How To Make a Hat Smaller / Tighter, (THIS IS THE CORRECT WAY It’s easy) 

Thanks!!!!

Blacktimberw yeah, in a windy situation , folded paper towels are good in front and back,to absorb sweat too...or a buncha business cards.. I used to make pads out of duct tape, which stays in forever, never deteriorated w sweat, but it also dried up and became very hard and heavy after a while, the foam “hat tape” I use and the Cap Ban Nu product is the best, weather stripping, duct tape..anything w adhesive doesn’t move or shake around,

I think I'll go for scrap fabric since I got no spare dollars heheh

😂😂😂

ALL my hats have dollar bills in them. Tradition , at this point. If I’m properly dressed, I’m never broke 😎

On my hat, I use some weather stripping inside the hat.I bought it from the hardware store in town for a couple of bucks. (The weather stripping, not the hat.)

Great! Enjoy!

Thanks for making that comment. I did the same thing after reading your post.

Yeah! Love comments like this!, thanks for letting me know!!!

My older videos I’m all hyped up on coffee. I was a bit of a workaholic and drinking too much cappuccino, these days I’ve mellowed quite a bit,

Always happy to help, yes. You can never be too small, it’s almost always possible to reduce the size , I like using Cap Ban Nu products too from the Mill Valley Hat Box, very good stuff

Sounds nice !

Glad to help!

Thanks for watching! I appreciate it ☮️✌️🤠

My pleasure!

Thank you!!!!!

Catherine Whittaker you’re welcome!

Hatology.. sounds like a good book title, thanks!

True that!

Thank you, it’s easier being truthful and just telling it like it is..our shop makes money either way, so I try to be very real w people, and gain their trust.. it works well for me,

Thank you, I appreciate you’re viewership too, glad u liked it!

Nice catch!!! I just got another one too,w the pyramid eye mandala on it.. happy new year!!🎈🎊🎆

I’m glad, that’s cool.

We sell them for $5 each or amazon sells by the case, they r called Cap Ban Nu on Amazon, called sweat band on jjhatcenter.com

Nice work! Glad it helped

Wait, how can you make it smaller? That’s easy. Super easy, no need for a hat shop. you flip up the leather sweatband,open it up, and put some padding under the leather,behind your head, you can use 3/8” wide foam weather stripping with adhesive backing. or if you want to spend a little more, buy a cap ban nu. They’re flatter and so compact, you won’t even know it’s in There mvhb.myshopify.com/products/cap-ban-nu-hat-size-reducer-cotton-knit-with-padding Put it under the leather sweatband , in back, behind your head. Use the adhesive, peel off the yellow backing,maybe folks don’t use the sticker part, but it’ll help it work better Most likely you’ll have to cut the pad on half, if the hat is just a little big…u can use about 6” of the pad only..center it..flip back the sweatband, and try it on. If that’s not enough, cut two 1” pieces from the other half, and add an inch to each side,extend it a little, flip the leather back in place and try it on.

It’ll work, buy a couple of cap ban nu pads, Irish caps run extra large, everything from Ireland generally runs fuller, like up to a size more, sometimes more than that. Hannah hats and Jonathan Richards run about a size too big, it’s ok, pad it down , better than buying the smaller size and getting a cap a little tight, I’ve tightened a ton of those caps this way, I’d buy two pads, put them on the back , behind your head, inside the cap, on the ribbon sweatband, if u need more, layer the other pad on top of the first one, it’ll work

Glad to help!

Thx!

You as well😁ty!

Yeah, tightening is easy, it might drift back after the winter, if so, u can remove the padding

Thanks Daniel ✌️😷

YW!✌️

Thanks Joe, nice of u to say, Kev

Thanks for the sub! ❤️❤️❤️

Big is ok, u can always adjust it, u might need that room back one day, it’s a good thing to reduce a large hat, but buying small is a big problem.

This applies to stiff hats like westerns but softer hats like fedoras. We generally buy it nice and snug ander the leather ovalize and take the shape of your head, the sweatbands are soft, and almost everyone has those side gaps to some extent, But for westerns, what say spies, thank you!

Thank you 🙏🏻

Catherine Whittaker well, the weather stripping is cheaper, but it’s foam, which I don’t think u want that stuff against your skin.. but the cotton sweat pads are cotton, they won’t irritate the skin, if that’s too pricey of an option,u can put a piece of elastic string across the inside of it, inside the hat from ear to ear, attach it with a needle and thread firmly,and just place the taught,elastic behind your head , inside the crown of the hat,every time u wear it,..it’ll give u the friction u want, and cost next to nothing, I’ve seen a few ladies w that rigged up, it works very well. Put it about two thirds of the way towards the back of your head, across the inside of the crown, where a sweatband would be..

U can try but they might lose the stickiness.

The leather dehydrates .. It's not easy. U need to watch my videos on cutting the reed. U til u do that,it'll keep shrinking back.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0p3MZzWAxMo.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LzAN1D2dF2Q.html

Everyone has that gap on the sides, some are noticeable more than others..don’t worry about it, if the front and back of the hat is nice and snug,and supportive,the hat will eventually ovalize and take the shape of your particularly shaped head. As long as u have a nice,snug fit, it’ll stretch and take the shape of your head more, If it’s actually tight in front, you’ll know, it’ll leave a Mark on your forehead.. u can take the hat and just stretch it with your hands..pull on it lengthwise, do it every once in a while, tug on it.. Don’t worry about those sides, u can put foam inside , under the leather sweatband, on the sides.. some folks like to, ..but I don’t think it’ll do much. ..it’s more about the hat stretching and taking the shape of your cranium.. wear it more often, and stretch it the long way if it feels too tight, otherwise, ignore the gaps, nobody sees it,notices it or really cares about those things when they see you, only the wearer notices those things, we tend to be more critical of ourselves.. I’d ignore it

That was a custom hat built my the hatmaker at JJ hat center, “Van” he made it custom, you can design any hat you want, he will make it for you, but going custom is very expensive..I wore it for that video, but it wasn’t my hat,, I think he had just built it, so I wore it. Something like that is very expensive like $750 or so.. I couldn’t afford it!🙄

Cap ban nu Buy it on Amazon it has strong adhesive that never wears off. I’m using them for decades now buy the cap ban nu cotton pads in black www.amazon.com/Cap-Ban-Nu-Cotton-Disposable-Sweatband-Reducer/dp/B09K6S1LQL

No, u need more padding or u padded it wrong, pad it in back only, if u need more do the front.. Forget the sides, it does nothing.. If u need more,get a Sweat pad from our site for $5, or get two. After u padded under the sweatband in front and back, put a Sweat pad Over the leather sweatband, behind your head, in back. It's good to have leather against your forehead, sweatpads stay wet if u wear them in front. If u still need more, doubtful.. but if so, put a second pad over the first one,in back. Putting a pad in front will prevent sweat stains on the hat, but it also feels uncomfortable because it stays wet, while plain leather on the forehead allows u to dry the sweatband with a hankercheif,to keep it dry. Try to pass in back first, then in front

www.jjhatcenter.com Look for "sweatband"($5) buy one or two.. after u padded under the sweatband in back and front, if it's not enough, put one of these OVER the leather,in back., behind the head.. When tightening a hat,U can always tighten under the band ,in back and then front.. and then if u need more...go over the band w these cotton pads only. Forget the water idea, that's a myth. That'll damage your hats, if u wet leather and dry it in heat,it dries it out, burns it.. the leather starts flaking off,cracking..and u need to change it, that's expensive. And it doesn't work

Ok I’ll try that. I guess the more you wear the more it will form to your head and will shrink some over time with sweat. Thanks for the feedback!! This guy is a heck of of a dude. Where can you ask questions and he pretty much replies to all 👉👍

Catherine ,u can do it two ways, buy a product from us called “sweatband “ on www.jjhatcenter.com , buy 3-4 of them, they’re $5 each. Peel off the backing and stick it right OVER the sweatband, cover over the leather,on the inside of the hat , start w one in back, then one in front, and then double up the one in back. (If the hat is too small fit two pads around the diameter, trim the ends off to make them fit) two in back, behind your head..one in front..that should do it. Assuming u buy a size small or 6 7/8, which is the smallest size. I’d buy four pads, just in case,u can always double up the front too. and it’s good to have a spare pad, in case u want to freshen up the one in front. The other way is with weather stripping,u can buy it at a hardware store, it can’t go against your skin, so this stuff goes UNDER the sweatband, it’s cheaper, $3-4 for the whole roll, but if u are truly a 20” then u need a boatload of stuffing to make a size small fit..and this method can get a little lumpy once u start tightening more than 1 full hat size. U can try it though, it goes under the leather,all the way around the whole diameter. If u need more, u start doubling it up in back, then in front.. always put most of the foam,in back of your head,by your hair..where it’s harder to feel. I’d use the cotton pads for $5, they’ll be cleaner,not lumpy.. it looks like we are sold out of them, www.jjhatcenter.com/collections/hat-accessories/products/cotton-sizing they are available on amazon too, here’s a three pack.. I’d say get extras, because when they get funky and sweaty in front,after a season, you’ll want to peel off the one in front and change it.. www.amazon.com/Cap-Ban-Nu-Padding-Disposable-Sweatband-Reducer/dp/B074KQ827R

Catherine Whittaker are u sure it’s 20” ? That’s like five full sizes smaller than a small... (and four sizes below extra small) you’re definitely off the charts, but maybe it’s 20.5 or 21”? Maybe measure again, measure at the brow bone,pull the tape as tight as a hat should feel, and round it off to the nearest cm or 1/8” either way, you’ll need to use these pads and 1-2 won’t do it, I’d at least buy 4 to be safe, One in back, one in front.. then double up the back...piggyback another lad right over the first one.. if THAT’S not enough, double up the one in front too, u can trim them to get them to fit around the diameter neatly, they’re black cotton pillows, so they look ok too..they also prevent any perspiration or makeup from reaching the hat

Yes, it does..

Thanks ✌️😷

That’s right, the hat itself cannot look too wide or baggy. There are limits. Good point.

It depends, if it’s the type of beret that has a sweatband inside,there’s a simple product like a cotton pad with adhesive on the back, it goes over the sweatband,behind your head,or in front. This is all you need mvhb.myshopify.com/collections/cap-ban-nu-size-reducers/products/cap-ban-nu-hat-size-reducer-sweat-liner-cotton-knit Now, if it’s the type of beret that’s just wool, with no inner band at all? That’s harder, much harder. Very difficult, some people will spray the entire beret with water, and lay it on the radiator, or near a heater.. it’s not exactly the most controlled way to do it,but it can work. You spray it down so it’s pretty wet, and put it near a little space heater, radiator, or whatever.. that’s hard

@@quadrogong1111 No sweatbands here mate, just straight up basque wool from elosegui. Glad I asked and got the kind of answer that makes me happy I didnt do anything silly with en... Yet... I wonder if I just steamed around the inside of the edge I could make fit without getting them too bent out of shape... Perhaps how to go about this delicate matter would be a good topic for a future video from you?

It worked thanks !! 🤗

They don't usually specify, I get polyfoam weather seal.

Kevin, I dig your videos, you are a trip! @@quadrogong1111

No that’s perfect. That’s not a bad way to buy a hat, u might need some extra room on the future, leather dries up, shrinks, hair grows out, u never know when you’ll need to get that room back again,,padding it will work, follow my directions on padding, using two cap ban nu pads on top of the leather sweatband will feel the smoothest. But u can use the weather stripping under the band,start behind your head, then by the forehead if u need more.. two pads should do it, or buy a roll of 3/8” poly foam weather seal

Yeah, you’re a 3/8 more or less.

If it’s just a bit loose, it’s possible u are between sizes and u needed the 59 anyway, u need to go on Amazon and get a cap ban nu pad, www.amazon.com/Cap-Ban-Nu-Padding-Disposable-Sweatband-Reducer/dp/B074KQ827R/ref=sr_1_41?gclid=CjwKCAjw5s6WBhA4EiwACGncZdjG4Cp9qAalWxOeIrhS9iYe_pFxzw41aDEL65tD_PX8ECn00JmMBxoCAogQAvD_BwE&hvadid=557290153881&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004400&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6342473633781392541&hvtargid=kwd-302970026378&hydadcr=8384_13470730&keywords=cap-ban-nu&qid=1658099491&sr=8-41 it’s a sticker, unpeeled off the backing and then put it under the leather sweatband,behind your head. That’ll work. Better buying it a little loose than a little tight, if u got the 58 and it was slightly tight,you’d be fighting with it for years, hats don’t stretch easily, but it’s a snap to tighten them up.

That’s a big, big jump.. from a size XL to a Medium. There is only one way I know, because using regular foam padding under the sweatband will be too lumpy, you’d need too much of it. u will have to invest $15-20 to do it, buy 3-4 of these pads: www.jjhatcenter.com/collections/hat-accessories/products/cotton-sizing Remove the adhesive backings and stick them inside,on the sweatband. Two in the back, behind your head. Doubled up..on top of each other. Put them on carefully, try to center them well, if u miss and put it on crookedly, peel it off and try again. Two pads in back. Then put one more pad in front, where the forehead goes. If the hat is still too big, add the 4th pad, and double up the one in front,(like u did in back) four pads should do it.. only way I know of, but it works and it’ll feel soft and comfy w those pads.

Wow that’s so good thanks so much your amazing love your videos

Hats vary a lot from hat to hat, yes.. more likely you measured slightly wrong, and you’re between sizes. Measuring is tough, you need to pull the tape as tight as you want a hat to feel, do it above the ears and on the brow bone,and to the nearest cm. Then you need to repeat the process 4-5 times, and average it out, it’s always going to be different, and you need to be very, very precise. Between 22 and 23 inches there is a lot of sizes, so you need to be very sure. And always give yourself a little extra room if you fall between sizes. You can easily tighten up a big hat, but if you buy it small, you’re screwed You probably ordered the right size and you’re between, moist people are. Just get the padding and put it behind your head, under the sweatband, the longer the tape, the tighter it goes, start with weather stripping,the adhesive kind. 3/8” wide or close to it. Use a 6” peice in back, extend it if you need more It’ll work for sure, don’t worry. Doing too right is a nightmare, you probably made the right choice, if you were at my shop, I’d adjust it in 30 seconds Get poly foam weather seal 3/8” and do what I said

@@quadrogong1111 Measuring your head is an art form lol And choosing a hat online is certainly difficult. Not many shops around me so at the end I had no choice but to make a decision and order online. I found something similar to the tape you suggested and it does make a difference. Still the hat is not broken in yet so I imagine the side to side wobbling is mostly due to the hat not yet molded to my head shape? The part of the hat under the sweatband is very rigid so I guess that’s why it still wobbles?

Анжелика Рулева there are stick on cotton sizing sweatbands we sell for $5 on our site, buy one or two, stick them in. ,it’ll do it www.jjhatcenter.com/collections/hat-accessories/products/cotton-sizing

Buy one of these disposable ones. It will stay in very firmly, Indefinitely , until u decide to change it, they’re five dollars and cotton, put it in front by your forehead,and remove the backing to the adhesive, it’s a strong,strong sticker backing. I use them on all of my hats for sweat protection, and when I remove my sweatbands on a hat that’s too tight, I stick one of these in, use it until it seems soiled, or “Unfresh” then replace it with w a new one. Might be a good idea to buy two if u wear the hat frequently. If not, one band will last a lifetime. www.jjhatcenter.com/collections/vendors?q=cap-ban-nu

You should have a podcast!#

It stays in the hat indefinitely, u just forget it’s there, (it’s a pad that tightens the hat..take it out,and the hat isn’t tight anymore)

That is 61 cm or extra large. Try peeling back the sweatband, there light be a size under there hiding, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-u36mCJUBib0.html watch this video and then this one ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fYpPDcEw0IM.html

Just Google HAT SIZE CHART and you can translate cm to inches

@@quadrogong1111 Cheers bro. Appreciated. Stay lucky. Joe, Scotland.

U just pad the inside sweat band with a product called cap ban nu on Amazon www.amazon.com/Cap-Ban-Nu-Padding-Disposable-Sweatband-Reducer/dp/B074KQ827R/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3R70VL6ZIHH4C&keywords=cap%2Bban%2Bnu%2Bpad&qid=1647465918&sprefix=red%2Bcap%2Bban%2Bnu%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1 It's a sticker and it's very good. Goes inside the hat, in back behind your head.

It would have to get rained on and then placed in a warm home, continuously...wet wool inside a warm,heated home in winter is like putting a sweater in the dryer. I can’t speculate how much time to shrink an inch, that’s impossible..someone who wears a hat 1x a week verses 2x would have totally different stats, It in general, you see guys with old,wool hats from 10-20 years ago, they’re always shrunken and then stretched out, while 10-20 years old fur felt hats may look a little soft,but they don’t shrink.. to enough to bother you, fur felt hats can last you a lifetime or longer, while wool hats, with rain and normal wear and tear, u will never get that..keep out of rain, and you’ll be fine.

@@quadrogong1111 Thanks for your reply! The thing is, my first ever hat (I received it yesterday) is actually slightly too big in size, like one centimeter, and I'll probably use the trick you show in the video to make it really fit.

Yes, if it has a sweatband inside, you can..if not, you need to buy a product called cap ban nu, that’s for hats without any sweatband to fit the padding under.www.villagehatshop.com/product/all/451139-1246/cotton-hat-sizer.html

The hat? Oh…that’s a custom built one from our workshop at JJ hats, the hat maker,Van made it. That’s an unusual hat, between a top hat and a fedora, kind of his own invention. Those can be made any way u want,any colors,band, brim width, it’s unlimited..he can make anything u can dream up. But a custom hat is crazy expensive, somewhere north of $750 … he makes hats for Cam Newton and folks like that.. he’ll make it tie dye, or glow in the dark, or with a python skin band .he makes sick stuff, he’s on Instagram Van Huyyn. something like that.. u Van find his IG pics on jjhatcenter.com too

Charlotte Copper I think I have more subs than Stetson, actually, but yeah.. thank u, 25 years doing the same job, I pick things up😀

Nah, that’s serious coffee overdose,I used to be a serious workaholic, I quit coffee, but my very old videos I still look jittery

Exactly, fold it up, put in back to tighten and in front to absorb sweat.. same thing, that’s what all the old men do..foam is the same concept. Except but the foam doesn’t move, or deteriorate..U kind of forget about it, it’ll last for decades..

@@quadrogong1111 i replace the paper towel every few weeks. my dad had the same paper towel for years. he gave me the hat, and the towel was rock hard.