Bit of an Akubra Crisis

[Edw8ri]

The mailman brought my new Banjo Paterson today. It looks great. But this is my first Akubra and I am not sure that it fits right. If it doesn't, I want to send it back. If its okay, its going bird hunting this weekend.

The hatband holds it snuggly so that the top of the hat is just above the top of my head. The brim of the hat sits about one finger width above my ear.

I know how stupid this question is, but I usually wear an old wool felt crushable job or a baseball cap. This Akubra is in a completely different league. Thanks.

 

[Havana]

If it's touching your ears, it's too big. If it's squeezing your forehead or otherwise giving you a headache, it's probably too small. If it's just a bit loose, that's about perfect for a new Akubra. The interior band will snug up after just a bit of wear. As far as how it sits on your head, just about everyone's head is so different that it's hard to say. Two finger widths above the eyebrows is an old military rule but really you can wear it how every you like it.

 

[jlee562]

What Havana said....

My head just isn't that big, so I find that, if you're judging by my ear, I wear my hats lower than most, the brim doesn't ride on top of my ear, but for me, it's a more secure fit if the brim is closer to my ear than not.

If it's sitting a finger width above your ear, and feels like it won't blow off easily in the wind, I'd say you're pretty good on sizing. Like Havana said, the sweatband will shrink a bit over time. You can also try the "lampshade trick," by gently dampening the sweatband and placing the hat on top of a lampshade. The heat from the bulb (incandescent) will help the sweatband shrink a bit.

 

[theinterchange]

Each of my Akubras fit slightly different [all 58's] But I've found them to initially be loose, then tighten with very little wear. The Akubras tend to be my tightest [and in my opinion] best fitting hats.

My hats typically sit a finger from my ear, or slightly on my ear if I've recently had a haircut.

If I'm not mistaken, the Banjo Patterson has a little shorter crown, so it's possible to be sitting just above your head depending on it's [your head] shape.

If it's causing you discomfort from being too tight, it's not too likely to remedy itself with time unless you stretch it a little. [Something I'd be a tad afraid to do personally]

Randy

 

[zetwal]

I wear my fedoras about a finger width over the ear. Sometimes one side will ride higher than the other. I don't like the hat to touch my ear. But I do like it do slip down into position without having to tug on it. Some people like to bring the hat down to the middle of the forehead. I tend to wear it higher than that in the front. However you slice it the hat should be comfortable as you like to wear it.

In my view, it's generally better to have a hat that's a pinch too big over one that's too small. The more you wear the hat the better it will fit. With use you will be able to tell from the inside out if the hat is too small or too big. If it's a little loose you can put a little felt or tissue paper under the sweatband. It does sound like yours fits pretty well right out of the box. I would wear it for a couple weeks as is before attempting any forced modifications (such as shrinking or stretching).

In fact, I don't stretch or shrink any of my hats. And they fit just fine.

 

[VickHick]

I have a Banjo Patterson that I got about 3 months ago. At first the hat was too big. As time has passed the fit has slowly got better and tighter. I did have to put a small piece of tape inside to help the fit. The hat sits about 1 finger above my ear. As long as it's not tight I would say keep it. The more you wear it the better it will fit. Also early on you can wet the hat and then wear it to help it shape to your head better.

 

[Duper]

If you wear it as is for a few minutes, does it cause you some discomfort, or do you have a terrible red line on your forehead? Try including a photo and folks will have a better opinion on how the fit looks on you.

How did you arrive at the size/measure for your size? My two Banjo Patersons arrived feeling too large and I compensated with a little stuffing of thin styrofoam packing foam paper behind the sweatband. Time and wear gradually remedied the size so they are now both very comfortable with much less foam filler. They are very nice hats.

 

[carldelo]

One suggestion I've heard is that you should be able to tie your shoes without having your hat fall off your head - if it does, it's too loose. If it leaves a horizontal red line across your forehead, it's probably too tight. As others have said, the sweat will draw to your head in time. If it's too tight, there's not much you can do about it, stretching never seems to 'take' permanently.

 

[ScionPI2005]

I agree with what the others have said here. Most of my hats (not just my Akubra) sit around one finger width above my ears. A few of my hats seem to be a bit closer to touching my ears, although that may be because I feel I have slightly larger than average ears. :eusa_doh:

Either way, its all up to personal preference. If the hat doesn't easily fall off, and doesn't give you a headache, it's probably fine. Feel free to include a picture and we'll give you further advice.

 

[AlterEgo]

Sounds to me like it fits, based on what you say.

You didn't say from which vendor you bought it, but most include some sort of backing you can put under the sweatband to make the hat somwhat smaller. Personally, I prefer the felt pads David Morgan includes with all its Akubras. Better to get a hat that's a little big rather than one that's a bit small, and use the pads to make it fit initially, then remove one, and then later the other, as the hat shrinks from perspiration and rain.

However, the Banjo is from Akubra's Heritage Collection--made with premium felt that's shrunk 25% more in the manufacturing process, and has the wider, softer reeded roan sweatband--and in my experience, these shrink less than the standard Imperial Quality felt Akubras with their "lesser" sweats. So, don't expect your hat to shrink much. DON'T do the "lampshade trick," as that is, indeed, tricky, and way too risky for a newbie such as yourself.

The Banjo Patterson is a superb choice for your first pure fur felt hat: It's an Akubra, so the quality is outstanding, and the Banjo is an extremely versatile lid. The low crown, wide center crease, 2 3/4-inch brim, and barramundi skin hatband enable it to transition from a hat that can be worn with a sport coat and tie on down to the most casual clothing--though I think any kind of felt hat with cut-offs looks stupid!

What color did you get?

 

[Edw8ri]

I want to thank everyone for the help. It looks to me like I have a hat that fits. It stays on when I bend over, but does not leave a red mark on my forehead. I really like the quality of this hat a lot. It is certainly beyond anything I have ever had before.

 

[theinterchange]

Great, you'll get many a good year out of 'er! Post pics if and when you can!

Randy