Outback Trading CompanyMen's 1484 Bootlegger UPF 50 Waterproof Breathable Western Cotton Oilskin Hat

This hat feels like its made well and has become my favorite hat. I would def recommend if you are looking for a quality western hat. Its shaped well and looks amazing on.

I received the bootlegger hat today along with my Outback Duster - and they came just in time. I'll start by saying I am not being paid for this review nor did I get a discount - I just really like the products.I live in New England, Worcester County to be exact and like all of New England, the weather is wildly unpredictable. I wanted a hat that could protect my (bald) head from the rain, wind and sun while still being different than the sea of Patriots and Red Sox hats. There was always something that didn't work for me when it came to Stetsons, maybe just a tad too cowboy? Maybe just a tad too much an accessory to the Republican National Convention.So where to go. I tried the zombieland hat from Real Deal - looks neat, but other than sun protection, its kind of garbage and won't protect you from the rain.Which brings me to the Bootlegger...it has all the features a non-cowboy from New England needs - excellent wind and rain/snow protection, distinctive look and well, nothing quite makes a statement that a hat like this makes.Onto the real testing though. Today's weather called for and delivered the quintessential New England "wintry mix" - rain, sleet, wind, salt spray from the roads and temperatures dropping into the 20s. The hat performed flawlessly - nothing seeped, nothing dripped and I walked through a crowd of soaking wet people with a smile and a cigarette.How the hell is that for waterproof? Awesome.The hat runs around right in terms of size and the large fits snugly to my oversized melon....which is what you want, because as functional as the neck lanyard is, you really don't want to chase your hat, be it an Outback or a Stetson, through the streets.....remember how these were designed - for cowboys and others who would be in conditions where keeping their hats on would be a challenge - the more snug (note I didn't say tight), the better and more secure you're going to feel.Shelpers sent this in a correctly sized and adequately protected box -- was able to wear directly out of the box with no shaping. Awesome service, would definitely do business with them again.

Best hat I ever bought.

So after wearing baseball style hats for many years out hunting and riding horses while complaining about water on my neck, this year I thought no more. While not wanting to ruin some of my other/nicer felt brimmed hats it lead me to think why not something in oilskin like my drover?side note: I have multiple drovers for riding and the outback oilskin drover is hands down on of the best for staying dry even in heavy rains and snow.Ok, back to the hat here...Things to note about the hat:- Oilskin is very stiff right out of the package...wear it and it will soften some over time- Yes, it is 100% waterproof. Tested in the rains of the NW several days in a row and no issues- Hat is very warm IMO. It does have vent holes, but it's not massive amount of airflow and if you are trekking a ways you are going to sewat- Hat does have a sweat band that helps, but again if you are hoofing it around, keep a bandanna or rag with you.Item of NOTE: because of the sweatband in the hat and how you like your hat to fit (I personally hat a hat that's too tight)...watch your sizing.I fall between 6-7/8 and a 7 in hat sizing. I had first ordered a Small...that hat went to the GF as it's too tight for me and I had to get the Med. Med fits snug but not tight. If you are at the top end of the size, I advise going UP to the next size and you will be much happier...Overall, its a good waterproof hat and hope to get many years out of it like my other Outback items.

I love everything about this hat so far, the slight problem I have with it is the shapeable brim. I don’t know if it was mentioned in the description or title but I hadn’t seen it before I’d purchased it. I bought this to replace another one I’d bought last month because I didn’t like the shapeable brim and it’s nearly impossible to get it all shaped out. But even with this hats brim it’s easier to shape than the other so it’s a keep.

I felt like I was rolling the dice on the size, but the large fits my 23" head perfectly. The size chart on Amazon is different than the manufacturer's website, and both are wrong. I uploaded a picture of the size chart that came attached to the item. It is spot on and I recommend you use it to order fromI love the hat, it feels sturdy and of good quality. Baseball caps don't look quite right on my head, but I spend a lot of time outdoors and like protection from the sun. This hat is definitely replacing my straw sombreros that have been my go to for quite a while.I immediately clipped off the tassels in the rear as they were much too long for my preference. I have to get out in it in heavy wind to see if I want to keep the chin strap or not as it gets in my line of sight when I bend over if I don't put it in back of my neck or tighten it. Neither of these take away from the hat, just my own preference.The packaging was sufficient to keep the hat dry even though the delivery man left it in the pouring rain.

Returned. I have a big head but measured and went by the size chart before I ordered. Got here and, yeah, that’s not gonna fit me, mainly because the medium def seems more of a small.

This is a really well made hat and seems to be worth the price. I’ve worn it in the light rain once so far and it did not disappoint. The real test will come with the heavy PNW rains, but I’m optimistic. I cut off the back tassels to the length of the brim as they seemed useless to me and if they happened to tuck into your collar, it would let the rain travel right down the back of the neck. Rim is easily moldable with the wire insert.I expect this purchase to last a very long time!