I'm looking to upgrade my 'official' hat and am looking for some advice.
I wear my current hat mostly in the months of the year that aren't hot, so rarely in summer. I don't mind a rain drop or 2 getting on it if that happens.
Price needs to be in the range of $100-$200 max. I know there are options but what would be the best Indy fedora for me?
Welcome,
I bought a Fed IV deluxe for my son from hatsdirect. You will have to bash it yourself as it comes open crowned. You can find plenty of info on bashing on this site. It has turned out to be a pretty good hat and it was in the price range that you have.
Hope you find just what you are looking for and
If your upper limit is a firm $200, I've been quite impressed with the durability of the Federation at HatsDirect.com.
If the $200 is an approximate upper limit, then for $250 you could get a hand-made rabbit fur felt Raiders fedora from Garrison Hatters. But that's also above what you gave as your range (I think the next increment is up to $290 for The Henry by Adventurebilt, with most others above $300).
The Fed is defo a great hat for the price, but when I was going through the 'up-grading' process with hats, in retrospect I'd have saved up and bought a quality beaver lid like a Penman or an AB....It'll save you dosh in the long run if you are a regular hat wearer.....JMO..
Mmm, ok the Fed comes in 2 versions, regular and deluxe.
Is the difference in cost noticeable in the hat?
Would like to but just can't swing an Advernturebilt.
To add to what Scott mentioned, the differences are noticeable too... The deluxe is a lot smoother, and the band is softer... Lovely hat all in all... The basic Fed IV is very good, but a little less well pounced than the Deluxe version...
Since it's not so much more, I'd always say go for the Deluxe unless the cash was really an issue for that.
IndyJedi wrote:Mmm, ok the Fed comes in 2 versions, regular and deluxe.
Is the difference in cost noticeable in the hat?
Would like to but just can't swing an Advernturebilt.
In the case of the Fed 4, the price difference is about equal to the difference in quality. So, the deluxe is slightly better for slightly more money. Personally, I also think the deluxe brown color looks better than the regular, but that's only an opinion. Still, I have never owned a deluxe, just seen them at summits.
As others have said, the Henry, which is sold by Penman Hats, is a good option, but the price has gone up a bit since the last time many of us looked. It might be out of your budget at this point.
Your decision, but I'd say, don't discount the Explorador entirely. It definitely has some things going for it in the $200 price range: custom, hand made using hare felt, like the Fed. In fact, the felt reminds me alot of the Fed. Also, the ribbon material and bow work is some of the finest out there, high or low priced. At present, maybe the most underrated hat in the forum.
Last edited by Texan Scott on Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sorry, I don't mean to sound like I'm spamming with one words posts, but although I can add to the survey, I can't say much about the Fed Deluxe that others haven't said already. It's a great hat regardless of the price (but especially for the price).
Best wishes,
