I purchased an Akubra hat around three years ago. I split my time equally between the UK and Africa, and bought the Akubra for hunting in Mozambique. The hat performs flawlessly, proiding ample protection from the sun and rain, being frightfully waterproof.  After three seasons of very hard abuse in the bushveld the hat reatains it's water and sun proof properties and also it's colonial style, all be it with a few "charector building" scars, each telling their own story. I also use the hat for riding when in England and working my dogs, and it performs well on both counts, often raising a few eyebrows in the shooting field. My only gripe is it's difficulty of stowage, a Lock & Co. hat box is a worthy investment.

I view this hat as a slightly racey fedora, people notice and comment on it, indeed it is quite the talking point. Practical for anything other than high pheasants (the wide brim restricts movement to the back), and superb for Africa, or any other hot country. Goes down a treat at point-to-points.