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    Leather Outback Hats

    An outback hat in leather is built to be a long-lasting choice. The wide brim and shapeable edge do the same work as our wool and cotton styles — shade, rain, wind — but leather gets better with age instead of wearing out, darkening and softening into the shape you set.


    Leather Made For Living

    • Genuine and buffalo-hide options: Choose from leather constructions selected for a substantial, enduring feel.
    • Shapeable brims: Adjust the edge to create the profile and coverage you prefer.
    • Broader sizing: Sizes run from Small through XX-Large, including options for larger heads.
    • Family hatmaking: Bill Conner learned leatherwork in St. Augustine in 1969, moved to Australia in 1970, and made hats in Byron Bay for over 50 years.
    • Backed by a guarantee: Conner Hats offers a limited lifetime guarantee covering defects in materials and workmanship. The guarantee also includes a 50% off code to replace the same hat if yours is ever lost or stolen.
    Bac Pac Traveller hat Handmade in Australia by BC Hats made from genuine  oliy water resistant leather in color Brown
    Leather outback crushable hat with wide brim  in color Brown

    Match Hat To Your Use

    Start with the silhouette you want. The BC Hats Bac Pac Traveller Oily Leather and Lone Wolf Crushable Leather are natural choices when a traveler-style profile matters, while the Maverick Leather offers a cowboy-hat direction. For a traditional outback look, compare Down Under Leather, Kangaroo Crossing Buffalo Hide, Buffalo Nickel Leather, and High Sierra Shapeable Leather.

    Use the size chart and measure carefully before ordering; available sizes range from Small to XX-Large. Wool is generally lighter, but our soft leather is light, packs easily and returns to shape. The hats are water-resistant, not waterproof. For care, avoid prolonged saturation and use only products suitable for leather. Shape the brim gradually to establish your preferred curve.

    Leather Outback Hats:

    Durable, Weather-Ready Protection

    Leather outback hats combine rugged durability with weather resistance for outdoor enthusiasts who need gear that lasts. Built from cowhide, buffalo hide, and oily Australian leather, these hats are designed for years of use in sun and rain.

    Quality leather hats typically last 10 to 20 years, depending on use and care. Leather develops a natural patina over time, gaining character while maintaining structural integrity. Many Conner leather outback hats feature crushable construction with coiled spring wire reinforcement, allowing them to be packed flat and spring back to shape.

    Key Benefits:

    • Durability: Genuine and buffalo hide leather resist scratches, tears, and weather exposure
    • Water Resistance: Oily leather treatments provide natural water resistance
    • Shade: Wide 3-3.5 inch brims provide shade for your face and neck
    • Shapeable Brims: Wire-reinforced brims can be customized and hold their form
    • Limited Lifetime Guarantee: All Conner hats are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship. The guarantee also includes a 50% off code to replace the same hat if yours is ever lost or stolen.

    Every hat is handmade and carries a limited lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. The guarantee also includes a 50% off code to replace the same hat if yours is ever lost or stolen. US orders over $79 ship free.

    Materials Used:

    • Buffalo Hide: Thick, durable leather ideal for harsh weather
    • Cowhide: Strong, structured leather that ages well
    • Oily Australian Leather: Water-resistant leather treated for outdoor use

    Most styles include chin cords for wind security, ventilation eyelets for breathability, and adjustable sweatbands for custom fit.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Quality leather outback hats typically last 10 to 20 years, depending on use and care. Genuine leather hats can last even longer—some BC Hats customers report 30+ years of use. Lifespan depends on leather grade, construction method, and maintenance. Handcrafted hats with reinforced stitching and quality hardware outlast mass-produced alternatives. Regular conditioning (every 6-12 months) prevents cracking and extends durability.

    Clean with a damp cloth and allow to air dry away from direct heat. Apply leather conditioner every 6-12 months to prevent drying and cracking. For oily Australian leather hats, wipe with a damp cloth—the oil treatment provides natural water resistance. If the hat loses shape, use steam from a kettle to soften the leather, reshape by hand, and allow to cool. Store on a hat stand or upside down on the crown to prevent brim distortion. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight storage, which can fade color.

    Oily leather hats (like the BC Hats Bac Pac Traveller) are naturally water-resistant due to oil treatment in the leather. They shed light rain effectively. Standard leather hats offer some water resistance but aren't fully waterproof without additional treatment. Apply a leather waterproofing spray for enhanced protection. Leather and felt resist rain about equally; straw is less tolerant of heavy rain.

    Crushable means the hat can be compressed flat for packing in luggage or a backpack, then spring back to its shape when removed. BC Hats crushable styles use coiled spring wire reinforcement. Check each product page for its sun rating.

    Measure your head circumference with a flexible tape measure about 1/2 inch above your ears and eyebrows, then match your measurement to the size chart:

    • Small: hat size 6 3/4-6 7/8, head 21 1/4-21 5/8 inches (54-55 cm)
    • Medium: 7-7 1/8, 22-22 3/8 inches (56-57 cm)
    • Large: 7 1/4-7 3/8, 22 3/4-23 1/4 inches (58-59 cm)
    • X-Large: 7 1/2-7 5/8, 23 1/2-24 inches (60-61 cm)
    • XX-Large: 7 3/4-7 7/8, 24 3/8-24 3/4 inches (62-63 cm)
    • XXX-Large: 8, 25 1/8 inches (64 cm)
    • Small/Medium: 6 7/8-7 1/8, 21 5/8-22 3/8 inches (55-57 cm)
    • Large/X-Large: 7 1/4-7 1/2, 22 3/4-23 1/2 inches (58-60 cm)
    • One Size: 6 3/4-7 1/4, 21 1/4-22 3/4 inches (54-58 cm)
    • One Size Up: 7 3/8-7 1/2, 23 1/4-23 1/2 inches (59-60 cm)

    Two free size inserts ship with every order to help adjust the fit.

    Buffalo hide is thicker and more durable than cowhide, making it ideal for harsh weather and heavy outdoor use. It's naturally water-resistant and develops a rich patina. Cowhide is slightly lighter and more structured, holding shape well while offering excellent durability. Both are genuine leathers that last decades with care.

    Leather outback hat brims provide shade for your face, neck, and ears. Many of our hats are UPF rated; check each product page for its rating. Wide-brimmed hats can help shade you outdoors.

    Yes. If your leather outback hat has a shapeable brim, use steam to soften it, then gently bend the brim to your desired shape and hold it as it cools. Do not fully soak the hat, and let it dry naturally. A wider brim can provide more shade.