Oh, yes: I also lived in Minnesota during even earlier periods than in Alaska. My idea of a good time to go back to visit my parents there was in the winter to practice my snowshoeing. Another fun winter activity was cross-country skiing at Yellowstone NP.

Those hats certainly will keep one’s head warm and are/were very popular. In a discussion, though, we get to consider whether they are the “greatest” for the purpose. And thanks for not ignoring my own question about the headgear which is something that happens a lot with my queries.

But enough diversion. Stay warm, everyone.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
I’m sweating just thinking about wearing that. I doubt I would ever be cold enough to wear that unless I move north.

But let's say you were completely nekkid.

quote:

please explain the purpose of the large fuzzy panel on the front of the bomber hat

It’s a nice place to rest your goggles when they aren’t covering your eyes.

If it's cold enough to actually need a hat like that, you won't care what it looks like.

Yes they are the greatest but they are illegal in AZ.

I still have my M1951 Pile cap from a 1969-70 tour in Korea. Warmest hat I ever had but probably not as warn as Para's 'Mad Bomber'. Then again, his wouldn't fit under my helmet.

Dang, now i want one and don't even need it.

You'd need it if you were nekkid.

Keeping your head warm somewhat offsets the need for very bulky lower clothing, important if you're performing physical activity outdoors.

quote:

Originally posted by Z06:
Yes they are the greatest but they are illegal in AZ.

Do what now?

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
SigF your knowledge is lacking but nice try.

But as you are evidently more knowledgeable than I, please explain the purpose of the large fuzzy panel on the front of the bomber hat—and especially if it is fixed in position.

I saw the answer explained on a show years ago so I looked it up for you:
"Boundary Layer" Effect: Similar to the fur on a parka hood, the fur trim on the brim creates a "boundary layer" of still, trapped air around the face, which helps retain body heat.

It also allows Para to keep warm while nekkid.

I wore mine in northern Wisconsin at the snowmobile races when temperatures were -20 to -30 degrees. I was going back and forth between a bomber hat and a Dakota Coyote Mountain Man Hat. The bomber hat won. They are very warm, which would help if you were nekkid.

I have one in red, love it. Haven't used it since I visited MI a couple years ago for Christmas

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
Do what now?

People in AZ were wearing them nekkid, so...

I’ve had a modern version, fleece and a Gortex like membrane, for years. It’s my go to hat in cold and wet weather bar none.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
Are hats with less insulation warm enough?

You must still have hair!

I can tell you this: on a day like today, it's mighty cold in our warehouse. If I'm over there for more than a few minutes, hatless, I can literally feel the heat leaving my body through my bald noggin. A toboggan -- or a Mad Bomber hat -- would remedy that in a hurry. Having neither of those handy, I'll grab a baseball cap. As thin-material as that is, it makes a "yuge" difference in keeping me warm over there.

So my answer is, "yes, even a little bit of coverage makes a big difference."
My old worn-out cap may not be enough when I go out shoveling during the upcoming snowpocalypse, but it does make a difference.

Normally your head is covered with hair. In many cases as is your face. The exception is your forehead. Yes the extra insulation there is for a purpose. Sf, if you don't like that look you could always modify so that is piece is missing I suppose. But you would be without that extra insulation. So it has nothing to do with appearance. Those that wear that type of hat does so to survive the elements. Not do a fashion show.

Yes, keeping your head warm is advisable when nekkkid for obvious reasons.

quote:

People in AZ were wearing them nekkid, so...

What about sombreros? Are they illegal too?

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
...please explain the purpose of the large fuzzy panel on the front of the bomber hat—and especially if it is fixed in position. What does it do for us besides provide an appropriate appearance? It makes no practical difference to me other than to satisfy a bit of curiosity because I know how to stay warm while conducting firearms training at night in subzero temperatures, but perhaps I would change my opinion about the hat if I knew that.

(The “Discuss” request, BTW, was why I decided to say anything about the subject.)

Helps prevent your water-vapor that you're expelling out, from freezing around your head and onto whatever you're wearing; same reason as to why certain jackets/coats have fur built into the hood. The furry parts while also providing warmth, prevents the moisture that you've breathed out, from soaking into the fabric but instead only freezes as droplets at the ends of the material. When water hits and condenses onto fur or fuzzy-fibers it wants to bead-up at the ends of the fibers instead of soaking-in. Once that moist air condenses and freezes, its easier to wipe or, shake-off the crystals that have formed.

Having had my jacket freeze on various mountain climbing trips, the hood is the part that freezes first as all your air you're breathed out surrounds your face and ends up freezing-up the hood. Having a fur-trimmed hood (or ruff as it's properly called) would've been nice.

If I went out in the cold wearing nothing but a mad bomber, you couldn’t tell if I’m Agnes or Angus.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
I’ve had a modern version, fleece and a Gortex like membrane, for years. It’s my go to hat in cold and wet weather bar none.

Is it a name brand or generic?