| Cowboy hats have long been a symbol of the | | | | from the sun and it is durable. However a felt hat |
| rugged West. The original intent of cowboy hats | | | | feels like you are wearing cardboard, and if a felt |
| was to protect the wearer from the outdoor | | | | hat is bent too far in any direction, it can actually |
| elements. They were made from animal skins | | | | break. A cowboy hat made from leather is the |
| because other materials like felt and straw | | | | more expensive choice, but it is well worth the |
| weren't as accessible. Leather cowboy hats are | | | | investment if you are serious about using your |
| durable, hard working, versatile and resistant to | | | | cowboy hat for the purpose it was intended, |
| wind and rain; making it an excellent choice if you | | | | which is to weather all the outdoor elements and |
| plan to wear it on a daily basis. | | | | protect the head of the person wearing it. |
| Leather also tends to mold easily, providing a | | | | Maintaining a cowboy hat that is made of leather |
| custom fit for the wearer. It does not lose its | | | | simply takes a bit of common sense. When your |
| shape, stretch out, or wrinkle easily. Leather is | | | | hat gets wet, always allow it to dry naturally. |
| also wind-resistant, but breathes at the same | | | | Turn the sweatband up and out of the hat so it |
| time. A cowboy hat made from leather can be | | | | will dry completely. A cleaner for leather should be |
| comfortably worn year-round. During the warmer | | | | chosen carefully. A high quality cleaner will allow |
| months, it will keep the sun off of your head and | | | | the retention of the natural oils in the leather itself. |
| neck. During the winter, it will provide warmth and | | | | It would probably be best to consult your |
| durability, despite the elements. They come in | | | | reputable western apparel store or leather shop |
| several different shades of brown, from light | | | | for recommendations. But as with cleaning any |
| brown to deep chocolate brown (almost black), | | | | apparel manufactured from leather, always test a |
| and even black itself, which means it can | | | | hidden spot before applying the technique to the |
| compliment any skin and hair color. | | | | entire item. Many western stores that sell leather |
| Although felt and straw cowboy hats are popular, | | | | items offer a cleaning service if you are not |
| leather ones are the best looking by far. And | | | | comfortable with cleaning your own cowboy hat. |
| looks are important because cowboys in the west | | | | When storing your leather hat, do so in a cool |
| aren't the only ones sporting these hats. | | | | place, away from direct sunlight, to avoid |
| Celebrities and singers wear cowboy hats made | | | | discoloration. |
| from leather just to look sharp. | | | | Leather cowboy hats are more expensive, but |
| A straw cowboy hat won't protect you from rain | | | | they are the obvious choice for the rugged |
| or snow, and sunlight can make its way through | | | | outdoorsman, authentic cowboy, or simply for |
| the fibers, so it isn't the best choice for sun | | | | looking your best. |
| protection. A felt hat will give ample protection | | | | |