Planning on buying an Akubra. Any tips?

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:02 pm

With Halloween coming up and me currently being flush (payday + IRS refund of more than I expected -- woohoo!), I'm planning on upgrading my costume. I've already got a hat that I bought from a habidasherist in Nashville back in....2000?, but it's a bit big on me, and I never properly shaped it. I'm going to be selling it soon on e-bay, probably.

Anyway, as my hat upgrade, I'm leaning towards an Akubra. I'm trying to determine if the regular fed or the fed deluxe is the way to go. Also, I'm trying to figure out roughly how long HatsDirect.com takes as far as shipping goes.

So, if any of you have placed recent orders, can you tell me about how long it took to get them?

And for those who have experience with both the deluxe and the regular, can you give me a list of the pros and cons of both? I've heard the deluxe is closer in color to the real deal, and has thicker/better felt but that's about all I've heard as far as differences. For $50 more, I'd rather not pay for JUST more accurate coloring.

Currently, I'm leaning towards the regular fed, but that's because of price and the fact that, if I did decide to start wearing the thing on a semi-regular basis, I'd rather not have invested quite as much money into it if it blows off my head and/or gets really beat up. Unfortunately, the other high quality stuff (AB, Keppler, etc.) is out of my price range for the moment, even though I suspect those would last longer/are better constructed than the Akubra (I'm just guessing here, though, based largely on word-of-mouth/reputation).

Please, I'm not looking to get into a debate about whether ABs are better than Kepplers are better than Akubras. I'm really just looking for info on the Fed Regular vs. the Fed Deluxe. That's it. When I have more money, I'll make my decision about other hat brands. Thanks!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:28 pm

The Akubra is a fine choice, especially for the money. And it's not just a "cheap" hat, either. It's made to be worn out in the elements. I had a regular Akubra (not the deluxe) and was very happy with it. I'd happily own another. It was easy to bash and looked better the more I wore it. I wore mine in wind, rain, snow, and sun. It held up beautifully. Mine took about two weeks to arrive, if not sooner. I was surprised at how quickly it arrived. The service at HatsDirect is fantastic, too. But not knowing if Halloween would affect shipping/ordering time, it's probably a good idea to order soon. Good luck!

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:16 pm

Awesome! Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm gonna go with the regular, I think. It certainly looks good enough for my needs and budget (and pretty #### good in general).

By the way, Indiana Tone, you look almost exactly like a friend of mine, only a few years older. It's uncanny, actually.

Indiana Lee · Post by **Indiana Lee** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:18 pm

I went with the Akubra Fed...the regular and it's wearing in quite nicely. I bought mine about 3 months ago,....and it took only about 6 days to get it.

mark seven · Post by **mark seven** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:05 pm

My Fed regular also took 6 days to come,it was a little loose when I got it,I just used the foam strips that come with it, and it soon tightened up as I wore it-in a couple of days it fit perfectly..I haven't got a bad word to say about these hat's-if you go for the fed I'm sure you won't be dissapointed..my Dad even wants me to get him one for christmas!

Tyrloch · Post by **Tyrloch** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:54 pm

I have a Fed Deluxe, but I don't really see that much difference between the 2 (except for the price!). I think it's a #### fine hat -- I like it even more since I cut 3/8" off the brim -- I'm small & have a slim face. But I think that an Akubra is a great hat -- whether you're on a budget or not.

~Jace

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:03 pm

Well, I'm sold. I'm gonna order this weekend. Hopefully it'll be here in the next two weeks (gotta worry about the Halloween orders), and I'll have some time to shape the thing. Once I get it, I'll probably put my current hat up for sale if anyone's interested. I figure most folks here are set for their hat needs, though.

On the other hand, the poor creatures who exist only in e-bay land and don't know about this site may not be...

K on the run · Post by **K on the run** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:05 pm

I have the Deluxe and a friend of mine has a reg. The Deluxe is softer than the reg. They're both great hats and can take the odd rain shower on occasions.

Cheers
K

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:32 pm

My first hat was a Fed regular, and I bought it about five months ago. I had a bit of trouble getting it to bash exactly like I wanted, which I chalked up to not really knowing what I was doing.

About four months ago I went ahead and bought a Fed deluxe. The felt is a lot softer than the regular, and is a much nicer shade of brown. I don't think the pouncing job is quite as fine as on the regular, oddly enough, but it's not like it's fuzzy either. As far as shaping goes the crown practically bashed itself and after a fair amount of working the brim in my hands it fell right into place as well.

They're both tough hats that look great, you really can't beat the quality for what you're paying and even the deluxe is still a great value.

If price is an issue I don't think you'll find a better hat than the regular Fed. It's a great hat, I'd just keep it far, far away from steam. If you can work out springing for the deluxe I think you'll be glad you did.

Good luck, have fun, and be sure to post pics!

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:15 am

Wait a second. Why do you think you should keep the fed regular far from steam? I was planning on shaping it using steam.

mark seven · Post by **mark seven** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:45 am

I used steam to shape my hat no problems,here's what hatsdirect themselves say in the hat-shaping instructions that came with the hat..."All Akubra hats respond to steam,the felt and stiffener in the felt softens with the steam and allows the felt to become pliable.If you are finding the shaping of the hat is a little difficult,then try steam..all genuine Akubra hats are 100% rabbit fur felt and respond well to steam"

VP · Post by VP » Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:15 am

Steam is just fine, just don't overuse it or burn the felt. I bashed mine (regular, now 29 months old) with steam and had no side effects. Some guys have experienced taper and the color turning to something like green but nothing on mine. It's held up wonderfully. Mine took 21 days on the slowest shipping which isn't available anymore.

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:23 am

Gotcha. Sounds good then.

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:49 am

My Fed regular tapered from using steam on the crown. Not much, but enough to turn a Raiders hat into a Last Crusade. I'd try just working the felt with your hands to soften it up first before using any steam.

But that's just me...

VP · Post by VP » Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:51 am

The regulars are pretty tapered for a RotLA hat anyway even without the steam, so that shouldn't matter much. A RotLA bash looks great on mine.

K on the run · Post by **K on the run** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:54 pm

You can also use clean cold water in a spraybottle
http://www.regenesisinternational.com/i ... orest1.jpg
Dampen the hat on the outside and shape it, leave it to dry at room temperature. I have done it this way with success.

-K

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:51 pm

My tip:

Wear it in good health and take lots of photos to post here.

Regards,
Swindiana

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:33 pm

Well, I'm definitely going for a Raiders style version, so taper would be kind of a drag. From the pictures I've seen of federation regulars, they don't look all that tapered to me. Though I could have misperceived them.

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:19 pm

The larger sizes have much less taper, from what I've seen. Both my regular and deluxe Federations are size 59 and had straight sides.

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:38 am

Well, I wear a 7 1/4 to 7 1/2, which I think is between a 58 and a 60.

michaelb · Post by **michaelb** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:50 am

My Akubra Fed is a beauty, however, it looks so boxy, I am HOPING that it will eventually taper a little bit... My HJ has a very tiny taper, but when I look up at them on my bookshelf, the HJ just screams "Indy" for some reason. I don't know why...

My 2 cents,

M

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:15 am

Oh, side question on sizing. Better to go one size up (from a 58 to a 59?) or leave it at your natural hat size? I've got a few other hats that are definitely 7 1/4 (58) hats, but I'm curious as to whether it'd be better to get a 7 3/8 (59) hat instead. My current Indy fedora is actually too big on me (7 5/8 -- 61), so the interior had to be seriously cinched up, which changed the fit of the thing. That said, I gather a little cinching isn't a bad thing?

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:22 am

You can use the standard sizing chart as shown at the HatsDirect site, gamble on the 'size up' advice, or give Ron your actual head measurement and ask him to make sure the hat he sends you matches the measurement you gave him.

That's what I"ve always done, and have not had a problem.

Regards! Michaelson

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:11 pm

Cool. I'll either do that or go one size up. Now I just need to dig up my old tape measure...

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:17 pm

If you give Hats Direct an exact head measurement you'll get a hat that will fit you. Just like Michaelson that's what I've always done and I've never had a problem. Unless your head is still growing there's not much reason to buy something that isn't your size, IMHO.

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:23 pm

Well, if that's the case, I'm pretty sure a 58 will fit me. My only concern is slight variations in size from manufacturer to manufacturer. One 7 1/4 (58 ) hat is a cowboy hat that's seen a LOT of trail and is extremely well worn in, and the other is a black fedora I bought several years ago that I only really wear in the winter (my dress hat). It's a little tight, but that's more because I haven't shaped the felt to my head, really. I'd need to wet the crown some and wear it 'til it dries.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:11 pm

The point WE'RE trying to make is that you can also find a variance in size from hat to hat, even if they're marked the exact same size!!

Get one that matches your head measurement. You're still using the hat scale if you're just going to order a 58.

Regards! Michaelson

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:29 pm

thats funny that michealson mentioned the hat size variance as i found this out just yesterday. i was in a store that was selling the classic royal canadian mounted police hats (a wide, completely circular brim with the quarterly dents on the crown...."lemon strainer top"). i wanted to see how close i looked to Benton Frasier from the show Due South

so i was rummaging around for the right size. my HJ now is a 59 cm size hat and the closest i could find was a 58 cm size (made by stetson) in the rcmp hat.......thinking it would be a little snug, it actually almost fell over my eyes (even with that back strap holding it against my head). i was a little confused as to why such a large variance in the size....maybe it was mistagged? i do not know.

anyways....i kinda liked the look of the hat actually, but i could never pull that look off unless i WAS an rcmp. i'll leave it to those nice chaps.

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:50 pm

Michaelson wrote:The point WE'RE trying to make is that you can also find a variance in size from hat to hat, even if they're marked the exact same size!!

Get one that matches your head measurement. You're still using the hat scale if you're just going to order a 58.

Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, that's kind of what I was getting at with the original question. I've experienced enough variations in sizes with other stuff that I'd rather just have it fitted to me specifically.

Solo4114 · Post by **Solo4114** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:54 pm

Indiana G wrote:thats funny that michealson mentioned the hat size variance as i found this out just yesterday. i was in a store that was selling the classic royal canadian mounted police hats (a wide, completely circular brim with the quarterly dents on the crown...."lemon strainer top"). i wanted to see how close i looked to Benton Frasier from the show Due South so i was rummaging around for the right size. my HJ now is a 59 cm size hat and the closest i could find was a 58 cm size (made by stetson) in the rcmp hat.......thinking it would be a little snug, it actually almost fell over my eyes (even with that back strap holding it against my head). i was a little confused as to why such a large variance in the size....maybe it was mistagged? i do not know.

anyways....i kinda liked the look of the hat actually, but i could never pull that look off unless i WAS an rcmp. i'll leave it to those nice chaps.

I think companies just approach sizing differently. It's true in all areas of clothing. It's even worse with women's clothing where some manufacturers will mis-size things on PURPOSE simply to sell more units. Now that I know that the "custom fitted" option is available for a HatsDirect hat, that's what I'll go with.