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    Hat Bands & Hat Accessories

    The small things that make a good hat yours. Tie on a new hat band: the hand-braided Australian leather hat band or the turquoise feather hat band, both made to fit cowboy hats, outback hats and fedoras.

    Hat a little loose? Our adhesive size-reducing strips work as a simple hat size reducer: tuck one behind the inner band at the forehead, and add a second at the back if needed. Two free size inserts come with every hat. 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).

    Guides for choosing your hat

    Useful Details, Family Made

    • Fit support: Adhesive strips and an adjustable Velcro strap help address a hat that feels loose.
    • Distinctive materials: Australian leather, feathers, fabric, and stainless steel appear across the collection’s accessories and companion goods.
    • Practical construction: Braided leather, clip-on designs, spray-on care, and adjustable sizing give each item a clear purpose.
    • Family origin: Bill Conner learned leatherwork in St. Augustine in 1969, emigrated to Australia in 1970, and made hats in Byron Bay for over 50 years.
    • Conner commitment: Conner Hats offers a Limited Lifetime Guarantee (50% off if lost or stolen) covering workmanship failure. The guarantee also includes a 50% off code to replace the same hat if yours is ever lost or stolen.
    Nikwak bottle 4.2oz Spray-On for all Conner Hats
    Conner Hats One Size / Black Hat Band - Hand Braided Australian Leather

    Match Accessory To Use

    Start with the problem you want to solve. If your hat feels loose, compare the Adhesive Size-Reducing Strips with the Aussie Golf Hat Velcro Size Strap: strips provide an internal adjustment, while the strap is adjustable. Check the listed option—Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XLarge, or XXLarge—when choosing a sized item; one-size and one-size-adjustable products offer a different approach.

    For style, choose the Hat Band - Hand Braided Australian Leather or Feather Turquoise Hat Band. For windy conditions, consider the Hat and Cap Clip for the wind. Use Nikwax Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray for compatible fabric or leather care. The Hat Bag Clip suits luggage, while the Recycled Sun Hoodie, Stainless Steel Cup, and Koala Lover Cap are useful beyond hat customization.

    Complete Your Hat: Accessories for Perfect Fit & Lasting Care

    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.

    Hat Sizing Strips: Reduce Up to One Full Size

    Hats stretch over time, or sometimes the fit falls between standard sizes. Self-adhesive foam sizing strips solve both problems. These strips adhere to the inside of your hat's sweatband, reducing the internal diameter for a snugger fit and allowing you to customize fit without returning the hat (Ultrafino, 2024).

    • How much they adjust: Two strips reduce your hat by approximately half a size. Four strips reduce a full size. The 1/8-inch thick foam is soft against your skin and won't cause irritation during all-day wear.
    • Who needs them: Hat wearers whose size falls between standard measurements (Small, Medium, Large, X-Large), anyone whose hat has stretched from regular use, or buyers who prefer to size up for comfort and fine-tune the fit with strips.

    Waterproofing Spray: Keep Your Hat Dry in Any Weather

    Nikwax Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray creates a durable water-repellent barrier on cotton, canvas, leather, and wool hats. One 4.2oz bottle covers multiple hats and restores water resistance to materials that have lost it. Nikwax is trusted by outdoor professionals and has been formulating waterproofing products 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, where Bill Conner has made leather hats for over 50 years. 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—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)

    FAQs

    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.

    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 help fine-tune hat fit. 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 1/4-21 5/8 inches / 54-55 cm), Medium (22-22 3/8 inches / 56-57 cm), Large (22 3/4-23 1/4 inches / 58-59 cm), X-Large (23 1/2-24 inches / 60-61 cm), XX-Large (24 3/8-24 3/4 inches / 62-63 cm), XXX-Large (25 1/8 inches / 64 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. Some Conner Hats use grosgrain ribbon hatbands spot-stitched 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.

    Adhesive Size-Reducing Strips are intended to reduce the internal fit, while the Aussie Golf Hat Velcro Size Strap offers an adjustable option. Choose between them based on whether you want an internal strip or a visible adjustable strap, and check the available size or one-size listing before ordering.

    The Hat Band - Hand Braided Australian Leather offers a braided leather look. The Feather Turquoise Hat Band gives your hat a different decorative style. Consider the appearance you want and confirm that the band’s listed fit is suitable for your hat before purchasing.

    Nikwax Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray is the care item in this collection for fabric and leather. It is offered as a 4.2oz spray-on product. Check your hat’s material and the product directions before applying it, rather than assuming one product suits every hat.

    The Hat and Cap Clip for the wind is the collection’s specifically named wind accessory. The Hat Bag Clip for Luggage serves a different purpose: carrying or attaching a hat to luggage. Choose the wind clip for securing a hat or cap during breezy use.