Akubra sizes: true to the numbers?

The Campdraft in the photo of me is a 63. It is a bit too large, even after several years, and a 63 or even a 64 is my usual size. It is the higher quality felt. It hasn't shrunk or expanded that I can tell.

I don't know if you can say they run big or small. I think it varies from hat to hat. But I can say that a bit too big is better than a bit too small in my book.

Some of my Akubras (size 60) fit perfectly and some are a trifle snug, with one too small. I could stretch it but I think I'll sell it instead. They do seem a bit variable in size in my experience. Lately I've started ordering size 61 since shimming works pretty well. The one I wear the most has been soaked with rain a few times and seemed to shrink but then loosened up again without jacking.

This was a really nice thread since its start few years back. Today, i received my first Akubra ever. I ordered a size 59 and was totally shocked when it turned out the actual hat I had in my hands was 60. I sent them an e-mail telling the size was other than what I had ordered. However, i creased the hat a little, inserted the foam they sent, and added some kitchen roll. Now, after the fillings, the hat doesn't fall over my ears, and in selfies or mirror it looks actually pretty good. It is a bit too loose, but i have difficulties in giving final judgment. I feel like I am a helpless child, for first it was a very demanding operation to measure my own head properly. Then it seems I dont even know if a hat is visibly too big for my head. I'm assuming an Akubra will shrink a bit, but will that be enough, I cant tell. I wanted an Akubra just because of its good reputation for surviving rain.

EDIT. Actually what i didnt check properly was that there was another foam in the box, a padding that filled the whole perimeter, and this one made the hat fit perfectly. Next i'll dance for rain. I was just too nervous after waiting for the delivery, too excited to get the hat..

Juhani said:

This was a really nice thread since its start few years back. Today, i received my first Akubra ever. I ordered a size 59 and was totally shocked when it turned out the actual hat I had in my hands was 60. I sent them an e-mail telling the size was other than what I had ordered. However, i creased the hat a little, inserted the foam they sent, and added some kitchen roll. Now, after the fillings, the hat doesn't fall over my ears, and in selfies or mirror it looks actually pretty good. It is a bit too loose, but i have difficulties in giving final judgment. I feel like I am a helpless child, for first it was a very demanding operation to measure my own head properly. Then it seems I dont even know if a hat is visibly too big for my head. I'm assuming an Akubra will shrink a bit, but will that be enough, I cant tell. I wanted an Akubra just because of its good reputation for surviving rain.

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Its always good to let them know (Everything Australian : Sam) the size that you wear , and they make sure whatever Hat they send will fit . Akubra knows their Hats will shrink to fit . Give it time and you'll probably be taking the foam out . Borsalino fit small because of the same issue , if you order from Delmonico or Bencraft let them know the interior sweat measurements that fit best , and you'll probably get a 60/7 1/2 in a Borsalino . I'm 59/7 3/8 myself . What Akubra did you get , a Campdraft ?

I agree with Michael. Assuming your hat is the standard/Imperial Grade, if the foam sizing tape made the hat fit perfectly you might be removing it after you've worn (and sweated in) the hat for a week or so and the sweatband has shrunk.

I had a similar experience with my first Akubra. It was loose when it arrived, so I tried the foam sizing tape. It made the hat fit much better, but I found it uncomfortable so I removed it and wore the hat as it was. After three to five days the sweatband shrunk down and the hat conformed to my head, and 10 years later it's still one of my favorite hats.

This one is Fed IV Deluxe. After all the padding, the hat looks good, but it's still slightly loose, and I'm afraid even a soft wind might blow the hat off. If Heritage collection Akubras do not shrink that much, I'm afraid Hats Direct exaggerated the size.

From my point of view, however, it is not so easy to determine the right size, since I cannot decide how firmly or tightly the hat ought to press your hair down, and how strongly a hat of a right size squeezes the head. I've kept Panama hats for years, and with them the problem is just the opposite as I tended to choose too small sizes.

It's funny how a gown up man like me can regress a little boy. It’s just a lot of money for a family man. Before purchasing an Akubra, I read lots of history of fedoras, and Akubra attracted me by its reputation as a working hat.

Juhani said:

This one is Fed IV Deluxe. After all the padding, the hat looks good, but it's still slightly loose, and I'm afraid even a soft wind might blow the hat off. If Heritage collection Akubras do not shrink that much, I'm afraid Hats Direct exaggerated the size.

From my point of view, however, it is not so easy to determine the right size, since I cannot decide how firmly or tightly the hat ought to press your hair down, and how strongly a hat of a right size squeezes the head. I've kept Panama hats for years, and with them the problem is just the opposite as I tended to choose too small sizes.

It's funny how a gown up man like me can regress a little boy. It’s just a lot of money for a family man. Before purchasing an Akubra, I read lots of history of fedoras, and Akubra attracted me by its reputation as a working hat.

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I'll tell you , get a hat that fits correctly and measure inside the sweat front to back and side to side . Example : 7 3/8 = 8.25"X6.5"=14.75 divided by 2 = 7.375 AKA US 7 3/8 . Tell a retailer what the measurements are and they can find a hat that will fit best . Better a little big than too tight . Remember there's a range within each size , and its good to know your optimal fit .

Juhani said:

This one is Fed IV Deluxe. After all the padding, the hat looks good, but it's still slightly loose, and I'm afraid even a soft wind might blow the hat off. If Heritage collection Akubras do not shrink that much, I'm afraid Hats Direct exaggerated the size...

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That's possible. Unless you can walk into a hat shop and try the hats on in-person, they have only the information you send them to work with so it's a "best guess" scenario from their perspective. In my experience the deluxe/Heritage Grade hats shrink quite a bit less than the standard/Imperial Grade, and some members here have stated their Akubra(s) didn't shrink at all regardless of grade. I would imagine the vendors who sell Akubras online deal with this issue regularly, so as long as you keep Hats Direct advised they'll probably be willing to work with you if the hat is ultimately too large; I haven't had that problem, so I don't know what their policies are.

Juhani said:

...From my point of view, however, it is not so easy to determine the right size, since I cannot decide how firmly or tightly the hat ought to press your hair down, and how strongly a hat of a right size squeezes the head...

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It's really up to each individual to determine for themselves whether or not a hat fits too tight or too loose, and I'm pretty sure each of us has gone through a trial-and-error period with different hat manufacturers to determine which size is best for us. I think most of us would agree it's better if a hat is too loose rather than too tight, and if the sweatband leaves marks on your forehead it's definitely too tight, but "too loose" is subject to opinion. Akubra's "shrink to fit" issue seems to only add to the confusion until you determine which size is right for you, and even then it's not an exact science. As I've mentioned before my three Fed IVs and my three Campdrafts are all size 60, but after the expected shrink to fit period the Campdrafts needed to be stretched just a little to be more comfortable.

With Akubra I always order my correct size , and only one shrank to be too small (the Bushman) , the others came too large but shrank to fit . But definitely give them your best fit measurements (inside the sweat/front to back&side to side), and they'll guess better than you can .

Michael R. said:

But definitely give them your best fit measurements (inside the sweat/front to back&side to side), and they'll guess better than you can .

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You know what...? That already happened. This forum has numerous threads on Akubras, and what I’ve read here, some people say, all Akubras shrink, while others say, Heritage collection doesn’t, and actually it is possible that they go larger. It was the latter opinion that caused my serious doubt when I found out the hat I got was 60 and not 59. However, consulting the Hattery, they explained me the number 60 by showing me they had a very smart calculation based on the information I gave them in the first place, and they selected a hat of which the actual size was a bit larger than exact 59, but it was smaller than exact 60. I can only say is that they are customer-oriented professionals. Moreover, what they said is in full coherence with what many of you have said, namely that it’s better to have a hat that is a bit too large rather than a hat that is a bit too small. Thus, I’m just beginning to understand the mysticism of felt hats.

Some 25 years ago, I used to wear a felt hat. Then I went for years with a beret in my head. Now it’s time for fedoras again, and what surprises me most, I have a feeling that one is not simply enough. Fedoras may be very addictive.

Juhani said:

Now it’s time for fedoras again, and what surprises me most, I have a feeling that one is not simply enough. Fedoras may be very addictive.

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Nope. No way. Not in the least.




Sent directly from my mind to yours.