I love the Fed IV!!

[scottyrocks]

They Both look GREAT.
Is the Crown and brim bigger than the FedIV ? Hows the felt softeness comapred to both? Did you need to order a size bigger like the Campdraft? Or does the adventurer and FedIV run small or are true to size and wont shrink around the sweatband?

As has been stated here many times, the Fed IV's sweatband will go through some shrinkage with some wear and sweat, so go up a size especially if you are in between sizes.

 

[Zombie_61]

As has been stated here many times, the Fed IV's sweatband will go through some shrinkage with some wear and sweat, so go up a size especially if you are in between sizes.

And not just on the Fed IV--the sweatbands on my Campdrafts also shrunk to some degree as I wore them; this seems to be true of all Akubra hats. Keep in mind, they use different types of leather on their regular/Imperial Grade hats and their deluxe/Heritage Grade hats, and the deluxe/Heritage sweatbands don't shrink nearly as much.

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

And not just on the Fed IV--the sweatbands on my Campdrafts also shrunk to some degree as I wore them; this seems to be true of all Akubra hats. Keep in mind, they use different types of leather on their regular/Imperial Grade hats and their deluxe/Heritage Grade hats, and the deluxe/Heritage sweatbands don't shrink nearly as much.

My Akubra is the Heritage grade, and I haven't had an issue with the sweat shrinking, at least in the 3+ months I've owned it.

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[Krash1974]

Nor mine. But it's a pretty close match to the way mine photographed here:

Further evidence that these damned fur felt hats just won't cooperate for photos!

You guys are seriously making me want this color. Only problem is, this discussion leads me to believe that when I open the box at home and pull out my new hat, it might just be purple.

 

[scottyrocks]

You guys are seriously making me want this color. Only problem is, this discussion leads me to believe that when I open the box at home and pull out my new hat, it might just be purple.

Well, not purple, but not that color, either.

If anything, in real life I would say the Tawny Fawn is 'warmer' than appears in the pictures.

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

You guys are seriously making me want this color. Only problem is, this discussion leads me to believe that when I open the box at home and pull out my new hat, it might just be purple.

I agree. I was definitely leaning toward the dark brown, but the more pictures I see, the more the tawny fawn is growing on me. I just worry that it would be too light in color.

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[Zombie_61]

...If anything, in real life I would say the Tawny Fawn is 'warmer' than appears in the pictures.

I concur, but it really seems to depend on lighting. It's definitely tan, but sometimes the warmer/golden tones aren't as apparent.

 

[Edward]

It's definitely because of legal issues. Hats Direct also has this posted on their website: "Lucasfilm has asked us to display this disclaimer. 'Please note: The Hattery and this fedora hat are not affiliated or associated with Lucasfilm Ltd. or the Indiana Jones films and this product is not authorized by Lucasfilm Ltd.'" So there was clearly some form of communication between the two companies about those legal issues, and they apparently couldn't come to terms. Sadly, the Fed IV is far more accurate than any of the officially licensed wool felt Dorfman Pacific hats.

Ah - not swung by there recently. That'll be exactly what it is, then. (Indy Magnoli deals pretty well with this in large part, choosing names for products that dance away from the TM issues.)

If Hats Direct were making the hats themselves they might be convinced to offer such a service. But they're a retailer, not a manufacturer, and ultimately they can only make inquiries to see if Akubra is willing to interrupt their production schedule for such deviations. On occasion in the past they have done so and Akubra produced at least a couple of special runs of a "Fedora Lounge" version of the Campdraft, but that seems to depend on the quantity of hats ordered and the specific changes requested.

Yes, that's the rub. It's a pity, really.... Maybe Akubra will see this and oblige on something similar (I know the Fed is an exclusive to HD..). Like Fender a couple of years ago finally jumped on what I'd pushed for years on forums - offer a set range of options on a 'build your own' Strat - choose neck, colour, pick-up configurations, and so on - and have it built to order. I'll never get the credit for that, of course....

I do have a Wested "Raiders" jacket, custom made to my measurements. I didn't get it because I wanted an "Indy" jacket, but because I liked the style and wanted a real jacket (i.e., not a low quality costume item) that I could wear whenever I wanted. And for the most part, that's what I got. It's very comfortable, and the leather seems to get softer every time I wear it. It's not perfect--the "distressed" Novapelle cow hide leather absorbs water like a sponge so wearing it in anything heavier than a light rain is out, and it could use some insulation because it's not particularly warm on cold nights. Aside from those two minor issues, it's exactly what I wanted. I've even worn it with my Dark Brown Fed IV, and to this day have never once heard an "Indy" comment from anyone, so I'm very pleased.

Ha, I'm the same - ish. I did want an Indy jacket for years, but didn't want to sink the money I'd spend on a halfbelt into one as I wasn't sure how often I'd wear it. In the end it was thinking about a practical jacket for hot weather that got me into one. Bought a used Raiders in goat, and found it very practical - light enough for weather too hot for my Aeros, cheap enough that it's not the end of the world if it got left in an airport because I took it off, big pockets - practical for stowing passports, tickets, and all that - makes a wonderful travel jacket. Ironically, the one and only time I got an Indy comment I was wearing black trousers, white shirt and tie, an Aero AN6552 and a low-crowned, stingy-brim hat (which was at least brown). Never in my actual Indy bits....

 

[Edward]

My Akubra is the Heritage grade, and I haven't had an issue with the sweat shrinking, at least in the 3+ months I've owned it.

I've bought a fair few Akubras new from Hats Direct. I'm a reliable 57 in almost everything (Laulhere Berets, of all things, I need a 58); while my 57 sized Akubras were a little roomy to begin with, they snugged up quickly and wear fine. Never needed to order up a size.

 

[Krash1974]

View attachment 130884
Here is my Adventurer on the left and FED IV on the right for comparison.

Great photo, RJR. I’m curious as to how your Akubras hold up to the elements compared to your other ‘Indy’ hat(s). I’ve put my FED through a lot of (sometimes accidental) trials just to prove that it can take it. And it has - that sucker still looks new. I haven’t been caught in a downpour (yet), that’s about the only thing. But I’m proud of the service that it’s given me and I’m interested in a comparison because my Fed has made me more interested in other ‘Indy’ hats now than before I got it.

 

[Krash1974]

Plug pulled, tawny fawn bought! Bazinga! (Pardon the 3 second bash)

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Alright that tears it. A moonstone was gonna be my next one but I’ve now changed my mind.
Perhaps it was the ‘3 second bash’ that did it, I don’t know.
Good looking hat!

 

[Zombie_61]

Alright that tears it. A moonstone was gonna be my next one but I’ve now changed my mind...

*cough*get both*cough*

 

[Edward]

For me, the two best colours in the entire Fed range are the brown (Indy, obvs - though if you don't really want an Indy hat, the Heritage Tan is very nice), and the moonstone. Buying new, I'd buy the moonstone ahead of the carbon. THat said, the Carbon grey is a wonderfully adaptable colour; looks great with my cordovan Aero Bootlegger, wears well with blacks, greys and blues in tailoring (and even denim). It is perhaps easier to live with than the moonstone if you're worried about keeping it clean. Lovely bluish undertones to the carbon - I don't think it works too well with earthtones, but then that's why you buy the brown as well (hey - even Indy had both a brown and a grey fedora....).

On the matter of colour, I don't know if it's changed with the IV, but I do recall that the 'dark brown' Fed most people opt for as an Indy varied slightly in shade between the regular (Imperial) felt and the deluxe (Heritage) when the III was the standard. Makes sense to me that the same dye might take differently, bearing in mind that furfelt is organic, and that while the Imperial is 100% bunny, the Heritage is either a quarter or a third hare. Maybe that affects it? My beloved III DEluxe is still very respectable, though it has been through a lot; I'm considering once I have all the other colours in the Fed buying both browns over again for tidier wear and retiring the original to more casual wear. Who knows....

My only real gripe about any of the feds is that they insist, like all Akubras, on putting a white lining into them, which over time goes an unfortunate shade of wee wee yellow from my baldy hied.... A black liner or even a dark scarlet or navy hue would stay nicer looking for so much longer!

 

[scottyrocks]

For me, the two best colours in the entire Fed range are the brown (Indy, obvs - though if you don't really want an Indy hat, the Heritage Tan is very nice), and the moonstone. Buying new, I'd buy the moonstone ahead of the carbon. THat said, the Carbon grey is a wonderfully adaptable colour; looks great with my cordovan Aero Bootlegger, wears well with blacks, greys and blues in tailoring (and even denim). It is perhaps easier to live with than the moonstone if you're worried about keeping it clean. Lovely bluish undertones to the carbon - I don't think it works too well with earthtones, but then that's why you buy the brown as well (hey - even Indy had both a brown and a grey fedora....).

I do like the moonstone color, too, but I find that I, as a person, looked washed out by light colored hats. So for me, the carbon gray was the answer, and I love it. That hint of blue works very well for me.

I think that people should take into consideration what colors look good, and don't look good on them, as well as the size and shape of the hat.

 

[jlee562]

Another vote for Carbon over moonstone. But Scotty offers sage advice....color selection does ultimately come down to the individual.

 

[RJR]

Another vote for Carbon over moonstone. But Scotty offers sage advice....color selection does ultimately come down to the individual.

Face it,we all "require"multiple color choices.

 

[Krash1974]

*cough*get both*cough*

Haha! Wish I could.
Your quote's from Tom Waits' 'Tango till they're sore,' right?
Heard a great joke from him.
The 3 stages of man are youth, middle age and 'You look good!'

 

[Zombie_61]

...My only real gripe about any of the feds is that they insist, like all Akubras, on putting a white lining into them, which over time goes an unfortunate shade of wee wee yellow from my baldy hied.... A black liner or even a dark scarlet or navy hue would stay nicer looking for so much longer!

As far as I know (and I could easily be wrong) all of the screen-used Indy hats had white liners, so that's probably the reason--appeasing the fans who requested the Fed in the first place. But I can't agree with your "like all Akubras" comment, because my Bluegrass Green Campdraft came with an orange liner:

Green and orange are not two colors that I would have deliberately put together, but I really like it.

I do like the moonstone color, too, but I find that I, as a person, looked washed out by light colored hats. So for me, the carbon gray was the answer, and I love it. That hint of blue works very well for me...

Around the time I ordered my Moonstone Fed IV the comment I read most often about the Carbon Gray was that it was so dark that it looked almost black, and the photos I saw online (I know, I know) supported this. I didn't want a "black" hat, so I ordered the Moonstone. I like it, but if I'd read or seen any evidence that the Carbon Gray wasn't quite as dark as everyone said, and that it had the hint of blue you mentioned, it would have made my color decision much more difficult.

...Your quote's from Tom Waits' 'Tango till they're sore,' right?
Heard a great joke from him.
The 3 stages of man are youth, middle age and 'You look good!'

Yep. I've been a Waits fan since the mid-80s. That's a great line; I'll have to remember to use it.

 

[Edward]

Green and orange together look good on that CD. I've never seen a liner like that, all mine have been white. That's interesting!

 

[Zombie_61]

Green and orange together look good on that CD. I've never seen a liner like that, all mine have been white. That's interesting!

My others have white liners, so this was a pleasant surprise. It makes me wonder if Akubra has other liner colors available, and what their selection process is (if they have one).