Want to spend some Santa money. Looking at my first Kromer. Which do you prefer- the Original or the Rancher style? Why?

Thanks.

I think its just a matter of preference. I like the ear flaps inside. The orig also has a slightly longer bill for better eye shade.
I have one I bought locally a few years ago for much less than the going $40 price. It says Beaver Brand since 1860 but I can't find a manufacturer. Made in USA, 100% wool shell.

Filson....

I have both versions of the Kromer hats. Bought the regular one first and wear it a lot. But when it is cold and windy part of my ears are exposed so got the rancher version. The rancher is very warm and the the ear flaps work great. To me it is too warm most of the time.

(Have a Filson too and it is great hat that is not as warm as the Kromer rancher.)

Hunting I prefer broad brimmed hats and use a Cabela's with ear flaps. Really cold and windy brings out the Kromer rancher.

Rancher, gotta have the flaps.

I have the original. It keeps my noggin plenty warm. Of course, low 20's is a cold day around here. Looks to me like the rancher style has more or larger earflaps but I have no experience with it. Love mine for those cold days in the woods.

Use both in WI. The original is usually plenty. If it's buttazz cold and blowing, the Rancher gets the nod because it drops pretty low, covering the back of the head nicely.

I would get a railroad cap like this...



Looks like a Kromer, but it has inside earflaps that fold down almost to the back of your neck.. I have both a Kromer and the one pictured, and for usability, the railroad cap most of the time gets the nod over the Kromer.

Ben

My dad got a new Carhartt hat this Winter that he's been pimping around.

I still have my ball cap and headband.

Rancher style was way to warm for my liking. Reverted back to original.

I've got the Rancher for hunting.

My friends say stuff like "Vewy, vewy quiet"...

What the hell, I stay warm.

Always depends on the weather/temps and activity.

Headbands rule.

unless yer bald.....

Make mine a carhartt beanie covered by a ballcap....and the beanie has a nifty little face cover for when ya need it.

Kromer was a railroad engineer who supposedly designed the hat to stay on his head in an open engine. His wife made it. It was so successful and popular with other railroaders that he resigned and he and his wife started the Stormy Kromer Hat Co. So, the Kromer and railroad hats are one and the same. There are variations, though.

Interesting. I've been looking at these hats as well,nd never knew they were designed by a railroad engineer. Cool.

Beaver brand is no longer in business unfortunately.

The one's with the shorter bills are womens, just sayin.

Here is a shot of the interior of one I just sold. Tells the story....(hit reply and it gets easier to see)



I've had two of them and just couldn't get one to fit just right. Crazy I know.

My KOM Bomber hat is my go to hat when it is really cold & blowing. I hoped I could get the SK to work but it didn't.

The rancher sits a wee bit lower on my head and rides on my ears. I dont like that unless it is cold. It is also heavier. I prefer the standard. I have one in blaze orange that I wore a lot that faded pretty good. I like my camo one and I have a green one on order.

That is the beauty of the headband and ballcap!

Infinite adjustibility.

If you live near a Cabelas watch their end of winter sale (or online) and you can get one with goretex for less than $20.

I like the regular one for COLD weather and their 'cord' cap for fall/spring. They're too hot for summer which is too back because they're so comfortable.

I might just have to try one of these . . . before going to a headband and ballcap! Thanks for the feedback everyone.

http://www.campmor.com/crowncap-wool-railroad-style-hat.shtml

Highbean, that cap has a polyester lining versus a cotton lining of the Stormy Kromer. Maybe that would not make a difference to you, but it would to me.

COTTON KILLS!......Just ask the guys on the backpack forum.......grin

Yeah, the obituaries this time of the year in my neck of the woods, indicate an increase of deaths caused by cotton flannel lined Kromer caps.

RIP!

I would award you points for style, but no aviators.

What the hell, dont you know your not supposed to leave your pup in the truck with the windows up. They can over heat.... grin

I have 3 orginals,(gray,olive and orange)and love them. I wear them with pride being a yooper down here in troll land. Ive seen the rancher on line but not one in person yet and might like it for ice fishing or late season hunting. Thinking about the waxed canvas one for chores and duck hunting.

I've had a couple waxed canvas hats. They did not breath well at all -- had heavy condensation form all over the inside. I would not do another one.

I did that last year. I found the goretex hats to be too dang hot. They don't breathe like the plain jane Kromers.

Here in my country we call them "scotch caps"
Thou they look like the railroad caps shown.
Worn them for years in all weathers and won't be outside
in Wyoming's winters without mine.
The laced band is pulled down over the earflaps
and can be tightened to fit.
A must have in sub-zero weather IMO

This one gets my vote as well.. I have several of these. Great hat....

I always thought the Stormy Kromer was a bit of a ripoff because the "flap" tied in front doesn't really fold down over the ears. Its just for looks.

My main hunting cap is a Crown Cap "buffalo check railroad style hat" and it has flaps that really do fold down over the ears and tie under the chin when maximum warmth is desired. It also has a short internal flap folded under the rim that covers just the top of the ears. Its a great cap. Heres a link:

http://crowncap.com/catalog/product/buffalo-check-railroad-style-hat/