"Most ridiculous military hat?" Topic

Through the ages, soldiers have worn some ridiculous things on their bonce.

What in your opinion is the most stupid, ludicrous, bonkers headgear?

The oversized North Korean officers caps are hard to beat.

The US Army black beret a few years back – hated it, so glad when we went back to the "ball cap" type.

Charlie
US Army retired

Spanish national police hat is pretty strange.

I respect the troops, but I consider Bersaglieri c. 1866--broad and floppy with feathers--to be a contender.

Shakoes- no physical protection and no protection from the elements

Mirleton, particularly with the flap unwinding and flapping in the breeze.

So many choices

Currently I think the Spanish Guardia Civil Hat is way up there

But historically I have to agree with John that mirletons have to be high on the list

link

The Tintignac Gallic helmets are pretty extreme – link

Those Bolshevik caps with the pointy tops are fairly strange

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budenovka

The black berets should've been reserved for the elites, I mean the Army and the Air Force has various colors for different elite and/or special units. Should be reserved for those with special forces units only.

Shako. Bearskins. Mitre.

Or pretty most headgear from 1650 to 1825.

Yet the same period also had some really useful headgear.

I second Torokchar's nomination! The stupidest thing I ever had to wear!

Impractical hats have been a tradition since at least the early bronze age horned helmets.

The fez. Provides no protection from sun or rain. Heck, it doesn't even shade your eyes!

Fezzes are cool.

Dr. Who

I'm going to get abuse for this, but in the context of the First World War, the Pickelhaube takes some beating.

The Budenovka, for the win.

I'm wearing one now because I'm old and feel the cold in my office. It's a high quality repro my dear Olga brought me (one of several, actually bought as gifts for some friends of mine) made of fine wool, so it's warm.

But the shape is astonishingly stupid--which is why I love it. Wouldn't wear one into combat for money, but it's fine around the house.

I've sounded off several times over the years here at TMP about the Budenovka whenever this topic comes up, so I won't repeat my usual full analysis of why this hat probably got more men killed just by wearing it than any other in modern era combat, but look it up if you're interested.

TVAG

How about the Ottoman Janissary hat? It combines the most useless features of the fez and the shako and is top heavy to boot.

I kinda agree with newarch about the Pickelhaube being a pretty strange turn in military fashion.

Although much less popular than the old spiketop, The shaguma, haguma and koguma were a pretty odd-looking set of gear--occupying the middle ground between a hat and a huge wig.

I am only aware of it being a thing during 1868-1869 Boshin War in Japan, but I imagine it had some kind of prior antecedents. Perhaps it later influenced 80s hair bands?

Mitres are odd but cool looking.
Think to me picklehaube is my choice.
Wonder how many freindly injuries they caused?

Could it be that the real reason for wild military hats is that they attract the opposite sex?

I personally disagree about the US Army berets. Perhaps that is because I earned mine and knew how to wear it. Most Soldiers wear the patrol cap style hat like they are the Swedish chef.

Some of the crazy military hats are really just for show not for wear in combat. such as the Indian and Pakistani army dress turbans – oh my goodness pretty sure that a peacock is sitting on their head.

Well Col that's also because you were a Ranger and, like you said, you earned yours.

French Musketeers hat.