Help! My Akubra Cattleman arrived but is too big

[Dave]

Yeh, my new hat has arrived, the Akubra cattleman, felted fur, looks brand new to me!

But, its a 59cm head size, and its a bit loose. not front and back, but sides.

My Tilley T3 hat is a 59cm head size and fits perfectly.

Is there anything I can do? [Im guessing i shouldnt just try to shrink it in the washing machine?]

[Any witticisms, like 'grow youre hair thicker dave, will be completely ignored. ]

 

[JohnC]

is there a band inside the hat, can you add a strip inside that band?

 

[Dave]

is there a band inside the hat, can you add a strip inside that band?

Ahh! Good idea. Whats would be best to use?

Thats brilliant Jon thanks, found these cork things on amazon:]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Strips-Adhesive-Better-Hatband-Inlay/dp/B00B4VXUU6

itll float now as well, when Im fly fishing!

Nice one


You know it occurs Ive never seen anyone wearing one of these. I'd have to go somewhere like fort william not to look out of place.

 

[birchwood]

We used to sew a strip of suede to the band , stops your hat flying off in the wind when riding.

 

[Goatboy]

Was going to suggest something like John and what you found.
Remember the credo... Pictures or it didn't happen be good to see this hat.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[Dave]

Was going to suggest something like John and what you found.
Remember the credo... Pictures or it didn't happen be good to see this hat.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

Ive been walking round all morning, like 'the josey wales!' Blanket as a poncho.......etc......

Identical to this one:
http://goodwoods.com.au/akubra-cattleman.html

Ive also got a load of gear now, for the toboggan build, as have two other members, so there'll liley be a few boggan build threads for you to enjoy soon Colin!

And tommorow I should have the first photos, of the making of an arctic anorak, from a fella in the USA, whom I have asked to document his progress!

Plenty to see soon!

 

[santaman2000]

This might help if you are close enough to a hatter or western shop https://youtu.be/JFqy5N1WfK4

 

[Dave]

Huh! Thats exactly what the problem is, not only that, at the beginning, the guy is wearing my hat!

I'll have a look for one, thanks Santaman.

[I bet its going to be very difficult to find one locally though! ]

Yep, Im gonna have to bodge up a hat jack myself, and get the kettle on it! Mmmmm

 

[johntarmac]

These are mine



same as yours




Haven't had the need to wear mine for a couple of years and it's obvious which is my favorite.

Put a strip of something inside between the headband (sweatband) and the hat is the best thing to do at first. The headband will shrink slightly as you wear it and sweat into it so when it starts to feel a bit snug take the strip out.

They are great hats.

 

[Dave]

Put a strip of something inside between the headband and the hat is the best thing to do at first. The headband will shrink slightly as you wear it and sweat into it so when it starts to feel a bit snug take the strip out.

Nice looking hats. I'll take your advice then...Cheers.

 

[forestwalker]

The classic is a strip of cork (hat stores sell them), or simple thin felt.

 

[lou1661]

I found that my territory hat was slightly too large, but one it had been worn a bit and shaped to my head it was a great fit.

 

[Dave]

Ive got a bit of cork coming. So we'll see!

 

[Dave]

Ive put 3 pieces of cork inside the leather band, and a fourth at the front, now it fits properly. But the corks not glued in or anything.
I cant see how its gonna shrink by itself and fit properly.

 

[johntarmac]

It won't shrink by itself, you have to wear the hat and moisture from your head will cause the leather sweatband to shrink a little each time as it dries. After a while it will have shrunk enough to fit without the packing. Think in terms of weeks rather than hoping for an overnight change.
Having said that it sounds kinda big if you've had to put 4 pieces of cork in.
I bought mine on trips to OZ so was able to get a fairly good fit from the off but like shoes some styles just wouldn't fit no matter what size I tried. They should be slightly loose when new to allow for shrinkage and a 6 inch strip of cereal box for a couple of weeks was perfect for me. Like shoes I wouldn't buy one without trying it on personally.
You could try wetting the sweatband and letting it dry a couple of times to speed up the process.

 

[Dave]

You could try wetting the sweatband and letting it dry a couple of times to speed up the process.

Mmm, might try that. Thanks John.