The cockade stiffens the side a bit, but if you make it too stiff, it would look like a caubeen instead of a bonnet. I would not recommend it personally. And the way the US Army shapes their berets is not appealin in my opinion, either.

I think a bonnet should have a nice, soft, "slouchy" (for sake of a better word) look to it. It shouldn't look new or stiff. I have berets (I collect hats) with and without the inside stiffener, and I just like it better with out. A bonnet certainly should be without, I think.

I have pursued the choice of a lighter badge as the solution. I steer clear of those heavy pewter badges, and I even quit using my USMC badge that used the brass hat device with a pewter belt because it was just too heavy. I have fhoulnd that will diligent searching at the games, I can find lighter badges that look better.

Just a thought.