Tight Hat

[Texas Jones]

I have an Adventurebilt I got about a year ago, I'm not sure if it's the fact I gained alot of weight or if the hat was in the sun and shrunk a tad bit, but the hat is a little too tight for comfort. I'm wondering if there's a trick that I can do at home to loosen up the tightness a tish without comprimising the shape of th crown or brim? Is it as simple as steaming the area where the sweatband is?

Any advice you all could provide would be great!

Rich

[Texan Scott]

The 'hat retainer' found at any western store is invaluable for this feature.

[BendingOak]

I doubt that is the felt that shrank as the sweatband did. As TS stated, a hatjack is what you need.

[Texas Jones]

How exactly do you use one of those? Do you steam anything? Do you stick it in and leave it overnight?

[Texan Scott]

Here is an example of one: http://www.gibsonprorodeo.com/hatretainer.htm

TX, I'm surprised you don't know about this being from western hat country!

When you wear a hat and the sweatband becomes moist, it has a tendency th shrink a little, due to the fact that it is leather, organic material, and naturally draws up after it dries. To prevent this, I'd use some leather lotion, apply it around the sweatband, apply the hat retainer, and after day or so, it should be ready to wear again. Use the hat retainer, especially after the sweatband gets wet. This will always keep the hat for the right width.

[Texas Jones]

I really don't think it's the sweatband. The hat seems like it's a size too small. If that's the case...what are my options for making it a little bigger? Would you recommend the stretcher for that too?

[Texan Scott]

I have an Adventurebilt I got about a year ago, I'm not sure if it's the fact I gained alot of weight or if the hat was in the sun and shrunk a tad bit, but the hat is a little too tight for comfort. I'm wondering if there's a trick that I can do at home to loosen up the tightness a tish without comprimising the shape of th crown or brim? Is it as simple as steaming the area where the sweatband is?

Any advice you all could provide would be great!

Rich

Sometimes just changing hair styles can make a difference. According to your post, if the sweatband is just "a little too tight", you can moisten the sweatband and use the retainer to stretch it a little. I assume that year ago, it fit? As long as it is not grossly undersized, ie no more than a 1/2 size or possibly 1 size, it should work.

[gwyddion]

Hey Scott, or anyone realy, what constitutes a size? I mean, is one size up or down the same as with European hats that the circumference is 1 cm larger or smaller? or is it the next step up in the radius, like the American and English sizes?

Texas Jones, If the hat fitted at first then it can only be either your haircut or that the hat shrank (most likely the sweat): gaining weight does not affect the amount of tissue you have on your upper cranium, only the lower part of your head is affected by gaining weight.

Regards, Geert

[Texan Scott]

Because the sizing scheme is somewhat nebulus, I try to report these measurements by (inches and/or) cm's. Someone's 7 1/4" maybe different in size than another manufacturer. I think Oak has posted true hat measurements in another thread.

[gwyddion]

Because the sizing scheme is somewhat nebulus, I try to report these measurements by cm's. Someone's 7 1/4" maybe different in size than another manufacturer. I think Oak has posted true hat measurements in another thread.

Thanks . As you might have noticed I used the word radius, so i know how American and English sizes should relate to circumference I was just a bit hazy on what was meant by "a size" here, hence the question.

Regards, Geert

[Texas Jones]

Finally took it to Peters Bros Hats in Fort Worth and they stretched it for me and sold me a hat retainer as well. Thanks Peters Bros!

[Michaelson]

That was the way to go!

How was Joe and Nelda?

Regards! Michaelson

[Texas Jones]

That was the way to go!

How was Joe and Nelda?

Regards! Michaelson

They weren't there today, but by the sound of the emails we had discussing my hat it seems they're fine. Love that place...I almost walked out of there with 2 more hats! I resisted but will be back in the spring when they get their line of straws in.

[Michaelson]

Definitely consider one of the straw Indy's.

That's one of my main 'go-to' hats for summer.

Regards! Michaelson

[Texas Jones]

Good to know. They had some there, just too small. They look great.