padding out a riding hat

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fathorselover

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Have just had a rather depressing day out solely to visit the equestrian shop nearest to me that stocks the biggest range of hats. I am on a reasonably tight budget and just want a basic skull cap! Not one I tried fitted! I was measured at just about halfway between 56 and 57 cms, ALL of the 56 cms ones felt far too tight with pressure points in various places, the 57cms were a touch too loose really but felt more comfy around my temples. I tried on several different makes- the hat fitter did joke that my head is an odd shape!

Suppose my question is would I be better off getting them to fit me a 57cm one and pad it out a bit? It was only fractionally loose- the 56cm ones would also have needed padding in the bits where my head didn't reach the edge!
 
You'll find that generally a new hat that feels a bit tight will 'relax' over the first few weeks as the padding yields to the shape of your head.

Failing that you can do what I do in winter... I wear my old hat which is too big, with a wooly hat underneath pulled down over my ears to keep warm :D
 
Well I bought a skull cap a month or two ago and was told exactly this, that it would give and mould to my head, but two months of regular wearing later and it gives me headaches! The hat fitter today was slightly despairing of finding one to fit me and did say I have an awkward head :-(
 
Keep trying!! I have a very oval head so hats tend to be tight at the front and back and have a gap at the sides (sounds like you might be similar).

I have just bought the new APM (AP McCoy) skull cap by Charles Owen and it is a fab fit. Might be worth trying the champion euro deluxe skull cap as this was a similar fit but half the price (typically didn't have my size!).

Other hats that fit me well; JTE sprint and the Charles Owen Fiona so may be worth trying both those brands.

Hope this helps!
 
you can pad- fitters usually use sticky padded tape but I would also keep trying. Can't get a champion near me but like my HS1 a lot.
 
Have you looked at Pro Tector hats? Their skull caps are cheaper and they do a made to measure postal service. They send you a kit to measure your head exactly and make it from that. Great hats that fit well and I've always had good customer service.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
I too have a very narrow oval head.
The Fiona fits me well, as also the RXC1
(and my old Patey ;) )
Nothing else fits well at all, was amazed at the RXC1 fitting as usually anything in the Gatehouse range fits me badly at best.
Click to expand...

It sounds like we have similar head shapes. I love my RXC1, it's the comfiest hat I've owned despite the HS1 not fitting at all.
 
I feel your pain. I have a small, odd shaped head. Charles Owens are the best fit but I can't recall buying a hat without having to have sizing strips added to make it fit well. A size smaller is a complete no as it just perches on my head. I usually have to go back a few weeks later for more adjustments after the padding has gone down a bit.
 
Try a variety of makes, although sizes are the same you will find that some makes are round in shape & others are oval. What doesn't fit you in one make will probably be fine in another. Don't buy one & hope over time it will fit. If it doesn't fit you today then it won't fit you next week either. Just keep trying them until you find one that suits you. Good Luck
 
Toby_Zaphod said:
Try a variety of makes, although sizes are the same you will find that some makes are round in shape & others are oval. What doesn't fit you in one make will probably be fine in another. Don't buy one & hope over time it will fit. If it doesn't fit you today then it won't fit you next week either. Just keep trying them until you find one that suits you. Good Luck
Click to expand...

Today I tried on champion, charles owen, gatehouse, shires, competitor (not sure if that one is a different make) and none were quite right. Closest was the champion ventair skull and weirdly the shires skull but these just felt better in the bigger size!
 
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