Federation

[EvilDmitri]

How badly will I be kicking myself if I get a Federation and like it so much I decide i'd rather have the Deluxe? I know there is a difference in the material quality between the two, but can anyone who has both give me some sort of idea as to how different they are and whether the price jump is worth it for the Deluxe? Going to order it tomorrow so any help would be appreciated

 

[Hemingway Jones]

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I have heard countless success stories about The Federation, but I must recount my own bad experience to be totally honest. My Federation regular tapered horribly, and turned green and splotchy after about six months.

If I were you, I would go with the Deluxe. I have felt both and the Deluxe is a very nice hat. I don't think its that much more expensive.

I will also say this about the Federations; they have a great crown shape and excellent brims, though they have a dimensional cut, so be sure that you want that. As far as I know, this brim cut is unique to the Indy hat.

 

[Feraud]

I have no complaints about the Fed Deluxe. It is a good looking tough hat. It will stand up to what ever you can throw at it.

 

[scotrace]

Get the deluxe, or you will indeed kick yourself.

 

["Doc" Devereux]

I have three Feds, but am about to get a Deluxe now that they're available in black.

 

[Gatsby84]

I have a federation and have had it for about 4 years now and it goes everywhere with me. It has survived weather very nicely, downpours, wind and snow. But as Hemingway said there is a taper. The taper in my fed is not very pronounced, but is visible. I too would like to get a deluxe to see the difference, but I can't really afford it.
-Allen

 

[Matthew Dalton]

I plan to get one of each, unless they start making the Deluxe in grey before I get around to the purchase.

 

[Feraud]

A little bit of taper is "period correct". What you do not want is your hat looking like this -

 

[EvilDmitri]

A little bit of taper is "period correct". What you do not want is your hat looking like this -

Looks like a UFO lol
So that's where all those sightings have come from - tapered hats!

I'm thinking i'll get the Standard Fed. $50 is a lot more to pay for a difference in felt, especially for a first hat.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Go with a regular Fed!

I had been kicking myself constantly for not getting the Deluxe until I found out that the finish on it tends to be rather "shaggy" or uneven, and sometimes needs some extra pouncing. Instead, I now have several regular Feds. My first (brown) has been through hell and shows no taper. The color seems to be constantly changing, but it has plenty of character! And man is it comfy! Honestly, I think the regular might be a better buy, over all.
NB

 

[Fatdutchman]

I just sent back a Federation deluxe. The color was precisely the same as on the standard Federation, and the hat was fully one size too large...at least (it was a size 58). I sent it back thinking that perhaps they accidentally sent a standard Fed that had the Deluxe liner and sweatband installed, and was actually a size 59 to boot (I have two other standard Federations in size 58 which fit me quite fine). I told them that when they get it back to send me a standard Federation instead. Well, they got it back and checked it and said it is exactly what it is supposed to be, size and color, and their measurements are pretty precise. Hmm. Well, I told them to just forget it, since my other 58's fit me, and this one was huge, I couldn't trust their sizing enough to have them send me a size 57. I have spent SO much money sending stuff back lately...