Straw Cowboy Hats

Straw cowboy hats are designed for temperatures above 70°F. The natural straw materials (raffia, bangora, toyo) allow airflow and keep your head cool in hot weather. For temperatures below 70°F or year-round wear, choose wool felt or leather cowboy hats instead—they're water-resistant and provide insulation. Leather works in both temperature ranges but runs warmer in summer heat.

Raffia is organic palm fiber from Madagascar, hand-braided by artisans. It's the most sustainable option—palm leaves grow 60-80 feet and can be harvested without damaging the plant. Raffia is lightweight, naturally breathable, and develops character with wear. Bangora is premium Mexican straw with a tighter weave and structured feel, often featuring built-in ventilation holes for cooling airflow. Toyo is a paper-based straw with extra-tight weaving that delivers UPF 50+ sun protection, blocking 98% of UVA and UVB rays. All three are lightweight and breathable, but toyo offers the highest measured sun protection.

Conner straw cowboy hats provide UPF 50+ protection in toyo styles, blocking 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. Raffia and bangora offer natural UV resistance (not rated but inherent to the materials). The 3.5-4 inch brims on Conner hats provide measurably better coverage than typical 2.5-3 inch brims on fashion cowboy hats, protecting your face, neck, ears, and upper back—areas most vulnerable to sun damage and skin cancer.

Keep straw hats moisture-free and store correctly to prevent damage. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove dirt—avoid soaking, as excessive water weakens straw fibers. Store on a hat rack or in a hat box to maintain shape (never hang by the brim). Avoid leaving in hot cars or direct sunlight when not wearing, as extreme heat can cause straw to become brittle. If your hat gets wet from rain, let it air dry naturally away from heat sources. Do not use high heat or hair dryers, which can damage the natural fibers.

Straw cowboy hats hold their factory shape and are not reshapeable like felt or leather hats. The natural straw materials (raffia, bangora, toyo) maintain their original brim curve and crown shape. If you want a hat you can customize by steaming and shaping, choose wool felt (shapeable with steam) or leather (shapeable when wet) instead. Many customers prefer straw hats specifically because they maintain a consistent look without needing reshaping.

Conner straw cowboy hats range from $80-$87 for most raffia and bangora styles. This pricing positions Conner significantly below luxury brands like Stetson ($119-$500+) and Resistol ($200-$300) while maintaining handmade quality and sustainable materials. You're paying for authentic craftsmanship from a family-owned business (founded 2014) with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects—not mass-market fashion hats from overseas factories.

Measure your head circumference just above your eyebrows and ears using a flexible tape measure. Match your measurement to our size chart: Small (21.5-22 inches / 54-56 cm), Medium (22-22.75 inches / 56-58 cm), Large (22.75-23.5 inches / 58-60 cm), X-Large (23.5-24.25 inches / 60-62 cm). Buy a hat that fits snug around the head, almost uncomfortably tight—cowboy hats expand with heat from your head and will loosen to conform to your shape. Between sizes? Order larger and use the included sizing foam for fine-tuning. Conner hats run true to size, not vanity-sized like fashion brands.

Yes. Conner uses organic raffia (regenerates without plant damage), biodegradable materials, and solar-powered warehouse operations. The brand makes reducing single-use plastic a primary goal—hats are made from recycled plastic bottles where applicable, hang tags use biodegradable string instead of plastic connectors, and each hat ships on flat cardboard instead of wasteful plastic bags. Woven labels are made from recycled PET plastic. The warehouse is 100% solar powered and uses non-toxic, water-soluble, biodegradable garment bags. Family-owned since 2014, Conner prioritizes suppliers who pay fair wages and practice ethical treatment of employees.