u/Bluegrape12

Several of you provided advice on my new Brumby purchases (58 and 58) and my dilemma on which one to return. Thank you for your help. The vote was split 6 - 4 in favor of me keeping the 59.

I have two related questions that will inform my ultimate decision:

1. If your head is a perfectly shaped 57.5 cm should a person buy a 58 or 59 Akubra?
   

2. Will a properly sized hat conform to a long oval head by wearing it for several months WITHOUT reshaping or stretching using a two-sided hat stretcher and steam?

Thanks for listening to my ramblings and for your help!

Where I live I am unable to try on Akubras. I’ve ordered and received two new Brumbys, a 58 and 59. One must be returned in three days. Pretty sure I’m a long oval as the 58 is tight on the front and back. Not tight enough to cause a headache, but tighter than I would prefer. When I squeeze the sides of the 58 the hat fits properly, but obviously it immediately returns to its original shape. The 59 is too loose to wear without adding felt strips. With the felt strips added the 59 gently slides off my head after about 5 seconds when I bend fully over and point the top of my head toward the ground. With the felt strips inserted the 59 is a tad looser than I would prefer.

So…., here’s the question. Do I,

1. Keep the 58 and “put a long oval “ into the 58, and hope it retains its long oval shape, OR…

2. Keep the felt strips in the 59 thinking that the hat will also shrink a little bit in the coming months? Thank you all in advance