New Fed Deluxe just arrived, need reassurance.

[boggled_mind]

Shipped last Wednesday and arrived today! Fed IV deluxe in moonstone. My first fedora.

I'll try and sort some pics out, but just wanted some reassurance about the sizing before I start bashing it.

I ordered a 61 and it is a bit big which I was pretty much expecting based on what I've read here. When I put it on without the foam strip it comes down to the top of my ears. With the strip in it seems to be about right, possibly slightly (only slightly) small.

Based on this do you think it will be OK after shrinking? My feeling is that it will be fine, but this is my first one and I don't want to get it wrong.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[fmw]

Please be reassured. Having a tight fit is not good. A slightly loose fit with some padding in the sweat band is fine. You shouldn't experience any shrinkage. My oldest Akubra is from the 70's and is still true to size. If the padding strip you used made the hat slightly small then choose a thinner one or a shorter one. Sounds like you got the right size, at any rate.

 

[Doc Average]

I have a size 61, and had a similar experience. I'd say if it fits fine when you put the foam strips in, it should be ok for you. If it gets a little tighter, you can always remove the strips. Mine is now a pretty neat fit, but I prefer it that way anyway.

 

[Neophyte]

Akubras conform really well with wear. Don't worry about it.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I will also add my reassurance. I found my Feds to be slightly big at first, but either by conforming or shrinking, that changed with wear. I recommend not gluing the padding in. You may find you want to remove it later, or replace it with something thinner if you find anything in your travels.

 

[scottyrocks]

If the sweatband is touching your head and not wobbling around, put some foam in it and wear it. I wore mine, and sweated in it everyday. After about a month, it'll fit you perfectly. I was then able to remove the padding.

 

[boggled_mind]

Thanks for all your replies. I'm happy that it will ok, in fact I've been wearing it for a couple of hours now around the house and it feels right. I've got to say though, as others have said, that the high crown is going to take some getting used to. It looks huge and I've got a big head and full face.

 

[scottyrocks]

Also, the hat will feel different on your head once you crease it. Mine fit better as soon as I did. Not perfect, but better.

 

[hasselhoff]

I too had a 61, and had the same problem, but it shrinks with time and some head time...
It'll fit fine with two weeks of head time. BTW nice hat you've got there!

 

[T Rick]

Great choice for a first Fedora! I'm sure the fit will be fine. My Camp Draft fit very similar to what you describe when new. I put it on right when I got out of the shower with my hair still wet (I have very long hair) and within an hour it felt like it was made for me. The sweatband will conform to your head nicely after this, or sweating in it a bit. Looking forward to pics, thinking of ordering a Fed IV in the near future myself.

 

[jlee562]

If it feels like it's fitting too snugly with the foam in it, remember you don't have to use all the foam by any means.

 

[scottyrocks]

Yes, thats another thing. Fed IVs are regular ovals. Im a long oval. I put some foam in the sides so there would be even pressure on my head all around. Through regular wear, the hat conformed to my head so the foam could be removed. The hat is now a long oval.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Everyone's telling you right - in time due to wearing, it will fit. And you'll get used to things like a bigger brim or crown. Give 'er time, my friend. It'll all work out in the end. The first hat is always scary. Isn't the first time at everything a little scary and you eventually get used to it?

 

[thespoiler]

I have a little different experience. I corresponded with the company, sent in my measurements, and they assured me a 58 was my size. It came down over my ears and bobbled around.They wanted me to put in strips and sent me an email with instructions to shrink it with steam. Well, I had just bought a new hat and I really shouldn't have to do that to make it fit . I requested and they sent me a 57 to try (at their expense). The 57 was great and I sent the 58 back. Yeah, it cost me a shipping cost, but now I know what size to order and will order again.
Up to you but if you really feel it is too big I would not hesitate to try a smaller size....It might feel a lot better without all that foam stuck behind the sweat band...

 

[scottyrocks]

Yeah, thats why I mentioned that the sweatband should not let the hat bobble around on your head. If it exerts pressure anywhere, meaning front and back, or on the sides, or all around, the (rest of) the hat will shrink down and fit over time. If the hat doesnt make contact at at least two points that hold the hat off your ears somewhat, then it may be too big.

I do know that stretching out a tight hat is no fun. I'd rather shrink down a slightly too big one, especially a new one that I know will shrink.

 

[Zombie_61]

A slightly loose fit with some padding in the sweat band is fine. You shouldn't experience any shrinkage.

The hat itself shouldn't shrink, but the leather sweat band should. I recall reading (though I don't recall where) that Akubra knows the leather they use for their sweat bands will shrink slightly due to perspiration, and manufactures their hats with this in mind so that their hats will fit properly.

To boggled_mind, my experience with my Fed IV was similar to yours. When I received it, naturally the first thing I did was try it on. I was able to pull it down over the tops of my ears, but it wasn't so loose that it moved around on my head. I tried the sizing/foam strips and the hat fit properly, but I didn't like the way they distorted the sweat band so I removed them. After wearing the hat around the house for a few days the sweat band shrunk as expected, and the hat fit the way I wanted and expected it to. A strong gust of wind would probably pull it off of my head, but otherwise it stays put and is very comfortable.

That said, I concur with what Doc Average wrote in post #3--if it fits properly with the foam strips in place, it'll eventually fit without them. If it's still too loose with the foam strips in place, you might consider exchanging it for a hat one size smaller.

 

[Blackthorn]

Please be reassured. Having a tight fit is not good. A slightly loose fit with some padding in the sweat band is fine. You shouldn't experience any shrinkage. My oldest Akubra is from the 70's and is still true to size. If the padding strip you used made the hat slightly small then choose a thinner one or a shorter one. Sounds like you got the right size, at any rate.

:arated:

 

[boggled_mind]

Well I went out in it for the first time today to the post office. I walked there and the first person I saw was wearing a fedora albeit with a narrower brim and shorter crown, but there it was. Wasn't expecting that

Got a few sly looks, but no comments. However the women in the post office spoke to and looked at me as though she maybe thought it was a second head as opposed to hat!

Overall I enjoyed wearing it out and about and it does fit fine. It seems to be starting to bed in already.