Global Rating: 4.63 from 16 reviews.
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| rating | title | date | name | city state/province country |
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Switchback (5/5) | Dec 26, 2008 | Paul | Barva He CR |
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Having owned a Switchback for nearly a year now, I can say that I find the Switchback Aussie to be one of my favorite hats, and is generally the one that I reach for when running daily routine errands except for on the hottest days. The hat feels more substantial than either my Golden Gate Panther or Stetson’s Santa Fe, the other two hats that I have in that category, but upon measuring the material thickness I found only minor differences. The Switchback gives more of a sense of durability and ruggedness than the other two, while being comfortable with a pleasing feel. It is argumentatively warmer, not the best attribute here in Costa Rica but no doubt a virtue in other parts of the world. Like all my utility hats, I added a cotter pin type chinstrap. In addition, I changed the hatband with one that I had been saving. It is of braided kangaroo leather with 11 braids looking somewhat like the original, but gives the hat a little more class. That sucker cost more than the hat. I was impressed with the fact that Bailey choose to attach their hatband by tack stitching and not with glue as I’ve found used by other companies. I especially like the low crown. The Panther’s crown is about the same height. Although the Panther and Santa Fe were advertised as having the same height, I find the Santa Fe's a little higher and slightly more angular. I have probably received more complements on the Switchback than any of my other two-dozen hats, save a leather Colombian hat, and have traveled internationally with it. And is one of the three that I use when traveling locally. It repeals water fine although I carry a plastic rain cover just in case. I have little fear now that the hat will take a set if it has gotten a little damp before being able to put the rain cover on. Normally in that case it is only a little surface water that quickly comes off with a paper towel, also carried in my backpack. The thing that I don’t like about the hat is the brim curl. I find it excessive for my tastes. But that is a subjective thing. I’ve tried every trick that I know of to reduce it; i.e. steaming, wetting, ironing, etc. And attesting to Bailey’s superior crushable quality, the brim always returns to the original shape. Sometimes it may take a few days. I’ve been able to reduce the curl in other hats, but not the Bailey. What I do now is to store the hat between uses with the brim sides turned down. Then for a few hours of usage I’m more satisfied. I’d buy a second one in a heartbeat if one was offered with less curl. This one has the flavour of Western US, and I prefer something more Aussie; the brim down somewhat in front and rear with little or no side curl. With the brim up in the air there is less protection. I think maybe that my head is slightly elongated, and in time this increases the curl as the hat adjusts to my head. I had to stretch my imagination to justify the colour as pecan. I have other hats that are pecan and the colour virtually says pecan. Later I justified the colour by identifying it with the nut itself and not the shell. However, I’m pettifogging as I find this of little importance, although to call it brown would be more accurate. |
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Light, Comfortable, and Warm (5/5) | Jun 15, 2010 | RLSpenser | Rising Fawn Ga US |
| I love this hat! The felt is very soft and ligthweight yet still warm in cool weather. One thing to note though, I ordered pecan and the color is actually much darker than it looks in the picture. | ||||
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Good Hat (4/5) | Dec 5, 2011 | Russell | Prattville Al US |
| Very comfortable, good style, easily retains shape. The only drawback is that the felt will stain and/or turn color when wet. | ||||
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AWESOME!!! (4/5) | Feb 25, 2012 | Sean | Fisherville KY US |
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Very nice hat. Only wish they had a finer level of sizes. Large is a little too small for me and XL is just a little too big. |
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Switchback (5/5) | Jan 10, 2008 | Vicki | Dallas Or |
| This may be a man's hat, but it looks awesome on a woman too. I've gotten stopped in the store by strangers admiring my hat. Fits great, stands up to an Oregon winter, and looks mighty fine! | ||||
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Switchback-Great Hat (5/5) | Dec 26, 2008 | Warren Pearlson | Huntington NY US |
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I was finally convinced to switch from a baseball cap to a real hat. The look and fit of the switchback are great. Crushability makes it easy to wear to a movie or restaurant. Received many compliments |
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