Packing cowboy hats
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
Leave the high end cowboy hat at home. Buy a lightweight Tilly hat for touring. Folds flat, looks dashing in a large format photographer sort of way, otherwise dorky. Floats, ties down in the wind. And trust me on this, after a couple of hundred thousand miles of touring no ones stolen it yet.
Funny I was in Sturgis a coupe of years ago. 500,000 bikers and there in the middle of Main St. my buddies were always able to find me.
Funny I was in Sturgis a coupe of years ago. 500,000 bikers and there in the middle of Main St. my buddies were always able to find me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
I don't think I'd try taking a nice hat on a bike trip.
I have a few cowboy hats, and I finally got a Stetson (that I've always wanted) yesterday!
On trips, I take an old baseball cap but I've considered buying a cheaper, felt "crushable" hat that I can put in my tour pack.
I have a few cowboy hats, and I finally got a Stetson (that I've always wanted) yesterday!
On trips, I take an old baseball cap but I've considered buying a cheaper, felt "crushable" hat that I can put in my tour pack.
Leave the high end cowboy hat at home. Buy a lightweight Tilly hat for touring. Folds flat, looks dashing in a large format photographer sort of way, otherwise dorky. Floats, ties down in the wind. And trust me on this, after a couple of hundred thousand miles of touring no ones stolen it yet.
Funny I was in Sturgis a coupe of years ago. 500,000 bikers and there in the middle of Main St. my buddies were always able to find me.
Funny I was in Sturgis a coupe of years ago. 500,000 bikers and there in the middle of Main St. my buddies were always able to find me.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 92
Likes: 7
From: Nevada Sierras
I'm the sort of dude who's about always wearing a western hat. If I'm havin' my hat with me, I'm packing a hat can, like billnourse suggested.
A tilly will do in a pinch, and I have one rolled up as backup/quickie for hopping on/off at stops where it feels pseudo-necessary (for proper shading) and its not practical to unpack/repack the hat.
If you don't want to take your expensive one with you, you can pick up a really decent woven (20X Resistol or similar) one for around $50 that you won't worry about replacing if it gets damaged/lost/stolen (who the frack loses a cowboy hat??).
Alternative to a Resistol you can pick up a decent Palm woven one for $20 to $30, and I understand they can take a lot of abuse too (good for rugged travelling).
I came here trying to figure out a better way, and thank you billnourse, I had no idea about the hat can. Its about the best solution I've seen so far if you want to take it with you without destroying it.
added note: Of course, for myself anyway, I am talkin' about takin' a canned hat only on an extended trip. For dailies, or couple days out, too much bother. Crushable and/or ballcap is always handy.
A tilly will do in a pinch, and I have one rolled up as backup/quickie for hopping on/off at stops where it feels pseudo-necessary (for proper shading) and its not practical to unpack/repack the hat.
If you don't want to take your expensive one with you, you can pick up a really decent woven (20X Resistol or similar) one for around $50 that you won't worry about replacing if it gets damaged/lost/stolen (who the frack loses a cowboy hat??).
Alternative to a Resistol you can pick up a decent Palm woven one for $20 to $30, and I understand they can take a lot of abuse too (good for rugged travelling).
I came here trying to figure out a better way, and thank you billnourse, I had no idea about the hat can. Its about the best solution I've seen so far if you want to take it with you without destroying it.
added note: Of course, for myself anyway, I am talkin' about takin' a canned hat only on an extended trip. For dailies, or couple days out, too much bother. Crushable and/or ballcap is always handy.
Last edited by twohawks; Jul 18, 2015 at 11:57 AM. Reason: added note
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 5
From: Houston & Bandera, Texas
hat
jim....it's summer! only time to wear a felt during the summer is at a formal occasion, i.e.: wedding, funeral, or anything with a tux.
buy a palm leaf straw (uses water to shape, not steam)...if it doesn't have a stampede string, get one. this way you can ride with the straw hanging on your back.
watch an old western movie...stampede string keeps hat attached to you, even if it falls off your head......
good luck
buy a palm leaf straw (uses water to shape, not steam)...if it doesn't have a stampede string, get one. this way you can ride with the straw hanging on your back.
watch an old western movie...stampede string keeps hat attached to you, even if it falls off your head......
good luck
Stage II
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland
A cheaper felt hat packed in a saddle bag with clothes or liquor inside of it always works well! Just have to reshape it a bit and good to go.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
Hat came with the ring and a hard box. May strap box to seat as I will be solo.
Will post pics as I love this hat. Laura.my wife and Jimmy at Double H did a great job.
Being a New York City Irish guy getting ok with the fact that I have to wear hats due to sun damage has been tough. Having a fine hat sure helps.
Will post pics as I love this hat. Laura.my wife and Jimmy at Double H did a great job.
Being a New York City Irish guy getting ok with the fact that I have to wear hats due to sun damage has been tough. Having a fine hat sure helps.