Handmade Gambler Hats from a Family-Owned Hat Company with Australian Roots Conner Hats' gambler hat collection combines 50 years of Australian hatmaking tradition with sustainable materials. Each hat is designed by Will Conner, who learned the craft in his father Bill's Byron Bay factory, where BC Hats made the leather hat with a shapeable brim that won a 1993 award as Australia's original.
| Feature | Conner Hats Gambler | Typical Fashion Gambler |
|---|---|---|
| Brim Width | 3.5-4 inches | 2.5-3 inches |
| Crown Height | 4.5 inches | 3-3.5 inches |
| Brim Profile | Flat with subtle upturn | Pronounced "taco" curl |
| Materials | Australian wool and genuine leather | Synthetic blends, treated straw |
| Construction | Handmade, crushable | Mass-produced, rigid |
| Sustainability | Non-Mulesed Australian wool and genuine leather | Standard production |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 30-90 days (if any) |
| Made By | Family-owned, 50-year heritage | Factory production |
| Material | Best For | Key Benefits | Weather Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Wool Felt | Travel, variable weather, year-round wear | Crushable, water-resistant, holds shape | Excellent (water-resistant) |
A gambler hat is a Western-style hat with a flat, telescope crown and wide, flat brim (typically 3-4 inches). The brim has a subtle upturn at the edges. Gambler hats became popular in the days of riverboat casinos that moved up and down the Mississippi river, with their distinct oval crown and wide brim setting them apart from other western hat styles.
Cowboy hats have curved, pinched crowns and upturned brims. Gambler hats have flat, telescope crowns and wide, flat brims with minimal curve. Unlike the curved, pinched crowns of traditional cowboy hats, gambler hats feature flat or telescope crowns that sit level. Gambler hats offer a more refined, less rugged look.
Our gambler hats feature 3.5-4 inch brims, providing shade for your face and neck during outdoor activities.
No. We specifically design our gambler hats with flatter brims to avoid the pronounced upward curl that many customers dislike. One customer review states: "I really like that it does not have a pronounced taco brim like so many other gambler hats out there. I own several gambler style hats, but I never wear them because they have too much of a taco brim".
Yes. The wide, flat brim (3.5-4 inches) provides excellent shade for your face, neck, and shoulders. The generous brim makes gambler hats ideal for hiking, festivals, gardening, and beach activities.
Our gambler hats are made from Australian wool felt: soft, crushable, and water-resistant. The wool used in Conner Hats is responsibly sourced.
Some Australian wool hats are crushable, while others are stiff. Check the product page for your gambler hat before packing it.
Measure around your head just above your ears, where the hat will sit, using a flexible tape measure:
- Small: hat size 6 3/4-6 7/8; head 21 1/4"-21 5/8" (54-55 cm)
- Medium: hat size 7-7 1/8; head 22"-22 3/8" (56-57 cm)
- Large: hat size 7 1/4-7 3/8; head 22 3/4"-23 1/4" (58-59 cm)
- X-Large: hat size 7 1/2-7 5/8; head 23 1/2"-24" (60-61 cm)
If you’re between sizes, choose the larger size for comfort. Two free size inserts ship with every order.
Yes. Within the Western hat revival, the gambler hat has emerged as one of the most visually striking Western hat styles. Sleek, bold, and steeped in Gold Rush-era mystique, these architectural hats represent a distinct kind of Western identity. They're popular at country music festivals, rodeos, and as everyday wear for people who want a distinctive Western look.
A Gus hat (named after the character in "Lonesome Dove") is a type of cowboy hat with a sloped crown and front pinch. A gambler hat has a flat, telescope crown with no pinch. They're different styles, though both are Western hats.
Wool felt: Brush gently with a soft hat brush. Remove dust with a damp cloth. Reshape if crushed by steaming over a kettle.
- Leather: Wipe with a damp cloth and condition every 3–6 months with a leather conditioner.
- Storage: Store on a hat stand or upside down on the crown to maintain brim shape.
Yes. Our Limited Lifetime Guarantee covers workmanship failures on purchases from connerhats.com. If a workmanship failure occurs within the first 12 months, we’ll replace the same style, size, and color, with shipping paid. After 12 months, a 40% off code is available toward a replacement; shipping is not included. If your hat is lost or stolen, you can get 50% off the same hat; shipping is not included.
Gambler hats work for:
- Country music festivals and concerts
- Outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, gardening)
- Casual everyday wear
- Western-themed events
- Travel (especially crushable wool versions)
It's a versatile appearance that's equally at home during casual and formal occasions. Paired with the right suit, a gambler hat can be the perfect accessory for a wedding. It can also complement a worker's jeans and give casual clothing a more formal appearance.
Family-owned, 50-year heritage: Will Conner started learning hat making as a kid in his dad's factory in Byron Bay, Australia, and created the Conner Hats brand
- Handmade quality: Each hat is crafted with attention to detail, not mass-produced
- Sustainable materials: Non-Mulesed Australian wool, genuine buffalo hide, and organic cotton inner bands
- Better fit: Taller crowns and flatter brims based on customer feedback
- Limited lifetime guarantee: We stand behind our craftsmanship. The guarantee includes a 50% off code for the same hat if yours is lost or stolen.
