Can A Felt or Straw Cowboy Hat Get Wet? (Here Is The Answer)

A cowboy hat is an excellent accessory for many of us, but what if it gets wet? It’s not uncommon to see people wearing cowboy hats in the rain or snow; while most cowboy hats don’t get damaged during a little bit of rain or snow, heavy rain can surely ruin your cowboy hat.

In this article, we will discuss if a felt or straw cowboy hat can get wet and what you need to do to keep your cowboy hat from getting ruined.

Can a Felt cowboy hat get wet?

A felt cowboy hat is a great way to protect yourself from the cold, especially when riding through the woods or fields. However, there are times that you may want to wear your cowboy hat outside, even though it might be raining or snowing.

If you don’t know how to care for your cowboy hat properly, you could ruin it. Many things can happen to your cowboy hat if you don’t take proper care of it.

If you decide to wear your cowboy hat in the rain, then apply rain spray on your cowboy hat. This will help prevent water from entering the cowboy hat. These rain sprays are available at any local store that sells cowboy hats.

Most felt cowboy hats will not get damaged in a light rain shower. However, if the rain is heavy, you should consider taking off your cowboy hat. You should also make sure that you clean your cowboy hat after every use.

What About Snow?

When it snows a little, you can still wear your cowboy hat without worrying about damaging it. Most felt cowboy hats are made to withstand the cold weather and a little snow, and they are usually made of animal fur so that they won’t get damaged as quickly as other materials.

Can a Straw cowboy hat get wet?

A straw cowboy hat is an iconic piece of western wear. They’re stylish and practical in the sun due to their lightweight construction and wide brims. But can a straw cowboy hat get wet?

The answer to this question is Yes. While straw cowboy hats are made with materials that can usually withstand moisture, they should not be exposed to periods of rain or excess water. If a straw cowboy hat gets too wet, it may become misshapen or damaged in some way.

For this reason, wearers should take caution when wearing one in wet weather conditions, either by opting for an alternate form of protection (such as an umbrella) or taking extra care to dry off the hat after every use.

You can apply rain spray on your straw cowboy hat, but it is not recommended to wear it purposely during rain. A rain spray can give your straw cowboy hat extra protection, but it can not protect your hat from getting wet.

Also read: Can you wear a cowboy hat on a plane?

How to protect your cowboy hat from getting wet?

There are several ways that you can protect your cowboy hat from being damaged by rain or snow. The method I follow to protect my cowboy hats from getting wet is applying rain spray, or water and stain repellant, on them.

I mainly use water and stain repellent from the twister. This product has been used by me for years now, and I am delighted with its performance. It works well and does not leave any residue on my cowboy hats.

can a cowboy hat get wet

The best thing about using this product is that it comes in a convenient aerosol can, which makes it easy to carry around. You can buy these products online or at any local store that has cowboy hats.

Here are the steps I follow to apply the twister water and stain repellant on my cowboy hat:

1. Shake it properly:

The first step is shaking the spray can before applying it. Please shake it vigorously so that all the contents are mixed and there are no air bubbles inside.

2. Hold the can 6 to 8 inches away

Next, hold the can 6 to 8 inches away from your cowboy hat. This will help you to apply the right amount of water and stain repellants on your hat evenly on the entire cowboy hat.

3. Apply it evenly:

After shaking the can and holding it 6 to 8 inches away, you can apply it evenly over the entire surface of your cowboy hat. Start with a small area and keep moving the can back and forth. Apply a thin layer of the coating so that the repellant doesn’t start to drip or run down the sides of the cowboy hat.

4. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes:

Wait for 5 to 10 minutes before putting your cowboy hat back on. Once the repellant dries completely, you can put your cowboy hat back on and enjoy wearing it.

Now you can wear your cowboy hat during the rain and snow without worrying about damaging it. The repellant will keep the water out of the hat and prevent it from getting wet or stained.

Also read: Can a women wear a cowboy hat?

What to do if your cowboy hat gets wet?

Let’s talk about what to do when your cowboy hat gets wet. Sometimes an unavoidable situation, don’t despair; let’s say you were out in the rain and didn’t have rain spray on your cowboy hat.

Is your cowboy hat got wet? Is your cowboy hat ruined? What do you do?

Well, don’t panic. We’re going to try to save it as best we can.

In such cases, you must take precautions to avoid ruining your cowboy hat. The most important thing to do first is to let it dry naturally. So what does that mean?

It means to let the cowboy hat dry on its own. You shouldn’t put a blow dryer on it; don’t put your cowboy hat near a heater. None of these will be good for the finish of your cowboy hat. We want the cowboy hat to dry as naturally as possible. But you can take a towel and gently try to soak up some excess moisture.

Once the excess moisture is soaked up, turn the cowboy hat upside down and let it dry. If you keep the cowboy hat up and the water soaks into the brim, it will start to distort and wet it.

It’s easier for the water to come out from the cowboy hat upside down than to have it right side up. Once it dries, then you might need to do some re-steaming to re-shape the cowboy hat.

So that’s it; if your cowboy hat somehow gets wet, just let it dry naturally and keep it upside down as much as possible.

Conclusion

A little rain shower or snow can not ruin your cowboy hat; however, heavy rain or snow can cause damage to your cowboy hat. Hence, apply the rain spray on your cowboy hat the next time you go out in the rain.

It’ll protect your cowboy hat from the rain and snow while keeping it looking great. Though cowboy hats are made of animal fur and natural straws, which can avoid some moisture, they are not waterproof. If somehow your cowboy hat gets wet, follow our tips, and you should be fine.

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to share this article with others! Also, feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below.

FAQs

Will rain ruin a cowboy hat?

Most cowboy hats can avoid a little moisture during little rain showers and snow, but heavy rain can ruin the cowboy hat. So, applying a water and stain repellant on your cowboy hat is always recommended during rainy days.

How long does it take to dry my cowboy hat after being wet?

The drying process depends on how much water is absorbed by the hat. If there is minimal water absorption, then it would take only 2 to 3 hours. If there is more water absorption, it will take much more time to dry.

How do you dry a wet cowboy hat?

The best way to dry a wet cowboy hat is to let it dry naturally. Don’t put the cowboy hat near a heater, or don’t use any blow dryer. Just let it dry naturally, placing the cowboy hat upside down.

My name is Brandon J. Nava, and I consider myself an expert on the cowboy lifestyle. I regularly attend events at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) am I am a member of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). I've participated in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo or the Pendleton Round-Up and I aspire to be awarded by the American Horse Council or the United States Equestrian Federation in the near future. In addition I've visited lectures and educational programs at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.