Odd hat problem, any suggestions?

Nudibranch

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Bought myself a new hat recently, a Champion Euro. I'm normally 7 1/8 (can't remember skull size) but I bought a 7 3/8 as I sometimes get a bit of a headache and that's as big as I can go without it being loose. Anyway this one has been giving me much worse headaches, and yesterday when I looked in the mirror I noticed a big dint in my forehead exactly where it's most painful! The mark lasted the rest of the day and was quite apparent. I've looked at the hat and can't see anything wrong with the lining, etc. But before I phone up RideAway and complain, I just wondered if I'd missed anything, or anyone else has had this problem?! Not sure if it's my head or the hat which is faulty, but I've never had a hat that leaves a 2 inch long depression before.
 
Have you worn this brand before? Champions are a different fit to many other brands and it depends upon your head shape. DH and i wear the same size hat but my champion gives him a headache and his JTE gives me a headache, we have different shaped heads so the hats cause pressure points. If I try on a charles owen I need a size bigger for it not to feel painful, and it is then huge and enormous. Even if you have worn the same brand the fit can vary between skull cap and velvet........ it is so important to try hats on before you buy.
 
The champion euro hat fits very specific shaped heads, it's not a hat for the average champion shaped head but suits people with narrow heads. The only reason the hat would be hurting your forehead is because it is the wrong shape and doesn't fit you properly. I fear ride away will tell you there is nothing they can do. They couldn't resell the hat as its used and unless it is faulty you probably wont get your money back or a replacement as that's unfortunately the risk you take when you buy a hat unfitted. Head down to your local tack shop, they'll fit you with a hat that's the right shape and size.
 
Interesting point about the Champions, oh well... worn mostly skulls for 30 years and I'm sure I've had Champions before but not a Euro. Never mind, it fits OH quite well! Fitting is always tricky though, I don't get a headache at first so I can never be sure if it's going to cause a problem or not.
 
Unfortunately you may find that your hat size in one make of hat will be different that in another. Various hats are different shapes. I think the champion is a fairly round hat if my memory serves me well but many peoples heads are not round they are oval so sometimes that hat is not suitable for their head shape. You could do with trying a variety of different hats until you find one that suits your shape.
 
I used to fit hats when I worked in a tack shop, various hats will fit different shapes. I have a charles owen J3 and a HS1. The J3 is the only hat out of the charles owen range that fits me....and it is a whole hat size smaller to my hs1 but they both feel the same to me!

I always suggested the person wear the hat whilst they continue shopping...10/30 minutes...even a whole hour if they want to stay that long! Obviously it is not the same as riding in it...but hopefully it will give you some idea. Unfortunately as someone has said, Rideaway may not be able to help you as it has been used and you did not have it fitted.
 
Doh - just went out to check and it's actually a Charles Owen... anyway, next time I buy a hat I shall be wearing it for some time before leaving the premises. Good advice from everyone, thanks!
 
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