Akubra Trader
Content is from the site's archived pages. No product is sold on this site which is now live for historical reference and to point visitors to the Bluewater Group Australian Outerwear current website.
Bluewater Group Australian Outerwear is now at www.kakadutrader.com/index.html​ where they offer tough reliable sports and work outerwear, including Akubra hats.
Akubra® Hats have been Australia’s quality hats since the beginning of the 20th century, ever since Arthur P. Stewart set up to make a hat to meet the needs of this bustling new colony. Australians in the earlier days, much like the Americans of the West, needed better hats than the usual, and, like the Americans, they had to make them for themselves. Akubra hats stood the test of life on the cattle stations and droving routes. Akubra hats still stand the test, not only in Australia, but throughout the world. You will see them wherever you travel.
As a passionate hat enthusiast, I've always been on the lookout for high-quality, stylish headwear. My recent discovery of the now closed Akubra® Hat Catalog was nothing short of a delightful surprise. With a wide range of options, from the rugged Aussie Slouch Hat to the sophisticated Banjo Paterson Hat, this catalog caters to every style and occasion.
What stood out to me most was the incredible attention to detail in each product description. The Boss Hat, with its brass-studded leather band, not only evokes a sense of the Australian spirit but also provides practicality with its chin strap hooks. Similarly, the Coober Pedy Hat, perfect for both city and country wear, offered great protection against the sun or rain, which was essential for someone like me who spends a lot of time outdoors.
The hats' durability was commendable. Whether the Bushman Hat for outdoor enthusiasts or the Cattleman Hat designed for the rugged outback, each piece promised longevity and resilience. This durability was a trait I value greatly, reminiscent of the timelessness of another favorite apparel item of mine - Superman T-shirts. Much like these iconic tees, which have remained popular due to their enduring appeal and quality, the Akubra® hats had a timeless charm that transcends fleeting fashion trends.
Moreover, the catalog itself was a visual treat, showcasing the hats' features and designs in a clear, engaging manner. It's not just a shopping experience; it was an educational journey through the world of premium hat-making.
The Akubra® Hat Catalog Was a treasure trove for hat lovers. It combined quality, style, and practicality in a way that was reminiscent of classic apparel items like Superman T-shirts - timeless, iconic, and always in vogue. Whether you're a hat aficionado or just someone looking for a quality headwear piece, this catalog was definitely worth exploring.
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The Boss Hat
The Boss is a hat that shows the on-going love affair between Australia and America — a happy melding of rolled up sides, downswept front and back brim and tapered open telescope crown. The raw-edge brim is 31/2 inches wide and the precreased crown is 4 inches high, fully lined, in Akubra’s Imperial Quality pure fur felt. It has a brass-studded leather band. There are chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1617 The Boss: $118.95
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Snowy River
The Snowy River is a pre-creased stockman’s hat from Akubra. It has a pinched telescope crown and a brim with rolled sides with front and back turned down. This enduring outback style may be worn over the eyes or well back on the head in typical Australian fashion. The brim is 31/4 inches wide, raw edge. Imperial Quality pure fur felt, fully lined, with chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap, leather ornamental band. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1611 Snowy River Hat: $118.95
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Aussie Slouch Hat
The Aussie Slouch Hat, one side turned up against the crown, has gained worldwide recognition. Akubra has made these hats for the Australian Army for over ninety years. Proven in the toughest of desert and jungle conditions by Australia’s fighting men, the Slouch Hat enjoys an unequaled reputation for rugged quality. The dash and vigor of the Aussie Slouch Hat is appreciated by both men and women who enjoy the outdoors. Worn with the distinctive puggaree, or custom trimmed with a braided kangaroo band, it retains the characteristic jaunty air of assurance. The Aussie Slouch by Akubra is the authentic full-quality military hat, pure fur felt, Superfine Quality, brass clip and loop to hold the brim, complete with puggaree and chin strap. The color is regulation British Khaki. The brim is 31/2 inches wide, bound edge. 51/2 inch open crown, unlined. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1601 Slouch: $121.95
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Burke and Wills Hat
An American hat shape with an Australian name underlies the frontier heritage shared by both nations. On either continent, a wide brim and tall crown will serve you well in the great outdoors. The pre-creased crown with a center crease and side dents is a shape often found in the American West. A horse hair band finishes the hat. It is 5 inches high at the front, 51/2 inches at the sides, with 3 eyelets on each side. The brim is 4 inches wide, raw edge. Premium quality pure fur felt, fully lined. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1633 Burke and Wills: $152.95
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Pilbara Hat
The Pilbara has a high crown and wide brim to give outstanding protection from the sun. The raw-edge brim is 35/8 inches wide and the precreased crown is 43/4 inches high at the front, 51/4 inches high at the sides, eyeletted and fully lined. The pure fur felt is Akubra’s Imperial Quality. The attached ornamental band has bronze fittings. The band may be removed if you wish to replace it with a hand braided kangaroo or horse hair band. There are chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1618 Pilbara Hat: $118.95
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Banjo Paterson Hat
The Banjo Paterson from Akubra’s Heritage Collection is a great style suitable for town or country wear. The pre-creased crown has a wide center crease with side dents in the front. The crown is 4 inches high at the front, 41/2 inches at the sides. The brim is 23/4 inches wide, raw edge. The striking hat band, 1/2 inch wide, is made from the skin of the Barramundi, one of Australia’s fine food fishes found in the Condamine and other northern rivers of Australia. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Premium quality pure fur felt, fully lined. Made in Australia. No. 1622 Banjo Paterson Hat: $148.95
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Cattleman Hat
The Cattleman is the hat made by Akubra for the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, selected as the style typifying the hats used by the cattlemen in Australia. The Cattleman is appreciated by the working stockman because of the protection it gives against sun and rain for nose, ears, and back of the neck. This enduring Australian style a good choice for anyone spending time outdoors. It is pre-creased with a pinched telescope crown, with three eyelets each side of the crown. The 31/4 inch bound edge brim is turned down in front and back. Imperial Quality pure fur felt, fully lined, with hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap, and a double round ornamental band with brass fittings. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1613 Cattleman: $118.95
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Coober Pedy Hat
The Coober Pedy by Akubra is popular for both city and country wear. The 3 1/4 inch brim, tilted down in front and back for protection from sun or rain, is dinkum Aussie. The pre-creased crown is 4 inches high at the front, 4 1/2 inches at the sides, eyeletted and fully lined, with a 1/2 inch ribbon band. There are chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. The pure fur felt is Akubra’s Imperial Quality. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1616 Coober Pedy: $118.95
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Angler Hat
The Angler is a sporting hat, also suitable for casual or city use. It has a 3 inch raw edge brim for good protection from sun or rain. The height of the crown at the front peak is a moderate 4 1/4 inches. Fully lined, eyeletted, with hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. The ½ inch hat band is made from the skin of the Barramundi, a food fish from Northeastern Australia. Imperial quality pure fur felt, reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1628 Angler: $131.95
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Kiandra Hat
The Kiandra, a town and country hat, is named for a town in the Kosciusko National Park in New South Wales. The crown, about 4 inches high at the front, 41/2 inches at the sides, has a center crease with front pinch. The hat has a 3 inch raw edge brim with rolled sides, down in front and rear. Imperial Quality, pure fur felt. It is fully lined, with chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. The ornamental leather band has a braided overlay in the center, bronze Akubra nameplate. Made in Australia. No. 1619 Kiandra: $118.95
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Stockman Hat
The Stockman, one of Akubra’s most popular hats in Australia, is similar to the Snowy River in shape but has a more moderate brim. This hat gives good protection from sun and rain in the country or in the city, appealing to women as well as men. Pre-creased pinched telescope crown, 23/4 inch raw edge brim. Imperial Quality pure fur felt, narrow ribbon band, fully lined, with chin strap hooks set inside the crown for easy attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1615 Stockman: $118.95
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The Territory Hat
This wide brimmed hat offers outstanding protection from harsh sun or heavy rain. It is named for the Northern Territory, Australia’s Top End, with its vast stretches of hot dry desert and its wet tropical jungles. The brim is 4 inches wide, tilted down in front and back. The pre-creased pinch telescope crown is 4 inches high, with two large eyelets on each side. Imperial Quality pure fur felt, fully lined, with hooks set inside the crown to secure a chin strap. The leather hat band is stamped with an attractive design and there is a reeded roan leather sweatband. Made in Australia. No. 1627 The Territory: $127.95
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Adventurer Hat
The Adventurer is our newest fedora, in the same general shape, style and color as the fedora worn by Indiana Jones in the “Indiana Jones” movies. The open crown is 5 1/2 inches, the raw edge brim is 3 1/8 inches on the front and back, 2 3/4 inches on the sides. It is made in Akubra’s Imperial Quality fur felt in a mid brown color. It is finished with a matching 1 1/2 inch grosgrain ribbon band. Fully lined, with a reeded roan leather sweatband. This is a durable hat that will stand up to long-term hard use. Made in Australia. No. 1632 Adventurer Hat: $123.95
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Bushman Hat
The Bushman is the traditional Australian stockman’s hat, worn in the outback since the turn of the century. It was one of Akubra’s first hats, and is still as well suited to the modern stockman as it was to the old-time bushie. Ranchers, sportsmen, campers and hunters will enjoy the simple straightforward style and practical comfort of the Bushman. The Bushman is made in Akubra’s Imperial Quality pure fur felt, fully lined, with chin strap hooks. Reeded roan leather sweatband. The brim is 3 1/4 inches wide, bound edge. The brim snaps down in front to better shade the eyes. It is supplied with a half inch ribbon band. 5 1/2 inch open crown. The color is Nullarbor Tan, named after the great Nullarbor Plain of Western Australia. Made in Australia. No. 1606 Bushman: $118.95
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Sydney Hat
The Sydney, named after Australia's largest city, is a Fedora in a quality soft felt specifically designed for this style. This is a true city hat you will enjoy wearing anywhere. In the classic Fedora shape, it has an open crown and a one inch ribbon band. It is usually worn with a simple lengthwise center crease and the front of the brim snapped down as popularized in the 1888 play "Fedora" by V. Sardou. The fur felt is a lighter weight felt, using a special selection of finer fur, but otherwise similar to Akubra's Imperial Quality felt. Fully lined, with a 2-1/2 inch brim and a reeded roan leather sweatband, the Sydney is an extremely comfortable hat from the first wearing. 5-1/2 inch open crown. UPF rating 50+. No. 1620 Sydney: $127.95
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Squatter Hat
The Squatter, a classic Australian town and country hat, takes its name from the men who took up large blocks of pastoral land in the outback under government license when Australia was first settled. These large landowners were often the rich and influential men of the district and the Squatter, made by Akubra, reflects a little of this life style. The brim is 3 inches wide, bound edge, and may be worn snapped down in front or as a drop brim down all around. Imperial Quality pure fur felt, 1 1/4 inch ribbon band, fully lined, with chin strap hooks set inside the crown for attachment of a chin strap. Reeded roan leather sweatband. 5 1/4 inch open crown. Made in Australia. No. 1610 Squatter: $118.95
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The Lightning Ridge Hat
The Lightning Ridge from Akubra's Heritage Collection is a classic hat in the best Australian tradition, a hat you can wear in the city or out in the field. The pre-creased crown is 4-1/2 inches high at the sides, the 3 inch raw-edge brim is tilted down in front and back. The neat leather band sports an opal (8 mm. oval triplet) on the side, as might suit the successful opal miner. Premium quality pure fur felt, fully lined. Reeded roan leather sweatband. UPF rating 50+. Made in Australia.
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This chin strap, hand braided in 4 strands of kangaroo leather, will ensure that you do not lose your hat to a gust of wind. The chin strap has two flat ends to attach to the hat's chin strap hooks, and a sliding knot. |
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Hat Stretcher
This two way hat stretcher is robust and durable. Tapered blocks of fir on a turnbuckle fit against the leather sweatband to absorb moisture and maintain the hat's proper shape and size when stored. If your hats must of necessity be dried or stored under warm conditions, regular use of the stretcher will be beneficial. Three sizes are carried to fit a range of hat sizes. Made in USA. |
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Store Hours: Mon thru Fri. 7:00am - 5:00pm Sat. 8:00am - Noon Sunday - Closed |
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More Background On AkubraTrader.com
The website AkubraTrader.com presents itself as a specialized catalogue‐style portal focused on the iconic Australian hat brand Akubra, with a U.S.‐based orientation. It emphasizes the heritage of the brand and its “quality hats since the beginning of the 20th century,” while additionally noting that it now functions primarily as a historical reference site rather than an active e-commerce storefront. The site formerly served as a U.S. dealer/reseller outlet for the Akubra brand (and allied Australian hat manufacturers) via a U.S.‐based importer/distributor.
From its appearance and content, AkubraTrader.com provides:
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Detailed product listings (model numbers, descriptions, sizing, colours, U.S. prices) for Akubra hat models.
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Returns and contact information centered in central New York State.
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A clear affiliation with a U.S. company importing Australian outdoor/heritage headwear and accessories.
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A transition from active retail operation towards archival/catalogue status—i.e., “no product is sold on this site (now live for historical reference)”.
Thus the site is of interest both from a hat-brand enthusiast’s perspective (cataloguing Akubra models) and from a small-business/distribution case study (Australian brand exported and resold in the U.S.). It also illustrates an example of a domain that has shifted from active retail to archival reference.
Ownership, Affiliation & Location
Ownership / Company Profile
The operating entity behind AkubraTrader.com is a U.S.‐based company described on the website as “Bluewater Group Australian Outerwear.” The site states that Bluewater opened on August 10, 1987 in Mariaville, New York, then relocated in 1991 to Bridgeport (on Oneida Lake), New York. The business is described as having diversified into hat distribution (including Akubra) among other Australian manufacturers. The returns address listed on the site is in Bridgeport, NY (Postal Code 13030). This establishes that the domain is not the original Australian manufacturer of Akubra hats, but rather a U.S.-based importer/distributor/reseller of the brand.
Physical Location & Distribution Base
The listed base of operations – Bridgeport, New York (on Oneida Lake) – situates the business in a more rural, lakeside setting rather than a major urban retail hub. This may suggest a distribution/warehouse and mail‐order model rather than a large retail storefront. The presence of a U.S. returns department address supports mail-order/catalog distribution to U.S. customers. The company evidently served U.S. purchasers of Australian hat brands.
Brand Relationship & Affiliation
The primary brand featured by the website is the established Australian hat brand Akubra. The site emphasises that the hats are “Made in Australia by Akubra” and lists detailed model specifications accordingly. This indicates that the U.S. business is acting as a licensed dealer or authorised reseller of Akubra hats (and possibly other Australian brands such as Barmah, Kakadu, Wallaroo) for the U.S. market. The catalogue style, U.S. dollar pricing, sizing in U.S. hat sizes, and U.S. returns address reinforce the U.S. distribution focus.
Thus the site is of interest both for those researching the Akubra brand globally, and for those studying how Australian manufacturing brands are imported and distributed via smaller U.S. specialist retailers.
History & Product Catalogue
Website Content & Catalogue Depth
AkubraTrader.com’s archive retains a significant quantity of product listings, each listing including model number, descriptive name, material (e.g., “pure fur felt”), brim measurement, crown height, colours, sizes (U.S.), packaging details, and U.S. pricing. For example, one listing: “Model No. 1617 – The Boss Hat – pure fur felt … 3½″ brim … Made in Australia by Akubra … $118.95 (U.S.).” Another: “Model No. 1622 – Banjo Paterson Hat – premium quality pure fur felt … 2¾″ brim … $148.95 (U.S.).” The depth of specification indicates this was an operational U.S. catalogue retail site rather than a minimal listing.
The breadth covers multiple hat types: slouch hats (military specification), traditional Australian outback styles, fur felt dress styles, various brim widths, colour variants, chin‐strap options, bands of leather or horsehair, and size ranges 6¾ through 8 (U.S.). The catalogue also gives guidance on hat care and sizing/shrinkage (e.g., suggesting that felt hats may shrink if wet, instructing on sizing accordingly). This makes the site a rich resource for hat-buyers and brand fans, even in archival mode.
Timeline & Evolution
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The U.S. importer/distributor (Bluewater Group) opened in 1987.
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By 1991 it relocated to Bridgeport, New York, indicating expansion.
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At some later date the website AkubraTrader.com was launched to serve U.S. customers with an online catalogue and mail‐order model.
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According to the site’s own current notice, the domain no longer functions as a live retail storefront: it is now used for historical/archival reference and points visitors to the Bluewater Group’s current website (for its broader line of Australian outerwear/hats). This suggests consolidation or rebranding of the U.S. retail presence.
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The transition from live retail site to archive may reflect shifts in e-commerce strategy, brand representation, or inventory/distribution alignment (for example, the importer may have merged with another hat/outdoor brand distributor and folded the dedicated Akubra site into a broader umbrella).
Technical & Domain Footprint
While the domain remains accessible, the homepage states that the site’s product pages are archival and no longer represent active stock or ordering. In practice, the site appears to host the old catalogue HTML pages and provides contact information for redirecting to the current U.S. distributor website. Thus for anyone researching or browsing historical Akubra U.S. retail models circa that retail era (likely late 1990s to 2010s), the site is a useful snapshot.
Popularity, Audience & Social/Cultural Significance
Audience Characteristics
The audience for AkubraTrader.com was U.S. buyers interested in authentic Australian hats—either heritage hats, outdoor/outback style hats, dress hats made of fur felt, or military‐specification slouch hats. Typical buyers might include:
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Outdoor and farming/outback enthusiasts in the U.S. seeking authentic Australian headgear.
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Hat collectors and aficionados interested in Akubra’s heritage and model catalogues.
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Heritage fashion consumers seeking the “Australian outback” look or refined felt hats for city wear.
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Military history or reenactment enthusiasts looking for the authentic Aussie slouch hat styling.
By hosting detailed specification tables and U.S. pricing, AkubraTrader.com catered to a U.S.-based specialist niche (rather than mass‐market hat retail). The fact that the U.S. importer is based in upstate New York suggests mail‐order / catalogue rather than big-box retail.
Cultural & Social Significance
The Akubra brand is iconic in Australia—synonymous with bush hats, outback styling, state uniforms (police, defence), and an enduring cultural symbol of the Australian “bushman” or “outback” aesthetic. By offering Akubra hats in the U.S., AkubraTrader.com bridged that Australian heritage brand to an international market, contributing to cross-cultural diffusion of that style.
From a social and cultural perspective the site is interesting because:
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Heritage craftsmanship: Akubra hats have a long tradition in Australia (dating back to early 20th century). By providing those hats in the U.S., AkubraTrader.com helped transmit Australian manufacturing heritage and outdoor lifestyle into an overseas market.
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Outdoor/outback aesthetic: The “Australian outback” aesthetic has social appeal beyond Australia, especially among outdoor enthusiasts, ranch/farm communities, and fashion segments that invoke rugged authenticity. AkubraTrader.com capitalised on this appeal.
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Specialist retail niche: In an era of mass-market global brands, the site is an example of a smaller, specialist retailer focusing on authenticity and heritage rather than volume. This reflects social consumer patterns of “buying with story” rather than just brand recognition.
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Documentation of product lineage: With the site now archival, it serves historically to document model evolution, price points, materials, and branding for collectors, historians or brand fans. It preserves a snapshot of U.S. distribution of Australian headwear in the internet age.
In sum, AkubraTrader.com is a specialist U.S. catalogue site originally set up by Bluewater Group Australian Outerwear to import and distribute authentic Australian Akubra hats (and similar heritage brands) to U.S. buyers. With detailed model listings, U.S. pricing and sizing, and a U.S.‐based returns address in upstate New York, it catered to a niche market of hat aficionados, outdoor/outback style consumers and those seeking authentic Made-in-Australia headwear.
Although the site no longer functions as a full retail interface (it now serves as an archival reference and redirects to the current distributor’s website), it remains a valuable resource for model history, specification data, pricing reference and brand documentation. For anyone researching Akubra hats, brand distribution in the U.S., or niche heritage headwear retail models, the site provides useful insights.
