If an Akubra Fed IV isn't viable...

[Iandiana Jones]

So if Akubra is getting weird about online purchasing, and the price is rising, what would be the next Indy Hat of comparable quality?

I'll probably only ever be able to afford one, unless a big change happens. So it needs to be a tank, and in the neighborhood of $200US...

What are your favorites?

[bearbeast]

The AdVintage Harrison is a nice hat in that price range. Not available at the moment, but it should be within the next weeks.

I would not call it a tank, though, it's just a great hat. The felt is somewhat floppy and it softens in time, at least the one I got years ago has behaved like that.

I don't think you can get a tank, like the FedIV for $200. It really was the cheapest and most robust option out there as far as I know.

Cheers,
Bear

[Indiana Jon]

I second Bear's sentiments. I'm a big fan of the AdVintage Harrison and once the felt softens up it has what feels like a very screen accurate flop to it. But in terms of sheer durability, you can't beat the Fed.

As with many things, it depends on what you want out of it. Keep in mind the Fed is not a screen accurate lid. It's certainly reminiscent, but if you're only ever going to have one Indy fedora, I'd suggest either saving your pennies for an HJ, or going with AdVintage. The Harrisons are affordable when available, and Thomas is an artist when it comes to shaping. But if durability is #1 on your list, you may need to wait for a successor to the Fed.

[Iandiana Jones]

Screen accuracy is of little import to me.

I just wanted a close enough hat to last forever and a day.


...I just had to have automotive troubles when I was ready to buy it, and haven't been able to catch up appropriately...

[Illinois_Jones]

Well the other option is the Hero Jr, but with the current tariff situation who knows what they cost now or if it's even operating right now. But it's not a robust hat like a Fed.
And the Harrison is decent but again, it's an entry-level rabbit felt hat. I've sprayed mine with copious amounts of waterproofing spray and it's held up great -- but that's a controversial practice and not something I'd do on a nicer hat.
But it's not like you CAN'T get the Fed, it's just that they've removed Akubras from all regular online sales. The new ownership at Akubra hated that retailers like Hats Direct and Everything Australian could flip their wholesale stock and undercut Akubra's direct retail sales -- basically Hats Direct and especially Everything Australian would sell their stock 10-20% lower than Akubra offered on their own site. A LOT of brands are doing this now and virtually destroying their long time retail partnerships. But anyway, just email them and get the price and stock etc.
Or prowl ebay for one your size.

[Iandiana Jones]

I feel like the simpler solution is just for brands to charge the same as the retailer, but I suspect that's not greedy enough for wealthy folk.

[imagine671]

Thanks, @Illinois Jones. Can anyone provide any further insights into what the situation is with Akubra? I know they were recently bought, which is a shame, but is there any information on why things seem to be tightening up on the supply side? I’ve just signalled my interest in a purchase of a Fed IV on Hats Direct in case this is one of the last opportunities we’ll have. It doesn’t appear on the Akubra site. My Fed IV from ‘08 is one of my favourite hats. It’s so robust.

[Michaelson]

It’s available from HatsDirect, not directly from Akubra. From what I’ve been told, it will be a dealer specific model for them.

Regards! Michaelson

[Iandiana Jones]

So the Fed IV is about the price it was last time I checked, so it hasn't raised all that much.

Akubra is just being weird about displaying online prices, you just have to open an email dialogue with them about it.

[Western New York Indy]

I just checked the Hats Direct website and it says they can only display the Fed IV, not sell it online.

As a part of our AKUBRA retailer agreement we are currently only able to DISPLAY the AKUBRA range online. If you would like to contact us about purchasing options, please use the form below or contact our Katoomba store.

But maybe you can still buy it online if you email them?

-WNY Indy

[Iandiana Jones]

I just emailed them yesterday, and they got back to me today.

They can't display the price online, you just have to email them about and you can buy it through a couple extra hoops.

[Indiana Jeff]

Extra hoops aside, that’s good news.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Iandiana Jones]

After an email to them about policy and pricing, they sent me this reply:

Hi Ian,



Lovely to hear from you – we are all good here… it’s Autumn and our favourite time of year, so we are enjoying the brilliant colour displays that Mother Nature is putting on: : https://garyphayes.photography/autumn-colour/



Okay, the new owners at Akubra no longer allow ANY retailers to display prices or sell directly online. So, when you wish to purchase your Fed IV you will need to email us with the hat, size and colour you want and we will email you an invoice directly. Then you can simply pay online at your convenience.



Regarding the prices – here are the basics for now:

Federation IV – $181.00 USD

Federation IV Deluxe – $211.00 USD

Shaping Service – 1930s OR Expedition – $15.00 USD

Standard Shipping - $21.00 USD



So, apart from a couple of extra steps, we are still sending our hats around the world – YAY!



Please let us know which hat, colour, size you are interested in and we can give you an exact price.



We look forward to hearing from you.



Best regards from The Hattery Gang,

Naomi & Trudi & Patrick

--

[Indiana Jon]

That is great news! Thanks for getting that verification.

[imagine671]

Just to echo what others have said, I contacted HatsDirect with a query about a prospective purchase of a Fed IV. They explained that they will invoice for the purchase once the hat is available and that they take online payments. As a side note, they’re expecting a new batch of Fed IVs to be delivered imminently. I was quoted £136.00 for the standard Fed IV. I’ll definitely be getting one just in case the new owners at Akubra decide to engage in even more restrictive purchasing practices in future. It’s kind of a strange thing to do to retailers, particularly in the case of the Fed IV, given that it’s seemingly a HatsDirect exclusive anyway so they aren’t in danger of undercutting prices on Akubra’s own site.