[URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1039305"]Original thread here.[/URL]
Here we discuss the iconic Ushanka, also known as the greatest and [I]warmest [/I]hat to ever live.
With the impending winter season, many find it stylish and helpful to don this very unique hat.
You may have seen the Ushanka in TF2:
[T]http://www.tfportal.de/gfx/items/large/heavy_ushanka_large.png[/T]
You might have heard of them being used most notably in the Russian armed forces:
[T]http://i.imgur.com/zx0XH4S.png[/T]
[B]What is an [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushanka"]Ushanka[/URL]?[/B]
[QUOTE=http://www.ushanka.com/]An Ushanka (also known as Trapper hat, Aviator hat, Shapka, Chapka etc.) is a traditional, yet stylish, Russian winter hat with ear flaps, which is extremely warm to handle the frigid Russian winters. It has ear flaps, which can be folded up and tied at the top of the hat, or tied at the chin. Wearing ear flaps down protects ears, bottom of the chin, nape and top of the back of the neck from the cold. The word ushanka translates from Russian as "with ears". Ushi means ears in Russian language.[/QUOTE]
[B][URL="http://www.furhatworld.com/images_wm/large/Mouton_Sheepskin_Leather_Russian_Ushanka_Hat_with_Badge_346.jpg"]Why would you wear it?[/URL]
[/B]For many the Ushanka is a hit or miss. Either you wind up looking like a questionable looking nerd, or a comfortable stylish Slav. Either way, you are still infinitely comfortable and warm throughout the coldest and most bitter conditions.
I have used my Ushanka while hiking, skiing, shoveling snow, and for all around winter use.
They are extremely easy to wear and very adaptable to your situation.
For example, you can fold the Ushanka in three different ways depending on how cold it is outside.
[T]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/oiDUq3YVdL6Sgk6M81y4xa0YdibVV7_PKPogj2cOZATCh10T5C_n9FDsXkwSlR5N9jChwybgDNhlzjv879f8dtPs3ApAlf1TSSlRSj-AnJGJBnmDyg[/T][T]http://www.ushanka.com/media/products/sheepskin-ushanka-side.jpg[/T][T]http://www.ushanka.com/media/products/black-mouton-ushanka-hat.jpg[/T]
[B]Where can I get mine?
[/B]There are a few nice places you can pick up an Ushanka besides an Army/Navy store.
Here are a few:
[QUOTE][URL]http://ushanka.net/[/URL][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][URL]http://www.therussianstore.com/[/URL][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][URL]http://www.ushanka.com/[/URL]
I can personally recommend this site. I used it mainly because their distribution center is in New York; very close to me. Shipping is fast and they have good customer service. Also, they include one free pin with every hat, a nice touch.[/QUOTE]
Anyway, I hope some of you discover this hat the same way I did. Give it a shot and try one out. Winter is just around the corner!
I had a black one for a while, it looked ridiculous on me but I still liked wearing it. Kept my ears so warm.
Didn't think these were exclussive to russians. Don't the Canadians or general north plaid-wearing population wear these?
[IMG]http://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads//2013/10/Canadian-1.jpg[/IMG]
I have one, haven't worn it since Putin started shit in the Ukraine though, since it has a very prominent Red Star and Hammer and Sickle on it.
[QUOTE=Hawke7;46871192]Didn't think these were exclussive to russians. Don't the Canadians or general north plaid-wearing population wear these?[/QUOTE]
Ushankas can be found in many countries. I just cited Russia as being a notable example.
Man ushankas are the greatest. Bought a grey soviet one like the ones in the second picture off of ebay about a year ago. Though the pins have the shittiest connecting system ever.
[QUOTE=Nukedrabbit95;46871586]Man ushankas are the greatest. Bought a grey soviet one like the ones in the second picture off of ebay about a year ago. Though the pins have the shittiest connecting system ever.[/QUOTE]
Yes the pins are tough, especially if you get an authentic leather one.
I have 2 ushankas, a cheap Chinese hunting ushanka, and a soviet ushanka I bought from a local surplus store.
I have a Yankees one.
[IMG]http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Mzc1WDUwMA==/z/wdMAAOxyTjNSkK3m/$_35.JPG[/IMG]
It's super warm. I love it.
Are ushankas the new gas masks?
[QUOTE=DrDevil;46873521]Are ushankas the new gas masks?[/QUOTE]
Hard comparison to make when this fuzzy headwear is so comfortable and practical..
[editline]7th January 2015[/editline]
I'm pretty sure there's no pornographic cult following for it as well, so there's that!
should i buy one with a hammer and sickle?
yay or nay?
Eh, why not? If you don't want the pin you can always just take it off, and plus you get to laugh at all the weird-ass looks people give you.
[QUOTE=thermobaric;46876392]should i buy one with a hammer and sickle?
yay or nay?[/QUOTE]
Go for it! Worst case just remove the pin. The hammer and sickle might be a bit of a cliche but I can tell you that very few pins actually look bad on the hat.
[QUOTE=DrDevil;46873521]Are ushankas the new gas masks?[/QUOTE]
If you wear it all the time as a nerdy fashion statement you are a doofus but the difference is ushankas really are super practical. I am taking a trip to Chicago soon and I am glad as fuck I've got mine.
iirc the Russian SSH60/68 helmet was designed so that a Ushanka could be worn underneath if need be.
[t]http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/uploads/6/5/3/7/6537276/7346806_orig.jpg[/t]
These things really are warm as hell. Also if anyone winds up buying one and it's slightly too small, just buy a watermelon and stretch it overnight. I had to do this with my Ushanka.
Shame i'm in the group that looks like a tool with them on.. I'd love to have one when it goes down to -25 here.
I was given one as a gift years ago prior to a Soviet-themed birthday party.
I remember my thought process went something like:
1) What a neat and goofy-looking piece of head-wear. I'll put it on for a laugh.
2) Huh, surprisingly warm...
3) What's with the strap and button fo- Oh! These can fold down!
4) This is fucking [I][B]brilliant[/B][/I].
5) If the Russian's other products were this good, мы говорили бы по-русски сейчас.
[QUOTE=Giraffen93;46880379]Shame i'm in the group that looks like a tool with them on.. I'd love to have one when it goes down to -25 here.[/QUOTE]
I can't say I look particularly attractive in one either, however when it gets [I][B]cold cold[/B][/I] here, that's when I say fuck it and forget about my self image.
There are quite a variety of styles that you can chose from. I'd get one just for comfort if I was you.
I've got a real 1989 pilots ushanka, looks exactly like this:
[t]http://www.russianarmysurplus.com/media/products/silver-ushanka.jpg[/t]
Very comfy to wear when it's super cold outside, although it's a bit itchy.
That doesn't look like it'd be itchy at all. Also I have that pin too and it looks great on your hat.
[QUOTE=Samg381;46880696]I can't say I look particularly attractive in one either, however when it gets [I][B]cold cold[/B][/I] here, that's when I say fuck it and forget about my self image.
There are quite a variety of styles that you can chose from. I'd get one just for comfort if I was you.[/QUOTE]
Well they have real ones from like russian armies here, some kind of a second hand shop. Really cheap stuff.
Might get one anyway.
Ew yeah I would stay away from super cheap Ushankas. However, I've bought one that was in the low $40 before. Not sure how that compares to your currency but that's pretty cheap for such a good investment.
[QUOTE=Bumrang;46880936]I've got a real 1989 pilots ushanka, looks exactly like this:
[t]http://www.russianarmysurplus.com/media/products/silver-ushanka.jpg[/t]
Very comfy to wear when it's super cold outside, although it's a bit itchy.[/QUOTE]
Looks like the one I have, exact same pin and all. It's not itchy for me. So glad I brought it here from my old apartment because I've got work today and it's fuckin cold outside.
"For many the Ushanka is a hit or miss."
It's always a miss.
[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;46883045]Looks like the one I have, exact same pin and all. It's not itchy for me. So glad I brought it here from my old apartment because I've got work today and it's fuckin cold outside.[/QUOTE]
I guess it's just me then, I get itchy in almost any hat I wear.
[QUOTE=DrDevil;46873521]Are ushankas the new gas masks?[/QUOTE]
Why not both at the same time :v:
[QUOTE=DrDevil;46873521]Are ushankas the new gas masks?[/QUOTE]
The new Fedora.
[QUOTE=Lynk;46884045]The new Fedora.[/QUOTE]
notchanka
[IMG]http://jesusfuck.me/di/G7F8/notchanka.png[/IMG]
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