akubra hats.

What he is saying is that Akubra has taken a large market share form the other mass manufacturers in the fedora world due to their exceptional quality to cost.

Dobbs and Stetson are both owned by HATCO, along with several other names like Resistol, and I would hesitate to say a new Dobbs is as good a quality as a new Stetson. The different names seem to have different general quality levels from my experience of them.

 

[Tomasso]

I know Hats Plus is located in Chicago

I will still go to Hats Direct to see if I like any of their hats in lieu of an Akubra.

Hats Direct sells Akubra hats, they are not in lieu of Akubra hats.

I think that the OP meant to say Hats Plus.

 

[carter]

...Dobbs and Stetson are both owned by HATCO, along with several other names like Resistol, and I would hesitate to say a new Dobbs is as good a quality as a new Stetson. The different names seem to have different general quality levels from my experience of them.

Agreed. I would rate new Stetson products ahead of Dobbs. Better selection and overall quality in the Stetson line.

 

[Insp. Bumstead]

I think that the OP meant to say Hats Plus.

Yes, Hats Plus. Thanks, I got the two mixed up.

Carter, how about Stetson vs Biltmore? I am more interested in value for the money rather than absolute values.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[warbird]

Yes, Hats Plus. Thanks, I got the two mixed up.

Carter, how about Stetson vs Biltmore? I am more interested in value for the money rather than absolute values.

Thanks,
Jeff

As has already been said, if your concern is money then with the value of the dollar to the Aussie Dollar, the Akubra is by far the best value out there. eriod.

Same for Biltmore as Dobbs, except I'm not sure I would put the Biltmore any better than the Stetson from my experience, and usually not less expensive..

 

[Blackjack]

Does anyone know of any hat shops west of the city, like the Rockford area?