The "Expedition hat" thread
- Thread starter Backwoods Rambler
- Start date
gjackson
FRGS
Last edited:
Bad Voodoo
Unassuming Superhero
4Rescue
Expedition Leader
I rock an army-surplus special "jungle Hat" and frankly it's the best hat of it's kind. Cheap, durable, fast drying, and did I mention DURABLE... Plus it's just stiff enough to hold it's shape even when wet.
Voodoo, those OR hats just fall aprt after a few hard use's (had 2 and I'll never buy a 3rd), might want to look into something a bit more substantialy built
If I'm out on the property workign though it's an Akubra or nothing... I rock the Bronco, second from teh Top:
http://www.akubra.com.au/products_western.html
I'm a bit of a Hat-fiend and frankly NOTHING compares to an Akubra or my Military spec hat for bush hats... sorry, but alot of these hats look like they wouldn't last a week out on some of my adventures.
It's this exact model and it's the best, hands down... Just wide enough to keep the sun out and not so wide that you can't see where you're going. Plus all of the above mentioned attributes.
5.99 at my local Ary-Surplus wasn't too abd compared to what I have paid in the past for one of thse OR hats for instance (25.00 and poor quality made Jack an angry boy)
Cheers
Dave
Voodoo, those OR hats just fall aprt after a few hard use's (had 2 and I'll never buy a 3rd), might want to look into something a bit more substantialy built
If I'm out on the property workign though it's an Akubra or nothing... I rock the Bronco, second from teh Top:
http://www.akubra.com.au/products_western.html
I'm a bit of a Hat-fiend and frankly NOTHING compares to an Akubra or my Military spec hat for bush hats... sorry, but alot of these hats look like they wouldn't last a week out on some of my adventures.
It's this exact model and it's the best, hands down... Just wide enough to keep the sun out and not so wide that you can't see where you're going. Plus all of the above mentioned attributes.
5.99 at my local Ary-Surplus wasn't too abd compared to what I have paid in the past for one of thse OR hats for instance (25.00 and poor quality made Jack an angry boy)
Cheers
Dave
paulj
Expedition Leader
I am surprised about your quality problems with OR hats. My oldest Seattle Sombrerro shows signs of Goretex delamination (typical early generation tex problem), but the OR sewing has held up fine. A newer (10 years?) SS looks fine. A lighter weight Sonora Sombrerro, probably made from breathable nylon, is also in good shape, despite having been lost at the curb of a bus stop for several weeks. I think I've also mentioned an OR drape hat.
While I use hats regularly, I wouldn't say I'm a hard user. I'm not sure 'hard use' means, assuming it is being used as a hat, as opposed to a water bucket, fly swatter, or oil rag. The main sign of wear on my hats is the sweat stain on the front brim and band.
While I use hats regularly, I wouldn't say I'm a hard user. I'm not sure 'hard use' means, assuming it is being used as a hat, as opposed to a water bucket, fly swatter, or oil rag. The main sign of wear on my hats is the sweat stain on the front brim and band.
4Rescue
Expedition Leader
Yeah I was too, but after 2 of the same hat's going belly-up I decided not to use their hats anymore. I use their over mits almost exclusively in the winter and am MASSIVLY imperssed with them and alot of other gear of theirs I own... the Hats, not so much. Part of it could be from UV breakdown (my hats spend ALOT of time in the sun) or just literaly being ridden hard and put up wet (as in stuffing them in myu dry-bag's/Gamma cans after a days run's) but they flat out failed the test IMO. hate to say it cause I'm a HUGE fan of OR products.
Cheers
Dave
Sleeping Dog
Adventurer
A Tilley and several Stetsons made for LL Bean (seconds), imagine the hat band full of flys. And a Borsalino when the expedition is up town.
Jim
Jim
Bad Voodoo
Unassuming Superhero
We do alright with OR, Dave. Dust, Dirt, in and out of the pool, washing machine... so far they've handled it all.
:victory:
I have an OR rain hat made of coated nylon. It must be
15 years old, and still going strong. It worked well on
Alaska birdwatching trips and kayaking in Washington.
The hat is still in fine condition, but it doesn't see much use
in the Great Basin. My cotton Tilley is all I need here.
15 years old, and still going strong. It worked well on
Alaska birdwatching trips and kayaking in Washington.
The hat is still in fine condition, but it doesn't see much use
in the Great Basin. My cotton Tilley is all I need here.
I own 3 Tilleys, two of which have been half way around the world with me and I love them! Of my non-winter ones, I have the "airflow" and the Tilley Hemp and I think I prefer the hemp. Its a natural fibre thats stronger than cotton and is now really getting some character to it. The 'airflow' is made of a breathable mad-made material (I think they call it Nylantium..or something like that). Don't get me wrong, the airflow saved my brains in the 48 degree C Egyptian desert.....but I just prefer the Hemp material.
http://www.tilley.com/
For cooler climes I also have an Adventurebilt Indy fedora....but that's for another thread.
http://www.adventurebilthats.com/
http://www.tilley.com/
For cooler climes I also have an Adventurebilt Indy fedora....but that's for another thread.
http://www.adventurebilthats.com/
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
I am really liking this Willis Breezer hat from Outback Trading I picked up earlier from Cabelas.
Wearing it now here at work, as we have some 88 degree weather, and it keeps my head cool and protected.
People say I look like I am on Safari, well that and the Deluth Coolmax shirt too.
Wearing it now here at work, as we have some 88 degree weather, and it keeps my head cool and protected.
People say I look like I am on Safari, well that and the Deluth Coolmax shirt too.