Weathering of a hat

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:31 am

I'm in the market for a new hat. I'm currently dead set on an Adventurebuilt (duh).

A problem I've encountered in the past though was the my last few fedora's shrunk after some weathering and became uncomfortable to wear.

Granted they were run of the mill Stetsons but after some rain and some heat, they shrunk on my head and I could barely fit them on my head anymore.

Is there a way to "weatherproof" a fedora?

And should I order a size slightly larger in order to anticipate weathering of any new fedora?

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:33 am

I'm a bit of a bull dog when it comes fedora quality and bogus marketing.

The reasons why the other fedora's you bought tapered and lost its shape is because The Stetson Temple/Ark is a crappy product that's not made for regular wear, much less rugged wearing on trails and hiking/camping trips. I should know, I've owned several!

The only fedora's that haven't tapered are the Akubra Federations and Adventurebilt. One Akubra was worn for two years, and saw the harshest weather New England had to offer, Blizzards in Winter and Humid 100 Degree days in summer. Hardly any taper, and is STILL in better shape now then most Temple/Ark's that come out of the box new.

The Adventurebilt hasn't lost any of it's shape and looks brand new with a touch of Naptha on some dirt spots. People insist that I keep buying new Adventurebilts. Nope... it's the same one.

Arkansas Russell · Post by **Arkansas Russell** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:00 pm

For a general weather proofing use this.

I have used it time and again on all my fedoras, including my Adventurebilt.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:59 pm

Thanks very much!!!

prairiejones · Post by **prairiejones** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:53 am

I can honestly say that my AB is the same as the day that I bashed it. Sweatband is still incredibly comfortable. The crown has not tapered. Two and a half years.

Rusty Jones · Post by **Rusty Jones** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:14 am

I can echo the previous wisdom... my AB is brand new looking at two years, and admittedly my one year old akubura has seen MUCH more wear, 30 days of rediculous rain for random amounts of time between beating sun during 12 hour excavation shifts in harder winds than I've ever been able to wear a hat (gusts almost knocked me down a few times and blew our tents out of the ground). neither hat has tapered and their shape is only getting better with age and milage...

(Note: DEFINATELY save that foam that comes with the akubura, even if it feels pretty tight that foam may be difference in being able to wear your fedora or having to hold (or loose) it in windy conditions)