Akubra, what a trooper

IndyParise · Post by **IndyParise** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:08 am

As many of you know, I've been in Disney World, FL. for the last week or so. During that time, I gave my Akubra its first endurance test. We decided to go horseback riding and I decided to wear the federation while riding. About 5 minutes into riding, it started to POUR rain in buckets on us. My good ole' Akubra made it through 45 more minutes of torrential downpour and not only survived, but hardly even changed. It was wet enough that I started to feel it weigh down more than a little on my head and was just about black in appearance by the end. It didn't taper at all, or at least enough for me to notice. The brim is still fine, and it is in overall great condition. One thing I like about it now, is since it's soaking, it has felt softer and more floppy for lack of a better word. I'll post pics as soon as I can.

P.S. I thought I'd do this before someone else did ;0

Indiana Lee · Post by **Indiana Lee** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:39 pm

Has the hat changed color since it was soaked....I worry about the green stains coming through caused by the dye that Tone mentioned before if the hat gets wet. Would you say when it dried it was the same brown...or is it darker or lighter now.

Before and After pics would be great if you have them.

thanks!

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:33 pm

Indiana Lee wrote:Has the hat changed color since it was soaked....I worry about the green stains coming through caused by the dye that Tone mentioned before if the hat gets wet. Would you say when it dried it was the same brown...or is it darker or lighter now.

Before and After pics would be great if you have them.

thanks!

Hey Lee - when my Akubra gets soaked it turns out fine too - I've never had any discoloration (in terms of things not brown), even when I've had water coming through the brim and had dye dripping off. The only thing I've noticed different about it is that it's a little softer, and it feels more comfortable on my head. I don't think it's tapered much, if any.

When mine dries, it's usually the same color; it's the sun that'll make your hat (or your Cotton Wested!) fade.

Parise - these hats are fantastic aren't they?

In Christ,
Shane

IndyParise · Post by **IndyParise** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:25 pm

The color has not changed much if at all. In fact, the areas that were fading from the sun went away after soaking. I'll probably send it out for a reblock anyway because I want to make the center dent deeper and it tapers when I try, the taper from that happened before getting wet anyway. Unforunately, I don't have too many good before pictures but I'll see what I can do.

GoneSolo · Post by **GoneSolo** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:40 pm

IndyParise wrote:I've been in Disney World, FL. for the last week

I was there too! And looking for people wearing feds in the parks. Must have missed ya (or we weren't at the same parks).

Yea I have heard that the Akubra cannot be killed.

IndyParise · Post by **IndyParise** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:26 pm

I met someone here at The Living Seas by accident. God help me but I don't remember asking what his user name was but asked him if he was with COW. We were both wearing Akubras and MkVII bags (I find mine highly useful to carry stuff to entertain myself on lines as well as my wallet, cell phone etc.

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:35 pm

Tone - thanks for posting that reminder -

I knew water wouldn't make it green, but I guess I shouldn't assume everybody knows that. Some less experienced folks (people who haven't had their fedoras soaked through completely) might have still wondered whether water would make the hat turn funny colors be it caused by the dye, or the felt, or what have you.

GoneSolo - that's true! The Akubra is actually bulletproof, and is also a suitable substitute for a bicycle or motorcycle helmet.

It is an amazing fedora, no doubt.

In Christ,
Shane

IndyParise · Post by **IndyParise** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:03 am

IndyMcFly wrote: GoneSolo - that's true! The Akubra is actually bulletproof, and is also a suitable substitute for a bicycle or motorcycle helmet.

No it's not, I have firsthand experience

Kaleponi Craig · Post by **Kaleponi Craig** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:30 am

I'm happy to hear all this praise for Akubra. I just ordered my first, a grey Federation. Don't know how I'm going to bash it, maybe an Indy bash, maybe something else. But I'll post pics...KC

gobo · Post by **gobo** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:58 pm

I fell into a river wearing the Akubra once. As soon as it dried up, it was none the worse for wear.

Akubra, what a trooper

Akubra, what a trooper

Re: Akubra, what a trooper