Posted by Unknown on Jan 9th 2012
Generally speaking, I'm a guy who never liked hats. One exception is when it's really cold and I simply need one. If I wear one however, I don't want it to be ugly. I'd rather suffer the cold than wear a super ugly hat. The level of warmth of any winter hat is usually in direct proportion to its degree of ugliness! By the time it's cold enough that I'm willing to wear one, I'm well within the ugly stage! I therefore went on a quest to find one that not only looked good, but was actually warm. Until recently, I didn't think the two went together. That's where the Stormy Kromer comes in. It wasn't long ago that I had my first experience with them. I'd seen them online, but was completely unaware of their history. One day while surfing the net, I did a little research. Given the fact that I was once a police officer, I knew my specific hat size. I therefore gave it a chance and ordered a brown one. As soon as it arrived and I tried it on, that's all it took. I don't even know how to describe it. It's a timeless design that looked and felt like it was custom made for me. For the first time, I didn't cringe at being caught by a friend in an ugly hat. Make no mistake. It's still a winter hat. I didn't sacrifice warmth by going with something that looked good. That really impressed me. I was so impressed that I've since purchased a black one. I even purchased a plastic case to keep them in. The guy who once hated hats, now looks forward to going out in them. I enjoy the occasional inquiry by a curious onlooker and telling them the Kromer story. Incidentally, if you're considering the original or the Mackinaw or Rancher cap, you need to ask yourself a question. When you put on a winter cap, will you be almost exclusively outdoors until you're ready to put it away? If so, the Mackinaw or Rancher may be your thing. If you're like me however and keep it on whether you're in or out, the original is the one to get. I love the fact that it's a great warm winter hat in cold weather. At the same time, it doesn't overwhelm me when I come inside at normal room temperatures. They can be worn casually or dressed up depending upon the color scheme. It's the best winter hat I've ever had. It has completely changed my views on winter hats in general. Next year I'll probably purchase a charcoal gray Mackinaw coat with a matching Mackinaw hat. This is a great product from a great company. It may cost a little more, but it's an American product of great quality that deserves American support. You may save a little money on another hat, but it just won't be the same. -Robert
