THE BEAR CAT CAP

Working with a material as rare as Hokkaido bear hide comes with a responsibility to make every piece count. For our bear hide footwear, we select the larger panels needed to construct each pair. What remains is equally remarkable leather—smaller, irregular sections with the same pronounced grain, rich texture, and unmistakable character. We wanted to give those pieces a purpose worthy of their origin. Our collaboration with Papa Nui Cap Co. does exactly that. The Bear Cat Cap brings genuine Hokkaido Ussuri brown bear hide to Papa Nui’s A-26 flying cap design. Drawing on the spirit of vintage military aviation, it combines Papa Nui’s distinctive approach to headwear with our commitment to exceptional materials and Japanese craftsmanship. Tanned and crafted in Japan, the leather retains its wonderfully uneven surface. Deep pebbling, natural creases, and variations in grain give each cap its own identity. Every section is selected and worked with care, allowing the character of the hide to guide the finished piece. The hides are sourced exclusively from bears that have died of natural causes. The heads and paws are returned to the indigenous Ainu people for traditional ceremonies honoring Kimun Kamuy, the god of the mountain and bear. For us, this collaboration is about respecting a precious material through thoughtful use and skilled workmanship. Leather left over from our boots finds a second purpose in a cap made to be worn and appreciated for years to come. Two makers. One extraordinary material. Made in Japan.