Hey Texans (and other SW guys), tell me about cowboy hats.

Zeke · 10-30-2007, 08:50 AM

Are the real deal hats designed with some "downforce" in front and a "duck" in back so they stay on in the wind and while on the back of a running horse?

(seriously)

kstar · 10-30-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

Are the real deal hats designed with some "downforce" in front and a "duck" in back so they stay on in the wind and while on the back of a running horse?

(seriously)

Milt:

I was born and raised in Dallas and have owned a few cowboy hats. When you buy a nice hat, it is essentially unshaped - both the top (crown) and brim.

A popular style when I was younger was the "Canadian Bullrider"; "Canadian" referring to the top style and "Bullrider" referring to the brim shape.

I am sure there is a brim style that would provide some downforce and a good shaper could probably get you the aerodynamics you are after. I would also bet there are known shapes which have evolved to provide the downforce to keep the hat on when riding at higher speeds.

The more typical approach is probably a hat that fits the skull firmly.

Good luck!

Best,

Kurt

Superman · 10-30-2007, 09:11 AM

Cowboy hats and fedoras are very functional hats. For one thing, they keep rain from getting under your collar. They do this best when there is a dip in the front and the back.

Beaver felt is the best stuff to make hats with, and a good-quality hat, fitted to the head properly, is an important garment if you're going to be out in the weather. Yes, the dip in the front helps keep the wind from blowing the hat off your head.

By the way, I sold shoes for several years and can tell you that, for those of you who do not have a terribly high instep (the bump on the top of your foot), the most comfortable footwear you can wear is a well-made and properly-fitting cowboy boot. By FAR. Far more comfortable overall than the finest cushy jogging shoe you have ever seen.

onlycafe · 10-30-2007, 09:28 AM

some call it a stampede strap, goes under your chin to keep the hat on the head ,no matter what.

id10t · 10-30-2007, 09:31 AM

Duct tape, staple or nail gun, Gorilla Snot, ....

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

Cowboy hats and fedoras are very functional hats. For one thing, they keep rain from getting under your collar. They do this best when there is a dip in the front and the back.

Beaver felt is the best stuff to make hats with, and a good-quality hat, fitted to the head properly, is an important garment if you're going to be out in the weather. Yes, the dip in the front helps keep the wind from blowing the hat off your head.

By the way, I sold shoes for several years and can tell you that, for those of you who do not have a terribly high instep (the bump on the top of your foot), the most comfortable footwear you can wear is a well-made and properly-fitting cowboy boot. By FAR. Far more comfortable overall than the finest cushy jogging shoe you have ever seen.

I know more about lower extremity biomechanics than anyone here and can tell you why this is true.

Cowboy boots have a bit of a heel and a stiff leather sole. Most, if not all, people have issues with a tight achilles tendon. The higher heel of a boot relieves this tightness and improves the function of the foot in gait. The stiff sole takes some of the strain off the soft tissues on the sole of the foot. Good for walking or standing, terrible for jogging or running.

A quality hat or pair of boots will cost you a ton more dough than you think, but will last you a lifetime.

scottmandue · 10-30-2007, 11:48 AM

Stetson! My friend bought one in high school and the thing was almost indestructible.

johnco · 10-30-2007, 12:22 PM

an old friend of mine could ride my harley at 80.. hat never came off. watched him fall out of a jet boat at 75.. hat never came off. his hat floated up, he came up under the hat which landed on his head again. never figured out how he did it.

Zeke · 10-30-2007, 04:28 PM

Good stuff, keep it coming. I do have a nice pair of boots I bought in TX. Yes, they are comfortable, but not the best shoe/boot I've ever worn. I'd have to give that distinction to Red Wings.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

You can't go wrong with a Red Wing boot, though I have some ostrich ones I am partial to...

jyl · jyl's Garage

I have a wonderful old Aussie type bush hat, though it was made in Stockton IIRC. Wore it all over the world, it has 10,000 miles of weather-beated character. Classic down in front and rear, turned up at the sides brim.

The downside to this shape - when doing photography in the rain, the brim funnels rainwater right down onto the camera.

kstar · 10-30-2007, 08:36 PM

An alternative to a custom shaped brim would be a wire-edged brim where you could "roll your own" shape.

This is not the finest of hats, but has the wire-edged brim:
http://www.sheplers.com/hats/wool_felt_hats/096602.html?color=17&SOURCE=DEALTIME_HatsFifty&CS_003=2112464&CS_010=096602

FYI.

Best,

Kurt

onlycafe · 10-30-2007, 08:47 PM

m.l. leddy

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Ugh. My mexican brother-in-law wears those.

To each his own.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

My wife is with you on the ostrich.

They are super comfy, I think it is because the ostrich leather is softer. They are not as bad as my black sharksin boots as far as the pimp look, I wear the ostrich with my khakis on casual Fridays, to piss off the wife