I need to find a good summer weight western hat. I don’t show anymore, but I want to find a nice hat that will probably look good when photographed and is comfy. I school in a helmet 100% of the time. But… I am going to do a few clinics this summer and would like to have a western hat. Ideally I would like a stretch or fabric headband. Synthetic leather on my face=breakout.
Do you guys have any ideas?
Well, here is my helmet w/brim, which I use in clinics as well as daily riding:\
And here’s my custom felt hat, unshaped crown to be historically accurate for Pony Express (under than being a female rider that is):
‘Summer weight’ to me means straw, lots to choose from, my hatmaker even has some w/felt brims and straw crowns, you can poke around here:
This is a really popular straw hat right now.
http://www.sunbody.com/index.cfm/product/464_29/reata.cfm
Sunbody palm leaf hats are awesome. You can reshape them yourself just by getting them wet. If its hot out you can dunk it in a water trough and put it on your head. They can take alot of abuse. I have three of them in different styles.
Straw hats are traditionally summer hats, and bangora (have kind of a loose weave detail) have a little better ventilation.
Example of bangora: http://www.cavenders.com/western/cowboy-hats/straw-cowboy-hats
Example of classic straw: http://www.cavenders.com/western/cowboy-hats/straw-cowboy-hats/larry-mahan-straw-cowboy-hats/LM2442GS
You’ll typically only find stretch internal sweatband on children’s “one size” hats, and real leather sweat bands on custom high quality felt hats. My favorite trick for the summer is to cut a panty-liner in half and stick it inside on the sweatband at the forehead. It absorbs all the sweat, which helps me not break out.
I like the selection at Cavenders.
Is that something you did yourself by chance?
[QUOTE=aktill;6858812]
Is that something you did yourself by chance?[/QUOTE]
Yes, Troxel helmet and ordered and affixed one of these: http://www.helmetshades.com/
That’s brilliant!
Paula
I just wear a wool hat; I don’t mind the weight of it and it is a lot more comfortable than rock hard straw hats to me. They give and adjust to your noggin since they’re wool. They’re cheap, comfortable, shed rain, totally block the sun and can take a squishing and not break. And they don’t start sliding around in the sweat when it’s really hot.
http://www.sheplers.com/Cowboy-Hats/Cowboy-Hats/pc/533/534/1715.thm
[QUOTE=cowboymom;6859525]
I just wear a wool hat; I don’t mind the weight of it and it is a lot more comfortable than rock hard straw hats to me. They give and adjust to your noggin since they’re wool. They’re cheap, comfortable, shed rain, totally block the sun and can take a squishing and not break. And they don’t start sliding around in the sweat when it’s really hot.
http://www.sheplers.com/Cowboy-Hats/Cowboy-Hats/pc/533/534/1715.thm[/QUOTE]
How hot is it when you are riding? I would consider a wool hat, but want to make sure that it’s not too hot. I am looking into Sunbody hats, everyone seems to love them!
Wool is hot and itchy, avoid. Sunbodys are great, mine have lasted over 10 years through all sorts of weather. Since my head is an odd shape (apparently), the adaptable shaping is most welcome. You can’t go wrong with them.
It’s not hot nor itchy and I recommend them totally. Been wearing them for years now and not a single itchy one in the bunch. It’s not exactly straight off the sheep. :lol:
Mine have a brow band liner like you’d find on any other hat.
I’ve never noticed them to be hot, ever, and I’m not very heat tolerant and I’m not very hat tolerant either, for that matter. These were the only comfortable hats I could find that I liked. In any given riding day I go from temps in the 50’s to temps in the 100’s, riding all day long, I need a hat that can keep up and not give me a headache. I prefer them.
Most people go with straw, true. Not me.
