Besides leather or straw, cowboy hats made from felt are also one of the most popular choices in the cowboy world. They are beautiful, affordable, offer good sun protection and especially last long.
You heard them, they are very durable!
This is understandable because cowboys often have to traverse barren lands in intense sunlight in erratic environments. So, their accessories prioritized durability, whether hats or boots.
Today’s article will talk about the lifespan of felt cowboy hats. Yes, it is durable, but can it stay with you forever?
Let’s check it out!
Key Takeaways
- Cowboy hats made from felt have a long lifespan and can completely last a lifetime if you know how to use and maintain them well.
- Felt cowboy hats don’t serve heavy jobs as cowboy boots, so they don’t bear much pressure and are not damaged quickly.
- However, you should also know how to dry, clean, and store them well to ensure they are new, beautiful, in shape, etc.
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Do felt cowboy hats last long?
As I mentioned, the durability of cowboy accessories is significant, you can totally trust them.
Cowboy boots, mostly used in heavier working conditions than hats, can still last for more than 15 years if well cared for. For cowboy hats, you can expect them to last longer, even a lifetime. In general, cowboy hats have a very long life because their job is pretty simple – cover our heads.
As you dig deeper into felt material, you’ll learn that this material wears very little. This is the best feature making it a great material for many items. It is very resistant to abrasion and does not fray or unravel like wool.
Besides, felt cowboy hats retain their new and clean look as well as keep their shape quite well because this material is less prone to wrinkles.
The Ranchman felt cowboy hat | Click for more info | Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned
All in all, if you’re not a diligent or skillful person to take care of cowboy hats, you can still expect this feeling to last more than 10 years.
However, felt also has many weaknesses. If you are aware of them and overcome them, your hats can stay with you for a longer time.
What to keep in mind to ensure the beauty and long life of cowboy hats?
There are a few drawbacks of felt that you need to know. First of all, felt is a source of nutrition for moths.
Therefore, don’t let felt cowboy hats get wet, or else, it will provide water and food for the moths. Moths will invade the felt hats and destroy them.
Keeping the felt hats dry is essential. And don’t let them constantly get wet and dry in rainy seasons, as this material is not really as supple as leather. Otherwise, the felt turns to be more brittle and broken.
However, caring for felt cowboy hats is not easy compared to leather or straw types.
You should not use warm water to clean felt cowboy hats because it can cause them to shrink and affect their shape. Besides, don’t use the washing machine for the same reason.
Recommended by clothing manufacturers, the best thing you can do is to dry felt cowboy hats or clean them by hand.
Using mild detergents (eg. types for wool) with a soft brush is a good method to clean the felt cowboy hat. When drying felt, it’s best to use natural wind as this method is safer than using heat.
That’s all you should pay attention to preserve felt cowboy hats and ensure their long lifespan.
Before you leave
Cowboy hats made from felt last very long, it could be 10 years, 20 years, or a lifetime depending on your use and care.
The price of felt cowboy hats today is not too expensive. Their ability to protect you from the sun is also good.
Therefore, felt cowboy hats are definitely a smart investment!
Howdy y’all! I’m Grace, a Western style enthusiast with over 5 years of experience. From cowboy boots to western gear, I’m passionate about all things Western and dedicated to helping you find the perfect style to suit your taste. Join me and my fiancé Jay Gatz as we explore the rich history and timeless appeal of Western fashion together!