Help me pick another hat for my huge, round head ...

ingineer · Dec 16, 2016

Old San Antonio B&R "20" pretty much the real LBJ hat, don't think he would have bought from a Yankee hat maker

took me years to find it in 7-1/2, a lot boxier than a modern Stetson which i think of as junk, i own one
If i had required permission from SWMBO then the proper alternative would be to have someone like Mike @ NorthWest hats make me one.
Mikes:

that's what i did, i have three CDs but there is nothing like a custom made esp when prices are better than a premium Hatco
Akubras are OK but size up, the vegetable sweat shrinks i am 23-5/8 head but almost always buy a 61 where i am a 60 in a Stetson

Studebaker Driver · Dec 16, 2016

My camp draft is a "happy hat", it's always raring to go. It's comfortable, it has enough crown and brim for me (6'-1", 260 lbs., 7-3/4" L.O.); anything less would seem skimpy. The more I wear it, the more comfortable it is to clap on my head - and that is the whole point. If it wasn't such an eager rider, it would stay on the peg and what good would that be? It gets drenched and dried, it's been sat on uncounted times, I use the trolley all the time (I don't think the trolley looks any funnier than someone running after their hat as it wheels down the street on its brim).

GHT · Dec 17, 2016

For what it's worth, my hat size is seven and three quarters, it's helpful to know your size in metric too, mine being 62cm. Despite my large hat size, I've never had a problem buying hats. In fact my only problem has been keeping my spending in check. Have a look at the website of The Village Hat Shop in San Diego. They sold me a beautiful Stetson Sovereign in a colour they call Caribou. You won't find more helpful folk.

PRW94 · Dec 17, 2016

OK ... and I'll probably get some "well why did you ask us for advice if you weren't going to follow it" guff

... I have a silverbelly Stetson Premiere Stratoliner, which will initially have the cattleman's crease, want to try that for a while then will try teardrop for a while ... en route from Del Monico. Wonderful folks to deal with, plus I had a coupon and didn't pay full price.

It's not because I don't think Akubra is a good hat. There's a Moonstone Federation IV with my name on it at some point, I love that color but I actually would prefer it with a wider-ribboned hat.

It's not because I don't want to support independent hat makers. Remember, I have a Tom Gomez custom Panama ... another fantastic guy to work and deal with, highest recommendation ... and I'm going to check out some of the folks mentioned here.

It's primarily because right now, in December 2016, I want a silverbelly hat, and I simply like Stetson's silverbelly color better than Akubra's silverbelly color. That and kind of wanting it under the tree on Dec. 25, I messed around and waited too long to move on this and I have no confidence that at the holidays I can get a hat here from Australia in time even with expedited shipping.

I feel good about the Premiere Stetson from stuff that's been posted here ... but bottom line, folks, I ain't done buying hats!

And I'll post photos after the 25th.

FedOregon · Dec 17, 2016

Experience can be expensive. It has been for me, even with the helpful enablers around here. I hope you love the Premiere Strat. I'd love to have a vintage Strat myself but will probably have to go with a custom in the end.

I know lots of people like the Akubra hats. I bought one and I figure that's enough. I generally say the same for modern Stetsons too, though. Sizing is tough when your head shape is a little different from the "normal" size the factories put out. I sit between 7-3/8 and 7-1/2. My customs fit best, of course, and only 1 off the shelf hat fits as well, a 1950's Cavanagh in 7-3/8 LO.

So for me it's usually vintage hats off ebay, or getting in line for another custom. If I had oodles of cash I'd probably have customs on order from several hatters all at the same time... all the time. I know I need a hat in Bone, another in Camel, definitely another in Dark Moss.... you see what happens, right? As they say, hats are like potato chips; you can't have just one....

Frunobulax · Dec 17, 2016

ingineer said:
Old San Antonio B&R "20" pretty much the real LBJ hat, don't think he would have bought from a Yankee hat maker

took me years to find it in 7-1/2, a lot boxier than a modern Stetson which i think of as junk, i own one
If i had required permission from SWMBO then the proper alternative would be to have someone like Mike @ NorthWest hats make me one.

Nice to see you back 'round these parts, Richard. Great shirt to go with the SA. When you get a chance, would you mind a couple of interior shots? Where was it originally sold?

PRW94 said:
I feel good about the Premiere Stetson from stuff that's been posted here ... but bottom line, folks, I ain't done buying hats! And I'll post photos after the 25th.

Well, yeah. Get 'em all!

Bigger Don · Dec 17, 2016

tropicalbob said:
As Gabe says above, if you can get a truly fine, original hat from an artisan who deeply cares about his or her work for the same money, why in the world would you go with the mass-produced product?

Here!! Here!!

Not only am I not of the Pinhead Brigade at 7 5/8, I am also at the other end of the spectrum from a shape perspective...EXTRA Long Oval. Of the two felt hats I own, one is bespoke, the other from an Etsy seller and I'm still trying to get that bugger into shape.

So, if someone with a non-standard shaped head wants an Akubra, I say go for it, but be prepared to play minor hatter on getting it right for you. In the end, it's all about enjoying the hat,

tropicalbob · Dec 17, 2016

I have four Akubras now, and I've found that they just take a little time to break in, some more than others. I figure it's the same as breaking in a new leather jacket or anything else: a little uncomfortable at first, but eventually it becomes totally yours.

PRW94 · Dec 17, 2016

Frunobulax said:
Well, yeah. Get 'em all!

I'm working on it!

Like I said, I've got my eye seriously on a Moonstone Akubra Federation IV. That's probably next.

Where I'd maybe deal with an independent maker is for a good brown or olive. I've got gray covered with my Caribou Temple. I really don't look good in black hats for some reason.

PRW94 · Dec 17, 2016

FedOregon said:
Experience can be expensive. It has been for me, even with the helpful enablers around here. I hope you love the Premiere Strat. I'd love to have a vintage Strat myself but will probably have to go with a custom in the end.

I know lots of people like the Akubra hats. I bought one and I figure that's enough. I generally say the same for modern Stetsons too, though. Sizing is tough when your head shape is a little different from the "normal" size the factories put out. I sit between 7-3/8 and 7-1/2. My customs fit best, of course, and only 1 off the shelf hat fits as well, a 1950's Cavanagh in 7-3/8 LO.

So for me it's usually vintage hats off ebay, or getting in line for another custom. If I had oodles of cash I'd probably have customs on order from several hatters all at the same time... all the time. I know I need a hat in Bone, another in Camel, definitely another in Dark Moss.... you see what happens, right? As they say, hats are like potato chips; you can't have just one....

I look at eBay all the time, probably will look more closely now, but rarely see anything that just screams out at me. There was a 7 5/8 vintage Open Road on there the other day, but it was trashed, needed a lot of work.

belfastboy · Dec 17, 2016

Doctor Strange said:
I know modern Stetsons have their fans here, but you can't beat Akubras on quality for the price. I currently have a Campdraft, Stylemaster, Stockman, and Cattleman (and I had a Federation III for many years). None of them cost over $100 shipped, and the ones I've worn for almost a decade look nearly new. (Whereas I recently sold my old Stetson Temple, which looked its age and needed a serious reblocking.)

I own two Stetrsonians and while I love the felt quality I think my Akubra CD in BlueGrassGreen is a better hat. I am having trouble with the Stets brim after having worn them in the rain. They are on the soft side and in spite of taking care on the drying of them they have gone all wonky on me. I can fix them but it is more work than I would prefer. The CD on the other hand can get soaked and dries as good as before the drench....no fuss, no muss. Akubra is a great hat.

PRW94 · Dec 17, 2016

I know it's kind of out of kilter with other folks here, but I don't wear my current Stetson in the rain, I wear my beater flat caps. I know a felt hat is supposed to protect you from the elements, not vice versa, and I figure that if I do all the right things to maintain it, it will be fine. Just hard to make myself go outside in the rain in an expensive hat. Just my personality, I'm the kind of guy who turns his sleek looking cellphone into a chunky brick with a case designed to survive being dropped from a plane, LOL!

GHT · Dec 18, 2016

PRW94 said:
I know it's kind of out of kilter with other folks here, but I don't wear my current Stetson in the rain, I wear my beater flat caps.

Each to his own, of course. There's a way that I have found to wear a felt hat during inclement weather, makes for a handy accessory too.

tropicalbob · Dec 18, 2016

GHT said:
For what it's worth, my hat size is seven and three quarters, it's helpful to know your size in metric too, mine being 62cm. Despite my large hat size, I've never had a problem buying hats. In fact my only problem has been keeping my spending in check. Have a look at the website of The Village Hat Shop in San Diego. They sold me a beautiful Stetson Sovereign in a colour they call Caribou. You won't find more helpful folk.
View attachment 62860

The problem for me is that one lousy centimeter. 7 3/4 seems to be the limit for obtaining the vast majority of hats. At 63cm. I often can't even get hats from some custom hatters, though Tim at Alley Kat Hats recently went out and got a block in my size (for which I am truly thankful). I tried for some time to take chances on 62 cm. hats, which may be wearable when I get them but soon shrink to the point of uselessness. Looking on the sunny side of life, perhaps this saves me from a lot of bad investments in the long run. I thank my lucky stars for the Tims of this world, though.

PRW94 · Dec 25, 2016

UPDATE, just opened the box and donned the Premiere Stratoliner ... absolutely perfect fit, color is just what I wanted, loving the cattleman crease with front brim pulled down a la Truman ... and this thing is SO SOFT unlike the stiff Temple. Well pleased. Pix to follow by end of day.

RJR · Dec 25, 2016

PRW94 said:
UPDATE, just opened the box and donned the Premiere Stratoliner ... absolutely perfect fit, color is just what I wanted, loving the cattleman crease with front brim pulled down a la Truman ... and this thing is SO SOFT unlike the stiff Temple. Well pleased. Pix to follow by end of day.

Great that it has worked out for you.

PRW94 · Dec 25, 2016

Quick photo

KY Crusader · Dec 26, 2016

ingineer said:
Old San Antonio B&R "20" pretty much the real LBJ hat, don't think he would have bought from a Yankee hat maker

took me years to find it in 7-1/2, a lot boxier than a modern Stetson which i think of as junk, i own one
If i had required permission from SWMBO then the proper alternative would be to have someone like Mike @ NorthWest hats make me one.
Mikes:

that's what i did, i have three CDs but there is nothing like a custom made esp when prices are better than a premium Hatco
Akubras are OK but size up, the vegetable sweat shrinks i am 23-5/8 head but almost always buy a 61 where i am a 60 in a Stetson

Another vote for Mike at Northwest if you ever decide to get another custom.

Zombie_61 · Dec 27, 2016

PRW94 said:
I know it's kind of out of kilter with other folks here, but I don't wear my current Stetson in the rain, I wear my beater flat caps. I know a felt hat is supposed to protect you from the elements, not vice versa, and I figure that if I do all the right things to maintain it, it will be fine. Just hard to make myself go outside in the rain in an expensive hat. Just my personality, I'm the kind of guy who turns his sleek looking cellphone into a chunky brick with a case designed to survive being dropped from a plane, LOL!

You wouldn't need to worry about rain with an Akubra hat--they like rain. As long as you let them dry on their own and don't try to use a heat source (i.e., blow dryer or space heater) to dry them faster, they'll do just fine.

Help me pick another hat for my huge, round head ...

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