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 Heritage Collection, Akubra's premium quality hats, open crown hats, classic pre-creased styles such as the Snowy River, Akubra's Lifestyle Collection of crushable hats and Akubra's Hemp Range.
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 the raw skins through all the processes of preparing the fur, 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.
Akubra is an owner-operated company 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 fur felt are the quality of the fur used and how tightly it is worked together in the felting process.The basic fur in a felt hat is the under-fur of rabbits. Akubra cuts the fur from the skins themselves to maintain better quality control, and is one of the very few hat companies left who manufacture their fur felt hats from start to finish.
The quality of the felt in American hats is often designated by a number of X’s, an arbitrary value differing between manufacturers. Akubra does not use X’s. They produce four felt qualities. Their standard quality, with a world-wide reputation for durability, is offered in two finishes, the Imperial Quality, used in most of the standard hats we offer, and the Superfine, used in the Slouch hat. The Sydney is made from a lighter weight felt, using a finer fur, with a finish similar to the Imperial Quality. Their premium quality, developed recently for the Heritage Collection, is very much in the Akubra tradition, a stronger, more dense felt for even greater durability, which also allows a finer pouncing for a superb finish. Pliofelt is the pliable fur felt used in Akubra’s crushable Lifestyle Collection .
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 fibre, 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 Range, a luxurious feature not usually found in straw hats.
Great Australian Style
These hats are genuine Akubras, made 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.
Repacking Your Akubra
Returns/Reorder Form (pdf)
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 Fancy Edge 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 ensure against loss of your hat in wind or brush. Most Akubras have chin strap hooks set inside the crown. Just slip the end of the strap through the gap between leather and crown, and set the strap over the hooks.
Attaching A Chin Strap to Your Akubra Hat
Wholesale Information
David Morgan distributes Akubra hats in the United States and Canada. If you
have a retail store and are interested in carrying Akubras, please contact us
or visit our Akubra site: akubra-usa.com. If you are looking for a retail store
carrying Akubras near you, please check our list of Akubra
Dealers.
To learn even more about Akubra and Akubra hats, we invite you to visit www.akubra.com.au -- Akubra's own website in Australia.
For more information ...
Please follow the links below for more information about Akubra hats and related items.
Akubra's Heritage Collection
Bashing Your Open Crown Akubra
Fedoras & Dress Hats
Hat Sizing
Hat Care
Hat FAQs
Hat Manual (pdf)
Repacking Your Akubra
Returns/Reorder Form (pdf)
The Man from Snowy River
Waltzing Matilda
Akubra, best known for their fur felt hats, is now offering leather belts. Akubra belts are quality belts, made in Australia to the same high Akubra standards as their hats because their good reputation depends on it. We are pleased to offer the Sydney Leather Belt and the Koala Belt.
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