Traveling on an Airplane with a Cowboy Hat – Calmer Travel (2024)

Travel days fuel anxiety because of the restrictions around flying with different items. Flight restrictions can leave you wondering about bringing basic items onto an airplane and hats are no exception.

In fact, many folks love to wear hats and like Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit, rarely take their hat off. This isn’t a problem for something like a baseball cap, but what if you’re wearing hats considerably larger — can you travel on an airplane with a cowboy hat?

You can travel on an airplane with a cowboy hat and there are numerous ways to do so. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) treats cowboy hats like any other clothing, meaning cowboy hats are an acceptable travel item for airplanes.

Are you still unsure of how you can bring your cowboy hat onto an airplane or worried about what airport security will say? Stick around; I dive into how you can stroll through the metal detectors worry-free and explore other travel tips.

4 Ways To Keep Your Cowboy Hat Safe on the Plane

Now, the best method for flying with a cowboy hat will depend entirely on your flight details. The approach you choose is up to you, but I’m going to lay out the options you have for traveling with bulky headpieces.

Wear Your Cowboy Hat

This is no surprise — wearing your cowboy hat on your head is the easiest way to keep your hat safe during a flight. This approach reduces the risk of the hat being dinged by luggage or rough baggage handlers and helps ensure the hat will stay clean.

You’ll be asked to remove the hat when going through airport security (along with other headpieces), but you can wear a hat all the way to your gate afterward. If you have TSA precheck, you might be able to get away with leaving it on your head. But in that case, you may need to go through an x-ray machine or metal detector.

Sadly, cowboy hats may not be a comfortable option for a long flight. If you’re crossing the Atlantic Ocean on an overnight 12-hour flight, you may find your cowboy hat prohibiting you from comfortably getting some sleep.

For that reason, I recommend wearing your cowboy hat for short flights, or if you are flying first class, but you should look for these other methods to store your cowboy hat on longer flights.

Store Your Cowboy Hat Under the Seat

To store your cowboy hat under the seat in front of you, you need to ensure your cowboy hat fits. If your cowboy is larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), you’ll be unable to store it under the seat.

One other thing to note — the storage space under the seat is also reserved for your personal item. If you use the seat in front of you to store your cowboy hat, you will need to forgo a personal item or store your item in the overhead compartment during takeoff.

If you’re concerned about keeping your cowboy hat clean during your flight, I recommend placing a piece of cloth or paper towel on its top. The bottom of airplane seats can get pretty grimy and are rarely cleaned, so it doesn’t hurt to give the top of your hat a barrier.

Ask a Flight Attendant To Store Your Cowboy Hat

If you find yourself in a bind, ask a flight attendant to help you store your cowboy hat. Flight attendants are always happy to help you if they can.

However, depending on the quantity of storage space on your flight and the size of your cowboy hat, your flight attendant may be unable to help you store your cowboy hat.

If you’re not afraid of the potential for rejection, asking a flight attendant to store your cowboy hat is my favorite method. Flying with a cowboy hat can build anxiety, and getting a flight attendant’s help will offload some of your anxiety.

Put Your Cowboy Hat in the Overhead Compartment

Using your cowboy hat as a carry-on item is another great choice for flying with a cowboy hat. By storing your cowboy hat in an overhead compartment, you don’t have to worry about a large cowboy hat eating up your limited free space on an airplane.

Before you decide to store your cowboy hat in the overhead compartment, consider your airline’s carry-on restrictions.

The most important consideration is the size of your cowboy hat. If your cowboy hat exceeds 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 centimeters), your hat will not fit in most airplanes’ overhead compartments.

Additionally, you may have to pay an additional charge to store your cowboy hat as a carry-on item. Different airlines have different carry-on regulations, so I recommend checking your airline’s carry-on policies before your trip.

Common Questions

Can You Check a Cowboy Hat?

Generally, you can check a cowboy hat to prevent taking the hat through airport security and to keep it safe. This is the best approach to keep your cowboy hat undamaged and reduces the risk of getting it dirty underneath your seat or in the overhead bin.

I understand being an airport novice is a daunting experience. Therefore, if you’ve never checked a bag, I recommend calming your nerves by checking out USA Today’s travel tip on checking bags.

Can You Wear a Cowboy Hat Through TSA?

You can wear a cowboy hat through TSA. TSA treats cowboy hats the same as any other clothing, so you can bring one through TSA. However, there is a chance a TSA officer will ask you to remove your hat, in which case you must comply with their request.

If you’re concerned about bringing other travel items on your flight, you can check out the TSA travel guidelines.

Can You Ship a Cowboy Hat Ahead of Time?

You can ship your cowboy hat to your travel destination ahead of time. This is a great strategy because you don’t have to worry about storing it safely while in transit, but problems in the mail can result in a bare head at your destination.

Unfortunately, shipping ahead of time is not possible for all cowboy hat-loving travelers. To ship a cowboy hat ahead of time, you need to know the address you’ll be staying at and have a long enough trip that you won’t have to worry about its arrival date surpassing your travel dates.

If you’re looking for the proper procedure to ship a cowboy hat, I recommend referring to Rachel Strickland’s YouTube video on shipping oversized hats.

You can use Rachel’s technique in this video to pack and ship your cowboy hat safely.

Travel Tips — How To Pack a Cowboy Hat for a Flight

Packing a cowboy hat can be a headache. Cowboy hats tend to be larger, meaning you’ll be eating up some valuable travel packing space. Thankfully, I have a great method for packing a cowboy hat for flying.

Hat Boxes

Here is how to pack a cowboy hat for a flight:

  1. Get a hat box. I recommend picking up a HappiBox Hat Storage Box (available on Amazon — affiliate link). I love hat boxes because they’re tailor-made for traveling with oversized hats. When I use a hat box, I can rest assured my hat is safe in transit.
  2. Store your hat. Once you have your hat box, I recommend checking the user manual for how to properly store your hat. Every hat box is a little different, so checking the manual is a vital step.
  3. Check or carry on your hat box. If your cowboy hat fits in a carry-on-sized hat box, you can bring your hat box on as your carry-on item. However, if your hat box is too large for carrying on, you’ll have to check your hat box.

Final Thoughts

The worst part of traveling is traveling. Jumping through the TSA’s hoops can make travel days a headache, but you can alleviate the stress that comes with traveling if you do prior research.

Before your flight, research your airline’s policies on hats, carry-on items, and personal items. After researching your airline’s policies, you’ll be in a better position to make the right packing choice for your cowboy hat.

Sources

Traveling on an Airplane with a Cowboy Hat – Calmer Travel (2024)

FAQs

What to do with a cowboy hat on an airplane? ›

When flying and wearing your Hat, simply put it under the seat in front of you, upside down so it is resting on its crown. Or just hook it on your knee while you enjoy your flight. NEVER put a Hat in the overhead bin. With luggage shifting in flight it can cause your Hat to get damaged.

Can you wear cowboy hat on airplane? ›

Can I Wear a Hat Through Airport Security? Yes, you can you wear a hat on a plane and when going through TSA security. Hats, even bulky headpieces such as turbans, can be worn when going through the airport security.

What not to do with a cowboy hat? ›

Don't Leave Your Hat Laying Around

If you have to lay it down, flip it over on the crown—never place it on its brim, it loses shape this way. If you plan on storing it (shame on you), put your hat in the box it came in or a classy replacement.

When should you not wear a cowboy hat? ›

The etiquette of the cowboy hat is almost as iconic as its silhouette. Remove it as a sign of respect during prayer, church, indoor weddings and funerals, the national anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. You should also take off your hat when speaking to an elder of the church or meeting a lady for the first time.

Are cowboy hats acceptable? ›

You can put your cowboy hat back on your head once inside a building if it is an informal occasion, but if it is formal, it stays off. If you are eating a casual meal at a counter, you can wear your hat, but if you are sitting at a table in the restaurant, take it off.

Do you take your hat off in airport security? ›

Can I Wear a Hat Through Airport Security? Miss Manners may not approve of hats indoors but the TSA doesn't mind so long as you walk through the scanner without one. Still, this is one more thing to keep up with during screening, so try to get by without one if possible.

What is the cowboy hat rule? ›

Never lay a cowboy hat down on the brim. Place your hat on it's crown, brim up. You may also use a hat stand or rack. Never show the inside of of your hat. The hat band, and the inside of the crown should not be in or for public view.

What do the X's mean on cowboy hats? ›

X Factor Hat Rating was originally determined by the density and shape of the material, and ranged in grade from a low of 1X to a high of 10X. Hats made of material rated below 5X generally contained a poorer grade of fur and little or no beaver fur. A 10X hat was made of 100% beaver fur.

Does anyone still wear cowboy hats? ›

Nowadays, cowboy hats are worn for all sorts of purposes, from special occasions to a hard day's work. There's always a good reason to wear a cowboy hat.

What is the best way to travel with hats? ›

There is a way to pack your hat without killing it: Pack around it. Start at the bottom of your suitcase. The hat should be the first thing to go in. Stuff it with things like balls of socks or scarves.

Can you put hats in carry-on? ›

here's how to pack a hat in a carry-on

If packing multiple hats, sandwich them into each other first, then pack as one unit. This gives extra stability to the crown and helps prevent crushing. Some people like to pack their hats with the brim side down. I find it easier to control when I pack them with the crown down.

Why don t cowboys put their hats on a bed? ›

Cowboy Hats

At best, putting a hat on a bed is said to invite mischievous bad luck or foretell an argument; at worst, it's a premonition of injury or death.

Do cowboy hats float? ›

They will withstand a float down the river as long as they don't sink and get lost. Wool felt hats will be okay if they get wet, but not soaked.

Why are cowboy hats folded up? ›

The brim curved up on the sides to stay out of the way of a rope, and the crown became pinched to allow better control.

Does the color of a cowboy hat mean anything? ›

Q: What do different cowboy hat colors mean? In old Western movies from the 1920s to 1940s, “bad guys” wore black hats while “good guys” wore white ones. The same standard does not necessarily hold true today.

What does a cowboy hat symbolize? ›

The cowboy hat is an iconic symbol of the American West and has been associated with cowboys, ranchers, and other inhabitants of the region for centuries. It is a symbol of courage, strength, and self-reliance that is deeply embedded in the culture of many parts of the United States.

What does a feather in your cowboy hat mean? ›

In some cultures, wearing a feather in one's hat might symbolize an act of heroism or bravery. In the world of cowboys, however, it's more about personal achievement and pride. It could also simply be a sentimental token. Or a way of adding a touch of flair to the hat (for a special occasion).

Is it rude to wear a cowboy hat? ›

Cowboy hats should be removed for most formal occasions (besides rodeos, Western events and related). The only exception for a cowboy to continue wearing their hat during a formal occasion would potentially be a cowboy/Western event such as an outing at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Should I put my cowboy hat upside down? ›

Cowboy hats should be stored upside down between wears to maintain their shape, as the weight of the hat can cause the brim to lose its shape if it is stored on its crown. Even if the hat is made from a highly durable material, the brim can be flattened if it is stored for too long on its crown.

Should a cowboy hat be tight or loose? ›

The perfectly fitting cowboy hat will be snug around the front and back of your head, and a little looser around the sides. You should be able to easily take off and put on your hat, but your cowboy hat shouldn't easily blow away in a small breeze.

What is the cowboy hat rules for ladies? ›

Always keep it close to your chest. An older rule is to remove your hat when entering a building of any kind. Now it is more acceptable to leave it on, but you should still remove it when entering a church (does not apply to women) or someone's home.

Are cowboy hats a Southern thing? ›

Today it is worn by many people, and is particularly associated with ranch workers in the western and southern United States, western Canada and northern Mexico, with many country, regional Mexican and sertanejo music performers, and with participants in the North American rodeo circuit.

Is it OK to wear a felt cowboy hat in the rain? ›

A light rain shower, drizzle, even a little snow will not destroy most felt hats. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are not good for felt hats. Straw hats (made of natural fibers) should NEVER be worn in the rain.

What sets off airport scanners? ›

Metal detectors create a magnetic field by using a brief pulse of electrical current. The magnetic field will be reflected back to the machine if there are any metal objects present, such as a watch or a belt buckle. The return signal is detected by the machine and a beeping noise is produced to alert the TSA agent.

What not to wear through airport security? ›

Baggy clothing can include low-hanging pants, flowy skirts, heavy sweaters or sweatshirts, and loose dresses – things that would allow malicious travelers to hide prohibited items. Airport security may need to do a pat-down inspection if your clothes are too loose and they suspect you may be hiding prohibited items.

Why do you flip your cowboy hat upside down? ›

Do you know why you set your hat upside down on the crown? Most cowboy hats are turned up on the brim, setting the hat upside down will keep the brim from flattening and help hold its original shape.

Why do you not take a cowboys hat? ›

According to very prestigious sources like Urban Dictionary and Twitter, the cowboy hat rule means this: If you take someone's cowboy hat and put it on your head, then you're supposed to "ride the cowboy, " which means have sex with them.

What is the two hats rule? ›

The rule is simple: the more that you connect with someone using your Human Hat, the easier it will be to operate with your Technical Hat. On the other hand, the less you connect with someone using your Human Hat, the harder it will be to operate with your Technical Hat.

What does 50X mean in a cowboy hat? ›

50X - Starts at $579

The Catalena 50X is higher grade beaver blend for someone looking for that something extra in a blend. The 50X also comes with a higher grade sweatband and silk lining.

Are Stetson and Resistol the same company? ›

Stetson. Even though Stetson shares a parent company with Resistol, the company's line of cowboy hats is quite unique. Stetson cowboy hats offer more fashion-forward, modern styles that focus on providing stylish cowboy hats for casual wear rather than on the ranch.

What is a 23 in cowboy hats? ›

Maybe you're looking to replace your well-loved but beat-up cowboy hat.
...
Average Cowboy Hat Size Conversion Chart.
SizeHead Measurement (Inches)Hat Size
Small21 ⅞ Inches6 ⅞
Medium22 ¼ Inches7
Medium22 ⅝ Inches7 ⅛
Large23 Inches7 ¼
10 more rows
Apr 13, 2020

What state wears the most cowboy hats? ›

Texas. Texas is known as the cowboy capital of the world.

Can you wear a cowboy hat every day? ›

When to Wear Cowboy Hats. As a general rule, you should wear a cowboy hat outside, but take it off inside (except in informal situations). Otherwise, a cowboy hat works for everyday use all year round.

What do cowboys wear other than cowboy hats? ›

The original Stetson was dubbed “The Boss of the Plains,” and it didn't resemble what we think of as a cowboy hat today. It featured a high crown and wide brim and looked a bit like an Amish hat. It was waterproof and shielded the wearer from elements such as the sun and rain.

Do I need sunscreen if I wear a wide brim hat? ›

Even if a sun hat shades your face completely it may only reduce your sun exposure by around 50% as indirect UV can reach your skin depending on where you are by bouncing off the surfaces around you. The wider the brim of your sun hat the better for maximising coverage for the face and reducing indirect UV.

How tight should a wide brim hat be? ›

The hat should sit comfortably mid-forehead above your eyebrows and not obstruct your view. The sweatband inside the hat should provide a snug fit, not a tight fit. If you feel any tension or end up with deep red marks on your forehead, pick a looser-fitting hat.

Do you tilt hat to right or left? ›

Tilted or straight? A hat that 'tilts', always tilts to the right. This stems from the days you would be escorted by a man on your left. A fascinator or small co*cktail hat may also be worn tilting left.

Why do you store hats upside down? ›

When storing your hat on a shelf, it's important to flip the hat upside down and store it on its crown, not its brim. Storing your hat on its brim for a long period will put pressure on the brim causing it to change from its original shape.

How do you stop flying in a hat in time? ›

Hat Kid Can Fly

To disable these modes, players can type the "walk" command.

Can I wear a cowboy hat through TSA? ›

Can I Wear a Hat Through Airport Security? Yes, you can you wear a hat on a plane and when going through TSA security. Hats, even bulky headpieces such as turbans, can be worn when going through the airport security.

Does a cowboy hat count as a personal item on a plane? ›

First and foremost, wearing a cowboy hat on a plane is considered a personal item, just like a purse or a backpack. So, you can wear it on your head while sitting on the plane, and it won't count towards your carry-on or checked baggage limit.

Can you keep your hat on at the airport? ›

Hats are not allowed to be worn through the scanners at airport security. You'll be asked to remove your hat before walking through the metal detectors and can put it back on once on the other side. Summary: ✖ You must remove your hat at airport security.

Can you wear a wide brim hat on a plane? ›

Yes, you can wear hats on a plane.

How do you pack a large hat for travel? ›

Start at the bottom of your suitcase. The hat should be the first thing to go in. Stuff it with things like balls of socks or scarves. Once the hat is full, pack around it with other items.

Is a hat considered a personal item on a plane? ›

Wear The Hat On The Plane

Your hat is not going to be classed as hand luggage. This is assuming that you are wearing it when you board the plane. Once you are onboard, feel free to take it off and place it in your lap or under the seat in front of you.

How do you wear a cowboy hat while driving? ›

Proper positioning of the hat is key when it comes to wearing a cowboy hat while driving. To ensure that the brim does not obstruct your vision, place the hat low on your forehead, with the brim sitting just above your eyebrows.

Does TSA allow hat pins? ›

The TSA is not mainly about enamel pins, but it has a general rule about sharp things. The pointed part should not be longer than 6 cm. If they are in a checked bag, then they should be sheathed to shield their employees from harm as they handle the packets.

What do I need to remove from my bag at airport security? ›

Remove the 3-1-1 liquids bag and place it in the bin. Ensure pockets are empty (keys, tissues, currency, wallets, cell phones, etc.) and remove bulky jewelry (valuable items can be placed in carry-on). Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt.

Should I wear jeans on a plane? ›

You should always bring jeans with you on your trip because they go with almost everything. But you should not wear skinny or tight jeans while flying. All that time you're sitting on a plane, especially one that is over ten hours, will make your skinny jeans feel very uncomfortable.

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