Can I Buy A Cowboy Hat?

[ramonvanderburgt]

hey all!

This might be a bit of a weird question, but what are the chances of buying a cowboy hat along the Camino? Any shops anyone knows of, or should I buy it upfront, before I start walking?

Thanks in advance.

 

[zammy]

Aren't there quite a few models of a cowboy's hat?

 

[William Marques]

I bought a planter's hat in Santiago so I suspect there are hat shops in the large cities such as Pamplons, Burgos and Leon along the way.

 

[Tincatinker]

Spain is a modern, civilised, country but it is still possible that you can purchase a "cowboy" hat should you feel the absolute need :lol:

If you are thinking of a "Tilley", one of the classic travel hats, or similar then you might do better to see what the web can deliver.

Buen, and be-hatted, Camino

 

[ramonvanderburgt]

Aren't there quite a few models of a cowboy's hat?

There are.

I bought a planter's hat in Santiago so I suspect there are hat shops in the large cities such as Pamplons, Burgos and Leon along the way.

Sweet! I'll look around when I get there.

If you are thinking of a "Tilley", one of the classic travel hats, or similar then you might do better to see what the web can deliver.

That's not what I'm thinking of, although looking around on the web might be a good solution as well.

I've always imagined myself travelling the world with a big backpack and a cowboy hat. Figured the Camino would be the perfect place to buy one and then wear it on all my future 'adventures'.

 

[JabbaPapa]

If I were you, I'd get whichever hat like that prior to your departure -- I was lucky in 2005 to find a good hat about 10 days into the Camino, after a ghastly bout of sunstroke in southern France.

My current hat is this one :

http://www.hatshopping.com/Diaz-Outdoor ... etson.html

 

[jelle]

Cowboyhats FTW!

I bought mine in advance from this website. Since in my experience regular hat shops don't have quite the spread compared to the site. You will also want to have a hat early on in the camino in the first place to block out the sun which is sometimes very poignant and sometimes for rain.

http://www.hoedshop.nl/

Ultreia

 

[tyrrek]

Take one from home if you want the classic design. Be aware when buying it of sweat, rain etc. I personally think the ideal would be one of those Australian-style bush hats that you can pin up the brim on one side. As you're generally walking westwards you could have the sunny side protected, but have the other side pinned up so you can hear what your walking partner is saying! Buen Camino!

 

[JansCamino]

I am taking no chances - I'm taking mine with me. I trained for the first time yesterday in the pouring rain and pulled my poncho hood over my cowboy hat, leaving the front of my hat sticking out. The rain poured off the front of my hat keeping it out of my face like an umbrella! It was a spectacular walk and the rain didn't bother me a bit. I know people like their Tilly hats, but I wouldn't trade one for my good old country girl cowboy hat!

 

[ivar]

This is a nice hat store in Santiago..
http://goo.gl/maps/Fkrdv
...just a few meters from the pilgrims office.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[William Marques]

That's the place.

 

[cecelia]

Just something to think about.... I started my first camino (Frances) with a Tilley hat on April 8th. It was a year with an early spring but I found it too hot and by the time I got to Burgos I ditched it and bought something cooler. I know cowboys wear hats out in the scorching sun on the wide open range and all that but cowboy hats look really hot to me.
Buen camino
PS; Im currently on the Le Puy route where it is wonderfully hot and Im finding my sun proofed hat hot as well. ( Apologies _ cant find the right keys on a French keyboard)

 

[Sojourner47]

Just something to think about.... I started my first camino (Frances) with a Tilley hat on April 8th. It was a year with an early spring but I found it too hot and by the time I got to Burgos I ditched it and bought something cooler.

Well, as has been shown often on here, what suits one may not suit another.
I walked part of the camino Madrid in 2011, in 35C temps with the sun burning down. I would have died without my Tilley hat, for sure. And, as tyrrek said, you can have one side pinned up, the RH one in the case of walking westwards, though on the Madrid I had the sun on my back.

 

[Camino Yogini]

Well, ramonvanderburgt, speaking as a Calgary cowgirl, if you're serious about having a "real" cowboy hat, the only place to go is to Smithbilt Hats, the official supplier of the Calgary Stampede. http://www.smithbilthats.com/
Personally, I think the back brim would brush against my backpack constantly and drive me crazy. Perhaps it would be ok if it were really old and worn, or at least scrunched up a lot?

 

[oursonpolaire]

The Tilley has the added advantage that, when doused with water, it becomes an extraordinarily effective air conditioner worn on your head. Otherwise, get a proper cowboy hat from the site the Calgary pilgrim sent you, or through Stetson in the US. I would also consider a panama hat, as they are extremely cool, if not much use against rain. And you should always think of picking up a beret along the way-- there is a splendid shop in Santiago, near the Casino café, where berets of extraordinary quality can be had at a decent price.

 

[William Marques]

Can I put in a word for Akubra http://www.akubra.com.au/

My "cowboy" hat (not the one I bought in Santiago) is from them and has lasted for many years.

 

[Susannafromsweden]

I love this thread.

Ok this is my hat, (looking very un-cowboy-ish ):

http://www.fjallraven.com/outdoor-equip ... lin-mt-hat

And there's a little Swedish flag on it. So when I wear it abroad, people will recognise me as Swedish and say "Hej!". That is fun.

 

[westernstar]

My hat was wonderful for my Camino journey last year. It is like a cowboy hat but has mesh on the sides to allow airflow. It works great for sun or rain, and looks really nice too--I got many compliments on the Way. The site is http://www.headnhome.com. The style I purchased is the Monterey Bay Breeze (in the Solair section).

 

[hecate105]

It's got to be a Tilley - every time!! Not only are they great when wet, they have a SPF factor 50 sun protection. They come in lotsa colours and styles and the best thing is - anyone who sees you wearing it - if they are a Tilley wearer - they have to buy you a drink!! It's a great system.
Also if it ever wears out - they send you another. Easy wash - straighten over knee - away you go....

 

[Magnara]

The Aussie hat is Akubra brand. We wore them in Spain, in Italy on the Via Francigena and pretty much all the time when we are travelling in the outback. They are what all Australian farmers wear.They are great in all weathers, sun, rain and snow and with a polar fleece headband took us through a mid-winter camino. I can't think that they would be better than a Stetson, but hey, we're Aussies and they feel so nice.

 

[antjie]

Love the look of the Tilley and the ones from headhome, but most of the brands can only be bought in Canada, USA or Australia. Will be in London weekend before I start - any suggestions on brands or shops?

 

[WanderingChristian]

I was thinking of getting a Tilley hat for my Camino (sjpp-sdc dates tbd), but was curious as to sizing issues. If anyone knows a reliable gat shoppe on the web, pleasr let ne know. My other concern with the Tilley is if they're packable (for getting to the start point).

Buen Camino,
WanderingChristian:arrow:

 

[Devon Annie]

I bought my Tilley on line. I measured my head to get the correct size. It arrived in a soft pack - flat. I just pushed it out and it was ready to wear. It feels great when it's on. I haven't met anyone else with a Tilley so I've not been obliged to buy a drink yet!

 

[Mr BWE]

For Antje:

I bought my Tilley about 10 years ago in the UK. This year I bought one for my wife as we'll both be on the Camino next month.

There are lots of stores in London who stock them, here's a link:

http://www.tilley.com/AlexCo/RetailPartnerSearch.aspx or if that doesn't work, go to http://www.tilley.com and search for retail partners in London UK.

We wish you luck.

 

[MTtoCamino]

I live in Montana USA grew up wearing cowboy hats so just a couple of suggestions:

Try to find one from a friend, put it on then your pack you plan on using. If it works then decide if you want a beaver (felt) or if you want straw or some other type of material. Felt good quality hats can last a lifetime but can get very warm. I would suggest a straw if you plan on going spring summer but you can also get a rain cover for it for bad weather.

The big drawback is winter early spring if the weather gets cold they don't have ear flaps so the cold in high wind makes them worthless. You also want a hat set up with a drawstring for your neck the wind will make them sail away.

I can't say enough about them for the sun aspect the bigger the brim the better .

Will I bring one with me? No I will be starting out early spring so warmth/sun shade will be my requirements. The hiking hats fit the requirements better.
Happy trails
Keith

 

[fraluchi]

... what are the chances of buying a cowboy hat along the Camino? Any shops anyone knows of, or should I buy it upfront, before I start walking?

In Logroño, 150 mtrs off the main square going West, there is a fabulous hat shop. They have Panama hats, but whether they have a cowboy hat readily available, that's the question. Ask, maybe they make one for you within a short time!? Plenty of good red Rioja nearby to make waiting jolly :idea: