Let me preface this by stating I've been wearing Kromer Blizzard caps for about twenty five years, back when they were made by the same outfit that makes welder's caps. I've had four in that period. Some years back they caught the fancy of yuppie rusticators and the price went up accordingly, and advertising was aimed at a new market. No matter, I continued to buy them , as they made a good product that stood up to outdoor work and recreation in the Maine winter. Flash forward to Sept. 2010, when I was in one of my favorite outfitters and saw a pile of nice new Stormy Kromer hats. I had a few bucks to spare, so I found my size, paid the man and was on my way with my fifth cap. As autumn turned to winter I wore my new hat more, but something didn't seem right. Comparing it with one of my old ones, I discovered they had narrowed the brim by an inch. Not a big deal for the average urbanite wearing one as a fashion statement, but for the hard core outdoorsman it is a very big deal indeed. The guy who designed the original cap knew what he was doing. The brims were made wide because the winter sun is low in the sky, they shielded the eyes from glare very well, in addition the wider brim provided protection from blowing snow. Very sad to see a well designed product compromised for the sake of the few pennies saved by narrowing the brim. If you're looking for a serious outdoor hat, look elsewhere.
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The not so original "Original Stormy Kromer" cap....
- Thread starter x39
- Start date
This is interesting ! I live in the Purcell Mountains of south central B.C.
We get winter and lots of steady rainy days for the rest of the year. I live on my 90 acres of mountainside bush so i'm outside most days.
I'd never heard of a Stormy Kromer cap but when i saw them on the AGR website about 3 years ago, i bought a black one. Wool is the best material for our climate and wool caps are hard to find.
Well, i've been less than impressed. Although my 7 1/4 size cap fits snugly on my head, it doesn't sit down low enough, so it blows off with the slightest breeze. The ear flaps only come down to cover the top half of my ears. the brim on mine extends 2 1/2" measured in the middle.
Reading the link provided in post #2, my hat likely was made by the guy who bought the rights in 2001.
So you mean this new owner is not producing the exact same design as the originals, but has altered some of the dimensions ?
Can you give us a more indepth comparison between your new Kromer and the older ones with the larger brim ? are there other differences you can measure ?
If the current owner did alter them he should have altered the name too.
roland
We get winter and lots of steady rainy days for the rest of the year. I live on my 90 acres of mountainside bush so i'm outside most days.
I'd never heard of a Stormy Kromer cap but when i saw them on the AGR website about 3 years ago, i bought a black one. Wool is the best material for our climate and wool caps are hard to find.
Well, i've been less than impressed. Although my 7 1/4 size cap fits snugly on my head, it doesn't sit down low enough, so it blows off with the slightest breeze. The ear flaps only come down to cover the top half of my ears. the brim on mine extends 2 1/2" measured in the middle.
Reading the link provided in post #2, my hat likely was made by the guy who bought the rights in 2001.
So you mean this new owner is not producing the exact same design as the originals, but has altered some of the dimensions ?
Can you give us a more indepth comparison between your new Kromer and the older ones with the larger brim ? are there other differences you can measure ?
If the current owner did alter them he should have altered the name too.
roland
Good observation Roland. I discovered the brim issue before winter had set in and was so disgusted I threw the hat into a closet where I wouldn't have to look at it.
A comparison reveals a lot more:
1.)Both hats size 7 5/8
2.) Hat pulled down firmly on head, ear flaps up. The old hat comes well down behind the top of my ears, almost to where the ear joins the scalp. The new one sits almost a full inch higher, well above the top of the ear.
3.) Ear flaps deployed, again with hat pulled firmly down. The old hats leaves just the very bottom of the earlobe exposed. The new hat only covers approximately the top third of the ear.
4.) Width of brim. The brim of the old hat is 1 5/8" wider than the new one, (8 3/8" vs. 6 3/4") as measured at the widest point with the brim laid flat. Bear in mind that width is a function of circumference, so this means the brim does not go around the hat as far. In my original post I stated the brim was an inch narrower, I made this statement based on a quick side by side comparison, I only just now got a ruler out and discovered it was quite a bit more than an inch.
This really is a sad topic, Kromer Blizzard caps WORKED. I guess there isn't much chance of one's ears getting nipped or cap getting blown off while parading around in the mall looking all "outdoorsy" though, is there?
Thanks for those details. Really strange that a businessman would change a 'formula' that worked. There's no money savings in these changes, and i doubt head shapes have changed.
I'm going to see if i can find an original on ebay. Is there anything distinct about the label tag on your good ones that would help ID them ?
After this, i'll quit buggin' ya .
thanks, roland
I'm going to see if i can find an original on ebay. Is there anything distinct about the label tag on your good ones that would help ID them ?
After this, i'll quit buggin' ya .
thanks, roland
The most obvious feature to me is the brim goes further around the hat on the older ones. As a point of reference, there are six panels of cloth comprising the hat's crown. On the new one, the brim only goes as far back as the rear most seams of the front two panels. The brim on the older one goes well past these seams. Hope this helps.
Filson has two caps that might meet your reguirements.
One isn't made of wool, but oiled cotton(?) and is insulated.
The other is wool. The flaps fold out from inside the cap. It's not as good at having the flaps on the outside because if the hat fits with the flaps in then it's too big with the flaps out.
Chad
One isn't made of wool, but oiled cotton(?) and is insulated.
The other is wool. The flaps fold out from inside the cap. It's not as good at having the flaps on the outside because if the hat fits with the flaps in then it's too big with the flaps out.
Chad
Brutal-Force
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2010
- Messages
- 106
I am a 100% of the time Ball Cap wearer, so I can relate. I do not watch sports, so caps with sports logos are a burden for me because people want to ask me about the sport.
That being said, manufacturers have also gone away from fitted caps and gone to the elastic strap on caps. I hate this design and would prefer any of the other fitting methods, because once you have fitted it, you don't need to change it. My head doesn't continually change size, so why should my hat be one size fits all.
Also, I used to buy Nike Hats because I liked the cut and because it has no team logos. The problem is the styles change and the customer base changes. When that happens they cater to the customers that are in the highest demand. This is what it sounds like happened to you. A baseball cap used to be had for 10 dollars, a good one now is 20-30 dollars. I just think that its a marketing/greed problem and they not only cut the quality, they changed the design to cater to the people who buy the most of them, and then raised the price. Its a flaw in our capitalistic system. I would show them your opinion by finding a different manufacturer that you like more and spend your money there.
http://www.bmtc.shoppingcartsplus.com/catalog/item/4870181/6771942.htm
Edit: I see your problem. While I was looking for a good replacement, I noticed that almost all of the pictures were women or metros wearing it as a fashion accessory. I feel your pain, but it would be to heavy to wear indoors so your manufacturer catered to them. Maybe try calling and see if they have some of the old stock from a few years ago. I've done that with shoes before.
That being said, manufacturers have also gone away from fitted caps and gone to the elastic strap on caps. I hate this design and would prefer any of the other fitting methods, because once you have fitted it, you don't need to change it. My head doesn't continually change size, so why should my hat be one size fits all.
Also, I used to buy Nike Hats because I liked the cut and because it has no team logos. The problem is the styles change and the customer base changes. When that happens they cater to the customers that are in the highest demand. This is what it sounds like happened to you. A baseball cap used to be had for 10 dollars, a good one now is 20-30 dollars. I just think that its a marketing/greed problem and they not only cut the quality, they changed the design to cater to the people who buy the most of them, and then raised the price. Its a flaw in our capitalistic system. I would show them your opinion by finding a different manufacturer that you like more and spend your money there.
http://www.bmtc.shoppingcartsplus.com/catalog/item/4870181/6771942.htm
Edit: I see your problem. While I was looking for a good replacement, I noticed that almost all of the pictures were women or metros wearing it as a fashion accessory. I feel your pain, but it would be to heavy to wear indoors so your manufacturer catered to them. Maybe try calling and see if they have some of the old stock from a few years ago. I've done that with shoes before.
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I've noticed that too. I've got a fairly large head and most "one size fits all" caps run small for me.
Thought I might add that a few weeks back I posted a review on the Stormy Kromer website voicing my disappointment in their new product. It was polite and factual, giving them a one star out of five rating, stating my reasons why and, explaining my long use of the product. The review was posted along with all the others. Today I went back to check if there had been any more feedback along these lines, and guess what? My review has been removed. It was not the only review decrying the changes in design, how long the others will stay up is anyone's guess. :thumbdn:
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x39, it's disappointing, and very telling, that your review was removed. Last fall, based on positive reviews on their site, I bought an Original and a Rancher. Simply put, I'm underwhelmed. They're not bad caps, but also not as functional as I'd hoped.
Brutal-Force
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2010
- Messages
- 106
Aye not only is removing your review disappointing, but it borders on deceitful. Its like stacking a deck of cards so that you always get the aces.
Here is what I do when I receive such a brush off. Google the CEO of the company and write a very professional letter of disappointment. Explain to them your stance and how you feel brushed off by the website. Not always do employees share your views on the company, but the owners feel differently than those that are actually running the day to day operations, and typically are unaware of there even being a problem, especially when the "problems" are swept under the rug.
Here is what I do when I receive such a brush off. Google the CEO of the company and write a very professional letter of disappointment. Explain to them your stance and how you feel brushed off by the website. Not always do employees share your views on the company, but the owners feel differently than those that are actually running the day to day operations, and typically are unaware of there even being a problem, especially when the "problems" are swept under the rug.
Trading utility for style just has no place in my life. I'm the kind of guy who will paint a truck with a bucket of Rustoleum and a brush (and no I'm not kidding)!
I bought an oiled cloth Kromer about three years ago, thought it'd be good for the Yamaha four-wheeler in cold weather. I liked the idea of the water repellency, the actual individual sizing, and the earflaps that could be lowered over the ears if it got sufficiently cold.
Heard about the caps for years, thought there must be something to 'em.
Ordered one, took it out on a desert run, it blew off immediately (it was my normal 7 3/8 size). Thought, OK, I'll just lower the flaps & tie 'em down. Found the flaps don't lower to tie under the chin (I have two old WWII surplus wool caps almost exactly like the Filson design shown above & foolishly thought the Kromer worked about the same way).
Had to drive the rest of the outing in the open rollcage with the cap jammed down as tight as I could get it, and my head tilted down to keep the air from getting under the bill & lifting the cap off again.
Also found the flaps only covered part of my ears when folded down as low as they'd go.
This thread has been interesting, it explains at least part of why the Kromer I bought did not live up to expectations.
Kept wondering what the big deal was with a Kromer cap, this one doesn't fit right, I can't see any point in the string-tied "flaps" in front, and it certainly does not protect my ears worth a damn.
Still like the overall looks, and I suppose it'll keep my head dryish if it gets rained on, but it's never been worn again in any wind, and it's now just a toss-it-on cap in coolish weather around town instead of the piece of serious outdoor gear I thought I was getting.
The Filson oilcloth design is much better headgear for hard work, staying on your head, and covering ears.
Thanks X39 for the explanation & evolution.
Denis
Heard about the caps for years, thought there must be something to 'em.
Ordered one, took it out on a desert run, it blew off immediately (it was my normal 7 3/8 size). Thought, OK, I'll just lower the flaps & tie 'em down. Found the flaps don't lower to tie under the chin (I have two old WWII surplus wool caps almost exactly like the Filson design shown above & foolishly thought the Kromer worked about the same way).
Had to drive the rest of the outing in the open rollcage with the cap jammed down as tight as I could get it, and my head tilted down to keep the air from getting under the bill & lifting the cap off again.
Also found the flaps only covered part of my ears when folded down as low as they'd go.
This thread has been interesting, it explains at least part of why the Kromer I bought did not live up to expectations.
Kept wondering what the big deal was with a Kromer cap, this one doesn't fit right, I can't see any point in the string-tied "flaps" in front, and it certainly does not protect my ears worth a damn.
Still like the overall looks, and I suppose it'll keep my head dryish if it gets rained on, but it's never been worn again in any wind, and it's now just a toss-it-on cap in coolish weather around town instead of the piece of serious outdoor gear I thought I was getting.
The Filson oilcloth design is much better headgear for hard work, staying on your head, and covering ears.
Thanks X39 for the explanation & evolution.
Denis
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,679
I see what you're talking about, Denis. If you go to the Stormy Kromer site itself, and click on different colors, some of them appear to have the bill that extends further back also. Case in point: the black one. I ordered that exact one last fall direct from them, and the bill only extends to the seam on each side. My guess is that they're just using older pictures for some of the colors ..... I wouldn't think it makes sense, from a production standpoint, to have two different bill sizes. And even if they did, why only on certain colors?
Seems like I read somewhere that the shorter bill is better when shouldering a firearm or bow hunting - doesn't interfere as much when sighting. I haven't hunted for years so I can't comment on that. If so, I guess that would at least be some justification for going to a shorter bill.
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