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Akubra FD4 Deluxe

JohnSarge

New in Town
Messages
12
Location
Westminster, MD
Morning peeps, so I have been lurking here a long time and I am finally getting to a point where I want to order my first hat. Looking at the Akubra FD4 Deluxe.

I have searched all the relevant threads multiple times and they all always seem to end up talking about the standard almost exclusively. I was curious about the sizing of the Deluxe and shrinkage (if any) from people who own it. I know the Standard shrinks and that has been covered endlessly but various posts have said the deluxe is pretty resilient in keeping its size.

Any info from you guys would be much appreciated.

John
 

johnnycanuck

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,008
Location
Alberta
If you are talking about the sweat band then yes it does shrink to size. However the hat itself has not shrank as far as I can tell. It also has no noticeable sun fade either. But that's just my federation deluxe III.
Johnny
 

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
I have several Akubras including a couple of Deluxe models.I believe the sweat is slightly better quality BUT they too shrink slightly with wear.If in doubt I'd go the next larger because you can put something behind the sweat to make it fit.
 
Messages
18,278
So if I was to order a 61 how much would the sweat shrink? Half a cm?
I also wear a 61. I have 4 (2 CD's, a CP & a Woomera; all Imperial grade). Only the Woomera shrunk just enough that it would give me a headache when worn continuously for hrs on end. Twice I used my hat stretcher on it & now it is fine. The CD's & the CP have never shrunk. I have another Woomera on order & this time I ordered a 62. If it doesn't shrink & is looser than I like I will shim it up a tad.

If it shrinks any a half cm is about right. Nothing a hat stretcher can't get back. Hope this addresses your concerns.
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
I've never had an Akubra shrink on me

they all showed up fitting well and stayed that way

I believed the hype and ordered up on my first one ... needless to say it still has reduction tape under the sweat
 

JohnSarge

New in Town
Messages
12
Location
Westminster, MD
Yeah everywhere I have read has said to order up on the standard and order actual on the deluxe. It makes me anxious when thinking about ordering sizewise


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I think it all depends on how much you sweat, as it's the salt that gets into the stitching of the band that causes the shrinkage. At least that's the theory that makes most sense to me: I've noticed that Lounge members who wear Akubras and do strenuous outdoor work, particularly on farms or ranches, often speak of it. Living where I do, I've experienced about a cm. shrinkage or so, though I do as little physical work as possible.
 

Bob Roberts

I'll Lock Up
Messages
11,201
Location
milford ct
And the Akubra size debate continues...
Would you rather have a hat fit a bit roomy or a bit snug?
Cuz very few things are perfect in this world...
I prefer roomy so I order up.
If the sweat doesn't naturally tighten up a bit, I just shrink it down with some distilled water. Simple.
 
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johnnycanuck

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,008
Location
Alberta
First hat I bought was bang on 59. Unfortunately I am a LO So it was tight till it changed shape. Every hat since I have ordered a 60. Now with that said I sweat when I work, and I wear my hats all the time so they eventually shrink. Takes about two years for this to happen. Then i Break out a hat stretcher to get it back into shape.
Johnny
Long story short, if you sweat you may eventually need a hat stretcher.
Johnny
 

Bob Roberts

I'll Lock Up
Messages
11,201
Location
milford ct
I own several Akubra's, feds and stylemasters,on advice from the Hattery and everything Australian i bought my usual size, 57. they still fit like a glove!
Not me Phil. Trudi at the Hattery told me to order my Fed size up. Fits perfect. Sam at Everything Australian didnt tell me that and when I ordered the first Camp Draft in my exact size, it ended up snugging too tight. I ordered my second Camp Draft from Everything Australian one size up and it fits perfect. My second Fed from the Hattery was ordered one size up and it also tightened up perfectly.
Just sayin.
 
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