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    Non-Mulesed Australian Wool Hats

    Every wool hat we make uses non-mulesed wool. Mulesing is the practice of cutting skin from a lamb's breech to prevent flystrike; our wool comes from growers who don't do it, which is what “responsibly sourced” means here — a sourcing standard, not a slogan.


    A Practical Wool Hat Standard

    • Non-mulesed wool: Every hat uses Australian wool from growers who do not practice mulesing.
    • Useful performance: Wool is naturally water-resistant, warm when damp, and effective at holding a shaped brim.
    • Style range: The collection includes outback, western, boho, fedora, gambler, bowler, beret, and top-hat shapes.
    • Flexible fit: Sizes run from Small through XX-Large, with One Size options available on some styles.
    • Family-made tradition: Conner Hats is family-run, with more than 50 years of hatmaking in Byron Bay and 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.
    Stiff raw edge western outback wool hat with wide flat brim in Brown color with dark leather band
    Outback wool hat in color Brown with leather hat band and Conner emblem

    Match Shape To Your Day

    Start with the setting. Outback styles such as the Banjo Paterson, Jackeroo, and Indy suit outdoor use and travel, while the Wide Open Spaces emphasizes a broad-brim outdoor look. For western styling, compare The Axe with other cowboy shapes. The Mt. Warning and NorCal Open Road offer boho character, while the Detroit is a straightforward fedora. Gamblers, bowlers, berets, and top hats create more specific looks.

    Check the individual hat’s available size before ordering: this collection includes Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, and One Size. For packing, look for a crushable style; many can be reshaped with steam after travel. Wool handles light rain, but choose a style based on its stated features if you need a particular level of water resistance.

    Why wool?

    • Sun protection: wide brims shade face, ears and neck; hats with open mesh, vents or brims under 2.5 inches carry no UPF rating
    • Three-season durability: Warm in winter, breathable in spring and fall, moisture-wicking in light rain
    • Crushable and packable: Bounces back from being stuffed in a bag
    • Styles for every need: Outback, cowboy, fedora, bowler, gambler, and boho styles with brims from 2" to 4"
    • Why responsibly sourced? Mulesing—the removal of skin around a sheep's buttocks to prevent flystrike—was still practised by 58% of Australian Merino producers on their ewe lambs and 49% on their male lambs as of 2023 (AWI Merino Husbandry Practices Survey, 2023). We spent two years setting up our non-mulesed wool supply. Our factory buys RWS wool. The cost difference is negligible; the welfare difference is everything.

    Read more about our sourcing from https://textileexchange.org/responsible-wool-standard/

    FAQs

    Non-mulesed wool comes from sheep that are not mulesed. Mulesing is the removal of skin around a sheep's buttocks to prevent flystrike (a parasitic infection). Alternatives include breeding plain-bodied Merinos with fewer wrinkles, which has shown clear reductions in flystrike. We source non-mulesed wool, and our factory buys RWS wool.

    Our wool is non-mulesed Australian wool. It took two years to establish our non-mulesed wool supply, and our factory buys Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) wool.

    Wool hats are tested, but only some are UPF rated. Check the specific product page for its rating. Hats with open mesh, vents, or brims under 2.5 inches carry no UPF rating.

    Yes, wool hats can be worn in spring, fall, and on cooler summer days. Wool is breathable and helps regulate temperature. It may be less comfortable on hot, humid days, when straw or mesh may be a better choice.

    Spot-clean with a damp cloth for minor dirt. For deeper cleaning, use cool water and wool-safe detergent without fully soaking the hat, then let it dry naturally. Do not machine wash or dry. If it stretches or loses its shape, restore the shape with a stretch or steam. Store in a cool, dry place and avoid crushing the crown.

    Many of our wool hats are crushable, while some are stiff on purpose. Look for 'crushable' in the product name for styles specifically designed for travel.

    Felt is made from wool fibers that are matted and compressed. Our wool hats use felt construction for structure and durability. All our felt is made from wool and is responsibly sourced (non-mulesed).

    Yes. Across our wider range, we also make hats from organic cotton, hemp, recycled plastic bottles, organic raffia, and paper straw. Browse by material using the 'By Material' menu.

    The collection includes Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large options. Availability varies by hat, so check the size choices for the specific style you are considering. If you are comparing styles, use the same size label where it is offered and pay attention to each product’s listed fit information.

    Wool is naturally water-resistant, so light rain can bead and roll off, and wool remains warm when damp. That makes these hats useful for outdoor wear. Some individual styles have additional water-resistant descriptions, so compare the product details if weather performance is your main priority.

    U.S. shipping is free on orders over $79 and costs $7.99 on orders of $79 or less. Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase for hats bought at connerhats.com, provided the hat is unworn and unwashed, has its paper tags attached, and is in its original packaging. 40% Sale items are final sale. Return shipping is charged for refunds, and a $10 restocking fee applies if you use your own return label. The Limited Lifetime Guarantee applies to purchases from connerhats.com. For workmanship failure, it provides a free replacement of the same style, size, and color during the first 12 months, with shipping paid; after 12 months, it offers 40% off a replacement, with shipping not included. Material degradation from use qualifies for a 30% off code. For a lost or stolen hat, it offers a 50% off code for the same hat, with shipping not included.