Western Straw Hats

Types of Straw Cowboy Hats

You don't wear the same clothes all year, so why would you wear the same hat? When it's hot outside, choosing a straw hat is definitely the way to go. Not all Western straw hats are actually made of straw, and the type of material impacts the aesthetic, cost and durability. Straw hats generally are made out of four types of material:

   1. Panama Straw/Toquilla - palm-like straw with a very fine weave
   2. Shantung - plant-based paper rolled to resemble straw
   3. Palm - split palm fronds in thin, tight braids
   4. Bangora - plant-based paper in a tight, perpendicular weave

Just like felt hats, Western straw hats also contain "Xs" or stars that indicate the hat's quality. The X represents the thickness of the straw used and the tightness of the weave. A high-quality straw hat typically has more Xs than a lower quality hat, but quality is also determined by the type of weave, finish and trim package.