Charybdis wrote:Continuing this discussion as to price point, I was wondering if most of you wear or do not wear your hats based upon the price of the hat?
For example, do most of you not wear your very expensive hats? Do you wear the least expensive more because it's cheaper and you would rather ruin that one instead of an expensive one?
Does it matter? Or do you like wearing your expensive hat knowing it will take a beating?
I wear my hats based on how readily available it is. If it is easily replaced/serviced I wear it more. For my Indiana Jones hats my Akubra Federation Deluxe III get lots of mileage compared to my AB. For non-Indiana Jones hats my VS Custom hats get used a lot more use compared to say the Akubra Down under that is now discontinued. With that said I have never had a hat stolen, lost or damaged to the point I couldn’t fix it myself. So there is really no reason for this fear. But it is still there.
As for specification to Hatsdirect when ordering a new Federation there would be three things I would specify.
#1 Your actual head size (as already stated on this thread)
#2 How stiff you want the hat. I have read on other forums Akubra has produced some pretty stiff open crown hats. Described as “Cardboard”. I don’t think that’s “normal” but I would have that conversation anyway.
#3 One that does not have a predominant ring at the base of the crown. Where the hat breaks to the brim. I have seen some pictures of new Federation/Campdrafts where this line is very noticeable. Not a deal breaker but I would ask anyway.
Akubras are fantastic solid hats. My oldest Federation is the first generation with the wider brim and red liner. I bought it in 2001. Eventually bought a Federation Deluxe in 2005. Sold my original federation to a buddy and he is still wearing it regularly to this day. Needs a new sweatband but other than that it is doing fine. My Federation Deluxe has been my bad weather hat for years. Right now It’s my daily wear hat for work. I am the kind of guy who never leaves the house without a hat on my head so it has had lots of use. Great hats. Can’t recommend them enough.
My two cents worth anyway.
Johnny