Anyone who enjoys hiking holidays will tell you that you can never guarantee good conditions. I have been to Scotland, Wales, Germany and Switzerland and the weather in the mountains is always the same. One day it can be blazing hot and the next it can be pouring with rain, or perhaps snowing, even in the middle of August! Because of this it can be difficult to know what to wear on your head.

About seven or eight years ago, a friend introduced me to leather bush hats by Barmah. At first I was a little sceptical as I thought a traditional Australian hat would look out of place in the Swiss Alps, or rather I didn’t want people to point and say ‘Look! It’s Crocodile Dundee!’ However, an Aussie bush hat really is the most practical kind of hat for wearing in the mountains. The wide brim keeps the sun off your face and the back of your neck, protecting you from sunburn on good days and in the rain, it keeps water off your face and from running down the back of your neck too. Barmah hats sit closely against your head and will not move even in strong winds.

What makes Barmah hats particularly good not just for hiking holidays but for any holiday is that they are lightweight and foldable. You can fold a Barmah hat flat and then keep it in the accompanying canvas bag. As you don’t have to worry about it being squashed and pushed out of shape you can simply put it in your suitcase or rucksack without it taking up too much space.

We stock a range of leather bush hats by Barmah in full-grain and suede leather styles starting at £45.99.

Over a year ago now, we reported Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge's love for the good old Aussie bush hat. The Duchess is a sporty lady who clearly has a love of the outdoors and has been spotted wearing various versions of the traditional Australian leather bush on a number of occasions since she first came to the world's attention as Prince William's girlfriend almost 10 years ago.

Leather bush hats were originally worn by cattle drovers working in the blistering heat of the Australian Outback and as such are extremely tough hats that can stand up to even the most hash environmental conditions. Over the last 30 years they have become increasingly popular in the UK too as they are able to protect the wearer from heavy downpours just as well as they can shield the sun and have become essential attire for traditional country pursuits.

Whilst Catherine and her sister Pippa, had previously been seen wearing Australian leather bush hats at horse trials and hunts, the Duchess is now able to join the ranks of keen dog owners, for whom the hats are also a must. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge was recently spotted wearing a stylish leather Australian hat, whilst walking her new pup, Lupo.

You too can get your hands on a leather bush hat that's fit for a princess with our range of Australian leather hats from top brands, Barmah and Wombat Leather. Choose from full-grain or suede leathers in various shades of brown or black in either a classic Australian or cowboy style.

Squashy Suede Bush Hat in Chocolate by Barmah Australia £46.84

Click here to view the full range of original leather bush hats from Barmah and Wombat Leather.

 

At first glance Barmah and Wombat Leather hats look almost identical but when deciding which brand to go for there are a few things you should consider.

Hats from both brands are an ideal all weather acessory. They are water-resistant and feature a wide brim that will protect your face and neck from sun and rain. Both Barmah and Wombat Leather hats are also comfortable to wear and sit snugly enough that they won't fly off in the wind.

However, here come the differences...

Barmah hats are the original Australian bush hats and are made in Australia from full-grain Australian cattle hide. If you are after a genuine Australian product, then a Barmah hat is for you.

Wombat Leather may seem like an Australian brand but it's actually British. It was created by fans of the original bush hat who wanted a slice of the Australian lifestyle at home in the UK.

As the original bush hats, Barmah hats are more expensive than Wombat. However, you're not just paying for the name. Barmah bush hats are excellent quality. As I have already mentioned, they are made from full-grain Australian cattle hide and are hand finished to created a unique, traditional product.

Wombat Leather hats are of course excellent quality. However, the leather is not quite as tough as the hide they breed down under! As a result, Wombat Leather hats come in at a slightly cheaper price than Barmah hats.

All Barmah hats are produced in the traditional Aussie style which has a flat brim. However, Wombat Leather hats are also available in an American cowboy style which has a shaped brim. Many people find this style more flattering.

The final thing to consider when choosing between Barmah and Wombat leather hats is the foldability of the hats. Barmah hats fold into four and can ben stored in the accompanying canvas bag. This makes them ideal for travelling as you can bung them in your backpack or suitcase without having to worry about them getting squashed. However, Wombat Leather hats were not designed to fold and should be stored upright to avoid them becoming damaged.

So now you know all the differences between Barmah and Wombat Leather hats you should be able to make the right choice for you.

At Just4Leather we stock both Barmah and Wombat Leather hats in a range of different colours, styles, finishes and sizes. View the full collection here.

 

When browsing our range of Barmah hats you'll notice that the majority on offer are made from suede leather. Suede leather gives a really attractive finish to the hats but because it has been heavily processed it is not as durable as full-grain leather and, therefore, requires extra special attention if you want to keep your bush hat looking as good as new. So here's our guide to caring for your suede Barmah hat.

How to prevent stains

Prevention is always better than cure so even though your Barmah hat will have already been treated with a waterproof coating, we recommend regularly topping up the protection with a quality suede protector. You can buy these from shoe shops, department stores or larger supermarkets.

However, before you respray your hat you will need to remove any dirt that may have accumulated on the surface. The best way to do this is to use a suede specific brush. You can buy either multipurpose or brass wire brushes for buffing up the nap of the material. I personally prefer multipurpose brushes as they are more versatile and safer if you are worried about scuffing or marking the leather.

How to remove stains

If your suede bush hat has already becomed stained there are a few tricks that you can use to remove them.

The first thing you can try is to rub the stain very gently with a small file or emery board. You will need to be extremely careful as you can risk damaging the material.

If possible, you can also try folding the hat and rubbing the stain with another part of the hat. This will be much gentler than an emery board.

However, the ideal solution for stain removal is to use a suede cleaning block or suede eraser. Suede erasers crumble as you use them and can remove even deeply ingrained stains.

Once you have removed any stains don't forget to brush and respray your hat.

 

If you're travelling to Australia, you're definitely going to need a good hat to protect you from the sun. So why not go native with an Australian outback hat? Australian outback hats are a vital part of traditional Australian dress. Once you leave the densely populated coast you will come across them pretty much everywhere you go. You will see hats from lots of different brands in a wide variety of styles, colours and materials.

Outback hats have been worn by hardworking rural Australians for years to protect them from sun, rain or snow. All of my Aussie friends have one of some description, although none of them have one with corks dangling from the brim. They're reserved for tourists only!

You could say that the outback hat is Australia's answer to the American cowboy hat as it emerged in similar conditions. Because of the harsh conditions, the first Australians needed tougher than average hats just like the Americans in the West. They too had to make their hats themselves. The resulting Australian outback hat is not as extreme in appearance to the American cowboy hat. The crown is shaped like a teardrop and is typically only 4 inches high with the brim being between 3 and 4 inches wide. The brim only gently rolls up at the sides and may be turned down at the front as well as the back.

Outback hats are made from a wide range of different materials including various leather, fur felt, wool felt, straw and canvas. As a symbol of Australia, outback hats made a fantastic gift or souvenir. Indeed, Akubra hats are typically presented to visiting statesmen and women.

Akubra Hats

Akubra has been a manufacturer of Australian outback hats for over a century although only under the name 'Akubra' since 1912. The hat business was started in Tasmania in 1874 by Benjamin Dunkerly. He was joined in 1902 by Stephen Keir I, who married his daughter. Akubra has been in the hands of the Keir family ever since and is now run by Stephen Keir IV. You can't get much more traditional than that! Akubra hats are typically made from rabbit fur felt. The higher quality hats are made from wild rabbit pelt and the most popular style is the 'snowy river'. You may be familiar with this style if you have been watching I'm a celebrity get me out of here!

Barmah Hats

What is great about Barmah Hats is that they are flexible and you can fold them down into their accompanying canvas bag. This unique feature makes them perfect for travelling. Barmah Hats are made from a range of different leathers including kangaroo, crocodile and cattle.

Wombat Leather Hats

Wombat Leather hats are a relatively young brand of outback hats originally from the UK but made with traditional Aussie spirit. A number of different styles are available in a variety of different leathers including full-grain, split and suede. Wombat Leather hats are easy to get hold of in UK and Europe which means you can buy one in preparation for your trip or when you return from Australia if you are worried about your new hat getting squashed and ruined on the journey.

Cork hats

Cork hats are traditionally worn by Australians to keep flies out of their faces. Just kidding! I don't know anyone who wears a hat like that and I'm not sure it would work either. Cork hats are probably best reserved for fancy dress parties!

At Just4Leather we currently stock leather bush hats of the Wombat and Barmah variety. Check out our Bush Hats

 

Leather hats are essential travel items for holidays abroad and safari trips. Complete with UV protection and made with leather for waterproofing, you can expect the ultimate protection from all the elements, no matter what the weather.  Shop online today and find high quality leather hats and Australian hats made from leading names in leather production such as Rogue, Wombat and Barmah.

LEATHER HATS FOR HOLIDAYS, GLOBE TROTTING & SAFARIS

Whether you are planning an African safari, a trip down under or a family holiday to warmer climates, leather hats can provide you with safety, comfort and convenience they are prefect for the whole family.

 
TRAVEL IN STYLE AND COMFORT WITH LEATHER HATS

Our waterproof and UV protective leather hats range offers maximum comfort and you will find many styles with ventilation holes or moisture-wicking mesh so you can stay dry and cool even when the weather is hot and sticky.

Discover out our range of hats from full grain, Suede leather hats, cowboys styles and bush hats - great colours from chocolate, tan, black or browns.

So you've decided to buy a Wombat bush hat, but which one to go for? There are currently 6 hats in the Wombat Leather bush hat range which makes you spoilt for choice.

All Wombat leather bush hats are made from the highest quality leather, are waterproof and will protect you to up to 50 UV but there are several differences in style, colour and finish. Apart from the Wombat Cowboy which has a shaped brim, all Wombat Leather bush hats are made to the classic Australian shape.

Wombat Cowboy in Black (£32.99)

All Wombat Leather bush hats come in one of three kinds of leather: full grain, soft split or suede. Full grain leather has not been altered beyond hair removal. As the leather remains relatively close to its natural state, it is the toughest and most durable kind of leather. What’s more the colours, textures and markings may differ slightly giving a particularly rugged look.

Wombat Original full-grain hat (£40.99)

At the tannery leather is often split into layers and then treated with oils. Split leather comes from those layers which are closest to the flesh and thus has a more uniform colour and texture as well as a soft and pliable finish. As it is thinner it is less durable than full-grain hide.

Wombat Outback in light brown (£29.99)

Suede is created from split leather by abrading the surface of the leather with an emery wheel. Due to its texture it is much more susceptible to stains from water damage than either full grain or split leather. With it's refined look and feel suede is often more popular with women.

Wombat suede in stone (£29.99)

To view the full collection of Wombat Leather bush hats,please click here.

 

 

You might not think you need to be told how to put on a bush hat and which size is right for you. These are things you should know instinctively, right? However, after years of experience, Aussie cattle drovers have developed a certain knack, which ensures that the hat stays firmly on and suffers minimal wear and tear.

When trying on a leather bush hat, you may occasionally find that one size is too small but the next size up is too large. We recommend you take the smaller size. Leather is a natural material that will breathe and change shape over time. You might like to give it a head start by pulling it over your knee to stretch it. Soon your bush hat will mould to the shape of your head for ultimate comfort.

 

To put your hat on, smooth any hair away from your forehead and place the front of the hat on your head. The ribbon always goes at the back. Then, using the palm of your hand, push the hat down from the back of the crown. You can wear your hat with the brim level with your eyes or you can wear it pushed back in the typical laid-back Aussie style.

Take care not to pinch the front of your hat when putting it on your head. This will cause a sharp point which will be likely to wear. Tugging the brim to ensure the hat is on properly can also cause damage. By putting it on this way, your bush hat should stay firmly on your head, even on the windiest of days and you can maintain the iconic Australian shape of your hat and avoid any unnecessary wear and tear. When not being worn, we recommend that you rest the hat upside down on the crown or hang it from a peg.

 

Need a new Leather hat....here is your guide to buying the perfect one for the end of summer into the autumn months

Not just for the "outback"...... a great leather bush style hat is the perfect companion this summer to stay cool ... Waterproof for those summer showers and UV protection from the sun.



Or what about a leather mesh style hat like this one from  Rogue - mesh sides for added "ventilation"....

Whatever hat you choose checkout a great range of leather hat styles from Rogue, Barmah and Wombat.