Akubra Cattleman: Hat Jack/Stretcher

[Stylemaster]

Hi,

I own several Akubras and generally wear a 61. I'd had my eye on the Cattleman for a while, and after trying on a few it was clear that a 60 would be the correct size for this particular hat (my normal size of 61 was clearly to big).

The hat is somewhat loose on the sides and just a little snug in the front. I would postulate that the Cattleman's wider crown and my head shape account for the difference in fit.

I am wondering if using a hat jack would help transfer the looseness in the sides to the front/back, or rather will this occur naturally with wear (IE, hat jack not necessary).

 

[daizawaguy]

It appears you are a long oval Sir. I`d just wear it and let it conform naturally, as long as its loose to start. If it`s tight all round, and not just front/back, then you will need a hat stretcher...

 

[Mr E Train]

When I first got my Campdraft and put it on it went right down to my ears. After getting it wet and shaping it, it shrunk to fit. I still have a little room on the sides and it is tighter in the front and back because I'm a long oval, but as I wear the hat it is conforming to my head shape. It's not too tight as I have no marks on my forehead when I remove the hat, and every time I wear it it loosens up and fits more comfortably.

 

[theinterchange]

Mr. E Train, when I got my Campdraft, I had the same experience.

And I agree, it does sound like the original poster is a long oval.

 

[Neophyte]

My own Campdraft, a size 59.3 tagged as a 59, was rather big on my head. However, after bashing it, it started to better conform to my head.

What really sealed the deal was a method I tried. I would take a hot shower, and near the end of the shower I'd turn the water REALLY hot and lean over so that the water was hitting my hair and not scalding the rest of my body.

After getting out of the shower and drying off, I'd make sure only to superficially dry my hair, and then I'd put my hat on. Seems the moisture and heat really accelerates the shrinking process and conforming.

Just gotta make sure I don't repeat this once it fits perfectly lol.

 

[AlterEgo]

Hi,

I own several Akubras and generally wear a 61. I'd had my eye on the Cattleman for a while, and after trying on a few it was clear that a 60 would be the correct size for this particular hat (my normal size of 61 was clearly to big).

The hat is somewhat loose on the sides and just a little snug in the front. I would postulate that the Cattleman's wider crown and my head shape account for the difference in fit.

I am wondering if using a hat jack would help transfer the looseness in the sides to the front/back, or rather will this occur naturally with wear (IE, hat jack not necessary).

Curious that the Cattleman fits large while your other Akubras fit true to size.

I do not have a Cattleman and so cannot speak to that particular style, but I do have several Akubras and find that those made of Imperial quality, Superfine quality, Pliofelt, and the felt with which the Sydney/Fedora is made initially fit about a half size large but with time and wear shrink to fit perfectly. You can compress that time by wearing the hat in the rain, steaming, or using Neophyte's new acceleration technique.

Whatever method used, they're all basically the same: Get the hat pretty moist, let it dry naturally (i.e. not artificially heated, as with a blow-dryer or over a floor furnace), and it will shrink down a half size. At the same time, the hat will conform nicely to the contours of your head.

In fact, I think Akubra intentionally sizes its felt hats a half size too large to allow for that amount of shrinkage. However, in my experience, Akubra's Heritage felt--tighter, denser, thicker--shrinks little if at all.

The Cattleman's being Imperial grade felt, I'd just use 1-inch strips of plain white felt placed under the sweat to take up the slack and then remove it as inevitable shrinkage occurs. If you're a long oval, you might need to leave a strip at the front or back, perhaps both depending on the degree of LO you are, to make the hat fit.

Most better hat stores carry such felt, but you can purchase a lifetime supply at fabric or sewing stores for next to nothing. Some hat retailers use a foam backed with adhesive, which works fine, until time to remove it, when you discover the adhesive works all too well and takes part of the sweatband off.

I'd steer away from using a hat jack, as that's likely to make your Cattleman even larger and exacerbate the problem.

 

[Neophyte]

Actually my new favorite method is OTK (Over The Knee) stretching lol. Although obviously not the healthiest method for your hat, I feel Akubra's are built to be manhandled lol.

 

[Stylemaster]

Thanks to all who replied. It sounds like the best option is to just let the hat adjust naturally, rather than to opt for a hat stretcher.

Also, thanks to all who suggested that I am a long oval, Hat shops/dealers are always suprised by my large size, often suggesting as low as a 57 (I'm a 61). I now know the source of the confusion!

It seems that the bash of the Cattleman leads to a noticably different fit for those with a long oval. From my observation, the Cattleman's bash leads to a wider cross section and subsequently a looser fit on the sides (especially for those that are long ovals).

After wearing the hat out on a few sunny days, it seems to be conforming and compensating for the intial looseness on the sides.

Thanks for all of your input!