Hats .......

[CZ93X62]

What Brad said.

 

[RicinYakima]

No saddle or cowboy hat here. No cowboy boots either.

Saddle went away when the FIL passed in 2003, as he had the horses. Got rid of the cowboy hat and went to a Fedora, more practical. Tried cowboy boots for a year, but ankles so bad from jumping and repelling in the army I can't bend my ankles enough. Went with White Packers after that (designed by Elmer Keith in the 1920's).

 

[Mitty38]

My current favorite summer outdoor, its a cotton safari hat. Keeps the sun of my delicate complexion.
Other the that ball cap for bad hair days.
Then a knitted toboggan only if it is really cold.
Camo Boonie Hunter reversible to orange for hunting and fishing, or rainy day.

 

[JonB]

I got a saddle on my ebike...does that count?

 

[Mitty38]

I got a saddle on my ebike...does that count?

I don't know but I want a hat like in your avatar pic. I could rock that in the winter.

 

[JonB]

It's a Marten hat. I bought it in AK while visiting my cousins. My Cousin's friend made it. It is crazy warm, I can't wear it, unless is below zero. I got to wear it twice this winter. I wear a fake fur one most of the time during the Minnesota winter.

 

[Bazoo]

I wear cowboy boots about half the time. They are comfortable. I only wear my hat in the winter, or when it's raining, or when I'm shooting a gun that likes to throw casings on my head or down my shirt.

 

[Winelover]

Western wear was popular in the late 70's early 80's............Mickey Gilly was too. Surprised it's not more popular here, based on the number of SA revolvers owners.

 

[Brad]

What I wear for clothing and what I shoot have zero connection.
I really like lever actions but have no inclination to think I’m a cowboy nor do I want to.
When I shoot my AR I also don’t think I’m an operator nor am I a mall ninja.

By the same token I don’t think owning a lathe or mill make me a machinist.

 

[Uncle Grinch]

I’ve got a fairly large head and have never been able to wear a ball cap. Always settled on fedora style Stetsons or floppy style hats. My favorite hat is a Tilley, which I refused to spend that kind of money, but my late wife knew I wanted it and surprised me with it one Christmas. It’s very comfortable and has a lifetime guarantee.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I purchased my Tilley hat out of necessity and while travelling. Normally I would never spend that kind of money for what looks like a canvas hat, but I was in a bind. That was 12 years ago. Turned out to be one of the best purchases I’ve made.

Mine is a T4 style (which I don’t think they still offer) but it’s basically a T3 without the brim snaps.

I’m contemplating buying a spare to squirrel away in the closet just in case the need arises.

If you are considering a Tilley hat, be certain to do your research. Tilley offers several diffenent models (vented with mesh, vented with brass gromets, different brim sizes, etc.). Don't just buy a Tilley - get the one you want!
And be sure and buy a real Tilley, I've seen knock-offs that don't even come close to the same quality.

 

[JWinAZ]

Stetsons and Resistols are very nice hats. I think they are owned by the same company, Hatco. Mine are the nicest apparel that I own. Filson billed caps are nice too. @JonB's trapper is a class of its own.

As with cast bullets, fit is really important in a hat!

 

[oscarflytyer]

Kind of a hat snob, kind of not. I like expensive hats (Stetson).

Even if you don't want to go to that price point, take a look at Stetson.

lol - me too! First Stetson I bought was the Rancher/1986/$100.

You can shrink most Stetsons a full size, but can't stretch them even a half size without them eventually shrinking back to their original size.

My Open Road, although listed as 7 1/4 (my Stetson size) was a tad small. You can get a hat stretcher, and can stretch it very slowly and just enough (for me on this one, at least). As Smokey says, mine will shrink back if I don't leave the stretcher in it.

If you have decided to look at Stetson, I would suggest the Open Road. You can bend the front of the brim down, more like a Fedora (which is how I did mine).

 

[popper]

I should wear a hat for sunny days but after wearing a white hat, don't like them.

 

[oscarflytyer]

a note on hat sizing. If the hat doesn't fit you perfectly, and isn't adjustable, you can get foam tape (any western wear store, ime) that can be slipped in the hat band. I leave the backing on/don't want the sticky in my hair!

Another note on Stetsons, and cowboy hats in general. Two types (at least) - round and oval. Oval style fits my egg head much better.

 

[Rally]

I wear a bit of everything. Cowboy hat, ball caps, watchcaps, and a russian style trapper.

Funny story on the trapper. We were going to church on a cold and rainy Sunday. I saw somethign in the road and I pulled up next to it, opening the door to see what it was. The wife was setting in the back with our boy, and she asked "what is it?". To which I replied, a dead possum, at the same time I grabbed the sopping wet hat and threw it in her lap. She screamed and tried to claw her way out of the seatbelt and through the closed door. I had a good laugh and our boy who was 3 at the time laughed pretty good too.

You just have to train them right! If my wife sees me slow down for something furry in the road, she has the trash or fur bag already holding it open, but she does draw the line at a half dead, growling coon laying on the floormat!!

I own a bunch of baseball caps, mostly promotional , given to me by vender friends/ trapping associations, and I wear them in warm weather. Mostly wear Boonie hats in multiple camo patterns in the summer while working/ trapping. In the winter I wear stocking hats around town but fur in the bush while trapping. Think I have 9 fur hats and some fur mittens, mostly beaver.

 

[Txcowboy52]

I wear palm in the warmer months, May through October and felt in the colder months.

Here is my new warm weather hat.View attachment 38977


The barrel is 4” long. They usually come with a curled brim and a cattleman crease or sometimes a round crown. I wet them and shape them more like a fedora. I prefer wide brims. They help screen my skin from the sun. I had a massive melanoma lump removed, would rather avoid that if I can.

My felts are high quality beaver or rabbit or a blend. I wear hats rain or shine. They will get wet and they will bake in the sun. They are not cheap. I have little good to say about folks who buy cheap hats. Or cheap leather gear.

Kevin

I tend to agree with straw . Good beaver/felt in the winter. Straw or palm leaf in the summer. I also prefer a wider brim . I have worn some kinda hat all my life , it surprises me not to mention aggravates me to no end the number of people who don’t understand proper hat etiquette. Especially when handling some else’s hat . Years ago I thought I was going to get thrown out of an airport because I took exception with the way one of the TSA personnel was handling my new hat . It wasn’t pretty and probably not one of my finer moments. Needless to say I got my point across.