Need some hat advice

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:14 pm

I almost wanted to post this in Lao Che's, so if it fits better there, I have no qualms with the mods moving it.

Anyhoo..

Having recently moved to Oklahoma, I was completely unprepared for how ridiculously windy it is here. It is very, very strong 95% of the time; making it VERY frustrating to try and wear a fedora while out on foot. After about 5 months or so, I am seriously beginning to consider giving up daily hat wear, and only breaking them out for special occasions.

Why?

Well, the wind is so absolutely ridiculous here on any given day that I have been here so far, that the wind (which always is blowing in my face, it seems) either blows the brim of a hat I am wearing down in front of my face to the point of not being able to see, or it blows the brim up to the point of looking like Jed Clampett. Either that, or the wind will just be so strong that it will blow it off altogether.

The other issues I am having are the temperatures. During the summer, it will most likely be far too hot to wear a felt hat (I am told by both Melodie and others who live here and have been through summers here that they can be brutal), or it is too cold to wear a hat, having to wear earmuffs and a skullcap by necessity instead.

Right now, I don't have a car. I am on foot most times, so I am sitting here thinking that all these factors make for very uncomfortable (too hot/too cold/blinded by the brim/etc.) or very dangerous (hat blows right off of head and into traffic) hat wearing. When I get a car soon, I'd only be wearing the hat in the car on my way to work, then it would have to come off, and in the car on my way back from work, so I wonder where the point of wearing a hat for a 10 minute car ride twice a day would be.

I am very disappointed and upset by these thoughts. The reason for posting this thread is to ask for advice. I know I am not the only person on this board who lives somewhere where the weather can be prohibitive.
What do you fellows do when conditions like the ones I have described rear their heads? Do you have any advice? I'm all ears. Thanks.

Oklahoma Jones · Post by **Oklahoma Jones** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:46 pm

Well, Strider, I have to say that I, too, face the same problem down here in OKC, but I just wear my hat and keep it pulled down on my head REAL tight..........keep a handkerchief handy if my head gets sweaty, and keep movin' on.............

Indiana Bond · Post by **Indiana Bond** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:38 am

Move!

IB

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:45 am

Heat, cold, wind, that is what a wide brimmed hat is for! In Raiders, outside the wreckage of the Raven Bar, Indy's brim is all over the place in that wind. A soft flexible brim on a snug fitting hat should keep it from blowing off. I've worn mine snowmobiling! As to the heat question, I was glad to have mine last summer, when we had 100 degree temps for over 3 weeks. Sounds like what you need is a medium/heavy weight rabbit felt or blend, snug fitting and flexible, but not floppy. Liner out in the summer. I got so used to it that way I never put it back in. For the cold, dress warm, turn up your collar and turn down your brim and that will go a long way towards keeping the wind from biting. Your fedora will help keep your body warm, and thus your ears, because blood will not be pulled from your extremeties in order to maintain your core temperature. Don't give up on the fedora man! This is what it's for! Hope this helps you.

Weston

Snakewhip_Sable · Post by **Snakewhip_Sable** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:46 am

Jam it down on your head and hold the brim with one hand if it gets too windy. Other than that, there's no such thing as too hot or too cold to wear a fedora. You think it gets hotter in Oklahoma in the winter than in SoCal?!

Okay, I lied. One week this winter I had to wear my Soviet fur hat with the ear flaps because it was too cold, but other than that... fedora every day, rain, shine, blizzard, tornado, or jumping into a river... y'know, to cool off.

Lotsa folks in Chicago and Winnipeg wear fedoras all the time and they're the Windy Cities. Maybe put a bit of foam or folded napkins inside your liner to keep the lid from blowing right off.

That's all I got.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:29 am

If I need to keep my ears warm in the winter, I've worn 180s earmuffs with my fedora:

They do the trick for me, and since they wrap around the base of your head and not over the top, they help keep your neck warm, too. As far as summer, yes, removing the liner will help in that department. Also, a ventilated sweatband (like on the Camptowns) will help a lot, too.

As far as heavy wind goes, yes, a tighter hat will do the trick. And if you keep your hair short, then hat head is not much of a problem. (That's why there are combs.

) I've gotten to a point where I know how to angle my hat depending on the wind to avoid losing it. Likewise, I know when I need to hold it in place. It's become a basic instinct for me. But I refuse to allow climate to dictate if I wear a hat or not. If you like your hat, wear it!

Indiana Blooze · Post by **Indiana Blooze** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:09 pm

Staples.....Staples will keep that hat on yer head!!!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:10 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:If I need to keep my ears warm in the winter, I've worn 180s earmuffs with my fedora:

They do the trick for me, and since they wrap around the base of your head and not over the top, they help keep your neck warm, too.!

Same here Bink!

If you guys haven't discovered these, you're missing out for true ear protection in harsh winter conditions without having to leave your favorite fedora at home!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:17 pm

Just be careful not to wear it backwards. It makes it hard to see!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:28 pm

NOW you tell me!

Regards! Michaelson

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:35 pm

Thanks for all the advice and kind words, everyone. You've all been a great help. I really appreciate the encouragement!