Felt & Straw Cowboy Hats

Felt vs Straw Cowboy Hats: How to Choose

Felt vs straw cowboy hats is mostly a question of season and occasion, and this page puts both in one place so you can compare before you buy. The felt and straw cowboy hats here come from Stetson, Resistol, Bullhide, Twister, Ariat and Charlie 1 Horse, and prices start at $59.95. Hats are shaped free at the Hat Bar in both stores.

Free US shipping on orders over $100 · 30-day returns · Ships worldwide · Stores in Tempe and Old Town Scottsdale · Call 602-885-6438

Felt and Straw Compared

Compare Felt Straw
Season by tradition Labor Day to Easter Easter to Labor Day
Feel Denser and warmer Lighter, lets air through
Usual occasions Evenings, weddings, dress wear Daytime, outdoor work, summer rodeos
Grades on this page 3X to 30X 8X to 30X
See more All felt cowboy hats All straw cowboy hats

When to Wear Felt

By tradition felt goes on after Labor Day and stays on until Easter. It is warmer and holds a sharp shape, so it is also the usual pick for evenings, weddings and other dress occasions in any season.

When to Wear Straw

Straw is the hat for Easter through Labor Day, and in hot places like Arizona many people wear it well past Labor Day. It is lighter and lets air through, which suits daytime, outdoor work and summer rodeos.

Brands That Make Both

Stetson and Resistol make felt and straw, so you can stay with one maker and own both. Compare Stetson felt with Stetson straw, or Resistol felt with Resistol straw. Twister and Ariat add vented straws, and Bullhide and Charlie 1 Horse add styles for women.

Fit and Care for Felt and Straw

Felt and straw are sized the same way: measure around your head where the hat will sit and check the size guide. If you are buying one hat, pick for the weather you will wear it in most. Straw covers more months in a warm climate and felt covers more in a cold one.

To keep a felt hat in shape, handle it by the brim, keep it away from water, brush off dust with a soft brush and store it in a cool, dry place or a hat box with nothing stacked on top. For upkeep, see hat and boot care. For every style in one place, go to all cowboy hats.

Felt and Straw Questions

Felt vs straw cowboy hats: which is better for summer?

Straw. It is lighter and cooler, and several straws on this page have a vented crown.

When do you switch from straw to felt?

By tradition on Labor Day, then back to straw at Easter. In Arizona heat, comfort matters more than the calendar.

Can you wear a felt hat in summer?

Yes. For evenings, weddings and dress occasions, felt is worn all year.

Can I compare felt and straw in person?

Yes. Visit us in Tempe at 414 S Mill Ave, Suite 119, or in Old Town Scottsdale at 7072 E 5th Ave.

Do you ship felt and straw hats outside the US?

Yes, we ship worldwide. US orders over $100 ship free, and returns are accepted within 30 days.