Akubra "Bobby" western hat

[donnc]

I'd watch ebay for a 6" crown, 4" brim, Resistol or Stet; steam it, crease it, and curl it the way you want it to be.

That's how I'd go about it, but after a quick cruise through that department I have more sympathy for someone who wears 7 3/4. I thought 7 1/2 was bad. One or two interesting options, and I thought I had seen more the last time I looked, but pickings are indeed slim.

So given that a 7 3/4 gentleman in England might do best to purchase one new by mail order, is Akubra the best bet for a light colored fur felt western hat, or are there still US hat makers who can compete with Australia in the same price range?

 

[4spurs]

Try this for near the same price point

http://www.sheplers.com/promo/stetson_4x_hats/

 

[Undertow]

Great post guys! :eusa_clap

I've been looking around locally for a while and the unfortunate truth is I'd have to settle for a pretty lame lid if I wanted something from Stetson, Resistol or Justin.

Stetson is fine but quite predictably bland. I like the Resistol Chute 5x open crown, but they don't go up to 7 5/8. And Justin hats are basically just Stetsons.

But after reading through these posts, and checking out that link to Australia Direct, I would much rather choose from the Bobby, the Arena or Woomera. Also, thanks for the pics Havana! That helped greatly.

I think I'll go with the Woomera due to the higher opened crown and ribbon; that's more my style.

 

[Undertow]

Could someone please remind me about Akubras and their tendency to shrink?

It seems like some of you Akubra owners had stated that the brand either tends to shrink or is already sized small. As previously posted (just above) I may be purchasing a Bobby or Woomera, but I'm in-between a 7 1/2 - 7 5/8; so if the hat would shrink, or is already sized small, I might have to get the 7 3/4?

Anyone have feedback on this?

 

[gtdean48]

I am a dead on 7 5/8 Long Oval. I have 5 Akubras, all 61cm. They have contoured to my head with regular wear. My experience is buy the size you should & even tho they are somewhat more round, they do form to your head shape with regular wear. YRMV

 

[Mr. 'H']

Great post guys! :eusa_clap

I think I'll go with the Woomera due to the higher opened crown and ribbon; that's more my style.

Anyone have pictures of them wearing the Woomera? I can't find anything on the Lounge. And the stock photo makes the hat look pretty lame tbh....

 

[theinterchange]

Nice looking hat! I seem to remember seeing and admiring your Cattleman in another thread. Oh, nice watch too, Seiko 007?

Randy

p.s did a quick scan back on the Akubra Overload and I did indeed comment on your Cattleman. Seeing it again makes me want one.

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

Could someone please remind me about Akubras and their tendency to shrink?

It seems like some of you Akubra owners had stated that the brand either tends to shrink or is already sized small. As previously posted (just above) I may be purchasing a Bobby or Woomera, but I'm in-between a 7 1/2 - 7 5/8; so if the hat would shrink, or is already sized small, I might have to get the 7 3/4?

Anyone have feedback on this?

My head measures right at 23", I wear a 59 Akubra and they start out a little big on me. Some put the supplied tape behind the sweatband, but I never have because after a few wearings the leather conforms to your head. That's been my experience. I've only used Hats Direct and they've assisted in determining the proper size every time. So far so good.

 

[Undertow]

Yeah, I missed out on the sale due to low funds. I think everyone is broke as a joke lately, aren't we?

In any case, I'll be watching for another sale and then I'll pounce on the Bobby. I love that hat - it looks really nice.

Also, thanks for all the feedback on shrinking!

 

[Woodfluter]

Kinda late, but wanted to chime in about sizing. The Imperial grade felt, like those you are considering, do shrink a bit - maybe a half size. That's not so bad as you can get a customized fit after a few soakings. So just order your size or if you're in-between like me, the larger end and you're golden.

The Heritage grade felt seems a different story. Same sizing, but no shrinking. (Trust me, I've torture-tested two of them!) So they run a half size too large and stay there. If you get one of those perchance, go for the smaller end of your size range. I'm actually a 59.5, and my Heritage grade Akubras (e.g. Deluxe Federation or Banjo Paterson) in size 59 cm fit perfectly.

In brief, they all run a half size large but the Imperial grade will shrink to fit - like Levi's.

- Bill

 

[Undertow]

Kinda late, but wanted to chime in about sizing. The Imperial grade felt, like those you are considering, do shrink a bit - maybe a half size. That's not so bad as you can get a customized fit after a few soakings. So just order your size or if you're in-between like me, the larger end and you're golden.

The Heritage grade felt seems a different story. Same sizing, but no shrinking. (Trust me, I've torture-tested two of them!) So they run a half size too large and stay there. If you get one of those perchance, go for the smaller end of your size range. I'm actually a 59.5, and my Heritage grade Akubras (e.g. Deluxe Federation or Banjo Paterson) in size 59 cm fit perfectly.

In brief, they all run a half size large but the Imperial grade will shrink to fit - like Levi's.

- Bill

Great info, thank you!

 

[H Weinstein]

Havana, can you please tell me more about re-shaping that Bobby?

Reviving this thread (if that's possible...I'm still a new guy here and not sure how to do that...) -- I'd especially like to know how difficult you found
re-shaping the Bobby crown.

And did you choose to leave the brim as-is, or did it seem too stiff to yield easily to steam and keep any new curl you might have given it?

Thanks!

 

[Undertow]

Anyone have pictures of them wearing the Woomera? I can't find anything on the Lounge. And the stock photo makes the hat look pretty lame tbh....

Anyone happen to have a Woomera yet? And anyone else have experience with the Akubra Westerns? I'm going to pull the trigger on a Bobby or Woomera, but I'm waiting to find the right price/shop. Any more comparisons to Stetson/Resistol/Justin, etc?