Akubra Hats
Akubra Hats® have been Australia's quality hats since the early 1900's, ever since Arthur P. Stewart set up to make a hat to meet the needs of this bustling new colony. Australians in the earlier days, much like the Americans of the West, needed better hats than the usual, and, like the Americans, they had to make them for themselves. Akubra hats stood the test of life on the cattle stations and droving routes. Akubra hats still stand the test, not only in Australia, but throughout the world. We have been bringing Akubra hats to the United States since 1965, at prices other brand names cannot match, in a quality they envy. We offer a wide range of Akubras including the hard-to-find open crown hats and classic pre-creased styles.
About Akubra Hats
Australians needed hard-wearing hats with wider brims than the usual European brims, to protect them from the sun and rain. Akubra soon became known for the durability and comfort of their felt hats, and recognized throughout the world for the Australian styling with a flair that reflects the independent, confident, and sometimes adventurous spirit of the dinkum Australian.
Akubra is the only major hat company making fur felt hats from start to finish, beginning with preparing the fur through all the processes of forming the hood, dyeing, blocking and pouncing the hat to the final trimming. Their control of the entire process allows them to produce an exceptional quality of fur felt. The quality of Akubra's felt is attested to by the fact that they have no need for the colored powders used by many manufacturers to even out the color and hide flaws in the felt. The reputation of Akubra hats is built on the long lasting quality of their fur felt and the comfort of their reeded leather sweat bands.
Each Akubra fur felt hat is handcrafted in Kempsey, Australia. The process takes six weeks, involves 162 distinct steps and takes 60 pairs of hands to complete.
For 150 years Akubra has been owned and operated by five generations of the Keir family. In November 2023 Akubra joined Tattarang, an Australian investment group owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest. The Forrests are committed to enhancing Akubra’s legacy, ensuring that Akubra remains Australian owned and Australian made, with an up-to-date plant, and a long-term dedication to quality. Some of the distinctive features of Akubra hats are described below.
Fur Felt
The prime factors in the quality of felt hats are the quality of the fur used and how tightly it is worked together in the felting process. Fur felt is one of the strongest natural fabrics produced, with every fiber in it interlocked in every direction. This interlocking creates a very strong, smooth, lightweight fabric. Felt made from animal fibers is more impervious to water than any other fabric because of the closely interlocked fibers and the natural resiliency of the fibers. Akubra manufactures the fur felt for their hats from a mixture of furs – rabbit and hare, selected and used to suit the specific hat. The fur used is the downy-under-fur of these animals, not the long, coarse hair commonly called fur. This under-fur has tiny barb-like projections on the surface of each fiber and these barbs lock the fibers to make strong felt. Akubra has more than 130 years’ experience in creating the best fur felts available for their hats.
Reeded Leather Sweatbands
The leather sweatband inside the hat is the only part which touches the head and hence is the key to a comfortable hat. Good leathers are breathable, soft and absorbent. In the best hats the leathers are "reeded" in order to conform better to the head. A reed, once a thin piece of rattan, but now commonly a plastic fiber, is encased in an impervious ribbon of oiled silk or synthetic material, and attached to the bottom of the leather. The ribbon helps to keep perspiration from staining the body of the hat. The reeded leather sweatbands used by Akubra are made of the finest roan sheepskin, specially tanned to ensure comfort. Roan leather is also used in Akubra's Hemp Hats, a luxurious feature not usually found in straw hats.
Great Australian Style
These hats are genuine Akubras, handcrafted in Australia and built for durability. Australians spend a lot of time outdoors. To protect themselves from the harsh sunlight they wear hats as a matter of course, and they expect their hats to last. Australians give hats rough treatment - fan the fire, water the dog, or gather the chooks' eggs, an Akubra is expected to handle it all, day in day out, year in year out. You can wear your Akubra with confidence, knowing it's quality and style are top-notch.
Fitting Your Akubra
Heads come in all sizes, and in a surprising variety of shapes. Although fur felt hats are adaptable, and will usually conform to differences in shape with a little wearing, it is essential that the size be correct for the head. To determine your hat size, follow the directions under Hat Sizing. Please check the fit of your Akubra before wearing it. We supply felt pads (for in-between sizes) and detailed fitting and care instructions with all Akubra hats. You will get the most service and pleasure from your Akubra hat if it fits you well. We ask that you check the size of your hat when it arrives. Hats can be returned for exchange or refund within 90 days of purchase. Hats returned or exchanged must be in the condition received so please take care to keep the hat free from grease or dirt, and do not remove labels or ribbons, crease the crown or otherwise alter the hat before you are sure you are satisfied.
Wearing and Caring for Your Akubra
Akubra Hats are made to be worn by active outdoorsmen. They are made to give full satisfaction during years of service, through sun and rain. There is no need to baby your Akubra, but if you treat it with understanding, it will look better and last longer. Check our Hat Care page for detailed tips on how to care for your Akubra. A braided leather hat band, such as our Double Round Hat Band, sets off a hat well. When fitting a band, a stitch on each side to hold it in place is good practice. Chin straps, or Stampede Strings ensure against loss of your hat in wind or brush. Both our Stampede String and Akubra's own Breakaway Chin Strap. are easily attached to all the Akubras we offer.
Attaching a Stampede String or Chin Strap to Your Akubra Hat