Straw Cowboy Hat - Keep Your Head Cool with a Straw Cowboy Hat

The traditional cowboy hat or Stetson first came onto the scene in the mid 19th Century and was the creation of John Stetson a hat maker who was looking to create a hat for the those who lived and worked in the Southwestern United States. Here the men rode horses and were responsible for large herds of cattle in the desert sun and heat. The original Stetsons were crafted in leather but it was not long before the straw cowboy hat became a summer fixture on many cowboys' heads as they were just as practical but far cooler in the summer.

The open weave of the straw cowboy hats allowed for better air flow keeping the cowboys' heads cooler, while the wide brim still kept midday sun out of their eyes. Today mens straw cowboy hats are no longer reserved for the open range as they have become a very popular fashion statement among both men and women. You will see many young cowboys who ride the range in a truck still favoring the straw cowboy hat despite the fact that they really do not need one to keep the sun out of their eyes any more.

While not strictly cowboys, the men and women who ride in the professional rodeo circuits tend to favor the black straw cowboy hat as it light, comfortable and looks cool during their ride in the ring, Many young men who want to portray the image of a cowboy, despite the fact that many of them have never been on a horse, choose a cowboy hat with a snake skin band going around the crown and a large belt buckle like ornament on the front of the crown.

Even in the UK the straw cowboy hat has become a fashion statement as many of the cultures of the US have spread across the ocean to become popular. You will find that there are many fans of country and western music in pubs and clubs with a cowboy theme. Here you will find many men and women in a straw cowboy hat and wearing "authentic" western wear.

Because straw cowboy hats were designed to keep the sun off of your head and out of your eyes, it is not unusual to see a great many people wearing them on the beach. Because they are made of straw instead of felt or leather they are much cooler and the light color helps to reflect the sunlight further reducing the heat of the sun's rays. The only real problem with a straw cowboy hat is that if it starts to rain you head is likely to get wet, whereas it would not have if the hat had been made of leather of felt.

There are many different types of straw that are used to make hats but by far the two most commonly used ones are Toquilla straw made from the fronds of palm trees found in Ecuador and Buntal straw. These straws are chosen for their rich golden color and that they are more durable than many of the other forms of straw. Regular field grown straw is not used as it does not have the durability or the color most people prefer for use in a hat.