Outback Hats: Australian Wide Brim Styles

Outback hats typically have a broad, mostly flat brim and a flat or lightly creased crown. Cowboy hats often have a more shaped crown and a brim turned up at the sides. These are style conventions, not strict rules, and both styles vary. Outback hats are associated with outdoor wear and shade, while cowboy hats are associated with ranch work and riding.

Wide-brim outback hats provide shade for the neck, face, and ears, with wider brims providing more shade than narrower ones. Many of our hats are UPF rated; check each product page. Hats with open mesh, vents, or brims under 2.5 inches carry no UPF rating. Brim widths range from 2.5 to 3.5 inches depending on style.

For hot, dry conditions: Choose canvas or recycled fabric with mesh ventilation (like the Aussie Cooler Canvas Mesh Hiker Hat). These materials allow airflow and offer shade.

For hot, humid conditions: Straw or raffia options provide maximum breathability.

For all-weather versatility: Australian wool outback hats regulate temperature in both heat and cold, and resist light rain.

Many Conner outback hats are crushable. Wool felt styles (like the Jackeroo Crushable Wool Hat) can be crushed for a moment and will reshape; for travel, pack them properly (see our hat care page). Leather hats with shapeable brims can be folded temporarily. Avoid packing waxed cotton or stiff crown styles—these maintain their shape best when stored flat or on a hat stand.

Measure your head circumference with a flexible tape measure about 1/2 inch above your ears and eyebrows. Match your measurement to our size chart:

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

Two free size inserts ship with every order to help fine-tune the fit.

Some Conner outback hats were made in Australia by BC Hats, the original company founded by Bill Conner in Byron Bay. These are limited pre-2020 styles, and Australian-made styles are identified in product descriptions. Other styles are designed by Conner Hats, founded by Bill's son Will, and made by suppliers in Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, or Mexico. Our suppliers are required to pay fair wages and meet our material standards.

Regular maintenance: Brush off dirt with a soft bristle brush. Wipe with a damp cloth if needed.

• Conditioning: Apply leather conditioner every 6–12 months to prevent drying and cracking.

• Water exposure: If the hat gets wet, let it air dry naturally away from direct heat. Reshape while damp if needed.

• Storage: Store on a hat stand or upside down on the crown to maintain brim shape.

Genuine leather develops a rich patina over time—this is normal and adds character.

Both describe cotton fabric finished with wax or oil to keep water out. Oilskin is finished with oil and has a slightly softer hand feel. Waxed cotton uses paraffin-based wax and may feel stiffer initially. Both are highly water-resistant, windproof, and develop a worn-in appearance over time. Conner's waxed cotton hats (like the Mountain Trail and Portland styles) are finished with wax to keep out the weather.