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Cowboy Hats and Sizing

Since your new cowboy hat is an investment that can last a lifetime,

It is important to have your cowboy hat fit correctly.

If it is too tight, you will get headaches. If it is too loose, it'll fall off.

So here is how to measure your hat size:

Measure around your head about 3/4 of an inch above ear where your hat will be worn.

(A cloth tape measure such as a seamstress or tailor uses is ideal.)

It is usually helpful to have someone help you.

Pull the tape tight to measure within 1/8".

Read off the number and use the chart below to determine your hat size.

That's the way it's done. Simple!

Adult Hat Measurements
Head Size		Hat Size
Inches	Cm.	Hat Size
21	53	6 – 5/8	XS
21 –1/2	54	6 –3/4	S
21 –5/8	55	6 – 7/8	S
22 – 1/8	56	7	M
22 – 1/2	57	7 –1/8	M
23	58	7 –1/4	L
23 – 3/8	59	7 – 3/8	L
23 –3/4	60	7 –1/2	XL
24	61	7 – 5/8	XL
24 –1/2	62	7 –3/4	XXL
25	63	7 –7/8	XXL

Children's Hat Measurements
Hat Size	6 1/8	6 1/4	6 3/8	6 1/2	6 5/8	6 3/4	6 7/8
Inches	19 1/8	19 1/2	20	20 1/4	20 3/4	21 1/2	21 3/4
Metric	49	50	51	52	53	54	55

Hats come in sizes with 1/8-inch increments. The common sizes are between 6 3/4 to 7 3/8. The problem is if you go to a dozen hat websites for a definition of sizes you will get different results. One site tells us a size 7 1⁄2 is 23 3⁄4 inches. Another thinks it’s 23 5⁄8 inches. Others say it is 23 1⁄2 inches.

The only safe way to get the right size is to measure your head.

If you have a hat and you like the way it fits, put it on.

Measure your head with a cloth measuring tape from the sewing department at your local department store. Measure in the same place your favorite hat fits on your head. You are measuring where the hat band fits.

If you don’t have a hat that fits well, measure around your head, two finger widths above your eyebrow and one finger width above your ear.

One manufacturer uses this chart for hat size, but I recommend you order by head measurement.

In addition to hat size, heads come in different shapes.

To accommodate different shapes cowboy hats usually come in 3 different fits.

Regular oval

Long oval

Round oval

Stetson makes mostly regular oval and round oval

Resistol makes long oval and round oval

Larry Mahan hats are made wider at the temple.

Brims come in various sizes 3 ½ inch, 4 inch, 5 inch and larger.

Crowns can be shaped in cattleman, 3 finger pinch, brick, etc.

Hat fit is your preference. A tight fitting hat stays on better but might take some getting accustomed to.

Top 6 Cowboy Hat Styles

If the only one you can think of is the Ten-Gallon Hat, then you need a quick brush up on cowboy hat styles. To give you a bit of history, the first cowboy hat to achieve mass popularity in America was the Boss of the Plains, created by the legendary John B. Stetson in 1865. This soft felt hat had a high crown with no creases, and a version of this hat can still be seen from time to time.

Of the countless cowboy hat styles that have been created over the years, here are a few classics that are still being worn today:

The Nevada: This popular style has a flat brim and a flat crown, giving it a smooth, sophisticated look. It’s very similar in style to the Gambler and often features an attractive woven band.
The Gambler: If you’ve ever seen an old Western movie, then you’ll recognize this style right away because it’s the one that the gambling man always wore when he came to the saloon to clean everyone out. Originating in Mexico, it has a large, flat brim to protect the wearer from the sun. Its low, flat crown was designed to protect the head from hot air accumulating. It’s extremely popular in black, although white Gamblers have a following as well.
The Gus: This classic style has a high crown with three deep indentations. The crown slopes toward the front, and legend has it that this is the exact spot that cowboys used to grab hold of when they took their hats off to ladies entering the room.
The Cattleman: Considered by some to be the most popular style of cowboy hat today, the Cattleman looks like everyone’s idea of the traditional cowboy hat, as seen in thousands of Hollywood movies. It has three creases in the top of the crown and a brim that slightly curves. With its low crown, it’s especially designed to stay on tight in windy, rainy weather.
The Dakota: The Dakota is distinguished by a broad rectangular indentation in the top of the crown and has a slightly curving brim. It’s a favorite with bull riders at rodeos.
The Pinch Front: This style has a deep indentation on each side of the front of the crown. It’s especially popular with cowgirls, because its sloping “pinched” front elongates the face and makes it look thinner.

Do you have a favorite style of cowboy hat?

Tips For Buying a Cowboy Hat

Buying a cowboy hat can become an ordeal when shopping online especially, if a person is not armed with the proper information on how to execute the task. It can, however, become a piece of cake, if one follows certain tips and guidelines in how to properly make their purchase. Then, a buyer should be able to locate the type of hat they are looking for, in their price range.

What to Look for When Making a Purchase

Before buyers proceed on the internet trail to pick out a cowboy hat, there are certain preliminary steps that should be taken prior to shopping. From there, they can hone in on their purchases and make a decision. Shoppers should know their size, be familiar with the brands, be versed in the materials used in the manufacture, be aware of the condition of the hat if it is not new and lastly, know their prices.

Choose a Size

Knowing the size before purchasing a cowboy hat is imperative and a buyer must obtain a measurement of their head prior to shopping. Head circumference is properly measured about an inch above the eyebrows. The actual size is converted to 3/8 of an inch per size. However, experts advise that the best calculation method to use is the centimeter system. If a buyer's head measures at 54 centimeters, the size converts to 6 3/4, or for someone whose head is 55 centimeters, the size is 6 7/8. Hat sizes come in increments of one-eighth of an inch. For measurements in between, it is recommended to seek the larger size, as hats that fit too small can cause headaches. Below is a size conversion chart for adults and children.

Popular Cowboy Hat Brands

Buyers should familiarize themselves with the known cowboy hat brands available for purchase before investing in one. Among some of the popular names are: Stetson, American Hat Co., Resistol, Larry Mahan, Justin, Tony Lama, and the Monte Carlo Hat Company.

Cowboy Hat Materials

Cowboy hats can vary in design and look based on the materials used in their construction. Felt is a commonly used material, deriving typically from wool. Straw is another typical option available for a cowboy hat purchase. Sisal Straw, which originates from Mexico and Central America, is a popular variety of straw because it is lightweight, yet has stiffened fibers. Bull hide is one of the signature materials that the Monte Carlo Hat Company utilizes in their designs, which hails from the hide of an older female or male cow. The hide is next chemically and manually manipulated to strengthen and toughen the material.

Hat Condition

When purchasing a cowboy hat, it is most advised to buy a hat in new, never worn condition. Although some claim they have barely worn the gently used cowboy hats for sale, it is still not advisable for health reasons to wear hats that have belonged to others. Additionally, a hat that has been worn by someone else has already been broken in and fitted to that person's head. Instead, buyers should opt for a new cowboy hat within their price range. An exception would be an antique cowboy hat, purchased for the purpose of a collection and for display only.

Cowboy Hat Pricing

Depending on the quality of a cowboy hat, prices can hover in the children's sizes up to $30. For a new adult-sized cowboy hat, buyers should be ready to spend in the range of $50 to $400, depending on the brand and materials used. Shipping charges should also be factored in to the purchase. If a free shipping offer does not apply, buyers should be aware that the cost can begin at about $10 or more because of the unusual size of the hat, which in turn will necessitate a larger shipping carton.

How to Care For Your Hat

Cowboy hats and cowgirl hats are popular pieces of attire that are emblematic of the North American cowboy culture. They are worn regularly by ranch workers in northern Mexico, western and southern United States, and western Canada. This type of hat is instantly recognizable for its wide-brimmed shape, with Stetson cowboy hats among the most popular brands. Most are typically made of soft-felt (either made from wool or fur) that is lightweight, smooth, and durable. Other cowboy hats are made of straw or occasionally leather. By following a few simple care tips, owners will ensure that their cowboy hats remain in good condition and will last for many years to come.

Cowboy Hat Storage

Here are some general rules for storage with the key to all of it being - don't put pressure on the crown or brim as this may eventually cause the hat to lose its shape.

If you do have to lay it on a flat surface, do so with the brim up and crown down to minimize stress on the brim. Laying it brim down will slowly warp the shape of the brim (unless it's a simple flat, round brim).

Hang the hat on a hat stand so that the crown is supported and the brim isn't pressing down on anything.

Hang the hat on the edge of shelf such that the brim is touching nothing.

During long periods when your hat is not worn, it is probably better to store the hat in a hat box where it will be best protected from light, dust and damage. An alternative is to create a cardboard ring (Take a 7" x 28" strip of Cardboard and staple it together to form a ring that you can lay the hat in.

Store hats in a cool, dry environment. Hats react to heat and moisture with extended exposure potentially causing a hat to lose its shape. Excessive heat can draw out straw hat fibers, and cause permanent damage to both straw and felt. Moisture can cause the shape to lose integrity and may even mold or rot. Even a hat left in a hot car can easily suffer damage from heat and humidity. The worst place for a cowboy hat is in the backseat window of a hot car or truck.

Handling a Cowboy Hat

It is best to avoid handling a cowboy hat by its crown. Instead, it should be picked up or held by the front and back of its brim. Owners should ensure that their hands are clean because dirty or oily hands can leave spot marks on the hat. These can be hard to remove.

Keeping a Cowboy Hat Clean

The way a cowboy hat is cleaned depends on the material it is made of. Felt and straw versions require different methods. Each should be cleaned and brushed regularly to keep them fresh and looking their best. Different sets of brushes should be used for different colors of the hat. This is to ensure the fibers from the hat fabrics do not get mixed.

Felt Cowboy Hats

A brim hat brush is required to clean the brim of the felt cowboy hat, and the crown brush for the crown removes surface dirt and dust. They can also be cleaned using a damp cloth with lukewarm water and non-detergent soap. Any leftover hairs or dust can be removed with masking tape by gently patting the hat. Any hard to remove stains should be taken care of by a hat cleaning professional. The sweat band should be turned down occasionally to help with drying, as it will allow hair oil perspiration to evaporate instead of soaking into the hat.

Straw Cowboy Hats

To remove surface dirt from a straw cowboy hat, a hat sponge or damp cloth should be used to gently rub the hat in a counter-clockwise motion toward the back of the hat. As with felt cowboy hats, the sweat band should be turned down occasionally to help with the drying process. This allows any trapped moisture to evaporate more quickly.

Cowboy Hats and Water

Contrary to the belief of some, felt hats were designed to be used in the rain as that was part of their original function. Wool hats are usually for dry climates and it is not recommended for situations where they might get wet unless you use a water repellant spray. Straw hats can handle a light rain for a brief time but nothing more unless the hat is a palm leaf straw.

If a felt hat gets wet, invert the sweat band so it's sticking out of the hat. Then stand the hat on the hat band using a clean, level surface. Let the hat dry slowly and on it's own. Don't use heat to accelerate drying as that could cause the leather sweat band to shrink. Ensure that the brim does not rest on the surface because pressure of any sort on a wet hat will warp the hat after it is dry.

If a straw hat gets wet, wipe off the water with a clean dry cloth and then turn the sweatband out and place on a level, clean surface to dry. Turning out the sweatband after a hard day sweating in your hat, preserves the length of time that your hat is going to be of service. With the band turned out, perspiration and hair oil evaporate and dry out instead of being transferred to the hat. This is the case with straw hats as well as felt. Any hat that is rain soaked can potentially sustain water damage.

Buying a Cowboy Hat on eBay

There is a huge selection of cowboy hats available on eBay at very reasonable prices, and the site is a good place to grab a bargain deal. Buyers who are interested in purchasing one should head to the Men's clothing section. From there, they can click on "Hats," located on the left-hand column, where they will be able to refine their results by searching specifically for cowboy hats. Ladies can follow the same process by going to the clothing section for women.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect cowboy hat is all well and good, but only if the owner knows how to properly care for it. Treat the hat with care and respect, and it will stay stylish and last for years.

Cowboy Hat Makers

Brand	Quick Fun Fact	Price Point	You’ll Love Them If:
Stetson	An American Classic!	$$$	You love the classic look and appreciate quality
Greeley Hat Works	110+ Years of HATtisfaction	$$$$	You’re a traditionalist at heart
Resistol	Resistol hats are designed to “resist all” weather conditions	$$$	You want to express your personal style and HATitude!
Shorty’s Caboy Hattery	The only women-owned and operated custom hattery in the United States	$$$	You’re looking for a custom hat and have money to spend on quality!
American Hat Company	Even their straw hats are waterproof!	$$$$	You want something durable and practical, as well as stylish
JW Brooks Custom Hats	JW Brooks personally crafts each custom cowboy hat	$$$	You want a heirloom as well as a hat
Bailey Western	Catering to the needs of the New West since 1922!	$$	You value good craftsmanship
Rodeo King	Specializes in straw and felt cowboy hats	$$$	You value tradition
Specialist by Rod’s Western Palace	The Specialist is available in a range of colors and qualities	$$	You want a classic look at an affordable price
Tenth Street Hats	Uses specialist hat-making machines to give their products individual flair	$	You want a hat that will last a lifetime
Master Hatters of Texas	Famous for its high-quality products and iconic designs	$$$	You like a simple yet classic look
American Hat Makers	All products come with a lifetime guarantee	$$	You’re looking for a choice of styles and colors
Charlie 1 Horse	Each hat is hand-pressed to create a unique look and style	$$	You want to flaunt your individuality with cutting-edge designs
Outback Trading Co.	Technically not a cowboy hat, these Australian dusters fit the bill	$	You value functionality over the classic Western look
Cavender’s	A family business that prides itself on producing high-quality products at affordable prices	$$	You want the Western look without the Stetson price tag!
Watson’s Hat Shop	Producers of high-quality, customized cowboy hats	$$$$	You want a custom-made hat and don’t mind splurging
Ariat	The world’s leading performance equestrian brand	$$	You want a combination of style and functionality
Justin	More famous for making boots, Justin also produces affordable yet authentic cowboy hats	$$	You want a hat as iconic as your boots
Brixton	Makes high-quality cowboy hats using cruelty-free wool	$$	You want a product made without cruelty to animals
Bullhide	Innovative and stylish designs have made Bullhide a leader in Western fashion	$	You want to choose from a wide selection of styles and colors
Burns Cowboy Shop	One of the oldest family-run Western retailers in the world	$$$$	You want a one-of-a-kind hat that reflects your unique style

Best Cowboy Hat Brands

Stetson

One of the oldest cowboy hat brands in the world, Stetson is synonymous with Western style and functionality. Stetson produces classic cowboy hats made from top-quality materials. Each hat is expertly crafted for comfort and durability.

Not only will a Stetson protect you from the sun and rain, but it will also complement your unique style.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1865

Location – Garland, Texas

Specialty – Durability – Stetson hats last a lifetime

Cons:

Higher price range

Product Feature

The Skyline is one of Stetson’s most famous and popular designs. Made of genuine beaver fur pelt and sporting a classic cattleman crease—it’s a classic.

Greeley Hat Works

With over 100 years of experience, these guys pride themselves on customer HATisfaction! Choose from classic ready-to-ship designs to customized Beaver pelt perfection.

Pick your hat, then choose from nine different shapes and a multitude of brim designs.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1909

Location – Greeley, Colorado

Specialty – Custom-made designs with HATitude!

Cons:

Prices may exceed many people’s budgets

Product Feature

If you’re not in the market for a custom-made hat but still want premium quality, you can’t go wrong with Greeley Hat’s classic buckskin cowboy hat.

Made from European hare pelt, it comes with a chocolate sweatband and silver buckle. Customize it by choosing your ideal crown and brim shapes.

Resistol

Designed to protect you against the harshest elements, Resistol’s hats really do resist all.

They’re comfortable to wear all day, in any weather conditions, and give a real sense of the Texan cowboy culture.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1927

Location – Garland, Texas

Specialty – Weatherproof cowboy hats

Cons:

Dark colors aren’t colorfast in heavy rain

Product Feature

The 20X Conley is one of Resistol’s best-selling products. This lightweight straw cowboy hat is handwoven, breathable, and wide-brimmed to protect you from the glaring sun.

Shorty’s Caboy Hattery

Producing high-quality hats with fun designs and intricate details, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery can create the perfect hat to suit your unique look.

Alternatively, you can select from their ready-to-ship wide-brimmed straw hats.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1990

Location – Stockyard’s City, Oklahoma

Specialty – Custom-made cowgirl hats

Cons:

While the straw hats are affordable, custom-made hats need serious investment!

Product Feature

With these custom-made hats, there is no best-selling product—each one is unique. Choose from a range of colors, styles, materials, and finishing's to create your perfect look.

American Hat Company

The American Hat Company was the first to produce waterproof straw cowboy hats and continues to do so, alongside top-quality felt hats made from beaver, mink, and rabbit fur.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1915

Location – Bowie, Texas

Specialty – Waterproof cowboy hats

Cons:

You can’t buy direct from the American Hat Company

Product Feature

The great thing about the American Hat Company is you can buy the same hat in various qualities, so you can customize it according to your budget.

The standard 10X cowboy hat looks much the same as a 1000X to the untrained eye, so why not customize a cheaper version, like the AMR 20X Grizzly, and make it stand out without breaking the bank?

JW Brooks Custom Hats

JW Brooks creates customized hats using top-quality materials. You can choose to have a hat manufactured entirely from beaver belly fur or opt for a luxurious mink blend.

Although the process may seem a bit daunting to begin with, the website offers step-by-step instructions to help you create the perfect design.

Pros:

History – Founded in 2006

Location – Lipan, Texas

Specialty – Custom cowboy hats

Cons:

The ordering process is quite complex

Product Feature

Use the online hat package to create your perfect design. Step-by-step instructions guide you through the process, starting with color options before moving on to crown shapes and brim styles.

Bailey Western

While most of the leading cowboy hat brands started making hats for cowboys, Bailey Western focused on a different market—movie stars.

Using innovative designs and luxury fibers, Bailey Western produces stylish, functional hats that won’t look out of place around the ranch or on the movie screen.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1922

Location – Lipan, Texas

Specialty – Custom cowboy hats

Cons:

Quality is good, but doesn’t compete as well with the big-name brands

Product Feature

The Windriver Firehole combines a classic Western design with the latest innovations. Using treated wool, the hat retains its shape, is durable, and water repellent. The Dri-Lex® sweatband completes the design, making it cool, dry, and comfortable.

Rodeo King

Rodeo King prides itself on its range of styles and colors, so if you want something specific, you stand a good chance of finding it here.

These high-quality hats are handcrafted yet affordable and come in some interesting colors, making them ideal for those with lots of flair, but not so much money.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1921

Location – USA

Specialty – Wide range of colors, styles, and designs

Cons:

Rodeo King does not sell directly to the public

Product Feature

If you’re looking for something stylish yet simple, you can’t go wrong with Rodeo King’s Black 5X cowboy hat. With a 4 1/4 inch brim and subtle buckle decoration, it’s a great hat for roping, barrel racing, or a night out on the town.

Specialist by Rod’s Western Palace

The Specialist is a felt cowboy hat made from a blend of rabbit/hare and beaver fur. While you can choose from different qualities and colors, every Specialist comes with a silk lining, leather sweatband, and three-piece buckle decoration.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1976

Location – Columbus, Ohio

Specialty – Manufactures a classic Western hat in a range of qualities and colors

Cons:

Although the Specialist range caters to most budgets, it’s still quite limited compared to other brands

Product Feature

The latest addition to the Specialist range is an entry-level 4X offering, which is more affordable than the 20X but looks every bit as good. It still has a silk lining and buckle detail and is available in a range of sizes.

Tenth Street Hats

This family-run company uses rare hat-making machines to create functional cowboy hats that will take your outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1921

Location – Los Angeles, California

Specialty – Uses rare hat-making machines to produce high-quality products

Cons:

Only a limited range of cowboy hats currently available

Product Feature

The 6X Real is a fur-felt Western hat with a soft finish and comfortable fit. While functional, it’s also trimmed with an eye-catching buckle set that will shimmer in the city lights.

Master Hatters of Texas

Master Hatters‘ founder, William Cook, learned his trade at the Byer-Rolnick Hat Company in Dallas before manufacturing for Resistol. This experience led to the development of the Master Hatters range, which is now improving with the latest technology.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1968

Location – Garland, Texas

Specialty – Straw and felt cowboy hats

Cons:

You can’t buy directly from Master Hatters and finding their full collection elsewhere is challenging.

Product Feature

Master Hatters produces a range of cowboy hats, starting with the lower-quality 3X products and going all the way to the premium 100X. The 3X Dawson black wool cowboy hat is a great entry-level product complete with silver conchos to make you look like the real deal.

American Hat Makers

American Hat Makers specialize in producing rodeo hats but also have a wide range of cowboy hats available. With the focus firmly on functionality, these hats are durable and resilient.

Pros:

History – Founded in the 1970s

Location – Watsonville, California

Specialty – Leather cowboy hats, tejana shapes, and rodeo hats

Cons:

With the focus on leather and rodeo hats, there is only a fairly limited choice when it comes to traditional felt cowboy hats.

Product Feature

American Hat Makers have embraced the leather cowboy hat like no other. Their Women’s Leather Cowboy Hat is a functional masterpiece that protects against sun and rain and molds to the shape of your head for the perfect fit.

Charlie 1 Horse

Charlie 1 Horse produces cowboy hats that break the mold but won’t look out of place on the ranch. It specializes in cowboy hats for women and has an extensive range of fashion-forward designs to suit every personality.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1978

Location – Garland, Texas

Specialty – Fashion-forward hats for women

Cons:

Product descriptions on the website are limited, making it more challenging to find the perfect design at the right price

Product Feature

You’ll struggle to find anything as classic or classy as Charlie 1 Horse’s Women’s Highway Hat. More suitable for a day at the races than a day on the ranch, this stylish wool-blend offering will add a feminine flair to your cowgirl fashion.

Outback Trading Company

The Outback Trading Company is famous for its oilskin products, giving them authentic Aussie charm. Oilskin is waterproof, durable, and tough enough to withstand the rigors of the Australian bush.

The company has branched out since its early days and now manufactures cowboy hats using wool, straw, and leather, although their oilskin dusters are tough to beat.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1983

Location – Oxford, Pennsylvania

Specialty – Oilskin hats and garments

Cons:

Felt cowboy hats tend to be more lightweight than oilskin

Product Feature

If you’re more concerned with staying dry than expressing your inner cowboy, look no further than the Grizzly Oilskin Hat. Waterproof and breathable, it protects you from the elements and is durable enough to last a lifetime.

Cavender’s

This family-run business has established itself as one of the leading Western Clothing stores in the US. They have their own collection of high-quality cowboy hats, and stock numerous popular brands, including Resistol and Stetson—perfect for one-stop shopping.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1965

Location – Tyler, Texas

Specialty – Premium Western clothing

Cons:

You might find it difficult to make a decision with so many hats to choose from!

Product Feature

One of the most popular hats in Cavender’s collection is the supremely affordable Bangora Ivory Cattleman Crown Cowboy Hat. This lightweight, breathable straw cowboy hat combines style with functionality.

Watson’s Hat Shop

Producing top-of-the-range cowboy hats is the name of the game for Watson’s Hat Shop, and each one is lovingly handcrafted according to the customer’s specifications. If you want a functional work of art as well as a hat, this is the place for you.

Pros:

History – Founded in late 1800s

Location – Cave Creek, Arizona

Specialty – Handcrafted custom hats

Cons:

A hat of this quality is a lifetime investment, so you might need to save up!

Product Feature

Customize any of the Watson’s Hat Shop’s offerings, and you’ll have a masterpiece. Start with something simple yet stylish, like The Rancher, and add your own flair with customized colors, shapes, and finishes.

Ariat

As one of the leading manufacturers of equestrian boots and clothing, Ariat is known for its technical materials and performance gear. Although its range of cowboy hats is limited, each one has that typical Ariat flair and finish.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1993

Location – California

Specialty – Equestrian performance gear

Cons:

There’s only a limited selection of Ariat cowboy hats so you won’t have the range of colors or styles you’ll find elsewhere

Product Feature

This Ariat black wool cowboy hat will keep the sun out of your eyes and the wind out of your hair. It keeps your head warm while giving your outfit a little Western flair. A well-priced, good-quality product with consistently positive reviews.

Justin

The Justin name is more commonly associated with boots, so it doesn’t have the brand recognition of Stetson when it comes to cowboy hats. There’s nothing wrong with their products, though, and they have a great range of entry-level cowboy hats in both straw and felt.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1879

Location – El Paso, Texas

Specialty – Hand-crafted boots and hats

Cons:

Justin Boots doesn’t appear to feature cowboy hats on their website, so you’ll have to source them through other vendors

Product Feature

This entry-level felt cowboy hat features a cattleman crease, a 4-inch brim, and satin lining.

Brixton

Brixton might not be a household name like Stetson, but it produces good-quality cowboy hats at affordable prices. Available in a range of colors and sizes, their hats are made from cruelty-free wool that also meets the Responsible Wool Standard for Sustainability.

Pros:

History – Founded in 2004

Location – Oceanside, California

Specialty – Uses cruelty-free wool in its vintage-inspired designs

Cons:

You won’t get the same kudos from a Brixton as you would a Stetson

Product Feature

This cruelty-free wool cowboy hat comes with an adjustable sweatband for the perfect fit. A thin band and metal Brixton pin add understated decoration for a more subtle look.

Bullhide

With their innovative designs and attention to detail, Bullhide is a leader in the Western fashion industry. They manufacture hats using traditional processes that capture the flair of the Old West.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1949

Location – Pembroke Pines, Florida

Specialty – High-quality custom-made products

Cons:

Bullhide has a bewilderingly large array of hats to choose from, which some may find confusing

Product Feature

If you’re looking for an affordable straw hat, look no further than the Bullhide Buffalo. Made from 100% cotton, it’s lightweight, breathable and stylish.

Burns Cowboy Shop

started as a saddlery but soon started selling everything a cowboy could need – including hats. These days, they make their own custom hats from beaver and hare.

Select your perfect combination of materials, and then finish it off with your chosen crown shape and brim.

Pros:

History – Founded in 1876

Location – Utah

Specialty – Traditional family-run Western retail business

Cons:

Prices will be too high for those on a tight budget

Product Feature

While a custom hat is everybody’s dream, not everyone’s wallet will stretch that far. Burn’s has a range of high-quality, ready-to-ship cowboy hats for every outfit and occasion.

The competitor saddle 4.25” is available in hare, beaver, or a combination of the two and is handmade to ensure top-quality craftsmanship.

FAQ's

Q: What brand of cowboy hats do cowboys wear?

Cowboys often wear classic brands like Stetson and Resistol with Stetsons being preferred for dressy occasions and Resistols preferred for work.

Q: What is the most popular cowboy hat?

The most popular style of cowboy hat across brands is the cattleman crease.

Q: What hat do most cowboys wear?

In the past, cowboys wore various hats, from flat wool caps to the derby or bowler. These days, many cowboys wear caps or even riding hats, but the cowboy hat hasn’t lost its seat in the saddle either and remains a popular choice among working cowboys.

Q: Is Stetson or Resistol better?

While Resistol is perhaps a little more durable and more suited to extreme weather conditions, nothing can beat the quality and tradition of the Stetson.

Ideally, every cowboy or girl should have one of each, wearing their Stetsons out on the town and the Resistols around the ranch.

Q: What brand of hats are worn on Yellowstone?

Greeley Hat Works made the hats for Yellowstone and sells these styles online.

Q: What hat do Texas Rangers wear?

According to the Texas Ranger Dress Regulations, rangers can only wear rancher or cattleman-style cowboy hats with brims under 4 inches wide. They wear both straw and felt hats, depending on the weather and task at hand.

One Final Note..

You don’t have to stick with household brands to find yourself a quality cowboy hat that reflects your personality and lifestyle. Smaller brands are producing equally robust and weather-resistant cowboy hats and expertly crafting custom hats.

A cowboy hat from any of these brands will add some Western flair to your outfit and protect you against the rigors of ranch life.

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Most recent revision May 17, 2025 08:01:23 AM