The Stetson Open Road

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 20 Sep 2024, 17:17

Have to replace mine after many years of service. In my opinion, the Open Road in silverbelly and the Gus in soft straw are the only two gentlemanly western-style hats.

They're so doggone expensive now I'm considering buying a used hat. Anybody have any experience with a lesser-known maker? I won't wear Resistol but at the price of a new Open Road...custom? Billy Bob's Discount XX hats? Slice the brim off a Range?

Hovannes · Post by **Hovannes** » 20 Sep 2024, 18:33

A Stetson Route 66 in Mushroom is vaguely similar but in wool felt. It goes for less than half the price of an Open Road so it wouldn't be as tragic if your horse stepped on it.

Del · Post by **Del** » 20 Sep 2024, 20:09

Makes any guy look good.

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 21 Sep 2024, 05:37

Del wrote: ↑20 Sep 2024, 20:09

Makes any guy look good.

Oh man. That's a dude right there. Hat right out of the box and kept pristine dude. I guess it should come with a hipster warning, lol.

Thanks for the knowledge, Hov. Never even thought a crushable version might be made. Not sure I want one, either, but it's good to know.

My grandfather was from Billings and always wore one. Neither city nor country. He gave me mine right off his head and it's time to set it aside for the kids some day before I truly ruin it wearing it for foul weather shooting and as an easy long distance honky identification device for the family in Japan.

I always thought it was rather dashing once battered and dented. Hope to heck I don't look like that feller Del posted but I probably do. No horse has ever been near enough to step on mine, either.

In my defence, Jim wears one, too.

JimVH · Post by **JimVH** » 21 Sep 2024, 07:28

The Open Road is my forever hat. I just pulled mine out for the approaching felt season. The only thing that makes me tolerate the price of a good fur felt is the all-weather wearability. My open road has been in the rain many times. I only towel it off and let it air dry and it still looks great after several seasons. I never experienced that longevity with wool.

I’m not wool bashing, I just hate, with the white-hot hatred of a thousand suns, breaking in a new hat. I’d rather give up Wi-Fi than settle. Easy to boast, but hard to pay.

All that said, I’ve been thinking about a shorter brimmed Gus crown in gray and the price of quality has me seriously puckering. I’m looking at Miller Hats (Millerhats.com). Seven x fur runs a little cheaper than Stetson, but they are still high. Their Open Road looks identical to Stetson on the web. They have a store front no far from here. I’m checking them out this week.

As to your comment about a used hat, go for it. I’ve gotten deals on a couple of nice hats through Etsy and Poshmark. Other than losing one to a grandson they were great deals. I think most people buy them and the hats wind up spending their lives in a closet.

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 21 Sep 2024, 09:51

I am vindicated. Jim likes it.

Also, forget LBJ and Harry Truman. Eisenhower and JimVH. Darned good company.

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 21 Sep 2024, 15:41

I bought a used hat. That's something I never thought I'd do. A 4x from the late 60s should be softer than a 6x made today. Got a good deal because it was listed as a rancher and boy, it aint a rancher. Problem is it's replacing a 100x. Woof. And I mean woof.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 21 Sep 2024, 17:19

Around here it's quite easy to find fine used hats.

There's one for auction right now from a doctor out of Cheyenne. I'm trying to buy some other things from the good doctors estate - primairly ammo in case I ever decide to buy a gun - and would be happy to buy it and ship it if you hurry. Size 7 1/4, apparently made for LL Bean, current bid is $28.00, ends in 2 1/2 hours. You have my number.

https://www.whitleyauction.com/auctions ... -price-tag

[EDIT] Same sale has a size 7 3/8, Stetson 5X Rancher in chamois going for $18.

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 21 Sep 2024, 18:16

Is that a gent or what? FredS, everybody. Good egg.

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 25 Sep 2024, 18:12

So I got the first of the two Open Roads i ordered used. Ick.
I probably have lice now.

Looks good and fits right but Stetson 4x doesn't feel right. Why the heck do i so rarely like the cheap option? I have no cattle, so I'm not paying the price of a horse for a good hat. This'll do and I'm the only one that will ever touch it so I'm the only one that knows.