Trapers used fur hats, often of beaver or coyote, because the hair tends to wisk off the water, and the hide underneath can be greased to make it truly waterproof. In the mountains and forested areas, they got off their horses, and under Pine trees, nature's umbrella, and used hides --deer, buffalo-- to act as a tent or tarp to keep the water off their clothes. A small fire could be started under the pines, to keep them warm, but not start forest fires. The smoke would be dispersed by traveling up through the branches of the tall pines, so neither the smoke or fire would give them away unless an enemy was close enough to smell either the fire or the smoke. In rainy weather, that would put the enemy almost always in view, because the rain also washes the air clean of smoke, and odors. Hunters and trappers were constantly looking for sign, both of game, and the presense of any other humans. No human was considered a friend until Identified as such.
If you are wearing a wool Capote, ask you dry cleaner to " Scotch guard" or otherwise waterproof it for you. The cleaners can give you some idea of how good the proofing holds and lasts. The same can be done with hats. Wherever you get the hat cleaned, they will know how to protect its shape, or keep it waterproof.
Scotchguard by 3M !
