Roo Squashy

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Why Construct a Hat of Both Cow & Kangaroo Leather? Each of these leathers has distinct characteristics which make them excellent materials for millinery work. Jacaru employs the strengths of each of the leathers to create what has become one of our Best Selling hats, the Roo Squashy.

• Cow Leather is thicker and stiffer than Kangaroo, which makes it well suited for constructing a hat with a fixed shape, and firmer brim.
• Kangaroo Leather is thinner, softer, lighter, stronger, and more resilient than Cow Leather, which makes it well suited for creating the squashable Gusset required to make the Roo Squashy a packable hat which keeps its shape and styling over years of wear and travel.

1/2 the Weight and Twice the Strength of Cow Hide. Most Americans have known Cow Hide all their lives. Perhaps Kangaroo is new to you. Australia is home to one of the most extreme climates in the World. Kangaroos commonly inhabit territories burdened by sparse food supplies and extreme heat. Lending to the Kangaroo’s hide being virtually fat free, and exceptionally strong. Resulting in Kangaroo leather being lighter, thinner, softer, and stronger than Cow Hide. Which in turn makes for a lighter, thinner, softer, stronger, more flexible, and cooler wearing Hat.

Up to 3 Times the Wear Life. Ounce for ounce Kangaroo is the strongest leather in the World. Comparative testing done by the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) has determined that the tight fiber structure and greater tensile strength of Kangaroo leather delivers up to 3 times the wear life as a comparable Bovine (Cow) leather. By using Kangaroo for the Gusset of the Roo Squashy, each leather is being asked to perform the function it does best.

360-Degree Elasticity, No “Breaking-In” & Greater Resilience. Beneath the surface of this soft, light, luxurious leather is a highly uniform fiber structure, which gives the leather its superior strength, 360-degree elasticity, and excellent resilience against tears. It is this elasticity which allows for the squashability of the Gusset, and the strength of the fiber allows it to perform so well through repeated use.

Responsibly & Sustainably Sourced to Conserve a National Treasure. The Kangaroo is the symbol of Australia. Not an endangered species, high-reproduction rates and a lack of natural predators can lead to over population, exhaustion of food supplies, starvation, and disease. Threatening the very survival of these amazing creatures. To sustain strong, healthy Kangaroo populations, Australia has instituted a strict, federally controlled, culling program. It is from this conservation program that Jacaru legally and responsibly sources the finest leather from which to craft their luxurious leather goods.

Premium Leather from a Rugged Environment. Kangaroos live a life as rough and rugged as the land on which they live. Living in the wild, these uniquely Australian creatures get scratched and scarred from encounters with rocks, other Roo’s, Dingoes, and other dangers. Every hide bears the scratches, scars, and other blemishes of a life in the wild. That scar or scrape you find in your hat is not an “imperfection”, it is a unique reminder that your hat is as tough as Australia.

How Do I Select a Hat That Fits? There are 3 keys to selecting the right hat for you:

1. The hat must first fit your eye. If you don’t like the look of the hat, if it does not match your sense of style, you are unlikely to wear it once you get it home. Only you can determine if a hat fits your eye.
3. The hat must fit your head. Your hat should hug your head but not squeeze your head. Comfortably snug when sitting properly on your head is the correct fit. Only you can determine if a hat fits your head.
4. Finding the Right Fit. The best way to find the right fit is to start by measuring your head to determine your hat size. We can help you with that. See our Jacaru Hat Sizing Chart to help you find your size.

How Do I Select the Right Size? When shopping in person, you can try each Hat on to find the one which best fits you. Shopping Online, by following the directions above you will be off to a good start. Then, if your measurements suggest you are on the cusp between two sizes, err to the larger size. Hat Reducers can be used to customize the fit of a hat which is a little large.

Visit one of our Cape Woolamai Outposts. Use the Find An Event digital assistant on this website to find Events where you can shop in person with one of our Mobile Outposts. There, you can view, touch, and try on a wide range of authentic Australian Hats and consult with a knowledgeable Team Member.

Will My Hat Stretch or Shrink? Do not count on your new hat to stretch. Over time, a quality hat crafted from natural materials is more likely to shrink than stretch. How much depends in part on how it is maintained. See the Hat Sizing and Care information in the What to Know section of this site for more information. And you are always welcome to call the Cape Woolamai Team for personalized assistance.

You will see and feel the expert craftmanship. The Jacaru collection includes a wide range of Hats and accessories. The expert leather workers of Jacaru:

• Start with only the finest materials.
• Coupled with a catalog of classic & creative designs.
• To which they apply their knowledge and skills, honed over decades of experience.
• To create exceptional, well-fitting, comfortable, and durable headwear.
• Responsibly sourced & crafted in Australia by this family-owned Australian business.

Brought to you by Cape Woolamai Mercantile Co., our family-owned American business, and backed by Jacaru’s product warranties and the Cape Woolamai Performance Guarantee.