Every outdoorsman has their one ‘can’t do without’ item. It is like a security blanket or teddy bear for a toddler. As long as that one thing is with them, he can tackle anything nature throws his way.
For me, it is a hat. I have always worn hats. As a child and through my teenage years, you could hardly ever catch me without a ball cap on. The only exception would be while hunting dove. Then, you would find me with a green boonie hat with the draw string usually pulled over the top of the hat with one side snapped up. I have always been a ‘little’ different.
Recently I was offered an item to review that was right up my alley. After all, I had been wearing one for over 10 years! Barmah USA makes Australian style hats. Barmah is based in Australia and their hats are made from such leathers as bronco and kangaroos, are water resistant, and have that flare I look for. They are also designed to be folded and spring back into shape. They come with a nifty bag that has imprinted instructions on how to properly fold the hat for storage in the bag. |
| Gators at night in Georgia with Barmah. |
I have been wearing a Kangaroo Barmah hat in a hickory. I have also owned one in a limestone green that was sent to retirement. Barmah supplied me Foldaway suede in a sand color to try as well. Like mentioned in the previous paragraph, the hats are designed to be folded and spring back into shape. I have found there are a few tricks if you have a preference to the look of your hat, and I like the front of the hat to curl slightly down with the side curled slightly up. Letting the hat rest on the edge of a table or desk with the front hanging off for several days will give this desired look.
The hats have been treated with Scotch-guard prior to shipping preventing stains and giving the hat the water resistance. How water resistant is this hat? Let’s just say Niagara Falls resistant! While the exterior of the hat was soaked on a trip to the national landmark, the hat dried quickly and retained shape and fit.
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| Not even the mighty Niagara can stop it! |
Now I have been blessed/cursed with my father's and grandfather's genes. This means my head lacks some natural covering. The Barmah hat provides covering that can be worn in the heat of summer or the bitter temperatures of winter. While I have not worn the suede during excessively high temperatures, the kangaroo hat does a great job of allowing my noggin to breathe in the heat. As far as cold temps, both hats keep my head plenty warm.
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| Even the September sun and dust are under control. |
The price points for the Barmah hat varieties are in the $75 or less range. I’m pretty cheap when it comes to clothing and apparel, but I believe in the worth of the Barmah hat enough that I have bought two. I can be pretty rough on them, as I wear them in the woods and in the field, and they continue to survive unscathed.
In a recent interview with the Outdoor Blogger Network, I responded to the question "What is the one thing you cannot do without?" with "My Barmah hat." In fact, my Barmah hat is not just a hat, it identifies me!
Bill Howard writes a weekly outdoors column for the Wilson Times and Yancey County News and the blog site Bill Howard's Outdoors. He is a Hunter Education and International Bowhunter Education instructor, lifetime member of the North Carolina Bowhunters Association, Bowhunter Certification Referral Service Chairman, member and official measurer of Pope and Young, and a regular contributor to North Carolina Bowhunter Magazine.
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