Club Obi Wan

I am traveling overseas and want some recommendations on the way to carry my Fedora in my luggage so it's survives the trip? Did a search on the forum with limited results. Many Thanks

In short, don't! Simply wear it or stow it in the carry on. A less hardy lid will not like the confines of a suitcase nor the rough handling inflicted by baggage carriers.

Yeah, I thought that was going to be the answer, I was hoping someone knew of a hardcase or frame that I could put the old girl in to stop her being crushed.

Closest thing to that might be Penman's hardshell, but not sure of the height dimensions, ie if it could fit inside a suitcase?

These are a bit large, but the smaller size would be too small.
http://www.millerhats.com/accesories_index/case1a.htm

Also, if you have the time to hunt ebay and such, you might find a vintage hat case made just for this sort of situation.

Thanks, they definitely have some potential

I flew to Rochester to attend last year's FLS with two hats, actually. I wore one and the second was in a hat carrier similar to the box shown by Chewie. http://www.hammerplastics.com/hat_cans/ ... r-p-4.html. I had the hat box inside a large duffel bag which also carried my clothes and gear. The bag went into checked luggage.

You fit that monster in a duffle bag!?! Yeeouch.

twilekjedi wrote:I flew to Rochester to attend last year's FLS with two hats, actually. I wore one and the second was in a hat carrier similar to the box shown by Chewie. http://www.hammerplastics.com/hat_cans/ ... r-p-4.html. I had the hat box inside a large duffel bag which also carried my clothes and gear. The bag went into checked luggage.

Thanks, that's how I'll be traveling with a duffel, great work

When I've flown with my AB, I've packed it. I always roll my clothes as opposed to folding them, and this allowed me to create a space in which the crown can sit. I just set the hat crown down and build around it. I ensure the brim is flat, and fill the inside with whatever fits, keeping the hat well supported. It takes up virtually no space and arrives needing nothing more than a quick once over to return the dents back to their desired positions. Not ideal, but its worked for me.

VERY smart idea, Tron!

Travis

Chewbacca Jones wrote:You fit that monster in a duffle bag!?! Yeeouch.

It's a monster-sized duffle bag!

Tron's idea is a good one, too, if you have a suitcase. Smaller soft items could go inside the crown. I would only do this if I were taking it in a carry-on, though. I wouldn't trust TSA to repack it without crushing the hat if they had to inspect your luggage. Also, I wouldn't try this if I were transporting shoes or something else heavy within the same suitcase.

Tron7960 wrote:When I've flown with my AB, I've packed it. I always roll my clothes as opposed to folding them, and this allowed me to create a space in which the crown can sit. I just set the hat crown down and build around it. I ensure the brim is flat, and fill the inside with whatever fits, keeping the hat well supported. It takes up virtually no space and arrives needing nothing more than a quick once over to return the dents back to their desired positions. Not ideal, but its worked for me.

I've done this before with one addition - a sturdy cardboard tube round the crown, slightly deeper than the crown itself.

Tron7960 wrote:When I've flown with my AB, I've packed it. I always roll my clothes as opposed to folding them, and this allowed me to create a space in which the crown can sit. I just set the hat crown down and build around it. I ensure the brim is flat, and fill the inside with whatever fits, keeping the hat well supported. It takes up virtually no space and arrives needing nothing more than a quick once over to return the dents back to their desired positions. Not ideal, but its worked for me.

This is what ive done myself when i've had to travel with more than a single hat. But its rare that i feel the need for more than one hat when traveling. Filling up the crown is the important part here, it doesn't let it get smashed and creased, which is the goal. THis is a cheaper, and in this day and age of overpriced luggage checking, a lighter way to travel with two or three lids.

I've got a vintage leather top hat case and a modern hardsided plastic case...but I have yet to travel with either of them. I used to just travel with a crushable wool fedora...but then I got a bit more finicky with my hats. Sometimes I might place it in the overhead bin while on the planes...but there is a danger of someone being careless and crushing it with something heavy. Thus, it only goes in after everyone else has crammed their luggage up there. Often times, I just keep the hat on my head during the flight and slide it down over my eyes if I nap, ala Indy. When I did the recent trip from Colorado to Kabul, I think I pretty much had it on my head for all those flights. I'm not particularly happy with the baggage fees on the airlines these days...would hate to get charged extra for my a small hat case.

Bernie