How to Measure Your Head

To get the right fit, you want to measure exactly where the hat will sit.

• The Placement: Wrap a flexible measuring tape around your head, starting about 1/2 inch to 1 inch above your eyebrows and ears.
• The Path: Ensure the tape goes straight across the widest part of the back of your head (the occipital bone).
• The Tension: Hold the tape snug, but not tight? think of how you want the hat to feel. If you are between sizes, always size up. You can easily add a "hat reducer" (a small foam strip) to a hat that's a bit too big, but you can't comfortably fix a hat that's too small.

Understanding the "Oval"

Standard cowboy hats are shaped for a "Long Oval" head, but everyone's head shape is different. Most quality hatters (like Stetson or Resistol) offer three shapes:

• Round Oval: For heads that are almost as wide as they are long.
• Regular Oval: The industry standard.
• Long Oval: For heads that are significantly longer from front-to-back than side-to-side.

Pro Tip: The "Finger Test" Once the hat is on, you should be able to slide one finger between the sweatband and your forehead. If the hat leaves a red mark on your forehead after 10 minutes, it is definitely too tight.

What do the "X's" mean?

In the cowboy hat world (especially felt hats), you'll see labels like 6X, 20X, or 100X.

• This refers to the quality and percentage of beaver fur blended into
  the felt.
• The higher the "X" factor, the softer, more durable, and more water-resistant the hat is. It doesn't change the size, but a higher "X" hat will hold its shape much longer.