When you need a solid hat, where do you go? Do you want a hardy one you can wear during work or fishing? I’ll tell you where: the local hardware store.
Go ahead, take a walk in there. What kind of materials are their hats made off? You’ll probably come across some cheap polyester.
After a few washes, it start falling apart. Ugh! How many times has that happened to you?
If you spend any amount of time working outdoors, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Most workwear brands view their products as disposable item. They care more about saving a couple bucks on the front-end than ensuring longevity.
Pay now, buy again later. That’s what happens when most of them builds something you throw away at end of a single season. Not so with Bobby Garland.
Bobby Garland Hats and Gear Worth Having
The Problem with Cheap Workwear
When it comes to building gear, they approach thing with quality in mind. Make it last a decade; don’t make it last a season. If you’re sick of buying new caps because yours got dirty, check out what this brand has to offer.
Quality Materials and Construction
Their reputation revolves around Bobby Garland hats. But these aren’t your typical baseball caps with a cheap plastic buckle that snaps shut in cold weather. Instead they’re made from real fur felt and heavy duty leather in popular styles.
And they’re built for function and density. You immediately notice the difference when you pick up a Bobby Garland hat. Because the material has substance, it weigh more on your head.
The leather bands resist being stretched out over time and are thick. Why does that matter? A hat that stretches out and loses form won’t serve its purpose.
Durability and Weather Resistance
A good hat needs to be able to protect you from elements, keeping rain and sun off your face all day. The fur felt repels water better than other woven fabrics. And unlike many hats that lose their color after years of use, the fur felt keeps its color through repeated wear.
Full-Grain Leather Belts
That’s where people fail to evaluate outdoor products properly. People judge them based on their appearance on the rack instead of how they perform after getting abused for a year. That extends into other accessory pieces like belts, too.
Full-grain hides are used for their leather belts which don’t crack with use; they develop a rich patina instead. Buy it once and forget about it. The stitching is done by hand in many cases.
That adds a level of reinforcement that machines frequently overlooks. Their attention to detail helps the gear age gracefully. Scratches and scuffs add to its story instead of showing poor quality.
When you work in conditions that will tear lesser gear apart, this little thing make a difference. These belts feature solid brass or nickel plated steel belt hardware that doesn’t corrode or rust when exposed on rain or sweat. You end up with a piece of equipment that performs just as well on day one thousand as it did on day one.
Cost Per Wear Theory
There’s no way around it: The number one obstacle is price. A Bobby Garland product will be several times the price of something you find at big box stores. You can expect to shell out five or even ten times what you would for an average cap.
The trick is the “cost per wear” theory. For example, buying a cheap hat five different times over a period of five years saves you money upfront… but then you’re dealing with the time and money loss from having to replace those five hats. A Bobby Garland hat will cost you a bit more up front, but it’ll last 20 years.
If you think of your gear as an investment over time, it makes sense. It’s a change of mindset. You’re paying significantly more now, maybe five or ten times the price, so that you don’t end up shelling out cash later.
Care and Maintenance Tips
It’s a tradeoff. It does take a little patience to find what fits best. Not all of these thing will fit everybody.
Some styles run big, others run small. If at all possible try them on or order through a shop that has a decent return policy. The leather breaks in.
Don’t be surprised if you have to wear the belt a day or two before it finds its new home. Hats take some care too. A fur felt cap doesn’t go in the washer.
Spot clean them. Keep them stored properly. Take care of your stuff and it will take care of you.
Trust in Quality Gear
It’s a partnership, not a transaction. In the end, it’s all about personal preference; what are you comfortabley wearing? What is worth your money?
Some guys will always go cheap because they like buying new stuff all the time. That’s fine. But if you’re looking for something that feels good on your head and that you trust to hold up, this is the line for you.
The belt and hats fade into the background. They become an extension of who you are. They function and you don’t think about them.
I suppose it’s nice to have tools you can trust. I mean, there’s something to be said for the feel of a quality product. It affects your mood and the way you approach your day.
It moves from being set aside to a place of importance. It moves from something you barely notice to something you rely on. When the sun rises again, you know your hat won’t be gone, sagging out of shape.
It’ll still be there, waiting for you.
