One significant factor affecting price is the craftsmanship and material quality. All our Shantung straw hats are hand woven. Shantung also requires a more intensive harvesting and processing to achieve its signature refined appearance.

Also, our premium hats are triple-dipped in a protective coating, creating a more durable, longer-lasting finish that maintains its appearance season after season. This additional production step enhances weather resistance and extends the life of your investment.

While Shantung commands a higher initial price point, many of our customers report their hats lasting 3-5 years with proper care, making them an excellent value over time.

We've broken down the key features below.

• Known for its smooth and refined texture and more elegant appearance
• Often feature a tighter, more consistent weave pattern
• Generally more flexible and tends to be more lightweight as well
• Typically provide good sun protection while remaining breathable
• Usually more formal in appearance and suitable for dressy occasions
• Often more expensive due to the quality of materials and craftsmanship

Shantung and Bangora straw hats each offer unique benefits to suit different styles and needs. Shantung is known for its smooth, refined finish and lightweight feel, making it a great choice for dressier occasions. Bangora features a more rugged texture and structured shape, ideal for everyday wear and outdoor use.

We use a variety of molds to suit the many head shapes out there, so each of our hat collections features a specific crown shape and style designed for a particular fit. Once you find the collection that best fits your head shape, you can then confidently shop from a wide range of hats for every occasion.

Our hats are trusted by ranchers, rodeo riders, and western enthusiasts around the world. Built for hard work, they’re also stylish enough for concerts, weddings, or a night out.

At Gone Country our hats are engineered with the perfect brim sizes and crown shapes that will comfortably fit both men and women.

Our advice is to first take some time to understand your size and shape--if you want to learn more about this, you can view our Find Your Fit page here.  If you order a hat and it still doesn't feel right, we have our Perfect Fit Guarantee, which gives you 14 days to contact us and we'll help you find the right hat for you.

Because Gone Country manufactures our own hats, we proudly stand behind them with a lifetime guarantee. That confidence starts with our relentless pursuit of the finest materials available, and continues with skilled hat makers who take pride in their craftsmanship and heritage.

Quick Tips Before You Buy:

1. Measure your head and check the fit guide.
2. Find the collection that best fits your head shape, then choose material based on season and usage.
3. Take advantage of the lifetime warranty by registering your hat after purchase.
4. Use proper care to preserve your hat's quality. Here is a helpful blog post on caring for your hat.