Protecting a Rabbit Felt HJ Poet from the rain

[IndianaHenry]

Hello, friends! I haven't been on in quite a while. School. Hah.

Anyway, I am going to Peru for six weeks this summer, and like any hardcore Indy fan, I want to wear my HJ Indy fedora there as much as possible. Here's my main concern with that:

What is the best way to protect my fedora against rain (and secondarily, from other moisture like sweat)?

I know there must be a post here about this topic already, but I couldn't find it.

Thanks for your help, amigos!

--Henry

[Indiana Jeff]

There are water proofing products out there that will help with rain. Check at stores that sell western hats if you have any in your area. Be sure the product is specifically for fur felt hats, not all are. And as always, it's best to test the product on a less noticeable part of the hat (probably under the brim is your best option) to test for any changes in color.

In terms of sweat, that's a lot harder. Some members have treated their sweatband with waterproofing lotions, but that defeats the purpose of the sweatband. Best suggestion I have is to tuck some tissue or paper towels behind the sweatband to help absorb some sweat, but your hat will fit tighter then.

On the whole, sweat marks that are visible on the outside of the felt will dry and not be noticeable. I see sweat marks as a badge of honor for a well worn, well loved hat.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Michaelson]

As a side note, you MAY want to also consider taking a back up straw hat to wear.

6 weeks in a humid jungle environment is going to be miserable, and if all you have to fall back on is a fur felt fedora....well, you're going not going to be very comfortable depending on just that hat for the entire trip.

That's what I usually do when I'm faced with a trip to an area that is going to be in humid climes.

Can't add much more to what Jeff said, but keep in mind, due TO the humidity, there's a good chance the rabbit felt may taper faster than normal, and no matter HOW much treatment you put on the felt, you're not going to stop water from passing through the fibers should you get in a steady rain or downpour.

That said, this is the product most of our hat makers usually recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Foot-Headwear-Sc ... +protector" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not wanting to be a wet blanket here, but just wanted to put full disclosure out there for your consideration so you're not completely turned off by your fine HJ hat (I own one myself) half way through the trip due to the heat that hat will hold on top of your head as you travel through the jungles there.

There are times when our love of our hobby and reality go down different paths.

Been there, done that, err to the side of reality anymore.

I'd still take it....just have a 'fall back' straw fedora is all I'm suggesting.

Regards! Michaelson

[Nosirrah]

Fascinating place, Peru. Big. Lots of climatic zones. Up in the Andes, you'll see lots of fedoras. They're worn by the women, FYI. More of a narrow-brim Borsalino look, though. The men wear chullos-- those "Sherpa" knit caps with the earflaps. On the eastern (jungly) side of the cordillera, you'll see straw hats. And baseball caps. Pack a few, especially with American sports logos (think Short Round here), they make great presents/bribes ("regalitos"). On the coastal savanna side, it can get pretty steamy, too-- but more urbane. Can't beat a classic Panama. They're actually from adjacent Ecuador, so you should be able to get a bargain on a first-class specimen.
I still have the Panama I picked up in Uxmal in '79 (honorably retired from active duty), and my chullo from Cuzco, which is scratchy and still smells like a llama on a mountaintop when wet.
I'm with Michaelson-- in fact, I'd leave the Poet at home and go hat shopping. And pick up a nice guayabera to go with. No shorts, unless your a pre-teen.
If you do take the Poet, wear it with pride. Be nice to it when you get it home.
¡Feliz viaje!

[cybertrek]

Hello,
I have a hat cover that has saved my butt a few times in an unexpected downpour. I carry it in my satchel at the parks or pocket or even my wifes purse dependening on where we are.
https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Shop-Hat- ... +protector
Just another option to think about.
jim

[Nosirrah]

I have a hat cover that has saved my butt a few times in an unexpected downpour.

Must...stop...trying...to visualize...this

[cybertrek]

lol

And by butt I mean hat

Jim

[Nosirrah]

Thanks for clearing that up, Jim. Didn't mean to digress, but there it was. Now I'll be able to sleep tonight.

Back to Henry: perhaps without meaning to, you have raised three deep existential questions (funny how these things always come in threes)
One: What is a hat for?
Two: What would Indy do?
Three: Do you own the hat, or does the hat own you?

These are not trivial questions, and the obvious answers are not necessarily the truest. In fact, they are Ground Zero in an ongoing discussion in archaeological circles, under "material culture studies." Our creations, our "stuff," often have their own identities, biographies, agenda (purposes), and symbolic meaning(s). A hat whose purpose is to look like a movie prop will have a very different career trajectory than one whose purpose is to keep its owners head shaded, or warm, or dry. And allowing said owner to later say, "yeah, that poor old hat has been to Peru and back-- that's why it looks the way it does." Maybe the Poet isn't that hat, but a second "beater" hat, is.
Personally, I like the sound raindrops make when they hit my fedora. OTOH, a Panama leaks like a sieve, but it dries fast.

[IndianaJustin]

Hello,
I have a hat cover that has saved my butt a few times in an unexpected downpour. I carry it in my satchel at the parks or pocket or even my wifes purse dependening on where we are.
https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Shop-Hat- ... +protector
Just another option to think about.
jim

Thanks for reminding me about these things. Seen NPS rangers use these effectively. Not on their butt though. Went and bought one.
IJ

[IndianaHenry]

Wow! Thanks for all of the super informative replies, amigos! Some of this stuff I already figured, while other points were previously unconsidered.

Overall, I think I'm going to combine all of your advice in some ways. Yes, I do have to consider those questions. What is a hat even for, and what would Indy do? To me, a hat is for wearing and I got this hat to wear under most any circumstance. That being said, I don't want to be foolish and purposely allow it to be ruined.

So I definitely will take it to Peru, knowing that it will likely receive some wear (that IS kind of the essence of an Indy hat to me, and the mark of a well-loved hat), BUT I am also going to take some sort of bag to put it in should it start raining or I just get too freaking hot wearing it. Haha.

Balance is the key here, I think.

Thanks for the good discussion, friends!

[AttyOzzy]

I have enjoyed observing this discussion. I have gone back and forth in my own mind as to whether I would bring my hat, jacket, etc.

I too love my Indygear (and I have happily paid a pretty price for the items).

I have spent almost every day for the last 15 years in a suit for work, thus I know I will refuse to be buried in one.

Thus, my present desire is that the jacket - and maybe the hat - that I am eventually buried in will have lived as hard, as adventurous, and as freely as I have. Having said that, there is no shame in making sure your gear lasts as long as you do!

Safe travels our friend, and please bring back ample photos to inspire us all! Safe travels.

- AO

[IndianaHenry]

I have enjoyed observing this discussion. I have gone back and forth in my own mind as to whether I would bring my hat, jacket, etc.

I too love my Indygear (and I have happily paid a pretty price for the items).

I have spent almost every day for the last 15 years in a suit for work, thus I know I will refuse to be buried in one.

Thus, my present desire is that the jacket - and maybe the hat - that I am eventually buried in will have lived as hard, as adventurous, and as freely as I have. Having said that, there is no shame in making sure your gear lasts as long as you do!

Safe travels our friend, and please bring back ample photos to inspire us all! Safe travels.

- AO

Yes, it is a VERY hard dilemma. As Michaelson said, our hobby and reality very often converge in conflicting ways. Haha.

But I do want my gear to show character (just like our favorite whip-cracking proffy) and the marks of adventure, while still learning how to properly care for it. No shame in that at all.

Thanks, amigo! I will most definitely attempt to post pics! I am super excited to have the opportunity to travel to the same country where so much important Indy lore occured.