Neuse Rivers Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 We're in the middle of a miserable heat wave. I've been thinking of picking up a Palm Leaf straw hat, since I don't shoot in those categories that require a felt hat. I've heard some folks say they are somewhat cooler than the felt hats, and others disagree. What's your own experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 We're in the middle of a miserable heat wave. I've been thinking of picking up a Palm Leaf straw hat, since I don't shoot in those categories that require a felt hat. I've heard some folks say they are somewhat cooler than the felt hats, and others disagree. What's your own experience? Some of mt felt hats are black and I just picked up a palm hat. When standing in the sun, black felt vs palm makes a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassalong Hopidy Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I have one of each, Neuse, and if the palm hat is not cooler, my internal thermometer just isn't working. It certainly feels cooler. I guess it's possible that the lighter color is a factor, but my impression is that heat escapes through the palm hat much more effectivley than it does the felt hat. Also nice to have a palm hat when rain is expected. Cassalong Hopidy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That Masked Man Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 The palm hat is definitely cooler. It's the ability of the woven-straw-type hat to "breathe" that makes the difference; even a dark-colored straw hat will be cooler than a white felt hat. The only way to make a felt hat feel cooler is to soak it in water! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrimstoneJerome Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Are there any good links for palm hats on the net, nudge nudge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Here's one link, I love my Palm leaf hats, I've got seven of them... http://stores.work-n-ranch.com/-strse-Hats-Straw/Categories.bok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Sunbody is tops: http://sunbody.com/ I bought this one a few years back; indestructable!: http://www.sunbody.com/index.cfm/product/9_6/guatemalan-fine-palm-fedora.cfm These Guatemalen palm leaf are heavier-duty construction than typical Panama hats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jake1001 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I bought a woven Palm leaf hat at EoT 2004 and love it. They wet it and shape it to your head and put whatever crown style you want on it and let it dry. $32 at the time. Great for summer wear. Don't forget a stampede string if it's windy where you shoot. Just sayin' Big Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Houston # 35508 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 One of many reasons I switched from B-Western http://stores.ebay.com/ONE-2-mini-RANCH-TACK-and-FEED/Hats-Hatbands-/_i.html?_fsub=2&_sid=62954357&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 Where I've gotten mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I have several and enjoy them in the warmer weather.....A few of them are from Sunbody Sgt H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Dallas hat company has some fine hats also, and I believe, alittle bit better quality than Sunbody... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oklahomabound Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Sunbody is tops: http://sunbody.com/ I bought this one a few years back; indestructable!: http://www.sunbody.com/index.cfm/product/9_6/guatemalan-fine-palm-fedora.cfm These Guatemalen palm leaf are heavier-duty construction than typical Panama hats. It's called "build your own". +1 The Sunbody folks are great to work with... Have had mine for several years, its great. Ms. Mary Matilda just got hers, we custom ordered it and they delivered! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mongo, SASS #61450 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 +2 for Sunbody hats. I love mine. You can find good prices for new ones on Ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Red OToole, #48939 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I have three Sunbody Guatamalean Palm Leaf hats. Two of these and one of these. I wet the brims down on the Sam Houston hats and flattened them out. The Charro hat, I left as is. They are great hats and much cooler than a felt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOODFOX , sass#34179 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 We're in the middle of a miserable heat wave. I've been thinking of picking up a Palm Leaf straw hat, since I don't shoot in those categories that require a felt hat. I've heard some folks say they are somewhat cooler than the felt hats, and others disagree. What's your own experience? Buy direct from Sunbody I have bought 3 in the past year 1 for my wife 2 for me .Gheck out their sale room on their web site great prices and they ship fast . Easy to shape and reshape . And yes they are cool in the sun . Woodfox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seldom Seen #16162 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I'm surprised no one has mentioned the real advantage to palm leaf hats. Soak the crown in a bucket of water before the match and viola! Air conditioning. Tired of that old style. Soak the hat in water and reshape it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bull Skinner Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Another vote for Sunbody. Good quality at a reasonable price. Get the Guatemala palm, not the Mexican stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck D. Law, SASS #62183 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Put some ice in a watertight bag, place it on top of your head, put your hat on. If you're bald, put a cloth over the top of your head before placing the bag there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddnews SASS# 24779 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Wish I'd seen this thread before last weekend. There's one of the Sam Houston hats in my immediate future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seldom Seen #16162 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Put some ice in a watertight bag, place it on top of your head, put your hat on. If you're bald, put a cloth over the top of your head before placing the bag there. OOOOOOH! Is that what is meant by term "brain freeze"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holden A. Grudge Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 That derby looks kind of . May have to find a reason to buy another hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 An added question Does the fine or soft palm lief hat keep as cool as the regular (larger weave) hats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck D. Law, SASS #62183 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 OOOOOOH! Is that what is meant by term "brain freeze"? I can't help but laugh when I think of an August shoot a couple years back when a friend of mine kept commenting how he couldn't get over how cool I seemed to be and that I wasn't even sweating. I just smiled mostly, but after him going on and on, I finally tipped my hat and showed him the contents. The problem is I typically forget to do this until I'm at a match and burning up. If our bodies were cars, our head would be our radiator. Cool it and you cool the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bull Skinner Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 An added question Does the fine or soft palm lief hat keep as cool as the regular (larger weave) hats? They are even cooler. IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Thanks, Bull! I have an old one of the larger type and had to glue it together! Funny how it only lasted about 8 years I have one of the others and was concerned about switching over to it, so I will give it a try this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Wish I'd seen this thread before last weekend. There's one of the Sam Houston hats in my immediate future. Mine is a Sam Houston. Makes a dandy brass catcher too, whether you're shooting or running the timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Beady Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Mine is a Sam Houston. Makes a dandy brass catcher too, whether you're shooting or running the timer. +1. After each time with my rifle, I have to remember to bow my head and shake it to make sure my brass all gets dumped in one place. Otherwise it'll be scattered all over the stage and I won't get most of it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckwheat Jack Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I love my palm leaf hat, but don't find it cooler than felt. It is very tightly woven and sewn. It will hold shape well, but does not allow air flow. I still like it because it fits well and looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Stevens SASS#55996 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I find my palm straws to be hotter than my hats made of 100% beaver felt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Beady Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I spent the three days of Green Mt Mayhem alternating between my palm Sam Houston and my black, 10X beaver Knudsen Wyatt Earp with the extra-tall crown. All three days were hot and humid, and I really didn't notice much of a difference between the two hats. I have heard that tall crowns are better for hot weather, so maybe it canceled out any other differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dang It Dan 13202 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I find my palm straws to be hotter than my hats made of 100% beaver felt. I am sure you know all about dealing with all six weeks of sweltering 80 degree temperatures in MI. Don't they still build homes up there with air conditioning as an "option"? You Pard, Dang It Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olen Rugged Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I'm surprised no one has mentioned the real advantage to palm leaf hats. Soak the crown in a bucket of water before the match and viola! Air conditioning. Tired of that old style. Soak the hat in water and reshape it. And...you can do that at the range. Mine is in the fourth or fifth iteration. Olen Sunbody hats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairshake Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Sun Body Hats are the best and as the others have posted you may bet them wet and reshape them to what you want. One thing that has not be posted is that with any palm hat you need to order a size up from your regular hat size. Call Sun body in Houston for the full story. The hats that are true palm leaf are much better than the Mexican straw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabalero Chuck Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 what'a bought this one? http://www.basspro.com/Glacier-Glove-Straw-Hat/product/10217345/-1736714?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT Ventilated till the cows come home & extraordinarily cheap to boot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangler Jones, SASS # 64178 Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 I have 2 Sunbody palm hats: a Sam Houston for matches, and a fedora for everyday wear in warm weather. Palm is more durable than straw. While water will quickly ruin a straw hat, palm likes to get wet - in fact, a palm hat will last longer if you SOAK it once a year. The Guatemalan palms are more tightly woven, and it is debatable whether they breath better, or as well as, beaver felt. As for Sunbody sizing, I've found them to run very close to actual size. I ordered my Sam Houston one size large, just in case -- and it's once size large, really sitting down on my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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