The Cav Hat: Anyone know an economical way to buy a Stetson?

2015-04-25T12:31:43-04:00

I'm a medic attached to a squadron out of the tenth cavalry regiment, and I just earned my spurs. As a spur holder I'm planning on getting a Stetson for all official cav functions, my only issue is the price I'm seeing some that are close to two hundred dollars, as a pfc I make enough to support my family but two hundred dollars on an optional piece of uniform just won't work. Anyone on here have a more economical way of buying the "Cav Hat"?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-04-25T12:38:32-04:00

Sorry but true stetsons are not cheap.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Apr 25 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-04-25T12:38:59-04:00

My old PSG has one of those things...looks silly on him, but he likes it.

I'll ask him for yah.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 12:42 PM

2015-04-25T12:42:01-04:00

http://www.cavhooah.com/cav-shop/stetsons.html

Stetsons and Cav Hats

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 12:43 PM

2015-04-25T12:43:13-04:00

http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=11180&tabid=1

Stetson Cavalry Hat

U.S. Cavalry only chooses the finest Stetsons! Fashioned from premium wool felt, this Cavalry Stetson is molded with a creased top and reshaped crown.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-04-25T13:08:20-04:00

You don't want the knock off you will end up buying it anyways.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 3:38 PM

2015-04-25T15:38:44-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member, congratulations Trooper on earning your spurs! Unless you've grown up around Western wear and horse tack, I know there is a certain amount of sticker-shock that comes with pricing and shopping for that Cav Trooper hat! Notice, I didn't say Stetson! There's a reason for that. You're a Trooper in the 10th at Carson. I know of a great hatmaker up in Greeley who will custom-make you a Cav hat, put your name on it, the date you earned your spurs, and your Regimental Crest for right around the same price as a Stetson off the rack. You go into his shop, he custom measures your head, the hat is uniquely yours! Forever! His name is Trent Johnson and he has made hats for everyone from lowly cowboys to Vladimir Putin and both Presidents Bush. I'm not a Cav guy, but I'm a horse guy, and I own two hats made by Trent.

Here's his website: http://greeleyhatworks.com/

He doesn't have pics of his Cav stuff on his website, but shoot him an email, and he'll send you some pics. This guy rocks! Check him out!

Greeley Hat Works

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 25 at 2015 4:40 PM

2015-04-25T16:40:42-04:00

Yes these suckers can get rather pricey. A good beaver felt one is going to run in the $200 range. Save up for it but get the real deal - once you break in your stetson it will make more sense as well as hold up better. Ware it with pride and then pass it on to the next generation.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 4:49 PM

2015-04-25T16:49:12-04:00

Put in a 4187 to go to an infantry unit. We don't have these type of problems. (Joking)

But besides setting some money to the and save up for it. Our you could see if Ebay has some. I agree it is a bit much for an item you may not wear much.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 25 at 2015 6:18 PM

2015-04-25T18:18:12-04:00

What ever you do, spend the money to get it shaped! You do not want to look like Run DMC.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/Rundmc_2.jpg

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 25 at 2015 6:23 PM

2015-04-25T18:23:55-04:00

Did you try the Big R farm supply store up near Babbitt Rd (right before monument exit)?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-04-25T19:34:15-04:00

The only suggestion I have is to

1. get a temporary used hat online, go as cheap as you can without going below unit standards. Or, just wait (see 2 below)

2. Save your pennies for a personal one in the future. Every time you drop $4-5 on a mocha coffee drink or get a pizza because DFAC food sucked at lunch that day, think about that stetson. You can have a monthly amount pulled from your account and sent to savings. If you can even afford $25/month, you will have enough to afford one by the Holiday Dress inspection season.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-04-25T20:09:26-04:00

I have a Stetson that hasn't left it's box in 5 years, so I definitely understand your hesitance to buy something you won't wear often. However, I would still save your money and buy the real deal. Every time I've tried to cheap out on something, whether it was military equipment or in other areas of life I've ended up with replacing it with what I should've bought in the first place.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 12:15 AM

2015-04-26T00:15:53-04:00

PFC Davis. Find your local E4 short timer that is disgruntled with the unit. Offer him a nice case of beers or a good liter of hard alcohol for the Stetson. Then buy your maroon cord and your all set. Cheapest way of obtaining the goods.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 12:22 AM

2015-04-26T00:22:33-04:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member has provided the best answer that I've seen so far, but as far as financial advise goes the only thing I can offer is to recommend that you build up to it. A couple hundred dollars is a decent chunk of change for a PFC, but something like setting aside 50 dollars a pay check shouldn't be outside the realm of possibility. Of course I'm not in your shoes and don't know your financial situation, but I just recommend that you save up for it and get something quality made that will stay with you for the rest of your life. You can live without a stetson for a few months or so until you can afford it. Congratulations on earning your spurs! I never made an attempt to earn my silver spurs and while I wouldn't consider it a regret as that's too strong of a word, I do feel something similar to it.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 26 at 2015 11:57 PM

2015-04-26T23:57:49-04:00

Check out Pawn Shops, EBay, and Craig's List. It's more economical way. Buy used, most Stetsons don't get a lot of use and they're newly new anyway. There's restrictions on when and where the Stetson is appropriate. It's great to show pride in your organization, but don't a lot of money on this. I spent $170, wore my Stetson about 8x, and unloaded it for $30.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 16 at 2015 12:50 PM

2015-05-16T12:50:14-04:00

Genuine Stetsons are expensive. But fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives. Any felt, black cowboy hat can pass as a Cavalry Stetson when gussied up with cords and other insignia.

And congrats on earning your Spurs trooper!

Response by 1SG James A. "Bud" Parker made Oct 1 at 2015 3:01 PM

2015-10-01T15:01:32-04:00

Do what I have done many times. Cut out the middle man in the buying equasion and write a letter to Stetson Hat Company asking them to help you. Include hat color, cord type, and hat size because they may just send you one completely free like that did me once in Vietnam! Good luck, my friend.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-10-01T15:15:32-04:00

Go to the Army Surplus store in Old Colorado City. If they don't have one now, just tell them that's what you're looking for and they will keep an eye out.

Response by CPL Chris Palmberg made Jan 3 at 2018 11:19 AM

2018-01-03T11:19:07-05:00

Get off post to a western wear store. I'd suggest a collapsible, as they're more forgiving. I flew mine rolled up in an assault pack to a recent gig. It cost me around $75 for the hat.

And definitely, since you will be buying acorns anyway, get them in maroon...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 11:29 AM

2018-01-03T11:29:59-05:00

Army Surplus stores or Ebay.

Response by CPL Donald Binz made Oct 14 at 2018 8:58 AM

2018-10-14T08:58:35-04:00

ebay Steson cav hat on sale 125.00 Airbborne All the Way! GoCav

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Oct 14 at 2018 9:07 AM

2018-10-14T09:07:24-04:00

Shop around. My units never bought bland-named "Stetsons", but found a local supplier who was always were happy to make them forus.
It has the advantage of a supply of headgear you can complain to the haverdasher direct and get it fitted to your head. Instead of weeks of headaches, it slides right on since they measured your head. Tthey are less expensive for the troopers.
Another thing that resulted overseas is we also found a REAL Tailor that made our Dress Blues at about 20% what it cost anywhere else. He was happy to see us also and alterations were free.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 11:45 AM

2019-11-26T11:45:58-05:00

The most affordable way that I have found is through the Crossed Sabers Cav Store at Ft. Hood