Fur & Fur Felt Hats

Fur & Fur Felt Hats at Village Hat Shop

Renowned for their superior softness, warmth, and in the case of fur felt - water resistance - Fur and Fur Felt Hats are in a class of their own. With careful care and handling, Fur and Fur Felt hats will stand up beautifully to wear and time, and are often handed down as prized heirlooms. 

Typically, Fur Felt hats are usually made of Angora (Rabbit) Felt, unless otherwise noted. Beaver Felt, however, is highly prized and generally comparatively considered to be of higher quality. Yet another regular Fur Felt type - particularly within the Western/Cowboy hat market - is Buffalo Felt which holds a special place within the American psyche as a symbol of the Great American West. The term "Buffalo Fur Felt," unlike the other two types previously mentioned, however, is not standardized and is interchangeably used along with "Buffalo Wool Felt," depending on the manufacturer. Fur Felt blends and Fur/Wool Felt blends are also commonplace. 

The quality of Fur Felt hats has been traditionally rated on an "X" grading system. The greater the number of X's, the higher the percentage of Beaver Fur contained within the felt and, therefore, the higher its quality. Originally, this grading system was based on a scale from 1X to 10X, with 10X signifying 100% Beaver Fur Felt, i.e., the highest quality. This grading system has evolved over time and is today almost entirely subjective and up to interpretation by individual manufacturers. Thus, it is not unusual to find hats with grades far higher than 10X, and most importantly, one manufacturer's grading system is no longer interchangeable with another's. For example, a 5X grade hat from manufacturer A may still be of higher quality than a 10X hat from manufacturer B. Therefore, it is always recommended to thoroughly research each individual manufacturer's grading system before purchase. The best way to determine the quality of Fur Felt is to handle the hat in person to consider the felt's texture, pliability, and aesthetic. A high-quality Fur Felt hat should be soft and silky to the touch, relatively pliable (crushable/shapeable is best), with a soft sheen (unless intended to be matte). 

Loose fur, on the other hand, is simply referred to as "Fur" within the hat industry. As before, Angora Fur is the most common type unless otherwise stated. Unlike Fur Felts, there is no grading system for loose fur hats. Instead, you must use your senses to determine quality. High-quality loose Fur hats should have a lustrous sheen and a soft and silky feel.

Village Hat Shop is proud to carry a wide selection of Fur and Fur Felt hats including Bucket Hats, Open Crown Hats and, of course, Fedoras and Westerns/Cowboy styles. Choose from legendary Stetson Dress and Western Fur Felt Hats, iconic Borsalino Fedoras, Kangol's popular Furgora styles, our very own premium Jaxon Hats Fur Felt Fedoras, and so much more!