Fed IV Question

[deadlyhandsome]

Hats Direct gave you good advice on ordering up a size. Lots of buyers report that the Fed IV runs smaller than some of the other Akubras and that was also my experience with the Fed IV compared to the Campdraft. Add to that the sweatband shrinkage and you should have a hat that fits you perfectly. Good decision on calling them and getting advice.

 

[Zombie_61]

Hats Direct gave you good advice on ordering up a size. Lots of buyers report that the Fed IV runs smaller than some of the other Akubras and that was also my experience with the Fed IV compared to the Campdraft. Add to that the sweatband shrinkage and you should have a hat that fits you perfectly. Good decision on calling them and getting advice.

Everyone seems to have had this same experience except me--my three Fed IVs are size 60, and my three Campdrafts are size 60, but the Campdrafts are more snug than the Feds. I've even been cautioned by the good folks at Hats Direct that the Fed IVs tend to run about half a size small. If that's true, then the Campdrafts run three-quarters to a full size small in my experience; I even had to stretch them out a bit with my hat jack. *shrug*

 

[Krash1974]

I would add the I love the Fed IV!! thread as well.

Just in case you aren't familiar with Akubra hats, don't be surprised if your hat fits loose when it arrives. The leather they use for their sweatbands will shrink as you wear the hat, or more specifically sweat while you're wearing it; perspiration dehydrates the leather, which causes it to shrink (approximately half a size in my experience). They know this, and make their hats accordingly. This is my Tawny Fawn Fed IV:

My head measures almost exactly 60 cm, so that's the size I've always ordered and after the expected "shrink to fit" period my Akubras fit my head comfortably without being too loose or too tight. And just because I like showing 'em off...

Dark Brown, Tawny Fawn, Moonstone. They aren't "high end" or "top quality", but neither am I so they suit me just fine.

And welcome to The Lounge Krash!

Haha, thanks for the warm welcome and handy tips! Looking good in the Tawny Fawn and your “buffet” is making me drool! They look great!

 

[Krash1974]

Hats Direct gave you good advice on ordering up a size. Lots of buyers report that the Fed IV runs smaller than some of the other Akubras and that was also my experience with the Fed IV compared to the Campdraft. Add to that the sweatband shrinkage and you should have a hat that fits you perfectly. Good decision on calling them and getting advice.

Thanks! I wanted to get it as close to perfect as possible.

 

[scottyrocks]

Everyone seems to have had this same experience except me--my three Fed IVs are size 60, and my three Campdrafts are size 60, but the Campdrafts are more snug than the Feds. I've even been cautioned by the good folks at Hats Direct that the Fed IVs tend to run about half a size small. If that's true, then the Campdrafts run three-quarters to a full size small in my experience; I even had to stretch them out a bit with my hat jack. *shrug*

It's not just you. I'm a 59, and have three Fed IVs in 59. They were all a tad big when I got them, before creasing, as shown by you, but with a crease, fit a bit better, and over time, fit perfectly.

I've had my brown one the longest. The hat has been through many years of heat and sweat and rain and snow, and although the sweat band is now a little fushimmult, it still fits perfectly and is very comfortable and looks good.

 

[scottyrocks]

They aren't "high end" or "top quality", but neither am I so they suit me just fine.

Bam!

 

[tropicalbob]

I'd listen to the ladies at HD. I've become convinced that the Akubra model lines vary in fit, color, and starch content with each batch that they produce. I've no idea if this is true with other manufacturers as Akubra makes the only mass-produced fur-felt hats that I would buy.

 

[Krash1974]

Bam!

Yeah I’m gonna remember that line.

 

[Krash1974]

I'd listen to the ladies at HD. I've become convinced that the Akubra model lines vary in fit, color, and starch content with each batch that they produce. I've no idea if this is true with other manufacturers as Akubra makes the only mass-produced fur-felt hats that I would buy.

They were very nice. I told them my size (57 on the nose) and they said to get a 58 (for shrinkage) as it measures at 57.5 and in time it would fit nicely. They had two 58s and would pick out the best one for me. And this is my first experience! Great people!

 

[Krash1974]

Everyone seems to have had this same experience except me--my three Fed IVs are size 60, and my three Campdrafts are size 60, but the Campdrafts are more snug than the Feds. I've even been cautioned by the good folks at Hats Direct that the Fed IVs tend to run about half a size small. If that's true, then the Campdrafts run three-quarters to a full size small in my experience; I even had to stretch them out a bit with my hat jack. *shrug*

A hat jack seems like a handy tool to have.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I'd listen to the ladies at HD. I've become convinced that the Akubra model lines vary in fit, color, and starch content with each batch that they produce. I've no idea if this is true with other manufacturers as Akubra makes the only mass-produced fur-felt hats that I would buy.

I own and like Akubras; although, I fall into the camp that has had sizing issues and my Fed IV was a full size too small (and one of my Campdrafts was way too big at the same size). That said, I've have had good luck with Hat-Co Stetsons in the higher grades. My Premier Stratoliners are good value for money and, in my limited experiences, of a better quality than my Akubras but also at a higher price. I have no reservations recommending the Premier grade and I'm on the hunt for something in open crown in the Excellent grade. Now if Akubra would offer the Kentucky Rancher in size 62 that would be my next hat, albeit with a different band.

I just felt the need to speak up for Hat-Co since it sometimes takes a beating here at the Lounge. It's not like the Stetson of old and some of their lower quality offerings are pretty bad. Akubra does have the best hats in their price point, but there are others worth looking at.

 

[Wesslyn]

This whole thread reminds me...

How do I not have a Fed IV yet?

 

[Zombie_61]

They were very nice. I told them my size (57 on the nose) and they said to get a 58 (for shrinkage) as it measures at 57.5 and in time it would fit nicely. They had two 58s and would pick out the best one for me. And this is my first experience! Great people!

I've only ordered my three Feds from them, but I've always received great service (and from Everything Australian, by the way). They've responded to my e-mail inquiries within a reasonable amount of time (taking the time difference into consideration), answered my questions thoroughly and with a casual, friendly tone as if I was a long-time customer, and shipped every order within 24 hours.

Also, when I ordered my Moonstone Fed they sent me a deluxe/Heritage Quality by mistake; I had ordered the regular/Imperial Quality. It didn't matter to me because the Imperial Quality is a slightly higher quality hat, but there is a price difference (about $29 at the time) so I notified them of the mistake. Their response was essentially, "Keep the hat with our compliments."

A hat jack seems like a handy tool to have.

I think it is if you're planning to start a hat collection. I got mine when, as I mentioned above, my Campdrafts started getting a little too snug for my liking; two or three hours on the hat jack solved that problem easily. And even the best vintage hats can shrink over time if they weren't properly cared for before they ended up in your hands, so as long as the sweatband is still in good condition you can make an unwearable hat wearable again. That being said, they won't work miracles and I think most of the members here would probably recommend using one only to restore or maintain a hat's original size. If the sweatband is in good condition and properly hydrated you might be able to stretch a hat to maybe half a size larger, but anything more than that and you would run the risk of damaging the hat.

 

[Krash1974]

I've only ordered my three Feds from them, but I've always received great service (and from Everything Australian, by the way). They've responded to my e-mail inquiries within a reasonable amount of time (taking the time difference into consideration), answered my questions thoroughly and with a casual, friendly tone as if I was a long-time customer, and shipped every order within 24 hours.

Also, when I ordered my Moonstone Fed they sent me a deluxe/Heritage Quality by mistake; I had ordered the regular/Imperial Quality. It didn't matter to me because the Imperial Quality is a slightly higher quality hat, but there is a price difference (about $29 at the time) so I notified them of the mistake. Their response was essentially, "Keep the hat with our compliments."

I think it is if you're planning to start a hat collection. I got mine when, as I mentioned above, my Campdrafts started getting a little too snug for my liking; two or three hours on the hat jack solved that problem easily. And even the best vintage hats can shrink over time if they weren't properly cared for before they ended up in your hands, so as long as the sweatband is still in good condition you can make an unwearable hat wearable again. That being said, they won't work miracles and I think most of the members here would probably recommend using one only to restore or maintain a hat's original size. If the sweatband is in good condition and properly hydrated you might be able to stretch a hat to maybe half a size larger, but anything more than that and you would run the risk of damaging the hat.

Ah, I did not know that about the jack. Thanks for the info.
So, when my Fed IV gets down to the comfortable size, should I maybe take steps to hydrate the sweat band?
That’s really nice of the folks at Hats Direct. Stories like that make a difference to some people when they are choosing where to take their business. Good to hear.

 

[Zombie_61]

...So, when my Fed IV gets down to the comfortable size, should I maybe take steps to hydrate the sweat band?...

Initially the sweatband will only shrink so much; it's not a huge difference, but you should notice the hat fitting just a little more snug each time you wear it for the first few days, or maybe even a week or two. Once it reaches that point it might shrink a little more as the years pass, but that hasn't been my experience--mine shrunk down to a nice fit and stayed that way. Applying a conditioner/moisturizer to the back side of the sweatband every once in a while should keep it in good condition and prolong it's life, but I've had my first Fed for almost 10 years now and the sweatband is still very soft and flexible without any conditioner so I'm not sure what the "protocol" is for keeping it that way.

 

[Krash1974]

Initially the sweatband will only shrink so much; it's not a huge difference, but you should notice the hat fitting just a little more snug each time you wear it for the first few days, or maybe even a week or two. Once it reaches that point it might shrink a little more as the years pass, but that hasn't been my experience--mine shrunk down to a nice fit and stayed that way. Applying a conditioner/moisturizer to the back side of the sweatband every once in a while should keep it in good condition and prolong it's life, but I've had my first Fed for almost 10 years now and the sweatband is still very soft and flexible without any conditioner so I'm not sure what the "protocol" is for keeping it that way.

Thank you, sir. Which one is your favorite of the three?

 

[Zombie_61]

Thank you, sir. Which one is your favorite of the three?

Well Sir, that really depends on whatever mood I'm in and/or what I'm wearing, but I suppose I'd have to say the Tawny Fawn because that's the one I find myself reaching for most often. I've learned I have a bit of a "thing" for tan/brown hats, and the warm hue of the Tawny Fawn appeals to me. But there are times when I prefer the Dark Brown...or the Moonstone...

 

[Krash1974]

Well Sir, that really depends on whatever mood I'm in and/or what I'm wearing, but I suppose I'd have to say the Tawny Fawn because that's the one I find myself reaching for most often. I've learned I have a bit of a "thing" for tan/brown hats, and the warm hue of the Tawny Fawn appeals to me. But there are times when I prefer the Dark Brown...or the Moonstone...

Well, the Tawny Fawn certainly suits you right.
Yeah, my warmer clothes are mostly greens and browns; I figured the dark brown would fit in nicely.
Being brought up on black and white Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant movies I seriously considered Moonstone.
Got any names for your hats?

 

[scottyrocks]

Well Sir, that really depends on whatever mood I'm in and/or what I'm wearing, but I suppose I'd have to say the Tawny Fawn because that's the one I find myself reaching for most often. I've learned I have a bit of a "thing" for tan/brown hats, and the warm hue of the Tawny Fawn appeals to me. But there are times when I prefer the Dark Brown...or the Moonstone...

I had said, quite a while ago, that I am an earth tone type of person, and prefer browns overall, but I have been finding that I wear my carbon gray more these days than the other two IVs I have - brown and TF, although I do wear those, as well.

 

[Zombie_61]

...Yeah, my warmer clothes are mostly greens and browns; I figured the dark brown would fit in nicely...

I'm very much a "jeans and tee shirts" kind of guy and tend to wear darker colors--black, dark blue, dark green, and so on--so in my mind my hats don't really "go" with anything I wear, so they go with everything I wear. The "fashion police" might object, but I don't really give a rat's hairy backside about what anyone else thinks about my wardrobe. Well, except for my wife; she has to be seen with me in public occasionally so I don't want to be a complete embarrassment to her.

...Being brought up on black and white Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant movies I seriously considered Moonstone...

Akubra's Moonstone tends to photograph with a bit more of a bluish hue than it actually has, and brighter lighting tends to bring out that quality. But in more subdued/indoor lighting it's simply a nice mid-gray that I think is neither too dark nor too light; very versatile. Not long after I got mine I was struck by how similar it looked to many of the hats I've seen in black-and-white movies from the 30s and 40s, but that's one of the things that drew me to the Fed IV in the first place. Previous incarnations had slightly taller crowns and wider brims, but with the Fed IV I think Akubra really nailed the look of those hats we all admire--a relatively simple "everyman" hat that any guy could grab, stick on his head, and go about the day's business. It's a nice bonus that women look damn good in them as well.

...Got any names for your hats?

Only if "the brown one", "the tan one", and "the gray one" count.

I had said, quite a while ago, that I am an earth tone type of person, and prefer browns overall, but I have been finding that I wear my carbon gray more these days than the other two IVs I have - brown and TF, although I do wear those, as well.

If I ever get another Fed IV, Carbon Gray would be my choice. I seriously considered it before I ordered my Moonstone, but ultimately thought the lighter color would be at least a little cooler during the hot summer months in this part of southern California.