Authentic Russian Army Ushanka Winter Hat, with Soviet Army soldier insignia

Living in northern North Dakota, for years I've worn a bomber hat lined with rabbit fur -- primarily while shoveling and blowing snow. Time has taken a toll on it and I needed a replacement. I also wanted an authentic ushanka on which to wear a Soviet tank badge my brother picked up for me in Berlin when he was in the Air Force during the Cold War. My head measured a 59, so I bought a 60. It's nearly a perfect fit.This ushanka is in new condition, looks just like the pictures and seems very well made. It's exactly what I wanted. I've worn it to walk the dog in 20 degree F temperatures. Even with a wind chill, I've found it very warm. I usually wear it with the flaps down tied around the back, which keeps my ears and neck warm. For snow clearing, I tie the flaps all the way down.If I could, I'd take off a half star for a couple minor nitpicks. The hat gets a bit itchy after a while, but not to the point where I feel I need to take it off. Perhaps I will eventually get used to it. Mine didn't come with the gold leaf pin shown on the hat in the pictures. That wasn't a big deal to me because I used a pin I already had, but others hoping to receive the pin shown on the hat in the photos might be disappointed.Some have commented that making a hole in the front of the hat for mounting a pin isn't as easy as it sounds. This is because after you make the hole, the fabric tends to close up around it. So first mark the spot where you want the hole to help find it again.The pin I used was particularly difficult to attach because it was designed to be worn on clothing, not a fur-lined hat. I marked the center of the front flap and then used a tiny Phillips screwdriver to punch two holes just above and below the marked spot. With great difficulty, I succeeded in threading a small zip tie through the two holes. I snugged up the zip tie (don't pull it too tight) and trimmed off the excess piece protruding on the back side of the flap. This gave me a mounting point on front of the hat on which to attach my Soviet tanker pin. I'm passing this technique along in the event someone might want to mount a non-standard pin on their ushanka.Overall, I'm most pleased with how the ushanka looks, how it fits, the quality of the workmanship and how warm it keeps my head even in severe winter weather.

I'm always looking for unique hats to wear and this one fit the bill. Very cool looking, but very warm at the same time. Due to wearing this shapka, I have received some curious looks and have been goaded into some conversations about Russia and the former Soviet Union, so be prepared for that, comrade.Other reviewers are saying they run small, but I measured my head circumference at 57.5 cm and the size 58 fit me perfectly out of the box. Maybe I got lucky, but I really didn't want to pay twice as much for the next size up.It is comfortable enough to wear all day, but the "fur" is rather stiff and can be slightly itchy. That point is less noticeable the colder the surrounding air gets, however. Attaching the insignia took a few minutes and required some measuring and careful use of a scratch awl. Other than that, the construction is excellent and should last a very long time.

It's a great hat, very thick and well made, but I'm deducting one star because of how incredibly hard it is to get that gold & red pin attached. The prongs just cannot pierce the thick material. I tried pre-piercing it with a nail, but it just didn't seem to work. The prongs are flimsy and I was afraid of snapping them from metal fatigue if I kept trying. This was a gift for my son, and I ended up suggesting that he use fabric glue. I don't know if that worked out for him or not.

True to my sizing. I got a 58 since a 7 1/4 american surplus hats are my size. Perfect.I paid 16.00 for this Ushanka a few days ago. After receiving it, handling and wearing it...excellent purchase. You can't get more for this price.I would be a couple more, probably will, even at $22 each they are a good deal.I did not have to attach my pin. It was already on. I probably won't leave my personal property wearing the pin, but it's neat.It doesn't overheat me in the house wearing it. I am confident it is 50% wool since I can wear it inside. Looking forward to using it this winter in Michigan.

It's awesome but I didn't receive the same one as pictured, mine is an earlier model, most of the pictures show a 1988 model ushanka, I received a 1984 Ushanka, I'm fine with it it's basically the same anyway just the side flaps are longer. It's very nice quality. I removed one star Because I couldn't find the star pin it may have been stuck in the bubble wrap and I threw it away before I realized it.

The hat (Made in what appears to be 1986) looks and feels brand new, the pin is bright and clean too, it even came with a second more subdued brownish black pin. While it is a bit of a bear (A great soviet bear) to get the pin in the hat, as whoever designed the hat decided that a simple pushpin with a back was just not for them, the hat looks and feels fantastic and warm. All in all a solid buy for anyone who would like to have an authentic Russian Ushanka, whether they are a collector of Soviet memorabilia, or someone who would just like a nice warm hat, this is money well spent.

This hat is great, looks exactly as advertised, is a little small, but to be expected as everyone else has the same problem it seems. shouldn't be too hard to stretch it out. My only other complaint is that it only came with the Star part of the insignia, it did not come with the wreath. slightly disappointing. over all I'm happy, just wish the distributed could send me the wreath part.

Made in Russia by Russians for Siberian winters. You already know it works and is high quality. The question is the fit. I found mine to be a bit tight but a size up may have been loose. After wearing it for a week or so it is broken in and fits like a glove...or a Russian Ushanka. If you like your hats snug, buy your standard size. If you like a little room go up one.