BEST IN Strapback

• Brushed 100% Cotton Twill Upper
  
• 100% Cotton Micro-herringbone Under Brim & Inside Lining
• Unstructured Vtg. Style Crushable Upper
• Adj. Leather Strapback
• Vtg. Style Felt Patch

Inspired by the Golden Years of American motorcycling, this series of 5 hats was inspired by the old dealer water-slide decals of the 30s-50s.  We picked 5 of our favorites, redrew them by hand and printed them vintage style on felt.  The ultimate compliment came last weekend at the Seal Beach Vintage Bike Show, when a girl remarked that they looked like the hats her grandpa, who road bikes back in the day, used to wear.

The unstructured upper, vintage military style micro herringbone and leather strapback complete the look.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

DON'T THINK TWICE Strapback

- Brushed 100% Cotton Twill Upper
- Vtg. Style Felt Patch
- Leather Adj. Strapback
- Unstructured Vtg. Style Crushable Upper
- Cotton Micro-herringbone Under Brim & Inside Lining

It's a classic looking patch at first glance, but like most Ampal designs, there's a bit more to it.  I drew that wiley character in the early 50's style, and the rocket's not Acme.  Its signature markings mirror the atomic bomb, Major "King" Kong rides out of the plane in the end of Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.  Also, its not misspelled, that's the correct title to the famous Bob Dylan song.  

The overall design was inspired by a good friend Wills, "Wiley," who's no longer with us.  He was truly an adventurous spirit - I went on my first surftrip with as a grom etc.  My favorite Wiley story is from one of his first extended trips to Bali.  He had worked odd jobs in San Diego saving up enough for a long period of shallow reef waves but the lengthy stay was possible only by really bootstrapping it.  While he was staying on the Bukit (Bali), he heard Desert Point (Lombok) was going to be firing, but he couldn't afford the ferry to Lombok and then the second boat around the island to DP.  So he took his rental moped on the inter-island ferry, slept on the overnight crossing, then fueled by indonesian Red Bulls, he rode his moped 17 hrs. straight on mostly unpaved third world roads with a surfboard on the side rack and gear in a backpack (probably in sandals).  But he scored and got really barrelled.  

Sometimes the "worst" ideas are the best ideas and as someone who often overthinks things, I have to remind myself not too.  Hope you've enjoyed a quick jaunt down the Ampal rabbit hole.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

DON'T THINK TWICE Strapback

- Brushed 100% Cotton Twill Upper
- Vtg. Style Felt Patch
- Leather Adj. Strapback
- Unstructured Vtg. Style Crushable Upper
- Cotton Micro-herringbone Under Brim & Inside Lining

It's a classic looking patch at first glance, but like most Ampal designs, there's a bit more to it.  I drew that wiley character in the early 50's style, and the rocket's not Acme.  Its signature markings mirror the atomic bomb, Major "King" Kong rides out of the plane in the end of Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.  Also, its not misspelled, that's the correct title to the famous Bob Dylan song.  

The overall design was inspired by a good friend Wills, "Wiley," who's no longer with us.  He was truly an adventurous spirit - I went on my first surftrip with as a grom etc.  My favorite Wiley story is from one of his first extended trips to Bali.  He had worked odd jobs in San Diego saving up enough for a long period of shallow reef waves but the lengthy stay was possible only by really bootstrapping it.  While he was staying on the Bukit (Bali), he heard Desert Point (Lombok) was going to be firing, but he couldn't afford the ferry to Lombok and then the second boat around the island to DP.  So he took his rental moped on the inter-island ferry, slept on the overnight crossing, then fueled by indonesian Red Bulls, he rode his moped 17 hrs. straight on mostly unpaved third world roads with a surfboard on the side rack and gear in a backpack (probably in sandals).  But he scored and got really barrelled.  

Sometimes the "worst" ideas are the best ideas and as someone who often overthinks things, I have to remind myself not too.  Hope you've enjoyed a quick jaunt down the Ampal rabbit hole.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

TROUT II Strapback

- Lightweight 100% Cotton Ripstop Upper
- Front Embroidery / Nylon Adj. Strapback
- Unstructured Vtg. Style Crushable Upper
- Olive Wax Canvas Underbrim

The Rainbow Trout, prized by casual anglers & seasoned flyfishermen, a delicacy cooked over a fire or enjoyed in fine cuisine.  The freshwater totem to compliment the ocean's pelican.

The lightweight cotton ripstop unstructured upper is perfect of a day on the streams.  The waxed canvas underbrim was chosen to as a dull neutral to blend in with mountain/stream background, allowing all focus to be pointed toward the water and has an ultra dull finish to not reflect any light.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

OSPREY Strapback

- Lightweight 100% Cotton Ripstop Upper
- Front Embroidery / Nylon Adj. Strapback
- Unstructured Vtg. Style Crushable Upper
- Wax Canvas Underbrim

The Osprey, the noble Sea / River Hawk.  There is an amazing illustration of the raptor, in the famous Audobon's "Bird's of America," gracefully snatching a fish from the water, that inspired my drawing for the embroidery.

The lightweight cotton ripstop unstructured upper is perfect of a day on the streams.  The waxed canvas underbrim was chosen to as a dull neutral to blend in with mountain/stream background, allowing all focus to be pointed toward the water and has an ultra dull finish to not reflect any light.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

OSPREY Strapback

- Lightweight 100% Cotton Ripstop Upper
- Front Embroidery / Nylon Adj. Strapback
- Unstructured Vtg. Style Crushable Upper
- Wax Canvas Underbrim

The Osprey, the noble Sea / River Hawk.  There is an amazing illustration of the raptor, in the famous Audobon's "Bird's of America," gracefully snatching a fish from the water, that inspired my drawing for the embroidery.

The lightweight cotton ripstop unstructured upper is perfect of a day on the streams.  The waxed canvas underbrim was chosen to as a dull neutral to blend in with mountain/stream background, allowing all focus to be pointed toward the water and has an ultra dull finish to not reflect any light.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

SIERRAS Strapback

From my early days going camping at Kings Canyon in the Sierra Nevada mountains with my grandparents, I knew there was something special going on up there.  The Mountain Pack is our ode to the majestic splendor of the mountains.  We started with the ranges in our backyards, but have plans to expand.

*WE KNOW ITS TECHNICALLY SIERRA...

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

DEATH GLIDE Strapback

- 100% Micro Herringbone Upper
- Front Embroidery / Leather Strapback
- Unstructured Vtg. Style Crushable Upper
- Woven Stripe Underbrim

Death rides a 13' 6.66" Glider.  He picks off the best sets and then will snake you on the paddle back out. 

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

GLIDER II Strapback

- Lightweight 100% Cotton Ripstop Upper
- Front Embroidery / Nylon Adj. Strapback
- Unstructured Vtg. Style Crushable Upper
- Wax Canvas Underbrim

I've always loved Pelicans - they have an ugly grace as they effortlessly ride updrafts along unbreaking swell for miles.  As I started riding 11'+ gliders, boards designed for ultimate trim, and connecting unbreaking sections of waves, it was the closest one could come to experience gliding like a pelican.  Pelicans are also good signs for fishermen.  Diving birds mean there is bait in the water and probably fish as well.  Any seafaring enthusiast has to at least respect them.

The lightweight cotton ripstop unstructured upper is perfect of a day on the streams.  The waxed canvas underbrim was chosen to as a dull neutral to blend in with mountain/stream background, allowing all focus to be pointed toward the water and has an ultra dull finish to not reflect any light.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

ANTI-SOCIAL SURF CLUB II Snapback - Navy

The Anti-Social Surf Club was inspired by the early days of surf exploration, from the mid 60's to early 70's.  Tropical frontiers were pioneered, fueled by changing board design, better air travel, a more open mindset and increasingly crowded surf back home.  50 years later, these themes continue to resonate with us and inspire our adventures and aesthetic.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA

ANTI-SOCIAL SURF CLUB II Snapback - Black

The Anti-Social Surf Club was inspired by the early days of surf exploration, from the mid 60's to early 70's.  Tropical frontiers were pioneered, fueled by changing board design, better air travel, a more open mindset and increasingly crowded surf back home.  50 years later, these themes continue to resonate with us and inspire our adventures and aesthetic.

Made in Los Angeles, CA. USA