Cowboy Hats

[m0rpheu5]

How many of you guys wear cowboy hats when backpacking, i am thinking about it but is the wind bad enough that it will blow the hat off your head?

[WILLIAM HAYES]

I think it is pretty dorkie looking and not practical on the AT

[Mags]

How many of you guys wear cowboy hats when backpacking, i am thinking about it but is the wind bad enough that it will blow the hat off your head?

Is there a reason you want a cowboy hat in particular? Or are you just looking for advice on hats in general?

I am sure there are some hikers who use cowboy hats, but I've not seen many myself.

Most hats people wear of the wide brimmed variety have a lock cord. That tends to keep the hat on in most windy conditions. I don't recall if most cowboy hats have them or not, but I suspect you could sew one on if need be. It seems cowboy hats may be a heavy as well for most general backpacking versus other hats.

[KG4FAM]

I think it is pretty dorkie looking and not practical on the AT

Don't want to get a ticket from the fashion police on the trail, it might break the bank.

If the back of the hat doesn't interfere with your pack then give it a shot.

[m0rpheu5]

i like the full brim because my ears and neck won't get burnt. Plus, since ive lived out west i am just used to wearing a cowboy hat. Plus, they are waterproof if made out of beaver fur felt.

[Mags]

i like the full brim because my ears and neck won't get burnt. Plus, since ive lived out west i am just used to wearing a cowboy hat. Plus, they are waterproof if made out of beaver fur felt.

Well, other than a cord lock, it should work for you. Give it whirl! As mentioned, should be easy enough to sew a cord lock on if you want to.

I'm all about dorky looking hats while hiking...

[Pedaling Fool]

I have a bucket style Gore-tex hat from OR that has velcro on the flaps; when you attach it to the velcro on the hat it kind of looks like a cowboy hat. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/...921&CS_010=493

Click on the "LARGER IMAGE" button, that's exactly the type of hat I have.





.

[jesse]

One problem might be where/how do you store it when you don't want to wear it. If you decide to wear it, you will get a new trail name, like it or not.

[Pedaling Fool]

One problem might be where/how do you store it when you don't want to wear it. If you decide to wear it, you will get a new trail name, like it or not.

That's a good point, my hat (above in post #7) collapses and sits on the top of my pack (main compartment), can't do that with a cowboy hat.

[Blissful]

Yes, you will likely lose your hat. Lots of windy days. And not easy to carry.

[m0rpheu5]

i could probly just hang it onto the outside of my pack?

[NICKTHEGREEK]

How many of you guys wear cowboy hats when backpacking, i am thinking about it but is the wind bad enough that it will blow the hat off your head?

Cowboys seemed to make them work under pretty horrid weather conditions, on a galloping horse, etc. I'd say they may be way better headgear than a ball cap. I've witnesed first hand what can happen when you tell a real cowboy his hat looks dorky, so I reserve all comments fashion wise.
I assume some of the features evolved from the necessity to fan away all those bean blammos, so they are natural shelter wear.

[Blissful]

My hubby likes to wear his Greek fisherman's cap.
If that's your thing and how have a way to carry it if needed, wear it.

[Phreak]

I've never seen a cowboy hat on the AT. But to each his own. Have at it!

[NICKTHEGREEK]

Don't want to get a ticket from the fashion police on the trail, it might break the bank.

If the back of the hat doesn't interfere with your pack then give it a shot.

Can't get worse

[OldStormcrow]

I've tried them, but they usually keep hitting the back of my pack. I reckon it just depends on how tall your pack is, pardner.....

[m0rpheu5]

I am an ultralight backpacker so i have a pack that is smaller than normal so i dont think the hat hitting the pack will be an issue.

[Manach]

I've seen some made of a synthetic felt; they were fairly light and, best of all, were collapsible. You could squish it all out of shape and it just popped right back.

This was at an outdoors store in Georgia some years ago; I don't know where you could find one otherwise.

[budforester]

I am an ultralight backpacker so i have a pack that is smaller than normal so i dont think the hat hitting the pack will be an issue.

Yeah, go for it if it's comfortable for you. They'll probably call you "Tex" and you may need to tie it down with a piggin' string.

[Zzzzdyd]

This site is at times more entertaining that the comedy channel.

Thanks folks and keep em coming.


I carry a Go lite breeze and couldn't make my Tilly full brim work without it

constantly bumping my pack, so I went with a ball cap.


Good luck "Tex" lol


Your to funny budforester .."tie it down with piggin string " !