Generally when I'm in the bush I have a hat that I can shove in my pack when it gets dark or wet. It also has a chin strap for when it is windy. Lots of ventilation and it dries quickly.
However, I've had this leather hat for eons, well 25 years or so. I bought it at a steam rally in Swan Hill - it was the last trip I did with my father. I remember it cost $15.00. It's relatively heavy, but light for a leather hat. I've treated it a few times over the years with dubbin, but lately I use olive oil for all leather which seems much better.
Any way, I generally wear this hat around home or while working on the block. It's not bad in light wind, but useless in strong wind. If it is warm, my head gets hot in it.
I finally bought some hole punches from Bunnings hardware, and punched a few holes to let the hot air out that must accumulate in the area between the top of my head and the top of the hat. Also a couple of holes just above where my forehead would sit in the hat.
What a difference! This has added a whole extra level of comfort and usability - I look for reasons to wear this hat now. Sometimes I can actually feel a breeze through the holes, and my head is generally cooler.
Holes placed on top are to let warm / hot air escape. I imagine air is drawn through the holes in the front of the hat then escapes through the top, creating some circulation.
Note below; the little holes grouped together at the side - the hat came with these. The side top of my head actually sits here blocking the holes, so they are basically useless. In comparison, that one hole at the front of the hat sits above where my forehead makes contact. There is another hole place symmetrically on the other side of the seam too; these holes make a big difference.
However, I've had this leather hat for eons, well 25 years or so. I bought it at a steam rally in Swan Hill - it was the last trip I did with my father. I remember it cost $15.00. It's relatively heavy, but light for a leather hat. I've treated it a few times over the years with dubbin, but lately I use olive oil for all leather which seems much better.
Any way, I generally wear this hat around home or while working on the block. It's not bad in light wind, but useless in strong wind. If it is warm, my head gets hot in it.
I finally bought some hole punches from Bunnings hardware, and punched a few holes to let the hot air out that must accumulate in the area between the top of my head and the top of the hat. Also a couple of holes just above where my forehead would sit in the hat.
What a difference! This has added a whole extra level of comfort and usability - I look for reasons to wear this hat now. Sometimes I can actually feel a breeze through the holes, and my head is generally cooler.
Holes placed on top are to let warm / hot air escape. I imagine air is drawn through the holes in the front of the hat then escapes through the top, creating some circulation.
Note below; the little holes grouped together at the side - the hat came with these. The side top of my head actually sits here blocking the holes, so they are basically useless. In comparison, that one hole at the front of the hat sits above where my forehead makes contact. There is another hole place symmetrically on the other side of the seam too; these holes make a big difference.
Last edited:
