Stetson, Really disappointed

[loknload]

Went shopping for a hat today since for the time being I need to wear one and baseball caps don't fit well with me for all occasions.
The store had several Stetson labeled summer hats which I tried, liked one and bought. Paid a good dollar for it.
Well stupid me and we all know the word assumed, I get this thing home and find this thing was made in freaking China! Now I know that we have a local hat maker who does make hats for Stetson and figured this is where it came from.
Come on Stetson, the hat made famous by the Wild West, gun smoke and rodeos! I would have never thought it,really disappointed! Will think twice and check next time.
Just my rant for the day.

 

[bricker]

HMMMMM....An oriental cowboy hat. Maybe from the Wild Wild East!

 

[cass]

I gave up on Stets several years ago because the old-time quality wasn't there. It's now Resistol or Peters Bros. Some of the "felt" hats sold now are actually reprocessed pulp paper, and the "straw" is something that can't stand up to weather. Even Justin Boots have given up on quality.

 

[rwsmith]

Is it a knock off?

Is it a knock off or an official Stetson? If Stetson is getting hats made in China it doesn't bode well.

 

[M3Stuart]

Resistol for me.

 

[Mule Packer]

When you say "summer" hat, was it straw or Shantung? If so, I'm pretty sure they're imported.

As to Stetson's quality...you're right, they've gone downhill over the years. If I remember correctly, Resistol bought out Stetson several years ago. A new 4x beaver Stetson or Resistol is nothing compared to a 4x beaver Stetson or Resistol made 40 years ago. The quality just isn't there anymore. There's not as much beaver fur in the felt nowadays as there used to be.

I've pretty much resigned myself to custom-made hats now except when it comes work hats. Then I'll pick up a Stetson or Resistol.

Speaking of old quality Stetsons, here's a picture of my grandson on his first pack trip. He's wearing an old 4x beaver Stetson that I bought brand new many, many, many years ago. We were packing equipment into a trail crew.

I still remember what I paid for it...$12.50. I had a tough time back then justifying paying so much money for a hat. I mean, when I bought it, $12.50 was a lot of money for a hat. But, that hat lasted lots of spring roundups, fall gathers, and pack trips. It later went to my oldest son, then he passed it on to his son. It shows some good honest wear, but it's older than a lot of folks on this forum, and it's still going strong.

 

[soFlaNative]

Good lookin' kid. What's that mesh structure behind the 2nd guy?

 

[feralmerril]

All is not lost! Get yourself a flock of ducks and herd them along the canal singing, "Well, oh, I am a rice paddy daddy, and-- darn it what rhymes with daddy?

 

[loknload]

The hat is made of polyester, not even straw but one tag said it was made under contract for Stetson by some California Co.
I guess I will check with the local company and their main showroom.
I don't believe we have any other local makers anymore

 

[Squarebutt]

Last week I needed a summer hat with a brim, and found a nice one from Henschel, made in USA and not really expensive. They're available online from a bunch of places, including LL Bean.
I also have an old Stetson which is about one size too small. Anyone know if it can be stretched a little?

 

[Mule Packer]

Good lookin' kid. What's that mesh structure behind the 2nd guy?

Hmmm. I guess it does kinda look like a mesh structure. It's actually a dead fir branch leaning out to the side of the trail.

 

[chief38]

Can't think of too many products made today as good as they used to be. Really - can you guys? Actually I can't think of ONE!

 

[Biginge]

Mule packer,

That ain't the Stetson ole Frannie fretted over is it? You know thats jest about my favorite story ever.

 

[billwill]

HMMMMM....An oriental cowboy hat. Maybe from the Wild Wild East!

Does it have a spot on the hat band to keep your chopsticks in?

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

My NRA hat and my Shooting USA hat were also MIC......

 

[Biginge]

Back when I was still "steppin up and throwin a leg over" I got wind of O'Farrell hats. Now boys, they are gooduns. Ole Kevin does know hat making. You would be hard pressed to find a better one.

 

[AirPowMech]

They aren't American but they are avgood quality hat, but try looking at Akubra hats. They are the Stetsons of Australia. I have owned 3 in the last 25 years and wear them all the time.

 

[Old TexMex]

Back when I was still "steppin up and throwin a leg over" I got wind of O'Farrell hats. Now boys, they are gooduns. Ole Kevin does know hat making. You would be hard pressed to find a better one.

I'll check those out, in case my two fifty year old Stetson Open Roads give out!

If I use 'em like this, they ought to last a bit longer

 

[SAFireman]

I didn't know there were Chinese cowboys!

I have seen Chinese made cowboy boots, but cannot bring myself to buy them....

 

[RonJ]

My leather Stetson was made in Mexico. Nice hat that fits well but I can't get the smell of the tanning chemicals out. Febreez doesn't help.