Jeff Markham Says:
Thursday, March 13, 2014 @3:08:50 PM

Dick, which one is the best-feeling on your head? I'm always looking for another hat.

The Old Timer Says:
Thursday, March 13, 2014 @3:36:02 PM

No difference in the "feel", except the gray true Homburg is a bit shallower inside so the top of my head touches the crown, so it's not my favoriate.

The others all have slightly higher crowns by 1/2" or so. You have to find one that "fits" in the first place, and they all vary (just like banjos!). My hats are 7 3/8 up to 7 5/8, to find a good fit.

Also heads have certain "shapes". The most common shape is "oval" and Stetson made most hats to fit that. If your head is longer front to back, that is called "long oval" and some Stetson hats were made (and marked) to that shape.

Other than that, presuming you get one that fits, you want the crown to be tall enough not to touch the top of your head, and the more Xs in the fur rating, the more conformable and soft and comfortable it will feel. Common XXXs feel a bit hard around the sweatband. XXXXs feel a bit nice, XXXXXs nicer yet. REALLY expensive old Stetsons go to 10X, 20X and even 50X, but they are EXTREMELY expensive.

If you find one labeled "Royal Stetson", they are a bit softer, more comformable and more comfortable. Better grade.

Today you can commonly buy the one called Open Road (the LBJ hat like the one on the left). Find the right fit, and they are plenty comfortable.

The most COMFORTABLE Stetson I own is the old LL Bean Moose River hat. Not western style, more old time style. Soft as a kid glove. Made by Stetson for decades. Comes in silver belly and olive. Still in the LL Bean catalog!

The Old Timer Says:
Thursday, March 13, 2014 @3:39:24 PM

All of these hats in the photos have chemical "sizing" to make them stiff to hold their shape forever. The LL Bean hat is not sized much by comparison, so it's softer and conformable.