Cowboy Boots & Hats Guide

🤠 Choosing a cowboy hat

① Size first

Run a tape around the middle of your forehead, about 1/8 inch above your ears: snug, not tight. If you're between sizes, Stetson's official guide says go one size up. US hats often use inch sizes, so here's Stetson's cm-to-US chart:

② Felt or straw

Felt is generally worn in cooler months, straw in the heat. Summer festival? Go straw!

③ Crease and brim

The way the crown is shaped is the "crease". The classic "cattleman" has a center crease with a dent on each side. Brim width and curve change the look a lot, so try a few in the mirror.

Style names and exact shapes vary by maker.

👢 Choosing western boots

① Toe

Round, square or narrow "snip" toes. Narrower toes slip into a stirrup easily; wider toes are comfier for long days on your feet.

② Heel

A taller, angled cowboy (riding) heel helps keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup. A low, flat roper or walking heel is easier to walk and dance in.

③ Fit (the big one!)

• Snug across the instep, like a firm handshake, never painful.
• The ball of your foot sits at the widest part of the boot.
• Some heel lift in new boots is normal: Tecovas says about 1/4–1/2 inch, Ariat no more than 1/8 inch, and it shrinks as the leather breaks in.
• Try them on with the socks you'll wear, standing and walking.

🛍️ Where to buy in Japan

Picked from our western shops listings:

May change: checked 2026-10-24. Check the official source before you rely on it.

Sources

• stetson.com/pages/size-guide
• www.tecovas.com/blog/how-should-cowboy-boots-fit
• www.ariat.com/al/how-to-fit-cowboy-boots
• www.bootbarn.com/how-boots-should-fit.html

Checked 2026-10-24