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I learned about American Hat Makers when my straw yardwork hat wore out last summer, and I decided to replace it with something better. My search led me to this company, which has been family-owned and operated in California since opening in 1972. It offers scores of men’s and women’s hats in leather, felt, and straw designs with a reputation for durability and comfort. After spending an hour or so perusing the website, I ordered the Crusher Men’s Crushable Leather Outback Hat. In this review, I’ll share my own observations about the hat and the company behind it.
Best Brimmed Hat
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
What We Like
- Looks good without being overly stylized
- Supple leather conforms to my head
- Comfortable in a broad range of temperatures
- Offers good sun protection
What We Don’t Like
- A slightly deeper crown would fit even better
Product Specs
- Material: Lightweight cowhide leather
- Brim size: 3 inches
- Crown height: 4 inches
The Men’s Crusher Leather Hat is an outback-style hat made of supple, lightweight cowhide leather treated for water resistance. It features a 3-inch brim, a 4-inch crown, an oiled and braided leather band, and an adjustable chin cord. The hat is available in four colors (copper, black, bomber brown, and gray) and six sizes (S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3X). It also comes with a set of sweatband inserts in different thicknesses, allowing you to dial in the perfect fit.
The hat arrived about a week after I ordered it in early fall. It fit around my extra-large head, so I set aside the extra band inserts for later use. We were experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures at the time: sunny and summer-like, though not truly hot. I donned the hat the next day while mowing my yard and could not have been happier. The leather didn’t get clammy when I sweated in it, and the heat did not build up inside the crown any more than it did in my old straw hat. The only minor issue I had with the fit was that the crown was about a half-inch too shallow. I like to pull my hat down where the band just touches the top of my eyebrows.
In functional terms—sun protection, temperature control, and staying in place—the Crusher hat may be the best hat I’ve worn. I stopped wearing baseball caps for outdoor work when my doctor noticed a couple of “suspicious spots” on my skin. Brimmed hats became the best workwear option for the added UV protection. Until now, I’ve opted for straw hats because I thought they would be most comfortable in hot weather, but the Crusher hat keeps me as cool as a straw hat in 85-degree weather. Although it does not keep me warm in the cold like a winter hat, it’s more comfortable than a straw hat in mild temperatures and never blows off on windy days.
I don’t know why it took me so long to consider wearing a leather hat. Now I may have to try a felt one. This one looks good, feels great, and does exactly what I need. It’s been rained on, sat on, and licked incessantly by my dog on a few occasions, yet it’s still pretty much as good as new. By the look and feel of it, I expect it to last a long time. Next summer, when we start seeing those mid-90-degree days again, I might go back to something more breathable, but for now, I couldn’t be happier than I am with the AHM Crusher.
Where to Buy
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila