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    Non-Mulesed Wool Hats: Australian Wool, Made to Last

    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.

    Wool is the most useful hat material we work with. It's naturally water-resistant, so light rain beads and rolls off; it's warm when damp; and it holds a shaped brim better than straw. Most of these styles are crushable — pack them, sit on them, reshape them with steam. You'll find outback, western, boho and fedora shapes here, many rated UPF 50+ and lined with an organic cotton inner band.

    Wool is water-resistant, not waterproof — for sustained rain see our oilskin and waxed cotton hats. Cleaning and reshaping are covered in the hat care guide. Every hat here is handmade, carries our limited lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects, and ships with two free size inserts so you can fine-tune the fit. Free US shipping on orders over $79.

    Why wool?

    • UPF 50+ sun protection: Blocks 98% of UV radiation naturally, without chemical treatments
    • 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 tracing our supply chain to source only from farms that use breeding and management alternatives instead.Each shipment is non-mulesed. 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 only from Australian farms certified to use these alternatives. Each wool shipment is tracked and non-mulesed.

    We trace every shipment from farm to factory. Our wool comes from Australian farms that do not practice mulesing, and each batch is non-mulesed by our distributor. This process took us two years to establish.

    Yes. Merino wool clothing boasts a UPF rating of 50 or more, offering enhanced protection by blocking out at least 98% of UV radiation. Our wool hats are tested at UPF 50+, making them more protective than most cotton or straw hats without chemical treatments.

    Yes, for spring, fall, and cooler summer days. Merino wool can be great for summer clothing due to its breathability, moisture-wicking ability, and natural temperature regulation. Wool is less ideal for hot, humid summer days compared to straw or mesh, but it excels in shoulder seasons and provides better sun protection.

    Spot-clean with a damp cloth for minor dirt. For deeper cleaning, use cool water and wool-safe detergent, then air-dry away from direct heat. Do not machine wash or dry. Store in a cool, dry place; avoid crushing the crown.

    Most of our wool hats are crushable or packable, meaning they bounce back after being folded or stuffed in a bag. 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 100% wool and is responsibly sourced (non-mulesed).

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