We got tired of frying our heads. So we made a hat.
Smelt started the way most good things do: two mates, one very overheated sauna, and a strong opinion about how hot is too hot. Tom and Marc kept lasting about four minutes before their scalps tapped out, so they went looking for the felt hats the Finns swear by. Nobody made a decent one in South Africa. So they made their own.
The one who read too much about Finnish sauna culture and wouldn't stop talking about löyly. Handles the felt, the fit, and the stubborn insistence that we only make one hat, properly. Peaks at 95°C.
The one who actually pushed us to make it real instead of just complaining. Runs the shop, the stitching, and every word on the site. Prefers a civil 85°C and a slow exit.
One product, done properly
We don't do ranges. We do one hat, in two colourways, in the best felt we can get.
Embroidered, never printed
Prints crack in the heat. Thread doesn't. Every hat is stitched, front and back.
Warm regards, always
It's on the back of the hat and it's how we run the business. Look after people.