Gear Up Northwest

In the early 1870s, Benjamin Dunkerley arrived in Australia, determined to set up a hat making factory. His skills as a hatter were backed by his ability to invent machinery, and soon after arrival he had developed a mechanical method of removing the hair tip from rabbit fur so the under-fur could be used in felt hat making. He moved his business from Tasmania to Sydney and set up a small factory.
Stephen Keir I joined the business soon after. Whilst working for Dunkerley Hat Mills, he married Ada Dunkerley. Following Benjamin Dunkerley's death in 1918, Stephen steered the Company to greater things; he moved the factory to larger premises, increased production and began branding the hats "Akubra". The Company won large contracts for the supply of the famous military Slouch hat in both World Wars, and in the early 1950s obtained the prized licenced manufacturing agreement from Stetson of America. In the 1970s, Akubra moved to its current site in Kempsey. Although modern techniques are used and new machinery has been installed, the traditional family values are still clearly evident.
Over the years, Akubra has maintained its ability to be in vogue. "Akubra' in fact has become the generic term for hat. Always at the forefront of the industry, Akubra adorns the heads of State, Royalty, Presidents, film and sporting personalities - the famous and sometimes the infamous.
Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Akubra hats are appreciated worldwide. This Australian family company is set to move confidently into the next century. Akubra takes great pride in maintaining the traditions of quality and style established so long ago in this superb Australian product.

Banjo Patterson Hat
The Banjo Paterson from Akubra's Heritage Collection of outstanding hats is a great style suitable for town or country wear, named after the Australian poet and writer. The pre-creased crown has a wide center crease with side dents in the front. The crown is 4 inches high at the front, 4-1/2 inches at the sides. The brim is 2-3/4 inches wide. The striking hat band, 1/2 inch wide, is made from the skin of the Barramundi, one of Australia's fine food fishes found in the Condamine and other northern rivers of Australia. Premium quality pure fur felt, fully lined. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. $155.00

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Gear Up Northwest

The Boss Hat by Akubra
The Boss is a hat that shows the on-going love affair between Australia and America - a happy melding of rolled up sides, downswept front and back brim and tapered open telescope crown. The raw-edge brim is 3-1/2 inches wide and the pre-creased crown is 4 inches high, fully lined. Made from Akubra's Imperial Quality pure fur felt, The Boss has a brass-studded leather band. There are chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia.$120.00

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Kiandra Hat by Akubra
The Kiandra, from the Akubra range of town and country hats, is named for a town in the Kosciusko National Park in New South Wales. The crown, about 4 inches high at the front, 4-1/2 inches at the sides, has a center crease with front pinch. The hat has a 3 inch raw edge brim with rolled sides, down in front and rear. Imperial Quality, pure fur felt. It is fully lined, with chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. The ornamental leather band has a braided overlay in the center, bronze Akubra nameplate. Made in Australia. $120.00

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Pilbara Hat by Akubra
The Pilbara has a high crown and wide brim to give outstanding protection from the sun. The raw-edge brim is 3-5/8 inches wide and the precreased crown is 4-3/4 inches high at the front, 5-1/4 inches high at the sides, eyeletted and fully lined. The pure fur felt is Akubra's Imperial Quality. The attached ornamental band has bronze fittings. There are chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. $125.00

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Snowy River Hat by Akubra
The Snowy River is a pre-creased stockman's hat from Akubra, a classic Australian outback hat. It has a pinched telescope crown and a brim with rolled sides with front and back turned down. This enduring outback style may be worn over the eyes or well back on the head in typical Australian fashion. The brim is 3-1/4 inches wide, with a raw edge. The pure fur felt is Akubra's Imperial Quality. The hat is fully lined and has a leather ornamental band with sueded insert and chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. $120.00

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The Coober Pedy by Akubra
The Coober Pedy by Akubra is a popular fur-felt hat for both city and country wear. The 3-1/4 inch bound edge brim, tilted down in front and back for protection from sun or rain, is dinkum Aussie. The pre-creased crown is 4 inches high at the front, 4-1/2 inches at the sides, eyeletted and fully lined, with a half inch ribbon band. There are chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. The pure fur felt is Akubra's Imperial Quality. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. $120.00

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We offer customers the following custom hat services:

crown and brim adjustments
crown and brim shaping
brim trimming
long oval shaping
professional fitting.

All these services are included in our show and fair prices. If needed, we will also reshape your hat for you at no charge.

On mail order add $20.00 for any custom work.
Standard S&H: $8.00.

CLICK HERE To Learn more about AKUBRA hats including cleaning & care instructions, a step by step process of how they are made and an interesting history about the company.