Cowboy Hats

If you’ve seen them once, you’ll never mistake them for anything else. Cowboy hats, authentic in their designs, have been around since the second half of the 19th century and have never gone out of fashion. Sure, there were periods of increased and decreased popularity, but American cowboy hats became so deeply ingrained in a western fashion that it’s hard to imagine them becoming outdated. Classic never gets old, and cowboy hats will most certainly stay with us as long as we have something to carry them on.

Types of Cowboy Hats

The exact number of cowboy hat styles is hard to pinpoint. If we talk about cowboy hat shapes, then there are three basic features that distinguish one hat from another. Those are crown height, brim shape, and number and shape of indentations. If we take these features for classification basis, then the major styles are the Cattleman, Dakota, Gambler, Gus, and Nevada. Modern designs were heavily influenced by traditional Stetson cowboy hats, introduced in 1865, with Boss of the Plains being the most iconic model of all. It was a felt cowboy hat with a high crown and no creases. You’ll rarely see anyone wearing this style nowadays, but its influence on western hats is undeniable.

Cowboy Hat Materials

The choice of materials for cowboy hats is as varied as the styles. It will mostly depend on the weather and climate. Felt cowboy hats are warm and durable and hold their shape well. Straw cowboy hats are lighter and more breathable. Less popular but not unheard of, leather is another option for cowboy hats. Some straw models also feature a chin cord as an additional measure that prevents a hat from flying away.

Gritr Sports cooperates with the largest cowboy hat brands to bring you the best quality product available. On this page, you can find products of such industry experts as Stetson, Outback Trading, and Ariat. If you are in the market for high-quality cowboy hats for men and women, here’s the place to get them.

What are the original western hats?

✅ Even though people used other types of hats before, the origin of the western hat is attributed to John B. Stetson back in the 1870s. It's said that he had gained inspiration once he headed west from New Jersey for health reasons. On his return east in 1865, he founded the Stetson Company in Philadelphia and created a hat that became a symbol of the pioneering American West - Boss of the Plains. Modern Stetsons come in a huge variety of shapes, materials and designs, but it still remains one of the most iconic western hat models. No matter what garments you wear, it's certain that you can find a Stetson to fit your style.