Scotch Guard? Scout Felt Hat Protector?

[Blackthorn]

The thread that holds hats together isn't made of fur, and will fall apart over time if saturated with water.

 

[Undertow]

Water Spots?
How Long Does The Modern Stetson Last?
Akubra Hat Problem
Hat Drenched, Ruined?

The above links may have an answer, or may at least help.

 

[jlee562]

I'd say the problem described in the linked thread is the exception to the norm. I wear my Fed IV as my rain hat and have never had a problem. Akubras are plenty tough.

 

[gtdean48]

If i ever buy a fur felt hat made from Akruba, which rain protection spray would you recommend ?
...

None! Akubras love the rain....

 

[jthix]

I just got my first fur felt (an Akubra Squatter) and so far, it really does well in the rain. Every time it starts to rain while I'm at home, I immediatly grab my hat to go for a walk.

 

[Golden]

what is the consensus on what people use on their fur felts for waterproofing?

Just bought a rabbit beaver blend whippet style fedora.

ty


-j

 

[TheDane]

Do "people" waterproof their fur felt hats?

 

[Lefty]

do you plan to do much diving in said hat?

 

[Golden]

whatever I may fancy
working
driving
walking
hiking
to dinner
to the movies
etc etc

 

[T Jones]

I haven't heard of anyone waterproofing their fur felts either. Although some hat manufacturers did have some kind of waterproofing process for their fur felts, like Bradford's "Glyco-Tite" process i.e. I'm assuming they weren't intended for down pours though. But then again, the best water proofing is not to wear your hat in the rain.

 

[Edward]

Never used any product on any of my hats..... only one I'm considering it is a modern Borsolino, but just a stiffening spray to give the brim a bit more body again....

 

[Lefty]

do you plan to bathe in said hat?

-on a side note, there is a bit of a debate as to whether bathing in a thin ribbon would be more appropriate, but we'll leave that for another time.

 

[TheDane]

Hats are like most other clothes ... they'll withstand you, being caught in the rain. Suits and dress hats were never made for rain showers, though. An umbrella, protecting both, works for me and many others

 

[g.durand]

As T Jones mentioned, some manufacturers of old applied some sort of water proofing to their products. I don't know if there has been a discussion on the Lounge about how effective they were.

None of the hats I own have been water-proofed, save for a couple of vintage hats that name some sort of process that the manufacturer applied. Fur felt, either rabbit or beaver or a blend, will generally take a good soaking without much effect. Some hats may shrink, and the sweat bands may shrink if they get wet, but there are ways to keep your hat in good condition if it does get wet. My rule of thumb is not to wear my vintage hats in the rain, only because they are rare and I want to preserve them. Many of the modern hats I have, either mass produced or custom made, have been subjected to rain and didn't suffer much. I have a Borsalino wild/domestic hare blend that I bought back in the '80s that has been worn in rain and snow and sleet more times than I can remember and is none the worse for wear. When I bought it the hatter told me to just wear it and not worry about it, and so I did.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

A hat rain cover can be bought...

 

[alanfgag]

...or borrowed.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Weeeeeeeell all you need is imagination...

 

[TheDane]

- well, some also need a very wide plastic bag

 

[gtdean48]

Beavers & bunnies are already water resistant naturally...

 

[ingineer]

Maybe in Oregon?

Richard