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Akubra Campdraft

D00R

One of the Regulars
Messages
270
Location
NY
The Brotherhood is great, its very much appreciated.
Ive been researching a lot before I made my purchase, how the production of the hats change as time rolls on.. I wasn't sure if the size had changed over the years, from customers needing to order a size up, to the felt needing to be sanded. When certain colors are no longer created.

Ive read so much about one hat. Everyone on here is a great guiding force to someone new to a hat brand when it feels like a gamble ordering online.
 
Messages
11,894
Location
Southern California
^ I did the same thing 10 years ago when I finally decided I wanted to get myself a nice fedora. I had owned a few cheap wool "outback" style hats over the years, but every one of them shrunk or became misshapen within two or three years no matter what I did and, not knowing anything about fur felt hats, I wanted to make sure I didn't repeat that. My research first led me to the Club Obi Wan forum where I learned a lot, and that eventually led me here where I learned a lot more. Since then I've looked at a few other online hat forums, but that only convinced me that The Lounge is the best online resource for information about hats of all types.

Even then the advice about which size to order was split between "order your size" and "go up one size". That can be a difficult decision when you're ordering online, and more so when you're ordering from another country and international shipping costs are involved. Ultimately I chose to order my size and it worked out for me, but if it hadn't I would have learned from it, sold the hat (probably to someone here), and ordered another one in a different size. *shrug*
 

D00R

One of the Regulars
Messages
270
Location
NY
Yes, I am actually visiting Belgium and thought now was the time to give the Australian brand a chance since shipping will be easier.
I always has trouble with the fit of fedoras. I had a factory herbert Johnson Poet size 57 but it was to snug and I didn’t like the look on me so much. I like the Streets of Cairo rugged look. So then I ordered a beautiful Streets or Cairo Hat from Advintage in a size 57 but it was to big on me. I had sold both to happy fans but was confused why two same sized 57 fedoras fit so differently.
I had so many hats, Modern day Borsalino Tortono which was just to big. Then I had two Stetson Royals that were so comfortable but the brims were just to short for my liking. I sold all those hats.
All I have left is a modern day Borsalino Alessandria in gray, I still feel the brim is a tad short and the sweatband is so unpleasent to wear. The stitching is rough and the leather sweatband is so flat all around the fedora it feels cheaply made even though it was $290. I had purchased a 7 1/8 and yet again it was to tight so I had to stretch it.
Modern Hats today seem so inconsistant with there sizeing.
I love how the Campdraft caputres that Stetson Open Road look and Borsalino Alessandria look. The price is great and everyone looks so cool in them. I really want a fedora that feels like its part of me when I wear it. Not cumbrrsom or unfullfiling in the look im after or quality needed for everyday wear. Its been a grail for me to find such a hat.
 
Last edited:

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
Yes, I am actually visiting Belgium and thought now was the time to give the Australian brand a chance since shipping will be easier.
I always has trouble with the fit of fedoras. I had a factory herbert Johnson Poet size 57 but it was to snug and I didn’t like the look on me so much. I like the Streets of Cairo rugged look. So then I ordered a beautiful Streets or Cairo Hat from Advintage in a size 57 but it was to big on me. I had sold both to happy fans but was confused why two same sized 57 fedoras fit so differently.
I had so many hats, Modern day Borsalino Tortono which was just to big. Then I had two Stetson Royals that were so comfortable but the brims were just to short for my liking. I sold all those hats.
All I have left is a modern day Borsalino Alessandria in gray, I still feel the brim is a tad short and the sweatband is so unpleasent to wear. The stitching is rough and the leather sweatband is so flat all around the fedora it feels cheaply made even though it was $290. I had purchased a 7 1/8 and yet again it was to tight so I had to stretch it.
Modern Hats today seem so inconsistant with there sizeing.
I love how the Campdraft caputres that Stetson Open Road look and Borsalino Alessandria look. The price is great and everyone looks so cool in them. I really want a fedora that feels like its part of me when I wear it. Not cumbrrsom or unfullfiling in the look im after or quality needed for everyday wear. Its been a grail for me to find such a hat.
It sounds like you may be a long oval head so regular ovals won't fit properly.A hatter s/b be able to help with proper size AND convert hats to long oval.In any event you may find it necessary to "shim" to get a good fit.
 

Telemaster

One of the Regulars
Messages
154
Location
Bavaria - Germany
My imperial Campdraft in Bluegrass green hasn‘t really shrunk at all. I did keep a stretcher in it early on out of F.L. induced paranoia, not much tension just to hold it where it was. I don‘t even bother with that much now and I haven‘t noticed any problems yet. The one change I’ve noticed is that it’s really softened up a LOT. I‘ve rebashed it 2 or 3 Times and tend to fiddle a bit with it in between... but am really pleasantly surprised. My silverbelly Heritage is a lot stiffer and shows no sign of loosening up. I notice the rougher pouncing more on that one as well. I Love the look of both, but the BGG is really getting comfortable now too.
 

D00R

One of the Regulars
Messages
270
Location
NY
It sounds like you may be a long oval head so regular ovals won't fit properly.A hatter s/b be able to help with proper size AND convert hats to long oval.In any event you may find it necessary to "shim" to get a good fit.

I dont think Im a long oval. I guess I will find out when my Campdraft bluegrass arrives. I ordered a 57.
I want to get a hat stretcher as well, thats a great idea. Id love to have my own block incase my hat tappers.
 

bearinfedora

Familiar Face
Messages
72
My bluegrass is softer while silverbelly is stiffer. While, I like both of them, I would have preferred bluegrass also stiffer. The other option is to get another silverbelly and paint it bluegrass color :D

Didn't notice any shrinking. Size is 57. I'm using cork stripes in them.

Fawn should be on its way in August after 3 months of wait.

woohoo! The order left the warehouse just 6 minutes ago.
 
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Woodtroll

One Too Many
Messages
1,211
Location
Mtns. of SW Virginia
My bluegrass is softer while silverbelly is stiffer. While, I like both of them, I would have preferred bluegrass also stiffer. The other option is to get another silverbelly and paint it bluegrass color :D

Didn't notice any shrinking. Size is 57. I'm using cork stripes in them.

Fawn should be on its way in August after 3 months of wait.

woohoo! The order left the warehouse just 6 minutes ago.

That’s encouraging - I’ve been waiting a couple months on a fawn Campdraft as well. Maybe it won’t take quite the three months I was expecting!

Good luck,
Regan
 

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
Thats great post photos when you get your fawn campdraft.
Hat-Akubra-Tawny CD 6.jpg
Tawny fawn CD.
 
Messages
11,894
Location
Southern California
That’s encouraging - I’ve been waiting a couple months on a fawn Campdraft as well. Maybe it won’t take quite the three months I was expecting!

Good luck,
Regan
It seems to depend on how far along Akubra is in the process of making the next batch of hats in a specific style, color, and size. I waited the full three months for my first Campdraft, but received the shipping notice for one of my others after only six weeks.
 

Woodtroll

One Too Many
Messages
1,211
Location
Mtns. of SW Virginia
It seems to depend on how far along Akubra is in the process of making the next batch of hats in a specific style, color, and size. I waited the full three months for my first Campdraft, but received the shipping notice for one of my others after only six weeks.

Yes, I'm sure you're right. The standard reply for an order would be three months, but if you managed to order at just the right time just before the production run, your wait might only be three days! I don't normally have that kind of luck ;). My order was placed with Everything Australian, but unlike some of the other folks here I haven't heard anything yet. Maybe they make the great big sizes last :D.

Good luck everyone,
Regan
 
Messages
11,894
Location
Southern California
Forgive me if this has been addressed, but isn't this the same hat as the Akubra Bushman on David Morgan?
In a word, no. The major difference is the brim width--the Bushman has a 3-1/4" wide brim, and the Campdraft has a 2-7/8" wide brim. Minor differences--the Bushman is equipped with chin strap hooks; the Campdraft is not. The Bushman has a ribbon but no bow; the Campdraft has a bow.
 
Messages
11,894
Location
Southern California
While we are on the subject, has anyone ordered from this place, and what are your experiences? It looks like a good place to get a Campdraft.
https://hatsdirect.com/
I'll also add a positive review for Hats Direct/The Hattery. Friendly service, very helpful and knowledgeable, they answer e-mails within a reasonable amount of time (taking the time difference into consideration), they packaged my hats so they'd survive the trip from Australia to the west coast of the U.S., and shipped all three of my orders quickly. I have zero complaints, would order from them again, and would recommend them to anyone.
 

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