Hey all! I've been gearing up to purchase a Federation from Akubra and am curious about the sizing. Iv'e heard that they run a little on the large side. I measured my noggin (snugly but not tight) and came up with 23 1/4 which of course is a 59 according to the Hats Direct site. Would you suggest I go with the 59 or should I get a 60? I did pose this question to Hats Direct along with my measurements and received the following...
" Thanks for your inquiry regarding the Federation Deluxe. It's a very handsome hat!
Based on your head measurement, we'd recommend ordering a Size 60 as the Fed IV runs a little small. That will still allow for a little shrinkage and we also supply packing foam to ensure a good fit right at the start."
So what has been your personal experience with either model (reg or deluxe) of the Fed IV? I can offer that I have an "Indyish" fedora from Northwest hats and it's a size 60. Which started out a little loose but after some wear, the band shrunk nicely and I ended up with a good fit. Thanks in advance
I can not comment on the brand, but I do have an AB beaver with a lambskin sweatband. i have worn this hat religiously since the day I got it back in September of 2014. In the hot FL sun so plenty of sweat. My sweatband has not really shrunk at all. I still have to put felt behind it for a nice snug fit which I prefer.
So, depending on the material the sweat is made from, it may react to the elements and salt or it may not.
I have a regular Akubra in size 59 and my head size is an exact 23." The hat fits me perfectly. I would say with you having an extra 1/4" i would go with the 60 because it is always easier to put the foam liner in than having a small tight fit.
I'm at 22-11/16" or just shy of 22 3/4" and wear an Akubra 58. With an extra 1/2" I think a 59 might be bit snug, especially after the sweatband shrinks a bit. I'd go with a 60.
Generally speaking it's always better to go larger than smaller. With the Fed's specific tendency to shrink, I concur with the advice from the source: go 60.
When in doubt, go with the vendor's advice. At least if they are wrong, you can say you followed their advice and it didn't work out, when you ask for an exchange.
I'd love to know how this works out in the end, because my Federation was a from the Fed III days, and they ran large. I've have always heard that the current ones are the opposite, and run smaller, but I've never been sure.
I have owned around 10 Akubra hats in size 58. Some fit well out of the box, a few were slightly too large but after a period of time conformed and a couple were too snug and I gave them away.
The Feds all ran slightly large but conformed after wearing them with some cork strips for a few days.
Well, the current Federation is the IV, which cropped up around the time Indy 4 came out. So, the Fed III (which ran large) would have been from before that. I got several in 2006 and 2007, all 59's. I wear a 60, normally. The last of them still fits, but is quite snug now. It's been through quite a bit, and shrank slowly over the years. It was my sweaty work hat, though.
Chewbacca Jones wrote:...The last of them still fits, but is quite snug now. It's been through quite a bit, and shrank slowly over the years. It was my sweaty work hat, though.
On the bright side, you could go over a cliff in a tank and the hat would stay on!
Okay, I pulled the trigger on the regular fed in a size 60. Thanks for all of your input. Now I cant wait for it to arrive. By the way, does anyone know what the average customs fee is for it?
Chewbacca Jones wrote:...The last of them still fits, but is quite snug now. It's been through quite a bit, and shrank slowly over the years. It was my sweaty work hat, though.
On the bright side, you could go over a cliff in a tank and the hat would stay on!
No tanks handy, but I it works with a snowplow.
Soulman, I have never been hit with a fee for shipments from Hats Direct.
