Choosing D.M. Adventurer or Akubra Fed

Hatsquad · Jan 16, 2009

Gentlemen and Ladies, Please help with advice in choosing a 1940's looking non-tapered fedora. I'm 57 years old, with a big hat size (8 or 63-64 cm.). I want a hat that does not look small on my head.
I'm not looking for an Indiana jones hat per se, but that style appeals to me for it's 1940's statement.
Would the Akubra Federation IV be the one, or the older style Fed Deluxe on the Hats Direct site which has a slightly higher crown and wider brim? Or would a David Morgan Adventurer be the ticket. Is the Adventurer equal in quality to a standard Fed IV? Many questions, I know, but I count on the experience and knowledge of people who have already been through this decision making process.

Thank you kindly, in advance , for all advice. Gerry, in cold Canada.

MattJH · Jan 16, 2009

A good start for you would be to consider the measurements:

Akubra Federation III (dimensional 2 7/8" x 2 3/4" brim with a 6" crown height)
Akubra Federation IV (dimensional 2 3/4" x 2 1/2" brim with a 5 5/8" crown height)
Akubra Adventurer (dimensional 3 1/8" x 2 7/8" brim with a 5 1/2" crown height)

Matt Deckard · Jan 16, 2009

Do they still sell the Federation III?

I know I've known this before but I haven't been keeping up with Akubra as of late. I do think they are the best starter hat out there for someone looking to buy a modern hat that has the shape of those classic hats you see in the movies from the past.

Carlisle Blues · Jan 16, 2009

Hi Hatsquad:

I had the same predicament. I chose the Fed IV Deluxe in Brown and now am awaiting the Fed IV deluxe in Moonstone.

My head is 71/4 after researching both it came down to brim size.

MattJH · Jan 16, 2009

Matt Deckard said:
Do they still sell the Federation III?

They're not making them, but they do have some leftover from the last batch they produced. HatsDirect will eventually be listing them on their webpage with a Last Chance approach according to an email exchange I had with them.

Matt Deckard · Jan 16, 2009

So what's the current Akubra equivalent to the Fed III with the higher crown... one without a dimensional brim and no vent holes or strap hooks.

MattJH · Jan 16, 2009

Matt Deckard said:
So what's the current Akubra equivalent to the Fed III with the higher crown... one without a dimensional brim and no vent holes or strap hooks.

The Squatter, Bushman, Sydney, Campdraft, Slouch, Adventurer and Federation are the open crown fedora models from Akubra that I know of and none of them have crowns higher than 5.5". So none, I guess?

Matt Deckard · Jan 16, 2009

So the fed III was the only option huh? Darn!

MattJH · Jan 16, 2009

Matt Deckard said:
So the fed III was the only option huh? Darn!

For a 6" crown, yes. If you're interested in one, email HatsDirect. Like I said, they do have some leftovers in limited quantities in both the Standard and Deluxe. Could be worth it since the stock won't be restored once it's depleted.

kaosharper1 · Jan 16, 2009

I have a Fed III and and Adventurer. The Adventurer seems to be of slightly higher quality than a regular Fed but less than a Delux. The felt is softer and the band is a nicer leather.

The dimensions are different on the brim. That seems to be the biggest difference. Given the price these days, I'd go with a Fed or Fed Deluxe as much as I like my Adventurer.

Also, the Adventurer only comes in brown. A tall crowned, wide brimmed brown fedora always reminds people of Indy not matter how you bash the hat. So if that's an issue, go with a Fed in another color.

Will Morgan · Jan 16, 2009

Hatsquad said:
Is the Adventurer equal in quality to a standard Fed IV?

Hi Gerry, the answer to this question is yes, Akubra delivers the goods to us in North America as well as they do for their Australian dealers!

Also please keep in mind that when we at David Morgan designed this hat to serve the indy market, and learned we could re-use the name "Adventurer" we thought it best to do so, but there are a few of the older style Akubra Adventurers still out there for sale where the shape ( not the quality ) is different.

It is always best to try hats on in person where you can, your local... ( depending on how far North you are! ).. Akubra dealer is
Milton Shoes & Leather Centre
http://www.miltonshoesandleathercentre.com/
265 Main St E Unit BM2 • Milton ON L9T 1P1

They don't stock the Adventurer currently but I just spoke with Paul there about the style and he is going to take a look at it.

Hatsquad · Jan 16, 2009

Many thanks for the thoughtful comments, I know how many "which hat should I buy" threads there can be.

Will.......... thanks for the dealer info, I was unaware of that one, and I'm not too far from Milton. I have two Akubra hats and I know my sizing, but I agree, it's best to try on.

Gerry

JohnnyB53 · Jan 16, 2009

Matt Deckard said:
Do they still sell the Federation III?

I know I've known this before but I haven't been keeping up with Akubra as of late. I do think they are the best starter hat out there for someone looking to buy a modern hat that has the shape of those classic hats you see in the movies from the past.

Hats Direct offers some NOS Fed III Deluxes in black only here.

As to the original question, I have a Fed IV std., a DM Adventurer, and a Fed IV Deluxe. The DM Adventurer quality is just like Kaosharper1 says. It's very nice. To my hands and head, the DM versions seem to have really good felt, either more pliable or stronger/denser according to the purpose of the hat.

Since the poster is a large guy he might be better off with the Fed. The Fed III might even be better to get that massive crown. The DM Adventurer OTOH is a better hat for more people out there. It's amazing what the slightly lower crown and wider brim do to the gestalt of the hat. A C-crown bash lowers the perceived crown size considerably. Throw in the wider brim and mine is reminiscent of an Italian country fedora--sort of like a poor man's brown Borsalino.

Here is the DM Adventurer on the left with a crown-shrinking C-crown bash next to the moonstone Fed IV Deluxe with crease/pinch.

Not-Bogart13 · Jan 16, 2009

Matt Deckard said:
So the fed III was the only option huh? Darn!

Actually, I remember the crown on my Campdraft being the same height as my Federation III.

In any event, I stumbled on a page that has Black Fed III Deluxes, for those who want them; http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=38&returncat=Federation&returnpage=0

JohnnyB53 · Jan 17, 2009

Not-Bogart13 said:
Actually, I remember the crown on my Campdraft being the same height as my Federation III.

I was thinking about that too. The CD has a big crown. For someone wanting a big-crowned pre-WWII fedora, you could get a Campdraft and put on a 1-5/8 to 2" ribbon. CDs are still available in silverbelly, fawn, mid-brown (very dark brown to me), and black here. Now I understand why some people here are trying to get a limited run of grey Campdrafts. The applicability could be enormous.

In any event, I stumbled on a page that has Black Fed III Deluxes, for those who want them; http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=38&returncat=Federation&returnpage=0

Yeah, I had that link in my previous post, but I called the link name "here."

portolan · Jan 17, 2009

Here is the text from two emails I received today from

Hatsdirect in response to my query. Thought they might be helpful:

Hi Phil,

thanks for your enquiry.

Yes, we do have some of the Fed III's left. In size 60 we have 1 black and 4 Tawny's.

You can order using the special order form below. I think the cost is AU$108.50 but will check that with Ron. Postage to the States (I guess that's where you are) is AU$37.90.

Hi Phil,

the top quality felt is the Deluxe in the Federations (Heritage in the other Akubras). We only have the deluxe in black in the III's from size 55 to 59.

We have the Deluxe in dark brown, Moonstone and Heritage Fawn in the Fed IV's.

No Deluxe Fed III for me....my head is too big! Phil

Not-Bogart13 · Jan 17, 2009

JohnnyB53 said:
Yeah, I had that link in my previous post, but I called the link name "here."

Somehow, I missed that. :eusa_doh:

Matt Deckard · Jan 17, 2009

And I'm a 58 (that's other country talk for 7 1/4).

I'm also not looking for a black one... Darn!

JohnnyB53 · Jan 17, 2009

Matt Deckard said:
So the fed III was the only option huh? Darn!

You're looking for something with a little more crown?

tm3 · Jan 18, 2009

hatsquad my vote would be for the Fed IV over the david morgan. i consider it more bang for the buck at the current exchange rates and the hats are very similar. the Fed is probably my favorite hat.

i'll second the recommendation to try on and buy in person if possible. david morgan sent me an akubra that was a whole size smaller than labelled, and i had to eat the return shipping. this obviously would have been a bigger deal if the return was to australia! however if requested i believe that hatsdirect will measure the hat before shipping to make sure the size is true.

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