I have no idea what are the good brands; things to look out for. Hoping to keep it all USA. Here’s my current pick.

https://www.villagehatshop.com...raw-outback-hat.html

You could also check out Tilley Hats. Not USA made, but they're made in Canada
Their R11 is a straw hat.

Good hats and they have a lifetime guarantee.

For a hot climate, there is a vented version of that Stetson at Village Hat shop. Since I have a sparsely covered bean, I wear a lot of
straw hats.

Vented Stetson:
https://www.villagehatshop.com...traw-safari-hat.html

There is a tremendous selection out there:

https://ultrafino.com/collections/straw-hats-mens

https://www.panamahatmall.com/...-for-men-c-4539.html

A guide. There is a lot to know, and you'll probably end up with more than 1.

https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/panama-hat/

Is Village hat in SD a good company to deal with?

I am thinking the USA made Limestone Toyo would be a very nice hat?

I bought the Stetson I linked from them (Seaport Village location). They were pretty easy. Never had any problems.

Another consideration in straw hats is the material used. There are typically 3, I am cutting and pasting the descriptions:

Toquilla Straw

The most flexible, long-lived fiber is the toquilla fiber, which is generally made into hats in Ecuador. Hats made from the toquilla straw are more popularly known as the Panama hats. These hats are woven in a variety of ways from the plaited fibrous leaves of toquilla palm trees that are native to Ecuador. The tightness, the finesse of the weave, and the time spent in weaving a complete hat out of the toquilla straw characterize its quality.

Toyo Straw

toyo strawThe Toyo Straw hats are made from colorful rice-paper yarns from Japan, normally finished with a plastic glaze. These straws are smooth to feel and turn to a shiny, viscose white or a golden copper when the product is finished. Soft to touch and light to wear, the Toyo Straw hats are mostly machine-made, and so they are generally sold in the medium to low price range, perfect for those looking for an attractive yet comfortable budget hat.

Shantung Straw

A mysterious air always surrounds the subject of the origin of Shantung straws. That Shantung straws are made up of natural fibers is a popular misconception. Originally, Shantung was made of paper yarns or “Washi,” originating from the Manila Hemp plant native to the Philippines Islands. However, nowadays, Shantung has become synonymous with a paper fiber similar to Toyo straw but originating from China. Shantung straw hats are made from a flat machine woven sheet and blocked into their respective hat shapes.

type - shantungThe off-white color helps reflect the sunlight, but the weave isn’t usually as tight on shantung hats as it is on other types of straw hats. And since Shantung straws are essentially paper, they are unable to withstand moisture from either rain or sweat. Being a cheaper alternative that resembles a Panama hat, Shantung straw hats have been popular, constituting a major chunk of the market, comprising of more than half the total hat sales across the world.

A 4th, but I haven't encountered much of this material:

Milan Straw

Hat critics have often marveled at the classic Milan (pronounced Mylan) straw hats. But modern day Milan straws draw cynical eyes for lack of their natural rustic authenticity. Present day Milan straw actually refers to the weaving/braiding technique, not the material. Milan straw hats can be woven from multiple materials such as hemp and synthetic plastics. However, few manufacturers still produce the traditional finely-braided golden-hued hats from wheat straws, as opposed to the man-made synthetic fibers. These intricately woven hats can withstand significant wear and tear and still coruscate in their golden hues. Despite its thick braids, the Milan Straw hats are durable and light in weight. Its elegant appearance spells style statement on the streets for many fashion enthusiasts.

type - milanBeware, most hats labeled as Milan straw are made from synthetic fibers. True authentic Milan straw hats are made from a particular wheat straw, grown for the purpose in Tuscany, Italy. These hats, like Panama hats, vary enormously in quality and value; the plait of a hat of good quality may represent the work of four or five days, while hats of the highest quality may each occupy six to nine months in making. The finest work is excessively trying to the eyes of the plaiters, who can at most give to it two or three hours’ labor daily.

There are others, such as Raffia, Seagrass, various palms, but I think the big 3 cover the most popular options. I'm not aware of any fully US made straw bean covers. That just means that I don't know of any, not that one does not exist. I'm not opposed to throwing Ecuador some business but China? No.

Here's serious shade for not much money, a fashion statement.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/ONeil...1:g:~CAAAOSwWnBczn94


When my old hat wore out last year, this seemed like the best deal. I can't speak to its durability with less than a year on it but it's as good or better quality than the worn out one which lasted several years of tough duty.

Stetsons are, of course, very good. Can tend to be perhaps a wider brim than you may prefer.

Bailey of Hollywood is another option

I wear a Tilley airflow when mowing or outside for any long time.

Floats, is not affected by water...

Look up Sunbody palm leaf hats and Atwood palm leaf hats.
Look for a hat that has a tall crown (which does not touch the top of your head, rather sits above it), wide brimmed, flexible, and NOT lacquered (or any other coating which acts as a sealer)!

You want to keep the sun off your head/face/neck, hence the wide brim and let the sweat evaporate; thus the hat has to be 'breathable' to allow the later (so no lacquers etc). The height lets heat rise off the top of your head and away from your body, which also helps keep you cool.

The hat in the first post fails several of the above requirements and would not be something I would purchase.

Perhaps they aren't exactly your style, but check out the catalog from the Larry Mahan hat line. Most of them are US made.

Resistol is another good brand to consider. They make some of their better grade straw hats in the USA. Some of their cheaper ones run around $35 and are made in Mexico.

Link to one of their USA made hats with good ventilation woven into the crown:

https://resistol.com/products/s-30chase-natural

It’s probably a good idea to go to a couple of stores and try on several hats of different brands and styles to see what’s most comfortable.

I have a stetson roadrunner abut $30 on ebay. built to last for years.

I hear the Huckleberry Finn look is in this summer. This is definitely the hat you will want.



https://www.amazon.com/Beistle...aw-Hat/dp/B002SW0LXE

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Micropterus,

This is a very timely thread. I am also looking for a hat for summer, but I wear a size 7 7/8 - 8. Very difficult to find a hat I like in that size.

Tilley Airflow.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Is Village hat in SD a good company to deal with?

It has been a few years since I dealt with them but I bought quite a few hats from them and they were great to deal with.

Make sure you get a hat with adequate ventilation. I bought a palm leaf hat a few years ago from Big Bend Saddlery. I like it, but it doesn't have any ventilation. If I wear it for 10 minutes out in the hot sun my head gets soaked from all the sweat.

My next straw hat will have plenty of air vents.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Here's serious shade for not much money, a fashion statement.

When we had out roof replaced last year, the head worker on the roofing crew had one of those, only the brim was so wide it spanned from shoulder to shoulder, and actually went past each shoulder by a couple inches.

It provided an immense amount of shade. If I were a landscaper, roofer, etc., that's exactly what I'd invest in.

Kinda like this, only a good foot wider:

I'll bet I'm not the only one who looked - but I couldn't find a Trump Straw Hat anywhere.

In lieu of that, get a cowboy hat. They're great.

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:
Make sure you get a hat with adequate ventilation. I bought a palm leaf hat a few years ago from Big Bend Saddlery. I like it, but it doesn't have any ventilation. If I wear it for 10 minutes out in the hot sun my head gets soaked from all the sweat.

My next straw hat will have plenty of air vents.

A leather worker or shop that sells straw hats should be able to install eyelets in the crown of your hat for improved ventilation, if the crown is high enough to where the eyelets are above your head. If your head blocks the eyelets they won’t help.

I’d ask for the larger size eyelets if they offer a choice.