The truth about hats: hats are made of a natural material – fur- so it is very hard for a company to mass produce and keep quality the same year over year. Some years, one brand may find a good fur provider and other years a different brand will have found the best provider. Therefore, brands do not matter. Instead, first you need to ask, is this beaver fur? rabbit fur? Beaver is usually better than rabbit but not all furs are the same. Feel it with your hand. Run along the felt and test its snap and thickness. I have seen gorgeous borsalinos and ugly ones. Gorgeous Roches and uglies. Same for every brand.