Resistol Ringer 7X Cowboy Straw Hat

The Ringer is the hat you grab when the day starts in the barn and ends at the grill. Woven Bangora straw holds its shape through hauling hay and digging post holes, and it still looks right when you finally sit down.

A 4 1/4 inch cattleman crown and a 4 1/4 inch brim give you shade across the ears and neck without a big floppy look. Inside, a leather sweatband takes up sweat and keeps the fit snug when the wind picks up. The two-cord ribbon hatband is the only trim, so there is no concho to snag a branch.

Highlights

• Woven Bangora straw that holds its shape
• 4 1/4 inch cattleman crown
• 4 1/4 inch brim for shade across the neck
• Leather sweatband for a snug, dry fit
• Plain two-cord ribbon hatband with no trim to snag
• 7X straw for weekday work and weekend wear

Why choose a plain straw hat

A plain hat is the one most people end up wearing. With no silver concho or extra trim, it fits right with a work shirt, a button-down or a shirt for the sale barn. It's the hat that doesn't date and doesn't get in your way when you lean over a gate.

Woven straw is the right pick for hot weather. It breathes in the heat, so it's a comfortable choice for days in the sun from spring through fall, whether you're hauling feed or heading to a supper in town.

At a glance

How to use it

Set it down crown-first so the brim keeps its curve, and skip the truck dash on a hot afternoon. Hold the hat by the crown when you lift it, not by the brim, so the shape stays true.

Pull it on for a snug fit: the leather sweatband should sit against your head without pinching. If you land between sizes, go up for comfort.

Good to know

• Pair it with a button-down and jeans for the sale barn, or a plain shirt and dress pants for a wedding.
• Brush off dust and hay with a soft brush instead of washing the straw, and let a damp hat dry away from direct heat.
• Store it crown-down on a hook or shelf so the brim keeps its curve.
• Keep a second hat in the truck for long days, so a sweaty one has time to dry out at home.
• Fit: the hat should sit level about a finger above your ears and stay put in a breeze without leaving a red line on your forehead.

Hay season and show season both come fast, so get your shade sorted before the first long day in the sun.