Essential accessories to customize fit, protect your investment, and maintain your Conner Hat. From sizing strips to waterproofing spray, find everything you need to keep your hat fitting perfectly and looking its best.Hats can stretch up to half a size with regular wear, especially in warm conditions where heat and moisture soften materials like felt, wool, and leather (Ultrafino Hat Care Guide, 2019).
Even the best handmade hat needs the right accessories. Whether your hat is slightly too large, you're heading into wet weather, or you want to add a custom hatband, these essentials help you get more wear and better performance from your Conner Hat.
Hats stretch over time, or sometimes the fit falls between standard sizes. Self-adhesive foam sizing strips solve both problems. These sweat-resistant foam strips adhere to the inside of your hat's sweatband, reducing the internal diameter for a snug, secure fit.Two strips reduce your hat by approximately half a size, while four strips reduce a full size—allowing you to customize fit without returning the hat (Ultrafino, 2024).
Nikwax Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray creates a durable water-repellent barrier on cotton, canvas, leather, and wool hats. One 4.2oz bottle treats multiple hats and restores water resistance to materials that have lost their original coating.Nikwax is trusted by outdoor professionals and has been formulating eco-friendly waterproofing treatments since 1977, offering water-based formulas that don't contain harmful fluorocarbons (Nikwax, 2024).
When to use it: Before your first wear on new hats, after cleaning, or when you notice water soaking in rather than beading off. Spray-on application takes minutes and dries clear without changing the hat's color or texture.
Materials it protects: Organic cotton, canvas, oilskin, waxed cotton, leather (smooth and suede), and wool felt. Not recommended for straw or raffia hats.
Hand-Braided Australian Leather Hat Bands
Swap the standard hatband for a hand-braided leather upgrade. These bands are crafted in Byron Bay, Australia, in the same workshop where Bill Conner started making leather hats in 1969. Each band features traditional four-strand braiding and fits most hat styles with standard grosgrain ribbon bands.Each band is hand-braided using traditional four-strand techniques developed in Byron Bay, where Bill Conner established BC Hats in 1969—making this the same workshop that created Australia's first leather hat with a shapeable brim (Conner Hats History).
Customization: Adds a rugged, Western-inspired look to fedoras, outback hats, and gambler styles. Available in black, brown, tan, and natural leather tones.
Hat Clips: Secure Your Hat in Wind or During Travel
Two clip options solve different problems:
Wind clip: Attaches your hat to your shirt or jacket collar, preventing it from blowing off in gusty conditions. Essential for boating, hiking exposed ridges, or windy beach days.
Luggage clip: Secures your hat to the outside of your backpack or suitcase, keeping the crown's shape intact during travel without crushing it inside your bag.
| Number of Strips | Size Reduction | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 strips | Quarter to half size | Fine-tuning fit, hats that stretched slightly |
| 3–4 strips | Half to full size | Between-size fit, significantly stretched hats |
| Full circumference | Up to two sizes | Major size reduction (check mirror first—oversized hats can look comical) |
Two adhesive foam strips reduce your hat by approximately half a size. Four strips reduce a full size. Each strip is 6 inches long and 1/8-inch thick. You can trim them to fit specific areas (front and back of the crown, or sides for long face shapes) or line the entire circumference for maximum reduction. The foam is sweat-resistant and won't lose adhesion during regular wear.
For most head shapes, place one strip at the front of the crown and one at the back, behind the sweatband with the adhesive side facing the hat wall. For long or narrow faces, placing strips on the sides (left and right) may be more comfortable. Test the fit before removing the adhesive backing—wear the hat with strips in place to confirm placement, then peel and stick.
Nikwax Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray works on cotton, canvas, oilskin, waxed cotton, leather (smooth and suede), and wool felt hats. Do not use on straw hats (raffia, palm, shantung) or hats with delicate embellishments. Always test on a small, inconspicuous area first. Spray outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, hold the bottle 6 inches from the hat, and apply an even coat. Let dry completely (2-4 hours) before wearing.
Quality hat sizing strips use gentle adhesive designed specifically for hats—not heavy-duty weather stripping, which can crack straw and leave sticky residue. Conner's adhesive sizing strips use sweat-resistant foam with adhesive that holds securely but removes cleanly. Avoid using generic foam weather stripping from hardware stores, which uses industrial adhesive not meant for contact with skin or delicate hat materials.
Measure your head circumference just above your eyebrows and ears using a flexible tape measure. Match your measurement to this chart: Small (21.5-22 inches / 54-56 cm), Medium (22-22.75 inches / 56-58 cm), Large (22.75-23.5 inches / 58-60 cm), X-Large (23.5-24.25 inches / 60-62 cm). If your measurement falls between sizes, order the larger size and use adhesive sizing strips to fine-tune the fit. Many Conner styles include adjustable drawstrings or elastic bands for additional customization.
Yes, but it requires some care. Most Conner Hats use grosgrain ribbon hatbands stitched or glued to the crown. To replace with a leather hatband: carefully remove the existing band (use a seam ripper for stitched bands), wrap the new leather band around the crown at the same position, and secure the ends with fabric glue or hand-stitching. If you're uncomfortable doing this yourself, a local tailor or shoe repair shop can install a new band in minutes.
The wind clip (hat-to-collar clip) works on any hat with a structured brim—fedoras, outback hats, cowboy hats, sun hats, and bucket hats. It clips to the underside of the brim and attaches to your shirt or jacket collar with a small alligator clip. The luggage clip works on hats with grosgrain ribbon bands or sturdy sweatbands—it clips to the band and attaches to backpack straps, luggage handles, or carabiner loops.
