What Kind Of Leather Is Used For Hats? – (Read This First)

You might have already heard many times about leather hats. The question is, what kind of leather is used for hats?

The most commonly used leather type for hats is made from the skin of a sheep, lamb, cow, goat, and pig. The skin from these particular animals is chosen because it is durable and easy to obtain.

But that’s not all, and there is a lot more to know about the type of leather used for hats and why. Luckily, you are in the right place because I have explained everything in this article.

If you are interested in learning about what kind of leather is used for hats and why is it specifically used, then keep on reading!

Are Hats Still Made of Leather?

You may have seen a lot of hats of various kinds. This might force you into thinking about whether hats are still made of leather or not.

Yes, hats are made of leather but not all of them. It depends on the type of hat as well as the material used to make it. For example, a cowboy hat is more likely to be made of leather than a baseball cap.

There are different types of hats for men, women, and children, and each hat is made of different materials. So, it depends on the hat that you are talking about.

What Kind of Leather Is Used for Hats?

Now that you know hats are still made of leather, what kind of leather is used to make hats?

As I have said earlier, the most commonly used leather type of hat is made from the skin of a sheep, lamb, cow, goat, and pig. But that’s not all!

There are other factors as well that make this leather an ideal choice for hats. For example, it is soft and supple. This makes it easy to work with when making hats.

In addition to this, it is also breathable. This is an important factor to consider because it helps keep your head cool in summer and warm in winter. Not to mention, it is also flexible which again makes it an ideal choice for hats.

Last but not the least, this leather is also resistant to water. So, if you are caught in a rainstorm, your hat will still keep you dry!

Now that you know what kind of leather is used for hats, the next question is why?

What are the Different Types of Leather

Different types of leather is used for different purposes since ancient times, such as Armor, quiver for the arrows, hats, etc. Let’s take a look at different types of leather and learn their pros and cons.

Some of the most common types of leather are:

Full Grain Leather: This is the highest quality leather that you can find. It is made from the top layer of the hide and has all the natural grain.

Top Grain Leather: This is the second-highest quality leather after full-grain leather. It is made from the second layer of the hide and has a sanded or buffed surface.

Split Grain Leather: As the name suggests, this leather is made from splits or layers below the top layer. It is not as strong and durable as full-grain or top-grain leather.

Bonded Leather: This is the lowest quality leather that is made from scraps of leather that are bonded together with adhesives.

Faux Leather: This is not real leather but is made to look like one. It is made from polyurethane or PVC.

Vegan Leather: This is a cruelty-free alternative to real leather and is made from various materials such as cork, pineapple leaves, apple peels, etc.

Is Leather a Good Material for a Hat?

So far, we’ve discussed that leather is used in making hats for a long time and several types of leather are commonly used and preferred. However, the question remains, is leather still good material for making hats?”

The answer to this question is yes, Leather is an excellent material due to its several benefits that we have discussed. For example, it is durable, flexible, comfortable, and breathable.

Not to mention, it also looks good! Leather hats have a certain appeal and style that other materials just can’t match. All these qualities make leather an excellent choice still in 2022 despite having the latest textile solutions.

Are Leather Cowboy Hats Hot?

Cowboy hats are well-known for their leather material. So, the next question is whether they are hot or not?

The answer to this question is a bit complicated because it depends on the weather conditions. For example, if you are wearing a leather cowboy hat in summer, then it is more likely to be hot.

There are several reasons such as during the summer season the temperature is already high and secondly, the leather material doesn’t allow your head to breathe.

On the other hand, if you are wearing a leather cowboy hat in winter, then it is less likely to be hot. This is because the temperature is already low and secondly, the leather material will help keep your head warm.

The main thing is whether the leather used in the hat is breathable or not. If it is breathable (allowing the flow of air), then it won’t be very hot in summer. However, if it is not breathable, then the hat will be a lot hotter in summer.

Similarly, the color of the hat also matters to some extent. In summer, it is highly recommended to wear a light-colored hat, such as white, cream, etc. This is because the light colors reflect the heat more than the dark colors.

So, it depends on the conditions and type of leather used in the cowboy hat.

Do Leather Hats Stretch?

Another common question about leather hats is whether they stretch or not. The answer to this question is yes, leather hats do stretch.

The reason behind this is that leather is a natural material, and it will adjust according to your head size. So, if you have a small head, then the hat will stretch slightly to fit your head size.

Similarly, if you have a large head, the hat will also stretch to fit your head size. However, it is important to note that leather hats will not stretch a lot. So, if you are planning to buy a hat, make sure to buy the one that fits you perfectly.

What Happens if My Hat Gets Wet?

The answer to this question is that it depends on the type of leather used in the hat.

For example, if the hat is made from full-grain leather then it will not be affected much by water. This is because full-grain leather is already treated and it is resistant to water.

On the other hand, if the hat is made from suede leather then it will be affected by water. This is because suede leather is not treated and it is not resistant to water.

So, if your hat gets wet, it is important to know the type of leather used in the hat.

Are Leather Hats Supposed to Smell?

This is another common question about leather hats. The answer to this question is no, leather hats are not supposed to smell.

The reason behind this is that leather is a natural material and is not treated with any chemicals. So, if your hat smells, then it means that it is not made from good-quality leather.

Normally, high-quality leather is processed in the presence of salts and sunlight for a long time, which neutralizes the bad odor.

Last Minute Thoughts

If you have made it this far, you may have already got an answer to your question i.e. What kind of leather is used for hats?

In conclusion, leather hats come in a variety of different types, but the most popular type is made from cowhide. This is because cowhide is strong and durable, making it an excellent choice for cowboy hats.

Other types of leather that can be used for hats include sheepskin, pigskin, and deerskin. So, what kind of leather do you prefer for your hat? Let us know in the comments below.