Headwear!

blue lander

blue lander

Joined
Aug 16, 2011
Messages
1,386
I just got a gen-u-wine pith helmet for my birthday
size-adj.jpg

It's made from pith which is basically cork. It might make me look like a beekeeper but dang if it doesn't keep your head cool. It sucks breezes up under the brim and cools you off. For extra cooling you can soak it in water. The cork absorbs the water and cools you off via evaporation. It's like an air conditioner for your noggin. They got a few different style, all are made in Vietnam where they picked the style up from their French overlords back in the day.

http://www.villagehatshop.com/category/84/1/pith-helmets.html

My previous summer hat was a montecristi Panama hat. It worked well and looked good, but it cost a ton and fell apart after a couple years.
 
For cooler climes I prefer an Akubra hat from Australia. They're made from a mix of rabbit fur and wild hare fur. Rabbits are an invasive species in Aussie so taking a few of them out of action to make a hat is good for the environment.
View attachment 567284
But wild hare is a little courser than bunny rabbits so the hat isn't as soft as your grandpappy's Stetson or Dobbs hat. It is much nicer than a modern Stetson/Dobbs and half the price. And infinitely nicer than a cheapo wool fedora from Sears or whatever.

There are online stores that sell 'em in the U.S. But you can save $20-30 if you buy it from an Australian site. You pay more for shipping of course but the Aussie dollar is very weak against the U.S. Dollar these days. After shipping costs it should only cost about $100 and last a lifetime.

http://everythingaustralian.com.au/row/shop-by-brands/akubra.html
 
That is pretty cool! (pun intended)

Although I'm an unconditional Tilley fan - little research on your pith helmet makes me want one.
 
If you have a small head you can get really nice vintage felt hats off eBay and goodwill auctions for cheap. If you have a ginormous head like me, you'd have to pay a lot more. I did manage to snag a fairly nice Stevens desire from the 40's off goodwill auctions, looked to be never worn . It still had its original price tag in it ($7.58)
 
I have a Pith Helmet I bought at the Bonneville Salt Flats the first time I went down with a crew. With the sun beating down and the salt beating and reflecting it back up it was the ticket. Still looked like I'd been in a fire when I got home but he sure was the most comfy option for the head.

I used to wear it frequently until I got it autographed by Art Arfonse the last time down. Got a picture with his rocket car too.
 
Oh and goodness gracious Happy Birthday. How thoughtless of me.
 
blue lander said:
If you have a small head you can get really nice vintage felt hats off eBay and goodwill auctions for cheap. If you have a ginormous head like me, you'd have to pay a lot more. I did manage to snag a fairly nice Stevens desire from the 40's off goodwill auctions, looked to be never worn . It still had its original price tag in it ($7.58)
Click to expand...

Hmmm. I think I qualify for large with 7 1/5. I'll look it up. I'm in no hurry as I have too many headwear already :-)
 
Last edited:
I qualify for ginormous. Found a cowboy hat that actually felt comfy in Virginia City last month. 7 3/4. Guy that knew hats said in some brands I'd need an 8.
To my surprise my oldest son tried it on and it was tight on him. I wear it everyday. Nothing wrong with wanting to be a cowboy ya know?
 
Pin Heads, thats what you call that.

I tried a Bat Masterson Derby hat on in the store in Virginia City, size 7. I looked like Hardy in a Laurel and Hardy flick.

I almost bought on in the largest size which I think is 7 5/8 online but when I saw it in person it didn't sing.
 
On these it's just decorative . But on an old one from the 20s it would have been a functional chin strap
 
There's two competing theories why vintage hats are so small. One is that people in ye olden days had small heads. The others is that people always had big heads, so the big sized vintage hats were all worn out. Only the small ones survived to today because nobody could wear them
 
I second the Akubra. Have had one since at least 96.
steve_and_his_gold.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
I like pith helmets, particularly the British style, but I'm a devout Tilley man. You can't ask for more than a high quality hat that's made in Canada, with excellent customer service. Much the same reason I like HI products, really.
 
Dobe_1 said:
I have a Tilley also.
Click to expand...

My first Tilley died last year after 25 years of abusive use. It was the classic light beige.
Over the years, sweat and soap weaken the cotton of the forehead area until it teared.
This thing followed me all around the world. I was attached to that stupid hat.

I went to the Tilley Store with the damaged hat.
They looked at it, looked at me and said chose another one you like.
I made my choice within half an hour and came back at the counter.

They used a black marker and wrote a big "R" inside the top of the old one.
Put the new one in a nice bag and said "that's it, you're good to go for another 25 years".

Free replacement!

Now that I have 3 or 4 Tilley's for different uses, I don't think I will kill another during my lifetime.
(Except maybe the new light ones in synthetic fabric, they don't wrinkle but they are not as resistant as the heavy cotton ones)

fun fact - I bought a Panama Jack in California during a trip I forgot my Tilley.
I went swimming with it and let it dry on my head as I ussually do with my Tilley...
Until my eye balls were ready to burst out.
Note to self - Do not dunk a Panama Jack hat in water nor ask for replacement if you do. They are not meant to be soaked.
 
Last edited:
Dang Bookie - I just ordered an Akubra hat!

I went for the Coober Pedy style cause I don't want a pool on my head when it rains :-)
Size is 7 1/2 or 60cm Aussie, the larger they make is 61cm. Lucky me.
Larger than that is custom/special order $$$
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top