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Outback Hats questions
What is the difference between an outback hat and a cowboy hat?
The brim and the job. A cowboy hat's brim curls up at the sides and the crown is usually creased into a cattleman or similar shape. An outback hat's brim is flatter and often dips at the front and back, the crown has a simpler center dent, and many add a chin cord. Cowboy hats lean western. Outbacks lean travel and trail.
What is an outback hat?
A brimmed hat built for weather, named for the Australian outback. It usually has a center-dent crown, a brim around three inches that stays mostly flat, and often a chin cord and vents. You'll find it in wool felt, leather, oilcloth-style fabric and straw. It's the hat for long days outdoors when you care more about shade than style points.
Can you pack an outback hat?
Some, yes. Crushable wool felt and soft leather outbacks are made to be squashed and pop back. We tag a hat Packable only when the store's listing says packable, crushable or foldable, so use that filter. Pack it crown down, stuff the crown with socks, and reshape the brim with your hands when you arrive.
How do you clean a leather outback hat?
Wipe off dust and mud with a soft, barely damp cloth and let it dry at room temperature, away from heaters and sun, which can crack leather. Don't soak it or machine-wash it. A leather conditioner keeps it from drying out; test it inside the crown first. Wipe the sweatband after hot days so salt doesn't stain it.
Is an outback hat good for fishing?
It's one of the better picks. A brim around three inches shades your face and neck, the chin cord keeps it on when the boat picks up speed, and leather or waxed fabric handles spray. On hot days, straw or a vented build stays cooler. Check that the listing says chin cord if wind is part of your plan.
Is an outback hat good for hiking?
Yes, if it's light enough. A vented straw or fabric outback with a chin cord is the hot-trail choice. Crushable felt suits cooler hikes and travel, since it stuffs into a pack. Heavy leather is great in wind and brush but warm on a summer climb. For more trail-ready brims, see our sun hats page.
How should an outback hat fit?
Snug enough to stay on without the chin cord on a calm day, with no red line after an hour. It should sit level, just above your ears. Many outbacks here come in S/M and L/XL rather than four sizes, so measure carefully, and if you're between, size up and use the foam insert American Hat Makers says it includes.
An outback hat has a center-dent crown and a medium to wide brim that sits flatter than a cowboy hat's. Many have a chin cord. Pick crushable wool felt or leather for wind, rain and travel, and straw for hot days. If it has to go in a bag, choose one the store lists as packable or crushable.
Outback or cowboy hat?
Both have a tall crown and a real brim, which is where the confusion starts. A cowboy hat curls its brim up at the sides and wears a sharper crease like the cattleman. An outback keeps its brim flatter, uses a simpler center dent, and usually adds a chin cord. If you’re going to a rodeo, wear the cowboy hat. If you’re going to the airport, the trail or the boat ramp, the outback is the easier companion.
Felt, leather or straw?
Crushable wool felt is the traveler: warm, packable when the store says so, and forgiving of a bag. Leather, including bison leather on a few hats here, handles wind, drizzle and brush, and it gets better with wear. Straw outbacks, often paper Panama, are the hot-weather version. They breathe well and don’t love being crushed. Some outbacks add mesh panels for airflow, which is worth it on summer trails.
Which outback for which trip?
Long-haul travel: crushable felt with the Packable tag.
Fishing and boating: leather or waxed fabric with a chin cord.
Summer hiking: vented straw or fabric with a chin cord.
Cold, windy days: wool felt or leather.
How do you keep it in shape?
Store it on its crown or on a hook, never flat on the brim. If it gets wet, shake it off, blot it and let it dry at room temperature. Bend the brim back with your hands while it’s still a little damp. For packing advice across every type, see our best packable travel hats, and for brims with more shade, sun hats. Size it on the size chart first.
