Make a Hat Smaller

[Dash Riprock]

I have this Stetson Bighorn Outdoor Straw Hat... and it's a little too big.

I heard there was some shims for lack of a better term one can put inside to make a hat fit more snug.

Anybody know what these are called exactly, and where I can buy them online.

Also, unlike my Stetson Gambler hats that has leather which does a good job of not soaking up sweat from my forehead, this Stetson Bighorn Outdoor Straw Hat has a cloth inner hat band so it's going to soak up sweat from my forehead and will stinketh after wearing the hat a few times.

Can anything be done about this?

I'm assuming I'd have to find a hat shop that works on hats to have them sew in a leather inner hat band, does this sound right?

 

[Dash Riprock]

I saw in this thread where someone said Foam insulation tape works really well... that seems kinda redneck but maybe I need to try that

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/akubra-adventurer-too-big.118368

 

[BobHufford]

I saw in this thread where someone said Foam insulation tape works really well... that seems kinda redneck but maybe I need to try that

I would leave the backing paper on and not glue them in. It would help block the sweat from wicking maybe as well.

 

[rogueclimber]

I use these:

https://www.amazon.com/EDSRDRUS-Reducer-Breathable-Skin-Friendly-Baseball/dp

 

[Dash Riprock]

I use these:

https://www.amazon.com/EDSRDRUS-Reducer-Breathable-Skin-Friendly-Baseball/dp

OK, thanks.

They must be on sale, only $9.99 today!

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I have this Stetson Bighorn Outdoor Straw Hat... and it's a little too big.

I heard there was some shims for lack of a better term one can put inside to make a hat fit more snug.

Anybody know what these are called exactly, and where I can buy them online.

Also, unlike my Stetson Gambler hats that has leather which does a good job of not soaking up sweat from my forehead, this Stetson Bighorn Outdoor Straw Hat has a cloth inner hat band so it's going to soak up sweat from my forehead and will stinketh after wearing the hat a few times.

Can anything be done about this?

I'm assuming I'd have to find a hat shop that works on hats to have them sew in a leather inner hat band, does this sound right?

Hey Dash:
Shims….people use all sorts of stuff for shims from paper towels to newspaper.
After trying all sorts i got tired and went to Walmart crafts/sewing section and found the thickest white felt material and bought a yard if it for just a few bucks.
You can cut whatever width snd length you want for different needs.
Double it up for thicker, place short sections where needed, you can even back the entire sweatband if you want.
The advantage of felt over other stuff is it pads, conforms and stays the heck in place because it grips between the hat felt and roughed out leather side of the hatband.
Provides a bit of added sweat barrier protection as well.
If it gets nasty from sweat, cut a new one.
Can’t think of a cheaper better thing to use.
B
Ps: you’ve got the best user name on the lounge!!

 

[belfastboy]

I have this Stetson Bighorn Outdoor Straw Hat... and it's a little too big.

I heard there was some shims for lack of a better term one can put inside to make a hat fit more snug.

Anybody know what these are called exactly, and where I can buy them online.

Also, unlike my Stetson Gambler hats that has leather which does a good job of not soaking up sweat from my forehead, this Stetson Bighorn Outdoor Straw Hat has a cloth inner hat band so it's going to soak up sweat from my forehead and will stinketh after wearing the hat a few times.

Can anything be done about this?

I'm assuming I'd have to find a hat shop that works on hats to have them sew in a leather inner hat band, does this sound right?

Yes, likely to cost $50 to have the sweat sewn in. A cloth sweat band can be rinsed out to freshen. The band inserts are also called hat spacers/reducers. You can find them on Ebay, Amazon, Etsy or make your own.

 

[Dash Riprock]

The advantage of felt over other stuff is it pads, conforms and stays the heck in place because it grips between the hat felt and roughed out leather side of the hatband.

This hat I'm working on now has a cloth sweatband so we'll see how it goes.

I could always use some glue if need be to hold the padding in place.

Ps: you’ve got the best user name on the lounge!!

Yeah I was thinking back when I was a kid I watched a lot of cartoons and remembered Dash Riprock.

Although I don't remember what show it was Dash Riprock was on

A cloth sweat band can be rinsed out to freshen.

Not sure how I would do that since it is sewn on to the hat.

If a hat maker is going to use cloth, they should deploy velcro so it can be taken out and tossed in to the washer.

I'm thinkin that's probably what the redneck hat makers do... you know, out in the sticks.

 

[belfastboy]

This hat I'm working on now has a cloth sweatband so we'll see how it goes.

I could always use some glue if need be to hold the padding in place.




Yeah I was thinking back when I was a kid I watched a lot of cartoons and remembered Dash Riprock.

Although I don't remember what show it was Dash Riprock was on




Not sure how I would do that since it is sewn on to the hat.

If a hat maker is going to use cloth, they should deploy velcro so it can be taken out and tossed in to the washer.

I'm thinkin that's probably what the redneck hat makers do... you know, out in the sticks.

flip the sweat band outboard of the hat. Using a toothbrush, water and some gentle soap give it a brush and rinse in lukewarm water. I do it with my baseball caps all the time. Leave the sweat flipped out til it dries.

 

[Dash Riprock]

OK, I can try that but I hope I don't get the straw wet

I was thinking of finding a reputable hat shop nearby and having them sew in a different sweatband.

And while I was joking about the velcro, the more I think about it that might be a good idea.

Sew on side of the velcro on the inside of the hat, and the other side onto a nice leather sweatband.

That way I could easily remove the hatband for cleaning if need be and it would be easy to install a new sweatband if the original gets all funky

 

[georgie girl]

Yeah I was thinking back when I was a kid I watched a lot of cartoons and remembered Dash Riprock.

Although I don't remember what show it was Dash Riprock was on

The only Dash Riprock I remember was on the Beverly Hillbillies

 

[Dash Riprock]

The only Dash Riprock I remember was on the Beverly Hillbillies

Not sure but it seems like there was a Dash Riprock on the Fred Flintstone cartoon

I do remember hearing about him on the Beverly Hillbillies

 

[belfastboy]

OK, I can try that but I hope I don't get the straw wet

I was thinking of finding a reputable hat shop nearby and having them sew in a different sweatband.

And while I was joking about the velcro, the more I think about it that might be a good idea.

Sew on side of the velcro on the inside of the hat, and the other side onto a nice leather sweatband.

That way I could easily remove the hatband for cleaning if need be and it would be easy to install a new sweatband if the original gets all funky

Is your hat a true Panama straw? Or is the coated rice paper such as Toyo or Shantung. Shantung is coated and can be wetted without harming it. Even a Panama straw can withstand a bit of misted water.....they are not that fragile.

 

[Dash Riprock]

OK, I thought water would mess them up.

 

[belfastboy]

OK, I thought water would mess them up.

drenching a Panama will distort the fibres. With the coated rice paper such as Shantung, the water will roll off.