Fed IV a little too big, fine with foam...advice?

[FurFeltFedora]

Thanks Chuck - I'm a bit of a photographer on the side, the lens is a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8.

 

[Woodfluter]

First of all, welcome

I have a couple of Akubra hats. Wear a size 60.

You didn't mention if you have a Fed IV Standard or Deluxe.
My Deluxe (Heritage) hats, I order to my size...60. They still fit great. No apparent shrinkage yet in felt sweatband (knock on wood).

Other Akubra (Imperial) hats, I have ordered size 61 due to shrinkage and use a portion of the foam to have them fit a bit better. ///

About the felt, and not the sweatband, but what the heck...From the Hats Direct site:
The Heritage Quality
... It is more stable over time and less prone to shrinkage and distortions such as the tapering of the crown.
http://hatsdirect.com/federation/felt.html

Hi FFF -

Seconding what Goose said a couple of days back. My experience too. I have 5 Akubras in Heritage felt - four of these have been worn in all kinds of weather, soaked in rain, and at least one left in a hot car - inadvertently. I have never detected any incidental shrinkage.

I have several Imperial felt (as in regular Fed) Akubras, one new and two acquired used, and they have all shrunk to some degree - but not to where I couldn't stretch the ones that got too small.

They're great hats regardless of which you choose, but you do get something real for the extra cost of Heritage felt. Three of the Feds softened up to rival most vintage hats, although there are apparent differences in other qualities.

My Feds see more use than any others I have by far. I'm right between 59 and 60, and since the deluxe ones don't shrink and they seem to size them all a half size larger, a 59 is perfect for me and stays that way. For the standard, you've gotten the usual excellent advice from the knowledgeable crowd here!

 

[FurFeltFedora]

Woodfluter I've actually got a lot of my info on the Fed IV from you and Goose's posts. My standard Fed IV in a 60 is fitting fine now with just foam on the sides only. I was emailing with Jenny at HD last night and she confirmed that the Fed IV is formed about half a centimeter smaller than actual so a 60 is actually a 59.5. Since I have to add a little foam still she figures (as far as Akubras go) I'm an exact 59. The Traveller I have coming (which should be here any day now) is a 59 and should confirm that - I hope. I'm dying to order a couple more Akubras ASAP - another Fed IV in black and a carbon grey Fedora to start - but I want to confirm the right size. 60 for the Fed IV will be fine, and I'm hoping a 59 in everything else is right. It's a hell of a long way back to Australia for an exchange.

 

[Goose.]

Goose, I think that moonie looks good with the tug-boat bash (I think that's a tug-boat?). These will be my first grays so I am a little apprehensive...

Thanks Awesxxxxx...(too many numbers for me to remember )...
As GTD stated, it's the rake that makes it a tugboat. But I knew what you meant. The bash itself is a telescope.

I like the moonstone more and more as I wear it. Nonetheless, like those potato chips, can't have just one...
Here's my Federation IV Standard Black that arrived about an hour ago.

Oh, and to keep this "thread related", I ordered a size up, so I will use some foam
And, thank you FFF, for the side pic.

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Great looking lid Goose ....yes do order that foamlol lol lol lol

 

[FurFeltFedora]

Nice job Goose, you seem to be a real master of that tugboat slope. I'm still dying for my Traveller in a 59 to show up so I can order some more hats. At least I know my next Fed IV (a black one) will fit me fine in a 60. Did I mention I was itching to order more?

 

[Pduck]

Thanks Awesxxxxx...(too many numbers for me to remember )...
As GTD stated, it's the rake that makes it a tugboat. But I knew what you meant. The bash itself is a telescope.

I like the moonstone more and more as I wear it. Nonetheless, like those potato chips, can't have just one...
Here's my Federation IV Standard Black that arrived about an hour ago.

Oh, and to keep this "thread related", I ordered a size up, so I will use some foam
And, thank you FFF, for the side pic.

Hey Pgoose, nice photo. I like how the hat seems to just be floating in air!

 

[Goose.]

Thanks FFF, CB, and Pduck (ha ha on the "PGoose"...that took me a bit to get lol )...

Haven't spent any time comparing this Standard to a Deluxe. It's been on my noggin most of the time. But I no doubt like it quite a bit.

Stopped by my local watering hole this afternoon and immediately got a "God Father" comment. Thought that odd as I have worn my carbon Sydney forever, and, recently, my black Homburg and Bogart fairly often. Must be something about the profile of the Fed. Guess that should be a question.

Anyone else run into different opinions when wearing a Federation compared to another hat?

That pic was hard to take to get to the level of Fur Felt Fedora's camera magic

I used only a bit of foam on this 61.

 

[FurFeltFedora]

The tale continues...

My Fed IV is continuing to shape to my head. I'm down to two small strips of foam on the sides and I can actually see the hat turning slightly egg shaped in it's circumference as it conforms to my head.

As well my Traveller (59) showed up today too. Lovely looking hat until I put it on my head then it all went to hell. The taper is too much, the brim is too wide and because it's crushable you can't snap or shape the brim at all. As well I found it far too big out of the box and far too tight with the foam in - it's just not meant to be. So it's back in the box and off to Australia again.

With that all in mind I just ordered two more Fed IVs one in black and the other in tawny fawn. That leaves only a carbon gray and moonstone to go