Hats off to Tilley...

[Stalker62]

The time draws near, and all things being equal (they never are), our little band of adventurers will be, once again, heading off to the Dark Continent to get ourselves into all kinds of trouble.




As always the issue of kit arises. Two of our band swear by Tilley hats.



For reasons that I will not bore you with, I need a good hat. I need a really good hat - and so a week or so ago, my long-suffering wife ordered me one.




and still no sign of it arriving. My impatience drives my wife to make enquiries. They are (apparently) 'made to order'

But more than that, it is being made in Canada, to be flown over to the UK so I can take it to Africa. Utter madness.
A hat that has more 'air miles' than its owner.

Anyhoo.

BHL notwithstanding, it should be shoved into my post box on Tuesday - hope they are tough.

Giddy with the prospect of owing a 'posh' hat, I did some research into Tilley hats, just to see how tough they are.

I found this, rather glorious gem...



One such story (and shown as part of an advertisement) includes a hat being eaten by an elephant, and defecated out later that week entirely intact.




And so dear reader, the moral of the story is - when an elephant eats your hat, you really are going to be in the sh**...


I'll let you know how I get on...

 

[sh1kar]

The time draws near, and all things being equal (they never are), our little band of adventurers will be, once again, heading off to the Dark Continent to get ourselves into all kinds of trouble.


View attachment 363451

As always the issue of kit arises. Two of our band swear by Tilley hats.

View attachment 363452

For reasons that I will not bore you with, I need a good hat. I need a really good hat - and so a week or so ago, my long-suffering wife ordered me one.




View attachment 363453 and still no sign of it arriving. My impatience drives my wife to make enquiries. They are (apparently) 'made to order'

But more than that, it is being made in Canada, to be flown over to the UK so I can take it to Africa. Utter madness.
A hat that has more 'air miles' than its owner.

Anyhoo.

BHL notwithstanding, it should be shoved into my post box on Tuesday - hope they are tough.

Giddy with the prospect of owing a 'posh' hat, I did some research into Tilley hats, just to see how tough they are.

I found this, rather glorious gem...



One such story (and shown as part of an advertisement) includes a hat being eaten by an elephant, and defecated out later that week entirely intact.

View attachment 363455


And so dear reader, the moral of the story is - when an elephant eats your hat, you really are going to be in the sh**...


I'll let you know how I get on...

Sarah ordered one a month ago. Still not arrived
And don’t forget to stick a $20 bill in the secret compartment
S

 

[sh1kar]

Def best hat for Africa

 

[Cyres]

Brilliant hats and replacement FOC if it wears out. Mine was replaced. Surely you could have found your hat on line on UK.
D

 

[Stalker62]

...don’t forget to stick a $20 bill in the secret compartment

Well now I know about that, there is no way I am not getting my money back...

 

[Stalker62]

Brilliant hats and replacement FOC if it wears out. Mine was replaced.

How do you wear out a hat?

 

[Mike L]

My Tilley rotted away after serious abuse in Saudi for four years, Tilley happily replaced it for me no receipt needed.

 

[Stalker62]

Tilley happily replaced it for me no receipt needed.

@Mike L


I wonder how many folk try it on with that policy...

 

[phillc]

When only the best will do

Akubra Hats - Australian Made since 1876

Akubra Hats are an Australian tradition. Our hats are handcrafted in Kempsey NSW, Australia. Choose from Country, Western, Lifestyle or Urban styles. Our felt hats offer a 50+UPF rating and are made to withstand the extremes of the Aussie climate.

akubra.com.au

 

[Stalker62]

Surely you could have found your hat on line on UK.

No clue.

I am not authorised to make any purchases of my own, and consequently have to put all such requests through my wife...

 

[Stalker62]

When only the best will do...

@phillc


Two things.

1) Christ! I thought Tilley was expensive.

2) Not a cork in sight...

 

[phillc]

1) Christ! I thought Tilley was expensive.

But Akubras are worth it.

I’m 50 and on my second Akubra. The first one I got as a young teenager and wore it pretty much constantly for work and play. It lasted over 10 years before falling to pieces. This second one doesn’t get worn as much, mostly just the European summer months, but will likely last another five years at least.

They don’t pack well and getting soaked too often reduces their lifespan. I do love them though, and as Australia has a rabbit problem I’m pleased to be part of the solution.

 

[Cyres]

My first one lasted about 20 yrs before they replaced it. They will return your old hat and mine repaired with cammo tape lives in the truck
Just in case.
D

 

[Rutland lad]

No clue.

I am not authorised to make any purchases of my own, and consequently have to put all such requests through my wife...



View attachment 363480

Quite right bearing in mind your previous rank.

 

[Stalker62]

Quite right bearing in mind your previous rank.

Rude.

 

[sh1kar]

Always fancied one of these. But I suspect a tad warm for Africa

Canadian Mountie Hat

Discover the Mountie Hat by Henri Henri, a fur felt hat, homage to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police! Available at Henri Henri, the oldest hat shop in Canada.

www.henrihenri.ca

 

[artschool]

I like herbert johnson hats

 

[wytonpjs]

I’ve had a Tilley for years but never really bonded with it. Tried a rival brand sourced in the uk last year but turned out not as good as the Tilley. I was fortunate to go to Oz last Oct/Nov and guess what I came back with (#9). Much better than the Tilley

 

[Dunwaters]

How do you wear out a hat?


View attachment 363473

Roll it up and throw it for a dog to retrieve.
Clean your windscreen on a frosty morning.
Emergency cushion to keep your ass dry on wet seats.
Fishing lure and fly holder.
Hand protector when messing with sharp stuff or hot stuff or caustic stuff.
Emergency surgical mask when trapped in a lift or a church pew beside a farter.
Wound dressing.
Egg/ mushroom/ frog spawn container.
Game bird chick capture device .
Drinking bowl for you and your dogs/ horses.

That list doesn’t cover half of the things that you can do with a good hat, all of them will result in legitimate wear and tear.
Character and patina if you prefer.

 

[Stalker62]

Roll it up and throw it for a dog to retrieve.
Clean your windscreen on a frosty morning.
Emergency cushion to keep your ass dry on wet seats.
Fishing lure and fly holder.
Hand protector when messing with sharp stuff or hot stuff or caustic stuff.
Emergency surgical mask when trapped in a lift or a church pew beside a farter.
Wound dressing.
Egg/ mushroom/ frog spawn container.
Game bird chick capture device .
Drinking bowl for you and your dogs/ horses.

That list doesn’t cover half of the things that you can do with a good hat, all of them will result in legitimate wear and tear.
Character and patina if you prefer.

OK.

Fair enough. I did ask.

FWIW

That gets my vote for, "Post of the Month".