Stretching and shaping is the ultimate game changer for fitted cap enthusiasts....I've met so many people that have given up on fitted caps because of very valid issues that steam can fix
Doug changed my whole world once I watched his stretching video last year. Once I had the tools and the knowledge, I started buying and collecting way more heavily. Invaluable information!
I just thought the sizes varied cause they had different tape measures at the NE factories. Thank god this video was made and glad you did it. I had wanted to do a topic video on this for a while (i still will with extra talking points) but this was greatly done.
Ordering a new era 59fifty is one big lottery. Sometimes the crown is very low and shaped like the pointy end of an egg, sometimes it's comically tall and box shaped. 7 3/8 can be huge for me while another 7 3/8 sits on the top of my head like a kippah. I think it's kinda strange since these caps are about 40-50 bucks.
I got away from fitted caps for about ten years and only recently started wearing them again with play rec softball and umpiring. Great info cause I absolutely dislike flexfit cause they’re crap imo. Thanks!
I wear 7 1/8 or 1/4 and I once had a hat that fit me that was a 7 . Like you said they vary from ca to cap that’s why sometimes my hat sizes are different lol
Good to see a new upload from you! I've had a bit of a lucky streak lately, most all the hats I've bought in the past 2 weeks have come in fitting great from the start. It also helped that I was pleasantly surprised with wool hats. The newest bandana undervisors collections (green, blue and pink) all came in wool. Of course, I long ago purchased a hat jack after watching your stretching video. With that and good teapot for steam, I've become a master stretcher/fitter. 😁 On another note, it seems the Detroit "D" logo with the tiger in it is coming back out this spring. ECap City and Hat Club have both released hats with that logo recently and I've heard there's much more to come soon. I've been on a search for good Detroit hats lately.
Hey Jason, thanks for the comments. Yeah, I tried to snag that Tigers reissue at Hat Club recently but it was gone in less than 40 seconds, in my estimation. Hopefully more on the way like you said.
with my 2 fitted cap i realized that i made a mistake when getting 7 1/2. At the time my dreads that i was growing was compacted which got me to buy 7 1/2 tho realized that the hat it self felt a little compact while the 7 5/8 had a tiny bit more space. And by using anaolgy i realized 7 5/8 should of been my stand size but 7 1/2 would be my one size low and 7 3/4 should of been my one size up. When I had my hair down 7 1/2 never fitted me properly even felt bit tight but i had to wear it differently push it down so it fit half way. I feel like 7 5/8 or 7 3/4 would be enough depending how i have my hair. by the way I have short dreads.
It is frustrating and I believe New Era should definitely take action. There are several user complaints and the company should ensure standardized, consistent products so that consumers don't have to waste time and money searching for the right fit, especially when our heads sizes remain constant! (only changing with hairstyle, obviously). We understand there are manual processes, but quality control should reduce such variations... For e.g. caps made in Bangladesh often have significantly higher crowns compared to those from China/US.
The material that the cap is made from also plays a roll, I have a cap that is a 7 1/8 size that’s is made of 80% Acrylic/20% wool and fits perfect but if the the cap is 100% polyester I have to get a size 7
Just got 2 hats in the mail today and one of them was just a funky made hat, plus a bit big. I get those super weird funky feeling ones every now and then. Too bad because it was kinda a unique variation of the design.
Hi Doug, this video (thank you) gave me an idea for a video for your channel: Dissection of a fitted cap! Anatomy of a fitted cap! One of your old or ill--fitting caps and an exacto knife, how fun! Show us the sizing band, the buckram, how is the buckram attached to the panel, how is the visor stitched to the cap, what’s inside the visor (cardboard?), what’s in the top button, what do the panels look like flattened out, etc. You get the drift. I think it’d be a classic video, and get “eyeballs” and have “legs” over many years. Fun! Thanks for considering it. 🧢
Great idea, and I’m happy to say that I did a cap teardown in a previous video (some enjoyed the fact that it was an Astros cap that was past its prime...) You can find it at my channel videos tab, or search 59Fifty construction or teardown, thanks!
Great video. More companies need to request certain NE factories and also LIST the factory that is used. For example, I will not buy Bangladesh NE hats - the crown is massive and looks goofy. China has the best fit by far imo, and to a lesser extent Haiti (though I don't see Haiti as often).
Agreed - wish we could see the manufacturing origin for the caps when buying online. I actually made a whole video about caps from Bangladesh, ICYI you can find that on my channel videos page, thanks.
I got a 7-1/2 which looks like my standard and then I can fit a 7-1/4 also, but when I curved my 7-1/2 it looks too loose now. 7-3/8 meanwhile, fits snug to me.
You're in between size chart measurements - so because of the variation in caps, there is no substitute for finding some caps to try on in a store. That's probably the only way to zero in on the consistent "right size" for you.
Did you buy a cap? What size ? I also have a head circumference of 58 cm, so I have the same problem and I can't try on cap. P.S. the cap I want to order is only available in size 7 3/8 i.e. 58.7 cm.
Just my two cents, recently I was in store trying on 9forties (one size, adjustable), some fitted perfectly, some looked ridiculous, like it was a completely different crown shape. Few weeks ago I ordered two 9forties online, one looks great, has a similar strong crown to 59fifty, the other looks nothing like the first one, has a very soft small crown and I look f stupid in it
the size variation also has to do with thickness of the sweatband inside. Veitnam hats are thicker, bangladesh are thin. not sure about china, laos and haiti
Sometimes the sizes vary even more than a size up or down in my opinion, I remember trying on a on field reds hat at hibbets sports some years back when I had less hair even and the 7 3/8 was ridiculously tight, I could barely force it on, they didn't have that one in 7 1/2 to try on.. Recently decided I still wanted one and 7 1/2 should be good since I actually got to try one on at the reds shop and it fit well, and this 7 1/2 I ordered from fanatics is a bit too loose even after doing some minimal shrinking, I don't want to ruin the hat.. Just sucks that they can be that inconsistent in sizing at times, I should had just got the one from the team shop at the stadium but it was 20$ more and figured I'd save a bit of money on the same thing, but gee..
Yep, agreed - there are "large" and "small" versions of the same size, and when I've overcompensated by going up or down a size, I've gotten burned by the same thing. I have actually returned some that I did not think would work even after stretching or shrinking.
Dre, an issue I’ve noticed with a few hats I’ve received recently is that the “well” or 6 panel portion of the hat is too shallow. Meaning it may fit circumference wise, but the actual bucket portion of the hat that goes around your head is too shallow to pull down all the way. Have you encountered this?
Yes, I usually refer to that as the crown height... and it definitely varies widely from cap to cap. The Low profiles are the only ones that I haven’t been able to pull down completely though. Thanks for the question
Buying fittys online sux. But we gotta sometimes. I got some hat shims, they work ok. The hat will fit but it's not that custom smooth look u get from a perfect fitty. Often the crowns still to high. No hat jack yet but I'm lookin at em. I typically just eventually give the bigger ones to my boys after I'm tierd of trying them on & being pissed they dont fit. If u got a homey that's close to ur size that wears fittys like u. He probably got one that will fit u better then it fit him too. 💪🤷🏻♂️
What are the size incriminates?! Meaning how much by inches are they apart with each size? I’m going for 7-3/8 but may go with 7-1/2, but wondering how much by inches it’s going to be larger?
Hmm, I think you're asking about the circumference difference, in which case you just need to multiply the sizes by pi (the increment is going to be constant though, since it's 1/8 in.*pi.) Or just look at a size chart and convert the cm measurements to inches because those are already circumference.
With the variation in caps, it's only possible to learn your true size by trying on or buying a few caps - it's almost like you're finding the average of which size fits best. And when you do find it, I'd just be sure to invest in a hat jack for stretching and a steamer or teakettle for steam shrinking.
Thanks for the tips, I like your videos . Straight to the topic. Do someone know how Hat Club works? Does new era made them special hats for an specific collection ? Or they are replica of new era?
How can I size a 59fifty in store when I want to wear it with a curved brim? How can I tell that it'll fit me after I curve the brim? I'm between sizes so sometimes when I buy a size and bring it home it becomes too loose after curving the brim.. but the size below is too tight when testing in store with a flat brim.
You can flex the visor when in store and it's on your head without making the curve "permanent". If you flex just a bit you can get a sense for how much room you'll get. I talked about this in a video called "Why So Much Shrinking?" because it seems many go with a bigger size in-store. I also recommend getting a Hat Jack to stretch caps when they are still a little too tight after curving the visor. My channel has tons more videos on these topics too, thanks.
My original size is a 7 3/8 but I recently bought a lids hat which is also 7 3/8 and it fits a little tight. Would you say I should size up once for lids purchases ?
No, as mentioned during the video, the next one you get might be quite different... I just did a FAQ on stuff like this, you should check it out - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pvWdhpJ7Rg0.html
So I normally wear a 7 5/8 but it’s always a loose fit but I bought a 71/2 because my size wasn’t available no more do you think I can edit it to fit more like a 5/8 ? Well not loose loose but comfortable?
I appreciate your videos. I have learned so much. One idea for a future video: Recently I have been seeing (and buying) more caps with white headbands. In the past, I have tried to avoid these since they can be hard to keep clean looking but this seems harder to do now. How do you prevent the yellowing/browning of white headbands? Any tips for cleaning the white headband and returning them to a cleaner looking state?
That’s a good question for the retro white sweatbands... I don’t have any immediate ideas outside of my videos on cleaning, but will add that to the list, thanks!
Hey Doug, there's a hat that I like in an online store, sadly it only has 7 7/8 left (my size is 7 3/4), is it still fit good if i not shrink it ? I'm afraid it'll be to big for up 1 size..
My suggestion would be to take some pics and get a return authorization from the vendor - it sounds like a very visible defect and they should replace it for you if you return that one. Not saying that they will do it, but I would def let them know that you got a bad cap, it happens.
Good request, and I've made two prior videos on cleaning (at my channel still), but for white caps specifically I would defer to others. You may want to search/check out an associate of mine called The Captician, thanks.
Lids doesn't carry sizes over 8, additionally i feel like the bill is never wide enough to compliment my face. what should i do, does new era do custom one-offs? or is there some company out there that makes true XL snapbacks?
@@dreinthe616 stinks because my grandad left me a few snapbacks from the 80's and 90's that fit me no problem, messed up and goodwilled what i had when i was trying to get rid of stuff i didn't wear often and now that im in the market for one every single snapback i find is cut like it's made for little kids, and every seller i contact says they don't make customs. Frustrating.
This channel is amazing. Keep up the good work. I wear a 7 1/8 and I ordered a hat off lids and it’s a little tight. I know I’ll be buying more fitteds in the future so I ordered a hat jack. Thank you 🙏🏻
I usually prefer stretching over shrinking, but you usually need a hat jack to stretch a cap effectively. Best thing you can do is find some fitted caps in a store where you can try many caps and sizes on - should give you a better sense of what size to buy if you go online. And here's a shortcut to "shrinking" if you find it's too large - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6z4atFY3M9E.html
If you trust your measurement, that's actually slightly closer to the 7-7/8... that's what I'd probably go for, unless you have a hat jack already and don't mind stretching a little bit. But if you've got a Lids or other store nearby, I'd go there and try a few caps on to get a sense for them too. Last note, if you prefer a curved visor, that adds a little extra room. Thanks!
I rotate them to shelves in a closet when not using them on these shelves, and they are stacked in the closet, so only one cap is exposed at a time. Here's how I store them - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AHeoO5awIC4.html - thanks
I recently got a hat 7 1/8 and wear it just like you all the way to the fore head and when I take it off I get the line on my forehead would you recommend going up a size
Chances are you've got an oval or long oval head shape (actual terms) like me... it's why I stretch and shape just about every cap I have with a hat jack. Watch one of my first videos to see why it's important - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8N-EL-rmgIc.html - if you haven't seen it already, thanks!
@@dreinthe616 thanks I will make sure to it was from Lids and then I got one from hat club same size but it was from Indonesia fits a little lose not to much
If it's a more recent New Era, It's a fiber and resin composite visor... you could try to iron it flat to remove the dent, but that's something I have not done. Just watch the heat setting carefully, and use another layer of fabric to make sure you don't singe the cap fabric and make it shiny.
I get 7 1/4 in all my new era fitted hats , but I recently measured my head and it’s 22.5-22.75 inches should I be buying 7 3/8? I do bend my hats slightly making it not as snug, my hats fit snug not tight but I do get a mark on my forehead for like 10 sec and goes away but there not extremely tight it’s proboly my forehead
Like I mentioned in the video, I'd recommend a hat jack so that you can give caps that are a little smaller that stretch. Or if you want to try the 7-3/8, you can always give it a shrink.
Hello, can i ask? I wear some cap and i am not comfortable to wear it cause i doesn't match to my face shape/head. I have a small face shape/hade cause i'm a skinny guy. What vap should i buy or to wear? Please kindly help me.
You should consider lower profile caps - New Era makes a low-crown version of the standard cap called the "Low Profile 59Fifty", and there are also stretch-fitted cap types from both New Era and 47 Brand that have lower crown shapes. I did a review of New Era styles here - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-76w4oEVCMWI.html - that might help, thanks.
Yes. By setting a sample size of 12 you would be increasing the likelihood of finding two or more caps where you can't spot or feel the differences. But there's enough human touches during the manufacturing process that there will inevitably be variation.
Hey! Thanks for all the information through your videos, they've been helpful. I'm going to order a few 59fifty low profile caps online, if you could give your opinion on the sizing, that'll be great! I measured according to new era guidelines and the exact fit on my head is 7 1/4 according to the measuring tape. Should I go for the same size or a size above/below 7 1/4? Thanks so much.
Normally, stick with your measured size... I believe I made a point to emphasize that in this video, and to simply have tools and techniques available to stretch or shrink accordingly. For the LP caps, you can probably go up 1/8, especially if you need a little more room due to the lower crown, thanks.
I have not personally heard anything about that, and I saw that the latest NFL draft collection was also offered in the 9Forty, so maybe any rumors of that are not based in fact.
@@mm6198 Hmm, not sure if I ever knew the difference, I mostly pay attention to fitted and sometimes stretch fitted. You may be on to something, though, I see that "49forty" is not a listed type in the headwear styles banner at New Era, and every single one (of 63) in stock is marked down to a clearance price.
thank you for the information. I bought some NYCSC from Major League Soccer 59fifty cap base on my head size which is 7, it should be fitted in my head but once I wear it, it does fit in my head but I start to feel the cap squeezing my head and got a bit headache. I just don't understand this since it should be fit. hopefully, you can show us how to stretch or size up a bit the 59fifty cap
As mentioned in the video, I have many other videos that show you how to stretch, shape, edit or maintain your fitted caps. Please find the links in the video description, or go to my channel and locate those videos, thanks.
okay so ive been trying to find a hat for my dude & idk what size to get him it’s in between 7 1/2 or 7 5/8 (7 is too small/his head don’t fit in the hat also keep in mind his heads kinda big.) what do u recommend me ordering ? .
This is a very frequent question on my channel, which is why I did the FAQ video - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pvWdhpJ7Rg0.html - if you don't have a hat jack, you won't be able to stretch a cap that is too small, so unless you're getting one of those too, I'd go with the larger size and come back to my channel if you need ideas on how to shrink it a little bit.
Bought a hat on MLBshop… it’s too small. Very sad. 9.99 to return. Womp Womp. Never really expected a fitted hat to not be the right size lol. Isn’t that the whole point of a fitted sized hat? 😂
Yes, one would think so... there's a couple of steps that allow for variation, and unfortunately it's hard to use the word 'craftsmanship' when describing the process and pace of the cap assembly.
Bros, a lot of these comments are going off topic by saying “oh vietnam made caps are sized….” . Bros, bros we are talking about one cap only, New Era fitted caps ONLY. Ok? Next the easiest and best way to buy these fitted new era cap is to buy one size bigger then your normal size. Its that simple. The reason is the sizes vary like crazy. And to be honest, i dont feel its about made in different factories. The real reason is they make the same size vary on PURPOSE, so they make more money. You buy your normal legit size, lets say like my size in New Era is 7 5/8. But i buy one that size online and its to tight and doesnt fit like they normally do. So, New Era knows the majority of people will buy the cap and not return because they will try to stretch the cap. But you realize that even stretching it it still does not fill like its supposed to, then you go head and spend more money on a bigger size so you can get a better and more comfortable fit. So now New Era just sold you 2 caps and they got double there money if they made all there caps to fit exactly the same. Its all on purpose guys that they f**k up the sizes. That being said, the best option is to buy one size bigger then your normal size. And then by doing this you say “F**k you New Era for being A-holes.” So what some of you will say to my advice is “Well I bought the one size up and now its way to big bro, u suck.” Well, over time the cap will shrink. So if you wait a few months it will fit perfect. Now another pro tip is if you want it to shrink faster, then do this. Put your cap in a plastic bag, it does not need to be air tight. But at least make sure its closed plastic bag over your cap. Then put it outside in your backyard under your back patio cover if you have one. If not put put it in the backyard in the summer time and put a a piece of cardboard over the cap so the sun does not damage it. And leave it outside all day. Do this for maybe a week at the most. And the cap will shrink DRASTICALLY. So only do this if the cap is huge to big when you bought the one one size bigger. And the reason I know this stuff works is because i had to learn the hard way. I actually bought a special edition new era fitted cap my proper normal size and i actually never wore it for a year. I kept it sealed in the plastic bag that they ship them in. And in my room on all day in the summer when im at work i dont have the AC on so it gets like 90 degrees when i get home. So that happened for a year. And i finally just opened my cap for the first time out the sealed plastic shipping bag and tried to wear it and it was way to small to the point it dont fit at all and nothing can fix it. Now heres another pro tip that most these youtubes dont talk about. When you go to New Era web site and theres a new model fitted cap, like the special one off caps they always do for your MLB team. Those caps they on purpose always make your official size you wear to small. Always bros. So always buy a size bigger for those and it will fit you normal. My theory is there machines they use to make there special edition caps is off by one size to small. For example since i learned of this problem. Like i had bought a New Era Mickey Mouse fitted cap. And based on they always make the size one size smaller . Instead of buying my normal size of 7 5/8 i had to buy a 7 3/4 and it fits like a 7 5/8. But bottomline is. Find your legit size that most the caps you try on fit you. Then just always buy ONE size bigger and you will never ever have a problem of the cap being to small or to tight. And if its to big, then it will shrink and u know how to shrink it. Like i bought a Seattle Mariners special edition which was a dark navy color and had in big white letters “SEA” on the front. It was a New Era fitted. And i bought one size bigger so i bought a size 7 3/4 and it actually fit bigger then normal because like i said the special editions normally fit to small in your legit size so go big and the bigger size fits normal. But this time this special edition was big. And like i said, i just kept it in my room abd the heat from the summer heat when im at work and coming home to a hot house, after about 2 months it shrank to fit just right. ✌️