Akubra Overload

[Ian]

Hi Steven, I've got Christie's, Luton, Stetson, Stanley and Barbisio hats and I dont think Akubra shrinks more noticeably than any of the others. I fit a 56 or 6 7/8 straight out of the box but always get a 57 or 7 at least otherwise I find I'm putting the stretcher on more often than I'd like. I've had or have 4 Akubra lodd, that's been my experience. Good luck

 

[1967Cougar390]

There is many a thread in the Lounge debating this topic and there is a breadth of opinion but if there is anything approaching a consensus is that they do shrink. I hate a hat too tight, gives me headaches so I always err on the side of bigger. It is easier to shim a hat smaller than it is to stretch it. I would give David Morgan a phone call and discuss with them if you are uncertain.

I think I will give David Morgan a call. I agree a larger hat is better than a hat the is too tight. David Morgan has a good return/exchange policy that gives me comfort when buying online.

Hi Steven, I've got Christie's, Luton, Stetson, Stanley and Barbisio hats and I dont think Akubra shrinks more noticeably than any of the others. I fit a 56 or 6 7/8 straight out of the box but always get a 57 or 7 at least otherwise I find I'm putting the stretcher on more often than I'd like. I've had or have 4 Akubra lodd, that's been my experience. Good luck

Thanks Ian. I’d rather not have to stretch a hat unless I have to. I ordered a Stetson Milan Stratoliner form One2miniRanch a couple of years ago and it was much to large and I ended up returning it for a smaller size. The 2nd hat was to large as well, so I was given a refund. The store owner was a real pleasure to work with. I’ve read good things about DM so I think I will be taken care of.

Steven

 

[johnnycanuck]

I’m not sure if I should post this here or in Ask a Question. It’s Akubra related so I figured this is a good place to ask. I’m considering purchasing an Akubra Sydney from David Morgan. I like the fact that the Sydney has a raw edge brim. Seeing this would be my first purchase of a higher end hat my question is in regards to size. I’m a XL, 60 or 7 1/2 and I’ve read in different threads about Akubra‘a shrinking to fit or conform to you head. Should I order a 61 or a 60 to account for shrinkage?
Thanks,
Steven

I bought a my true hat size,59 my first Akubra. Turns out I am a Long Oval head shape. So in two years I bought my second Akubra in 60, padded it and let it shrink to size. I would either buy one size up or go to a local tack shop (western shop) and try in hats till you find your actual size and order that. Hope that helps.
Johnny.

 

[1967Cougar390]

I bought a my true hat size,59 my first Akubra. Turns out I am a Long Oval head shape. So in two years I bought my second Akubra in 60, padded it and let it shrink to size. I would either buy one size up or go to a local tack shop (western shop) and try in hats till you find your actual size and order that. Hope that helps.
Johnny.

Thanks Jonny. That’s a good idea. The Tractor Supply company near me has a wide selection of Cowboy hats. I can try on different sizes and see how they feel.

Steven

 

[tsores]

I am thinking about getting a CampDraft. Since my size is a long oval I am wondering how the brim will behave on me. Are there any examples of wearers with LO size that can describe the brim? Photos would be even better. Any other concerns about fit?

Thanks.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I have a long oval and quite a few Akubras. I am technically a 59 LO but wear a 60 in Akubra. Pad the sides to make it fit better and remove the padding as the sweatband shrinks. As for the brim it will dip lower in the front and higher in the back because of the shape of your head. Nothing bad about it. Gives my hats more of a “swoop” to the brim most here compliment me on.
Hope that helps some
Johnny

 

[tsores]

Do all Akubras shrink? How long does it take for an Akubra to shrink? Under what conditions?

 

[johnnycanuck]

I wear mine every day from quick trips in the car to weekend hikes. If you only wear one hat every day all year long it takes about two years to get “snug” and you need to give it a stretch once in a while (over the knee or with a hat jack) if your not the kind of person that gets overheated easily and sweats a lot (like me) it may not shrink as much or as quickly as it does for me.
Johnny

 

[Ian]

Gday Tsores, I'm with Johnny but would throw in the weather re humidity. I'm often transporting hats between humid and dry climates and notice how hats shrink in drier climates or hold size in humid areas. So yes every hat I've had shrinks and from my experience noticeable in 6 months or so of regular use. I do have an Akubra that I wear rarely that has held its size beautifully for 4 years which I attribute that to not wearing it often. Ian

 

[tropicalbob]

The theory on shrinkage that makes most sense to me is the one that attributes it to the tightening of the stitching in the sweatband due to the salt from sweat drying and contracting the fibers. Living in the tropics, I've seen a bit of shrinking in all my hats: my hat stretcher gets some use.

 

[Frunobulax]

Big hat sale at Everything Australian: https://everythingaustralian.com.au/shop-by-brands/akubra.html

A CD for only $108 US. Not too shabby.

 

[Royce Bloom]

Big hat sale at Everything Australian: https://everythingaustralian.com.au/shop-by-brands/akubra.html

A CD for only $108 US. Not too shabby.

Which basically matches their prices to Hats Direct who currently has a $10 discount on shipping. And has their stock on hand so you don’t do the 4 month wait.

 

[Frunobulax]

Which basically matches their prices to Hats Direct who currently has a $10 discount on shipping. And has their stock on hand so you don’t do the 4 month wait.

Unless you want Bluegrass Green.

 

[Royce Bloom]

Unless you want Bluegrass Green.

Yeah, well that’s just like your opinion, man.

 

[tropicalbob]

Unless you want Bluegrass Green.

Weird. I was just driving home today and thinking about a new BGCD, as the old one needs replacing. I must be getting sensitized to Akubra brainwaves in the atmosphere.

 

[1967Cougar390]

I received my Akubra Stylemaster in Carbon Grey this past week. I really like it and it make a nice companion piece for my Akubra Sydney in Regency Fawn. The only thing that I would like to see is the Stylemaster available in open crown.
I much prefer a diamond bash and the Stylemaster only comes pre-creased in a teardrop or c crown. I gave the Stylemaster a good helping of steam from my wife’s teapot and re-bash.
I removed some taper and added a diamond bash. I also tightened the pinch. It took about 10 minutes to get everything done and I let it dry overnight. Here are some pictures.

Steven

 

[tropicalbob]

Nice job. Are you finding, though, that the top of your head is touching the crown? One of the things I discovered when I got my first CD was that, after I'd shaped the crown into a diamond and pinched the sides, there wasn't a whole lot of room left between the crown and my head: thus, the reason for higher crowns. Doesn't the Stylemaster have a lower crown?
N.B. I just ordered a new BGCD and am sitting here seriously contemplating either a CD or a Fed IV in taupe brown.

 

[tropicalbob]

I have no will whatsoever. The TFCD is on its way!

 

[PanosChris]

I have no will whatsoever. The TFCD is on its way!

Isn't that a common thing we all have (lack) here? From the FedIVs the heritage fawn is my fav color

 

[1967Cougar390]

Nice job. Are you finding, though, that the top of your head is touching the crown? One of the things I discovered when I got my first CD was that, after I'd shaped the crown into a diamond and pinched the sides, there wasn't a whole lot of room left between the crown and my head: thus, the reason for higher crowns. Doesn't the Stylemaster have a lower crown?
N.B. I just ordered a new BGCD and am sitting here seriously contemplating either a CD or a Fed IV in taupe brown.

Thanks for the compliment. I have a little room between the top of my head and the crown. It helps that I don’t have a lot of hair . To get the extra room as I shaped the raised area of the crown I did it on my head. I pulled the hat much lower than it would normally sit. Once I got the shape of the top of my head in the “crown bump”, I eased the hat back into its normal position. I checked the diamond crease in the mirror to make sure as I worked the “crown bump” I didn’t mess up the crease. Then I simply removed the hat and let it dry. I hope my explanation makes sense.

Steven