Padding the sweatband

[email68]

What is the best material to put behind the sweatband to make up for a slightly large hat? Or a new hat that has not shrunk yet?

-Tim

 

[Rodkins]

I use felt strips when I have to.

 

[Benzadmiral]

The Hatsdirect people (http://www.hatsdirect.com/index.html ) point out that the exact same stuff you buy at the hardware store to prevent drafts around your doors and windows can be used to pad your hat. Just don't remove the backing strip of the foam until you're sure you want to leave it in your hat.

I've used paper towels folded over and over, but the foam pad strips work great.

 

[danofarlington]

Has anyone tried old socks?

 

[fmw]

The door insulation strips have worked well for me. I have yet to remove the paper from one. They stay behind the sweatband with no problem. I've found that a single thickness of the stuff is about 1/2 a hat size.

 

[alanfgag]

Has anyone tried old socks?

So that's where they go...

:brick:

 

[johnnycanuck]

The Hatsdirect stuff works good for me. I have also used rolled up paper towel, it also helps soak up some sweat on hot summer days.
My two cents worth
Johnny

 

[alanfgag]

Some additional cents... I've used felt and thin foam - usually small pieces rather than strips and usually placed toward the back of the sweatband. I am sensitive to stuff pressing against my forehead. I especially like that thin dense packing foam - as long as it's cold weather.

Padding will generally deform the sweatband over time. Tread thoughtfully. As you acquire hats, the ones that needed to be padded to fit will likely be less or seldom worn. If you choose to sell them down the road, the less wear inflicted, the better.

Of course, YMMV.

cheers,
Alan

 

[Engrishman]

Some additional cents... I've used felt and thin foam - usually small pieces rather than strips and usually placed toward the back of the sweatband. I am sensitive to stuff pressing against my forehead. I especially like that thin dense packing foam - as long as it's cold weather.

+ +

I pad my looser hats with packing foam, mainly to ensure they don't fly off my head and into the sea. (Which has actually happened. Lesson Learned: Wear hats inland. Far inland.)

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I pack my hats that needed it with $1.00 bills folder in half the long way. That way you and your hat are always ready to celebrate.

Later

 

[Dewhurst]

Felt. The kind you can buy from most arts & crafts sections/stores that come in squares for around or under a dollar a piece (unless you buy some really nice felt squares!).

You may find that a hat requiring padding now may not in a year (or may require less). Materials (sweatbands and hat bodies, for instance) tend to shrink over time and with exposure to various things.

 

[danofarlington]

Hi

I pack my hats that needed it with $1.00 bills folder in half the long way. That way you and your hat are always ready to celebrate.

Later

:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[johnnycanuck]

Hi

I pack my hats that needed it with $1.00 bills folder in half the long way. That way you and your hat are always ready to celebrate.

Later

Can't do that in Canada. pack the hat with $1 coins and you will get a very heavy hat in no time at all.
Johnny

 

[Engrishman]

Can't do that in Canada. pack the hat with $1 coins and you will get a very heavy hat in no time at all.
Johnny

You'd have to use Five dollar bills, admittedly. Unless they were the vintage one dollar canadian bills that were taken out of circulation in the late 80s.

 

[azhiker]

I have seen a hatter use stripps of duct tape..reeal thin strips. i tried it, and it works, but is tough to get off later.

 

[Mahagonny Bill]

I've been using a padded strip sold under the name "Cap-Ban-Nu". It is flatter than window stripping, so the sweat does not get bent too far out of shape. I picked up a handful at my local hat shop, but I'm sure you can find them on-line somewhere.

 

[email68]

wow, lots of ideas. Thanks

 

[scottyrocks]

I have seen a hatter use stripps of duct tape..reeal thin strips. i tried it, and it works, but is tough to get off later.

I hope you're kidding.