Which hat should I take on my hiking trip?

crazylegsmurphy · Post by **crazylegsmurphy** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:56 pm

Hey Everyone,

I have a strange question.

Ok, so like many of you I have wanted the perfect Indy hat since I was a wee lad, and a few years ago I actually got it. My AB Raiders is the perfect hat and I love it more than any piece of gear I own.

The thing is, I have been wearing it as my "adventure" hat and it's been with me on a few hikes, which has worked out well because they have been pretty tame hikes and not very taxing on the hat.

This summer, I'll be hiking the West Coast Trail again, and I am trying to decide if I should bring my Raiders. The reason I hesitate is that I know that hike is long, potentially rainy, misty, hot, cold, etc.

I'm torn because I love the Raiders hat and want to wear it, but feel leery because it could get soaked and taper. I have the choice to wear my LC style one (which I like, but not as much as the raiders one), or I can wear the raiders one and order a new raiders/CS one to replace the old Raiders one.

As you can see I'm totally on the fence with this one. Anyone have any thoughts?

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:01 am

Take the Raiders hat. Adventurebilt hats are made to be put through #### and come out looking better than when you first got it. If the hat tapers, not problem. Just send it to Steve to get a reblock.

gabrielle · Post by **gabrielle** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:03 am

How about an Akubra or a Camptown for the trip? They can handle the abuse and you won't have to worry about your AB.

Arkansas Russell · Post by **Arkansas Russell** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:35 am

Wear your LC style, after the trip it will be broken in and may become a favorite hat.

Hunter Jones · Post by **Hunter Jones** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:24 am

Wear your 'adventure' hat. Just think of the stories you'll be able to tell afterwards.

Magnum Jones · Post by **Magnum Jones** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:35 am

That is never an issue for me. I only own one hat.

??

................

The Aviator · Post by **The Aviator** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:29 am

Take the Raiders AB

...if it tapers (which it probably wont) you get it reblocked by steve....the more reblocking and use a hat gets over time the less likely it will be to taper in the future...dont know where i heard that but makes sense in my head!!lol

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:11 am

[quote="The Avaitor"]Take the Raiders AB

...if it tapers (which it probably wont) you get it reblocked by steve....the more reblocking and use a hat gets over time the less likely it will be to taper in the future...dont know where i heard that but makes sense in my head!!lol

[/qute]

I think that might have been Steve himself.

I would take the AB from the old block because if in the outside chance it tappers or gets dirty you could have it reblocked on the new block. I would always take the AB over the others hats because it has a lot better chance handling any Adventure.

Made to measure, bilt to last.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:49 am

Take old faithful.

Let's look at this realistically. A hat is a tool. These particualr tools we're talking about, the AB's, were built to be used, not pampered. If and when they need reworked, they CAN be rebuilt. So, use your hat you're most comfortable. Sounds to me like your old standby has served you faithfully. Why stop now, now that you have it broken in for field work?

Regards! Michaelson

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:54 pm

Hire some shifty lookin' semi-reliable locals to carry your gear. That way you can bring em' all!

Just watch your back.

Tron

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:30 pm

Whatever hat you bring (old Raiders!), don't leave it in your travel vehicle... I hear some gearheads had theirs stolen and they'll be looking for the chance to take one back!

Seriously, I say take your trusty Raiders hat. Like Michaelson said, it's already broken in, and you already know it can handle whatever you dish out to it. Why not take it?

Shane

gabrielle · Post by **gabrielle** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:44 pm

Whichever hat you decide on keep an eye on it. Seems fedoras have a way of going AWOL lately and you don't want yours going on any adventures without you...

michaelb · Post by **michaelb** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:52 pm

Alright,

Number one! I chose your "Raiders" Old Block... Just because it seemed the best choice.

Number Two, I could care less because you have 4 AB's!!

I am so jealous, I could care which hat would get ruined, if that's even possible! I just got my first AB last month and try not to drool all over it!

MB

crazylegsmurphy · Post by **crazylegsmurphy** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:55 pm

I only have two AB's Michaelb! (we'll...three but the bogart isn't coming).

I think the only thing that really scares me about taking the Raiders AB, is that I have been on that hike before, and the last time I was there it rained for 3 days solid.

I have read many a testimonial about how well AB's hold up, and I don't really doubt it....it's just....well....ok here is the story.

When I was young, I wanted an Indy hat so bad. I remember that it was almost impossible to find a good one back in the day as they really didn't make them in the Indy style.

I remember on a trip across the country one year my mom bought me a hat that at the time was close enough. I remember how much like Indy I felt in my imagination. I was so extremely happy whenever we made a stop at a camp ground and I could throw the hat back on and go out on adventures.

One day though, I was walking down by a river when the rain hit. I was caught in it, but obviously as a kid I didn't care at all. When I got back to camp I took my soaked fedora off my head only to realize that it had lost all of it's shape. For some reason, I was completely devastated.

I started to cry as I tried to put it back into shape (not knowing a single thing about how these hats actually work), but to no avail. It frustrated me so much I kicked it, and chucked it in the fire. Yeah, today I realize how much of a baby I was being, but it really took the adventure out of the trip for me.

So, as you can see, while I don't think I'll cry and throw my AB in the fire if it does taper, the very thought of it losing it's perfect Raiders shape makes me feel anxious. I know that I can send it for a reblock, but what if it's never the same again?

I realize it seems a tad irrational, but it really is the holy grail of hats for me. I would feel less upset if my LC version tapered, but then it's not my "adventure" hat.

You know what someone needs to do...they need to get an AB, and put it through Mythbusters type testing to see how they hold up!

Based on what you guys have said, I am leaning towards bringing my Raiders one. It has made me think long and hard about whether I want to keep the LC one at all though. I mean, I like it, but it's just not "The hat" for me...

Quick question, you can't reblock the old hat on the new block can you? Doesn't that change the brim break area and make the brim longer?

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:26 pm

crazylegsmurphy wrote:You know what someone needs to do...they need to get an AB, and put it through Mythbusters type testing to see how they hold up!

Steve did that! He took an AB that a dog had half eaten, and left it outside for like, months or something. The thing was still practically untapered after *several* really good storms. I'm pretty sure yours'll be fine.

Shane

crazylegsmurphy · Post by **crazylegsmurphy** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:31 pm

Really? I wondered what happened to the "Dog Hat"

Did he post any photos?

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:37 pm

Well, he HAD posted pictures, but they're gone now.

viewtopic.php?t=20306&start=0
viewtopic.php?t=19827&start=0

Shane

gabrielle · Post by **gabrielle** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:45 pm

crazylegsmurphy wrote:the very thought of it losing it's perfect Raiders shape makes me feel anxious. I know that I can send it for a reblock, but what if it's never the same again?

If you are really seriously concerned about it grab a hat cover for the rain, like the ones police wear to protect their hats in the rain. That way you can take your AB and rest assured that it won't get wet. Those rain covers are cheap, available online and they work if you want to try it. :idea:

crazylegsmurphy · Post by **crazylegsmurphy** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:52 pm

Ya, I thought of that....I was kinda trying to avoid those even though it's a great suggestion. I'm already gonna look pretty "Indy", and with CS coming out in May and the hike in August...well...I'm gonna look like the biggest nerd ever to begin with, let alone putting a plastic cover on my hat....I don't know if I can risk being called "Princess Indiana" the whole time.

gabrielle · Post by **gabrielle** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:01 pm

You know there was a photo here in another thread of a guy standing under a waterfall with his AB on. No worse for the wear. Like it says, Built To Last. Go ahead and wear it that's what they're made for and I hear they only get better with time and use.

crazylegsmurphy · Post by **crazylegsmurphy** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:11 pm

Ya, I think that was Snakewhip (friend of mine), I have to admit his hat was the reason I bought 3 AB's in the first place.

Sigh....your logic is making my brain hurt!

Ok....ok.....I'll put the AB Raiders to the test, but if it wrecks, everyone in this post owes me $20 so I can get a new one! (kiddin)

gabrielle · Post by **gabrielle** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:16 pm

And if it doesn't you owe me an AB since I don't even have one...for all my good advice.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:28 pm

CM, is the Raiders AB beaver? If beaver, you can reblock it on anything you want! Rabbit they have to take a bit more care, but yes, it can go on the new block as well.

Beaver is rain repellant, and folks have worn them in the jungles of South and Central America with no problems. I've worn mine in the mountains and snow of the Continential Divide of Wyoming, and the deserts of Arisona..... so I'm sure your jaunt on the coast of the U. S. will be a cake walk for your AB.

Regards! Michaelson

michaelb · Post by **michaelb** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:53 am

Hey Crazylegs!

I'm gone for a while and what happens?!

I just read your post, and, ok... Wow. I think that pretty much sums it up here. (I thought that you had 4 hats, my mistake... Ah shucks, you only have two to choose from!), But I can relate as far as my early fedoras and whips went. Take the "Raiders", and put it to the test. I think it will do just fine. In fact, I would be interested in what it looks like after. Might look even better.

Maybe bring a plastic bag to stuff it in, just in case.

But, I wouldn't worry about it.

MB

DanielJones · Post by **DanielJones** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:50 pm

Personally I would go for the Raiders look, & be sure to rumple it well so it looks to be part of you & the surroundings.

Cheers!

Dan

DT · Post by DT » Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:20 pm

I stumbled across this thread and couldn't resist.

I concur with Michaelson et al. The AB is built to take it.

I've only had mine a short time, but it's already been put to the test. Picture this: tearing down the road in a WW II jeep in a hail storm with wind rain and hail coming at you from three separate directions (the jeep has a canvas top). I'm sure my AB will go back to Steve sometime in the future for reblocking, but for now, it's developing character!

Go for it!

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:12 am

"Take it! Hold it! Love it!"

Take your Raiders AB and when (after many years of adventure) it will become ruined, dirt and beautiful you'll can hang it to the wall with a museum tag!

Don't Call Me Junior! · Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:34 am

You gotta take "old tried and true". If it hasn't been on a "big" adventure yet then now is the time!