Akubra Overload

[D00R]

Your imput helps fellas. I wanted a dark brown wide brim fedora. But was confused by the RM Akubra and the Campdraft. They looked almost identical, except the RM brim was listed as slightly smaller.

 

[Streak]

Well I eventually pulled the trigger on a Tablelands. I figured that the crown height on the Blue Mountains would also not suit my face. I have ordered the brown olive version. Due to the Xmas shutdown of the Akubra factory it has not shipped yet. So now I have to play the waiting game. I look forward to posting some photos after I get it. Thanks very much to all of you who helped with my indecisiveness!!!

Well it looks like I am really having to wait. EA confirmed ships in 1 to 2 weeks when I ordered at the beginning of the month. Then was told there is a further 2 week delay then 3 days later told that there is another 3 to 4 week delay. Their communication has been very good but really annoying about the continually moving ship date. They also charge your card at time of order not at time of shipping.

 

[Frunobulax]

Well it looks like I am really having to wait. EA confirmed ships in 1 to 2 weeks when I ordered at the beginning of the month. Then was told there is a further 2 week delay then 3 days later told that there is another 3 to 4 week delay. Their communication has been very good but really annoying about the continually moving ship date. They also charge your card at time of order not at time of shipping.

It's Akubra that's moving the goalposts, not EA, believe me. EA basically works on a JIT system and keeps a low inventory. It's one of the reasons their prices are good.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Woodtroll]

Well it looks like I am really having to wait. EA confirmed ships in 1 to 2 weeks when I ordered at the beginning of the month. Then was told there is a further 2 week delay then 3 days later told that there is another 3 to 4 week delay. Their communication has been very good but really annoying about the continually moving ship date. They also charge your card at time of order not at time of shipping.

I had the same experience with ordering a fawn Campdraft. It was quoted as a three-month wait, which turned into four. But EA is at the mercy of Akubra's production schedule, so I understand they can only do so much. Once EA got it in their hands, the hat traveled quickly, and was only in Customs a couple of days or so. It's hard to be patient, but the hat will be worth the wait!

Good luck,
Regan

 

[Streak]

Thanks for the comments. It's based on the good reputation that EA does have on these forums that I chose to order from them. Having the best prices also does help! Based on the emails from them it does indeed look like they are at the mercy of Akubra and their Xmas period shutdown backlog. It took me forever to decide on a hat I , like with most things, once you order time seems to drag!

 

[tuco1963]

ive bought three hats from e a and sam mench gave above and beyond service even selling me an aussie $5 bill to keep in the hat band as a lucky token

 

[Streak]

Their communication has been excellent both via email and via their FB page. It'a pity that their suppliers are letting them down.

 

[Zombie_61]

There communication has been excellent both via email and via their FB page. It'a pity that their suppliers are letting them down.

I don't think it's the suppliers. This is nothing more than speculation, but I believe Everything Australian simply doesn't have the storage space for every item they advertise on their website in every size and color. So if you order an Akubra they don't have in stock, they have to order it and you face the dreaded three-month wait while Akubra makes your hat for you; add two to three weeks to that if you happen to order during Akubra's "X-Mas period shutdown".

I also believe that's why Hats Direct's/The Hattery's prices are higher for the same hat - they only sell hats, so they generally have them in stock and can ship your order almost immediately. So that's the trade-off; order from Hats Direct and pay more but get your hat sooner, or order from Everything Australian and pay less but maybe wait three months.

 

[tsores]

Whoa. Newbie here that settled on his first hat purchase. My preference is an Akubra Angler. My patient wife measured my head a half dozen times and helped me pick out the right model so I am all set. Now I read on the last few pages of this thread that Akubra hats do not run true to size - sometimes. Do I order one true to size? 1 cm larger than measured? More?

 

[Zombie_61]

Whoa. Newbie here that settled on his first hat purchase. My preference is an Akubra Angler. My patient wife measured my head a half dozen times and helped me pick out the right model so I am all set. Now I read on the last few pages of this thread that Akubra hats do not run true to size - sometimes. Do I order one true to size? 1 cm larger than measured? More?

First, welcome to The Lounge tsores! If you're looking for information about hats and have the time to read through the threads, you'll find The Lounge is arguably the best resource on the 'Net. The members here will often have different experiences, opinions, and suggestions, but they'll never intentionally steer you wrong.

Assuming you have an accurate measurement of your head (which isn't always easy), if that measurement matches an exact size (i.e., 59 mm is size 59, 60 mm is size 60, and so on) order that size. But if you're between sizes order the larger of the two (i.e., if your measurement is 59.2 mm, order size 60). It's much easier to put material behind the sweatband to make a slightly loose hat more snug than it is to stretch a hat more than 1/4 to 1/2 a size without damaging it. Keep in mind, you won't know how the hat truly fits until you've worn it, and more specifically sweated in it, several times. This is because the moisture and sodium in our perspiration slightly dehydrates the leather Akubra uses for it's sweatbands, which causes them to shrink a little; I call this the "shrink to fit" period. But it also causes the sweatband to conform to the shape of your head, which generally helps to make their hats fit our heads better. In simpler terms, your new Akubra should be at least a little loose when you first receive it, but should become more snug and fit better as you wear (sweat in) it.

That being said, sizing appears to be more "art" than "science" at Akubra. Members here have reported owning more than one of the same Akubra hat in the same style and size, but one fits perfectly while the other(s) fit too tight or too loose. I've experienced this myself to some degree. I have six Akubras--three Federation IVs and three Campdrafts, all size 60. The Fed IVs all fit the same, and the Campdrafts all fit the same, but after the "shrink to fit" period the Campdrafts fit about half a size smaller and were a little too tight for my tastes. Fortunately, a hat jack (hat stretcher) solved that problem.

Also, this doesn't take "ovality" into consideration. My head is close to a "regular oval" so most hats fit me rather well and I can't advise you on sizing if you have a "wide oval", "long oval", or "extra long oval" head. Some members here with an "extra long oval" head have commented they need to order one size larger to account for this, so hopefully one of them will see your post and offer their own suggestions.

 

[tsores]

Assuming you have an accurate measurement of your head (which isn't always easy), if that measurement matches an exact size (i.e., 59 mm is size 59, 60 mm is size 60, and so on) order that size. But if you're between sizes order the larger of the two (i.e., if your measurement is 59.2 mm, order size 60). It's much easier to put material behind the sweatband to make a slightly loose hat more snug than it is to stretch a hat more than 1/4 to 1/2 a size without damaging it. Keep in mind, you won't know how the hat truly fits until you've worn it, and more specifically sweated in it, several times. This is because the moisture and sodium in our perspiration slightly dehydrates the leather Akubra uses for it's sweatbands, which causes them to shrink a little; I call this the "shrink to fit" period. But it also causes the sweatband to conform to the shape of your head, which generally helps to make their hats fit our heads better. In simpler terms, your new Akubra should be at least a little loose when you first receive it, but should become more snug and fit better as you wear (sweat in) it.

That being said, sizing appears to be more "art" than "science" at Akubra. Members here have reported owning more than one of the same Akubra hat in the same style and size, but one fits perfectly while the other(s) fit too tight or too loose. I've experience this myself to some degree. I have six Akubras--three Federation IVs and three Campdrafts, all size 60. The Fed IVs all fit the same, and the Campdrafts all fit the same, but after the "shrink to fit" period the Campdrafts fit about half a size smaller and were a little too tight for my tastes. Fortunately, a hat jack (hat stretcher) solved that problem.

Also, this doesn't take "ovality" into consideration. My head is close to a "regular oval" so most hats fit me rather well and I can't advise you on sizing if you have a "wide oval", "long oval", or "extra long oval" head. Some members here with an "extra long oval" head have commented they need to order one size larger to account for this, so hopefully one of them will see your post and offer their own suggestions.

Thanks for the tip. If I order 1cm large should I be able to take that up with padding if necessary?

 

[Frunobulax]

60 mm? Dang, you gots a smaller head than it looks! [emoji16]

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[tsores]

60 mm? Dang, you gots a smaller head than it looks! [emoji16]

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Oops.

 

[Zombie_61]

Thanks for the tip. If I order 1cm large should I be able to take that up with padding if necessary?

Maybe. I've never used padding behind the sweatband on any of my hats, so you'd have to ask someone who has.

60 mm? Dang, you gots a smaller head than it looks! [emoji16]

Me? Nahhh. In the real world my head's so big I look like a bobble head.

 

[tropicalbob]

Thanks for the tip. If I order 1cm large should I be able to take that up with padding if necessary?

Order your size. I have five Akubras and they all came in just a bit big, perhaps the CD's more so than the Fed IV's. They are made with the understanding that they're going to shrink a bit. All of mine now fit just fine. They know their business.

 

[RJR]

Order your size. I have five Akubras and they all came in just a bit big, perhaps the CD's more so than the Fed IV's. They are made with the understanding that they're going to shrink a bit. All of mine now fit just fine. They know their business.

+1

 

[Firedanser]

Well I eventually pulled the trigger on a Tablelands. I figured that the crown height on the Blue Mountains would also not suit my face. I have ordered the brown olive version. Due to the Xmas shutdown of the Akubra factory it has not shipped yet. So now I have to play the waiting game. I look forward to posting some photos after I get it. Thanks very much to all of you who helped with my indecisiveness!!!

I'd love to see a pic when you get it. I'm thinking about the Brown Olive Tablelands or the Loden Angler for my husband.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Firedanser]

Whoa. Newbie here that settled on his first hat purchase. My preference is an Akubra Angler. My patient wife measured my head a half dozen times and helped me pick out the right model so I am all set. Now I read on the last few pages of this thread that Akubra hats do not run true to size - sometimes. Do I order one true to size? 1 cm larger than measured? More?

I now have 4 Akubras and the first three were very consistent. I ordered a Leisure Time in Regency Fawn for my husband and it is way off. The 57 fits almost like a 59 or maybe larger. I can stick my thumb in the gap. Not sure what to do with it except foam it all around..

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Firedanser]

I now have 4 Akubras and the first three were very consistent. I ordered a Leisure Time in Regency Fawn for my husband and it is way off. The 57 fits almost like a 59 or maybe larger. I can stick my thumb in the gap. Not sure what to do with it except foam it all around..

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I would love to see a pic of your Angler when you get it, thinking about that as a possibility for my husband. Between that and Tablelands.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[tsores]

Order your size...

I just did. Thanks.