We know Akubra means quality. But nothing speaks better than personal testimony. We received this story from Mr. Gordon McDonald, whose Akubra experienced a trial of Biblical proportions.
I just wanted to tell you about the fantastic quality of your Akubra hats and an interesting story.
Last year my family and I moved to Jerusalem, Israel to attend university.
I purchased one of your hats for both style, quality and the brand “an Australian icon”.
Last January, while visiting the ancient site of Qumran ( the home of the Dead Sea Scrolls ) I lent my Akubra hat to my wife, as it was quite chilly. Well within twenty minutes a gust of wind blew it off her head and landed in the deepest cistern (well) at the archaeological site. Probably about 15-20 metres deep.
The park/site authorities had no means of getting my beloved hat out of the cistern.
It rained several times throughout our winter months and sustained temperatures of +40C (104 F).
As I visited the site a few times, I noticed my Akubra hat would rise and sink a few inches, mainly due to water collecting when it did rain.
Finally, eight months later, I got a fishing line, 3 barbed fishing hook and a sinker and retrieved my hat. It was covered with all sorts of dust and dirt.
When I came home, I used my trusty Miele vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt as best as possible.
Well, the photos tell the rest of the story, as it may fit a little tighter, but my hat was restored to its nearly pristine condition.
I as well as my colleagues can’t believe that the hat looks as good as it does, with being in the cistern in the harsh Judean wilderness for 8 months.
Thank you for making such a great product. This is one hat, I will always treasure.
Thanks for a wonderful story. Akubra always holds up in a pinch.