Campaign Hats

Mossyhorn

Mossyhorn

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​Does anyone appreciate the usefulness of the campaign hat. I think that it is a great outdoor hat. I'm not talking about current military, but the brown hat that is used by forest and game rangers. It can be creased to look like the kind of hat that Fred Bear wore. I think it's a wonderful style, and the wool content is why I think it is why it is so purposeful.
 
Normally I don't buy wool hats in that pattern or general so-called "cowboy" or Western styles, the material's inferior to a good fur felt.
But, I have a wool campaign hat I bought from a uniform store I used to do a lot of business with over 20 years ago. It was an order for a highway patrol trooper who never picked it up, happened to be my size, and they let it go for something like $20.

Those are built a little better than most woolies, with a double thick brim, and with gold braid & acorns anchoring the leather chinstrap it's held up extremely well as my two-seater ATV expedition hat for quite a while now. Dipped the forward brim so the back rides a little lower over my neck, very practical & doesn't blow off at any speed.

The Montana Peak style is a good pattern for shedding water, it can't pool & soak in like some other creases do.
Denis
 
The only campaign hats that I know of today are sold by Rothco. I know that name conjures up bad thoughts among many, but a lot of their items are quality made and are mil-spec. I may have to buy one just to give it a review. They are fitted hats , so I may order a few sizes to get the best fit.

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The security guys and gals at work wear those hats. They look hilarious on them though, imagine a 5' tall 220lb man with one of those and the mirrored avaiator glasses. :D
 
Miller & Stratton sell the better quality ones for serious use.

Stratton sells a lot to law enforcement, that's what mine is.
There are cheaper quality campaigns out there, like the Dorfman Pacific, but they don't hold up.
I have one of those, too, it's strictly a photo prop.
Very lightweight, nowhere near as sturdy as the other two.
Denis
 
Rev,
I don't wear mine with the brim flat, the front's dipped & I think it looks a shade less hilarious. :)
Denis
 
I got a (supposedly) pre-WWII one off of ebay this past summer. I'm not sure about it's vintage, but it is a very high quality fur felt, and was in like new condition. It makes a nice canoeing hat. My wife won't allow me to wear it in public with her. :)
 
I've always liked them. I'm kind of a hat collector and I've always wanted one...actually wanted to look like Lee Marvin in The Professionals wearing one. But it takes a certain kind of situation, authenticity and authority to pull it off. Not mall security. Maybe at the firing range, if you're a range officer.

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This is not it.

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This is it....

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...and this.
 
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A soft-brimmed hat can have the sides folded down by a bandanna to protect the ears. The "Smokey" hat - not so much.
 
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Campagin hats were common as an outdoorsmans hat back in the day. Lot's of old illustrations and photos. Of dudes hunting, running trap lines, working in the woods. They are are classic! Always wanted one
 
It is also the original Indiana Jones hat—always ready for adventure! (River Phoenix wore a campaign hat in the opening of The Last Crusade.)
 
But it was never intended to be a winter hat. It was invented for dashing adventurers to use in more moderate temperatures. (For winter attire, I don an equally dashing Elmer Fudd hat.)

I only wore my campaign hat in public with my wife once (to the county fair.) She didn't like all the stares and whispers directed toward us. The silly girl didn't realize people were only staring out of admiration and envy. :)
 
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. . . and jealousy. ^___^

I, of course, always know when the weather is going to take a great turn for colder. Just trying to help those who lack that invariably accurate insight into weather. 0___0
 
Thomas— are you really arguing with me about something as silly as a hat? This post is in Gadgets & Gear— not in Outdoor Gear & Survival Equipment. It's just a silly hat. Lighten up a little. :)
 
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I like to wear a thin skull cap such as those made by Under Armour under hats in cold weather. If you include a neck gator, you're ready for anything.
 
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