The Stratoliner, a classic hat first made in the 1940's and re-issued with a teardrop crown and slim grosgrain ribbon trim), but felted fur is noticeably more durable than wool and can travel just as well.

Fur felt hats tend to look and feel rich and luxurious too. Take The Peluche, a pork pie hat from Biltmore. This remarkably beautiful stingy brim hat is in fur felt with a finish that leaves the nap long and uncombed. One look at The Nitro, a stingy brim hat from Dobbs, and you're sure to appreciate the beauty of fur felt. Finished with a leather sweatband for added comfort, the brim on this fedora measures 1 3/4 inches and a grosgrain ribbon with bow, fancy feather and pin make up the handsome trim. Another Dobbs fur felt fedora is called The Mayor, and is truly stunning with a silk finish in a color known as Cognac. The satin-lined hat is elegant in its design, and its self trim is decorated with a light line of fancy stitching.

Santana offers up some fur felt hats including The Milagro from the Santana by Carlos Santana Fall/Winter 2012 collection. The name is Spanish for miracle and this hat does have a rather miraculously rich velour finish as well as a grosgrain band embroidered with a unique beat design. Another Santana fur felt hat, The Soul Sacrifice, is very rich in navy with a center crease and a wide grosgrain ribbon trim with a colorful Abraxas Angel on the bow.

Traditional styles do well in fur felt of course, like The Golden Pheasant, a homburg from Biltmore. This hat is given a velour finish and is quite stunning in its beauty. The hat shape is true, the brim is bound, the trim is tonal and the feather at the bow adds a sedate splash of color. There's also The Bowler, a classic replica hat from Christys' London. The stiff black bowler hat is made from the best fur felt money can buy, and it shows. For the most traditional hat of all, the top hat, take a look at the rendition in fur felt by Christys' London. It's a highly polished melusine top hat in true Edwardian style and it's made in England (as it should be).

Although the priciest fur (beaver) is still the touchstone, many different furs are used to create fabulous fur felt hats -- and you don't even have to break the bank to own one. A great introductory fur felt topper for under a c-note is the fur felt fashion ivy cap, The Ascot, from Christys' of London. Once you've experienced the myriad of compliments you'll get when wearing this cap, you'll be as frenzied about fur felt as the rest of us.

Really, there is nothing like fur felt for men's hats.