A straw cowboy hat is the summer workhorse, and every one here is a Stetson: shantung from 10X to 1000X, plus palm, hemp and Panama. Many have vented crowns, and sizes run mostly 6 3/4 to 7 3/4.
Shantung is the main straw on this page, a tightly woven, finished straw graded with an X much like felt. Here the X points to the fineness of the weave. A 10X is a solid everyday hat, a 20X is finer and smoother, and the 100X and 1000X styles sit at the top of the range. Prices climb with the grade, from under $200 for most 10X hats to $370 for the 1000X.
Palm leaf straw is the rugged end of the shelf, with a coarser weave that takes knocks in stride and prices from $75 to $95. The Sawmill Palm Leaf Western and Cowhand Mexican Palm are two good examples. Hemp is a third option, used on the Hemp Straw Open Road. Panama straw is handwoven from toquilla straw in Ecuador, and our Panama styles, including the Open Road Panama, are Grade 20 Panama straw.
Vented crowns are the reason straw wins in July. Small openings, set in a diamond pattern or spaced all the way around, let warm air escape while the brim keeps sun off your face and neck. Pick a vented cattleman for daily wear, or an open crown if you'd like to set your own crease. In most of the country straw covers late spring through early fall. When the evenings turn cool, it's time to bring the felt back out.
Fit, felt & straw
Straw questions, answered
What does the X mean on a straw hat?
On shantung straw, the X describes the fineness of the weave. A 10X is a dependable everyday straw, 20X is tighter and smoother, and 100X or 1000X are top-grade weaves with a dressier finish. It's a quality guide within straw, so don't compare a 10X straw directly with a 10X felt; the two scales measure different materials. Palm, hemp and Panama hats are described by their material rather than an X grade, and Panama has its own grade system.
How do I care for a straw hat?
Handle it by the brim rather than pinching the crown, since repeated pinching can crack the weave over time. Wipe off dust with a soft, dry cloth, and if the sweatband gets damp, let the hat air out away from direct heat. Avoid leaving it on a hot dashboard or soaking it in rain. Store it upside down on its crown or on a hat rack so the brim keeps its shape. Our hat care guide on the blog covers the details.
Palm or shantung: which should I pick?
Palm suits hard outdoor days, yard work and anyone who wants a straw they won't fuss over. It has a coarser look and costs less, with our palm styles under $100. Shantung has a smoother, more finished weave, comes in X grades, and looks at home in town, at a rodeo or at a summer wedding. If you want one straw that does a bit of everything, a 10X or 20X shantung with a vented crown is the safe middle ground.
Once the weather cools, our felt hats carry you through fall and winter. Got a concert or a party on the calendar? Shop disco cowboy hats for the night out.
