Good Factory Indy Fedora

[Nobody]

Hi all, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been around here. I’ve searched but I can’t seem to find if there are any good factory Indy fedoras available, a la the Advintage Harrison, Adventurebilt Henry or Penman Everyman. I know that the Federation IV is still available, is there anything else that I’m missing.
Thanks

[Dr. Jones, Jr.]

I haven't owned one but the general consensus around here is that the advantage Harrison is an extremely solid choice - I believe it's out of stock in some sizes currently although it has been a couple weeks since I last checked.

[Howard Weinstein]

Hi all, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been around here. I’ve searched but I can’t seem to find if there are any good factory Indy fedoras available, a la the Advintage Harrison, Adventurebilt Henry or Penman Everyman. I know that the Federation IV is still available, is there anything else that I’m missing.
Thanks

I have 4 AdVintage Harrisons -- 2 80/20 rabbit/beaver and 2 100% rabbit, in 3 different colors. I really like these hats, which I think are a cut above the Fed IV in terms of accurate felt and ribbon colors and brim dimensions, for close to the same price.

Also, Thomas at AdVintage will shape even these off-the-shelf Harrisons to your choice of movie configurations. Unfortunately, they've been out of Harrisons for some time during the pandemic. Not sure if it's a supply chain issue, or if he's been so swamped with custom-hat orders that he's had to put Harrisons on his back burner.

I suggest emailing Thomas to see when/if he might restock his Harrison lineup.

[Dr. Jones, Jr.]

Hi all, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been around here. I’ve searched but I can’t seem to find if there are any good factory Indy fedoras available, a la the Advintage Harrison, Adventurebilt Henry or Penman Everyman. I know that the Federation IV is still available, is there anything else that I’m missing.
Thanks

I have 4 AdVintage Harrisons -- 2 80/20 rabbit/beaver and 2 100% rabbit, in 3 different colors. I really like these hats, which I think are a cut above the Fed IV in terms of accurate felt and ribbon colors and brim dimensions, for close to the same price.

Also, Thomas at AdVintage will shape even these off-the-shelf Harrisons to your choice of movie configurations. Unfortunately, they've been out of Harrisons for some time during the pandemic. Not sure if it's a supply chain issue, or if he's been so swamped with custom-hat orders that he's had to put Harrisons on his back burner.

I suggest emailing Thomas to see when/if he might restock his Harrison lineup.

This ^. My general understanding is that the Fed IV is a very tough hat and very good for the price but not super screen accurate if you're obsessed with that sort of thing.

[Nobody]

Thanks for the replies.

[Charybdis]

I think you nailed the three most prominent manufactured hat makers. I own a Fed IV and the AdVintage Harrison and they both are great hats but the AdVintage takes the top spot in my mind...

[Howard Weinstein]

I think you nailed the three most prominent manufactured hat makers. I own a Fed IV and the AdVintage Harrison and they both are great hats but the AdVintage takes the top spot in my mind...

Agreed. I forgot to mention above that I had 2 brown Fed IVs and a Moonstone gray one before I found out about the Harrison. The Fed IV is a really nice solid hat, and a great close-enough choice. But once I got my first Harrison, I sold my Fed IVs in favor of the Harrison's greater accuracy at a budget-friendly price.

[mr_alex]

On his website, Thomas says that more Harrison fedora's will be coming in 'late summer' - so hopefully anytime now!

I own 2 Akubra's, and then got a custom beaver fedora from Advintage this spring. It's amazing. And now that I have a truly SA hat, the Akubra's aren't doing it for me anymore. I would love to get a screen accurate fedora that's cheap enough I don't feel terrible actually taking it on adventures with me and letting it get beat up a little. A 'Harrison' seems like the perfect way to go! I'll look forward to them coming back in stock.

Question that's sort of off topic:
How much warmer is beaver felt than rabbit felt? My beaver felt hat is warm enough I really can't wear it in the warmer months because I get too sweaty. I'm wondering if rabbit would be more friendly to hot climates? Or is it not that big of a difference since regardless you're wearing fur-felt on your head?

[Castor Dioscuri]

I think any difference is pretty negligible, and unless you have a paper thin felt vs an inch thick felt, you won't notice. Frankly, I think that if it's a more "breathable" hat you're looking for, your best bet would be looking for something with vent holes.

Also, food for thought- depending on how hot and humid you're thinking, don't forget that beaver tends to be more durable. From my own experience, I've worn beaver fedoras in all types of environments to no noticeable changes. One day in a humid Floridian summer practically melted my rabbit HJ, however. But YMMV.

[Illinois_Jones]

It all depends on what it is you're looking for and what matters most to you. The Harrison is more accurate in terms of color and dimensions (especially for Raiders) but the Fed is more outdoorsy and rugged. I've said it here plenty before, but if it's mostly cosplay and normal "around town" stuff you're going for then the Harrison is your best bet, but if you're planning on camping or hiking and actually planning to put the hat through real work then you're better off with the Fed.

Oh and I just noticed Thomas updated the Harrison listing on AdVintage. They're not available yet, but wow that's quite a price hike.

[Charybdis]

While not a factory hat, don't forget Hufvud hats. They are all custom but if you go with the 80/20 rabbit blend felt, the price is $300. Not bad at all for a custom made hat.

[Castor Dioscuri]

Ugh, you might have just convinced me that I need a new hat...

[Dr. Jones, Jr.]

It all depends on what it is you're looking for and what matters most to you. The Harrison is more accurate in terms of color and dimensions (especially for Raiders) but the Fed is more outdoorsy and rugged. I've said it here plenty before, but if it's mostly cosplay and normal "around town" stuff you're going for then the Harrison is your best bet, but if you're planning on camping or hiking and actually planning to put the hat through real work then you're better off with the Fed.

Oh and I just noticed Thomas updated the Harrison listing on AdVintage. They're not available yet, but wow that's quite a price hike.

I'm seeing 198 Euro shipped for a Harrison currently which is pretty close to a 1:1 ratio to USD right now... what it was before? Also if you're in the U.S. you only pay about 80% of the cost since VAT is included in the list cost but not applicable to the U.S., just have to let them know when ordering... so roughly $160 shipped in the U.S.

[Illinois_Jones]

It all depends on what it is you're looking for and what matters most to you. The Harrison is more accurate in terms of color and dimensions (especially for Raiders) but the Fed is more outdoorsy and rugged. I've said it here plenty before, but if it's mostly cosplay and normal "around town" stuff you're going for then the Harrison is your best bet, but if you're planning on camping or hiking and actually planning to put the hat through real work then you're better off with the Fed.

Oh and I just noticed Thomas updated the Harrison listing on AdVintage. They're not available yet, but wow that's quite a price hike.

I'm seeing 198 Euro shipped for a Harrison currently which is pretty close to a 1:1 ratio to USD right now... what it was before? Also if you're in the U.S. you only pay about 80% of the cost since VAT is included in the list cost but not applicable to the U.S., just have to let them know when ordering... so roughly $160 shipped in the U.S.

Yeah, it's not bad all things considered, especially from the US. His last batch was like €169, and before the pandemic it was like €129. It's roughly keeping pace with USD appreciation, but there is a general sticker shock as with everything these days.

I mean my last Harrison was the 80/20 blend from a few years ago and I think I paid $150 shipped, while the all rabbit ones were probably $120 or so. Such are the times we live in.

[Charybdis]

Wow! Even at $160 shipped to the US for a Harrison is still a great price...