OUTBACK HATS MADISON RIVER vs HILLS HATS MILFORD

A comparison between an Australian and a Kiwi oilskin hat. Outback Trading Company's Madison River and Hills Hats Milford oil skin hats.
I am changing a few things around with my bush gear. Here is a video about one of them. My new bush hat.
I hope you find this video interesting and useful. Please add your own experiences and preferences etc in the comments section.
Have a great weekend all.
Dave

[@jaredroberts6391]

Awesome video, thank you for the comparison between them. I would say price point is a big subject that was missed here. The Hills (Milford) hat coming in at $165 NZD on their website, where as the Madison can be purchased much cheaper at $69 NZD. From the comparison, Milford seems like a superior product. Perhaps the Madison would be a budget version ( but still very close in quality ).

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Good comparisons Jared. They are surprisingly quite different in weight and structure but both seem equally robust. I gave this Outback hat to a friend and she loves it for around the farm.

[@caseyhansen4567]

The hill looks nice.i thought the outback looked good for heavy rain.i have the akubra traveler and is very "comfortable it goes everywhere with me

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks for commenting. Akubra's are a great choice. I have settled on a modified Akubra Riverina as my bush/work hat. After use I found this Hills Hat did not hold up to what I needed out of it.

[@BackcountryKiwi]

Nice hats Dave. I've never been a full brim hat kind of guy, I prefer a cap. I can see the uses/benefit in one though.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

I was the same bro. But ever since I tried out a Selke oilskin I have been seeing the benefits. They still can't beat a wool beanie for me though.

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

I got me an outback slugger oilskin cap and an outback 1490 kodiak oil skin hat from rd1 now known as(our place) they are not bad kit. I really like the hills hat one. They make quality gear. Based in petone wellington i think.😊👍👏👏👏 thanks for sharing. Jas frm pahiatua.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks Jas. The Kodiak is one of Outbacks biggest sellers. Outback make great hats.

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

@@southernlandsolo7839 oh, thanks for the tip about the little sleeve pocket in the roof of the hat, very cool i didnt know it was there.🙂👍 i might put a couple of celluloid guitar picks in there as back up fire starters. Cheers dave

[@southernlandsolo7839]

@@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897 Thanks for the tip bro. I didn't know about those firestarters.

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

@@southernlandsolo7839 all good dave, on ali express. Make sure they are the celluloid ones.

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

Your hills hat looks better brother.👍 great video dave. Nice to see you getting some bush time.😊🤘

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Been hard to get time to get out there over these last few months. I am looking at possibly a bit of a lifestyle change which should give me more bush time. Thanks for commenting Jason

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

Where can I git that hills hat milford hat?it's a beauty.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

If you are in the USA try this link. Thanks for watching www.villagehatshop.com/product/all/451139-133567/the-milford-wax-cotton-fedora-hat.html

[@ozsmiley07]

Can't go wrong with a Hills hat. I've got either the fuller brim MacKenzie oilskin or the woolen crusher to take bush with me.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

I just checked them out Les. The MacKenzie looks solid as bro.

[@CaptainFury767]

Well done. I understand what you mean about sizing. To help with that, (and not trying to be overly personal) what is your head circumference?

[@southernlandsolo7839]

57cm to 58cm according to my Akubra.

[@CaptainFury767]

@@southernlandsolo7839 Thank you sir!

[@john2759]

I like both

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks John.

[@toddgibson9861]

You haversack appears to be a Blackie Thomas version from Campcraft Outdoors. They make good products.....

[@southernlandsolo7839]

That's the one Todd. Looks like a great piece of kit. I did an earlier video on it's unboxing but I have yet to use it full-on in the bush.

[@travishowell7992]

Is the Hills Hat Milford you have there black or brown?

[@southernlandsolo7839]

In this video it is its original dark earth brown. It later failed miserably for waterproofing, in a very light shower. So I waxed it with SnoSeal which darkened it more, almost to a black colour.

[@travishowell7992]

@@southernlandsolo7839 How do you find the breathability prior to SnoSealing it?

[@southernlandsolo7839]

​@@travishowell7992 Before the SnoSeal I found the hat too warm and not very breathable. I knew the SnoSeal would reduce the breathability further but at least I would have a warm, water resistant winter hat.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Since this video I have retired my Hills Hat Milford as it is not suitable for my needs i.e. low breathability leading to quick heat build up and sweating, very low resistance to light rain. It is still a good well made hat without the SnoSealing. It is comfortable, it keeps the head warm from the wind and shades the face and neck from the winter sun and when driving, it looks like a quality product not a cheapo. I would use it in the cool/cold outdoors if I was not exerting myself too much , maybe camping, at an outdoors event, fishing.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Where do you live Travis?