Stetson Open Road Straw

[Duper]

I have been considering a Stetson Open Road Straw (shantang non-vented). I have seen it offered in two colours, silverbelly and taupe. I am leaning towards silverbelly. This model goes for around $130 retail. I think it would be more breathable than the basic lesser expensive shantang straw that is very coated with stiffner.

Does anyone have one? Do you like it?

And what the heck colour is taupe? It looks sort of grey in the photos I have seen.

,,,Mike in Canada

 

[Frunobulax]

I have been considering a Stetson Open Road Straw (shantang non-vented). I have seen it offered in two colours, silverbelly and taupe. I am leaning towards silverbelly. This model goes for around $130 retail. I think it would be more breathable than the basic lesser expensive shantang straw that is very coated with stiffner.

Does anyone have one? Do you like it?

And what the heck colour is taupe? It looks sort of grey in the photos I have seen.

,,,Mike in Canada

While I don't own one, my advice is to steer clear of the Shantung Open Road and instead go for the woven hemp variety. I have a couple of woven hemp hats made by Peters Bros that are very nice and airy. The Shantung, in addition to being coated, is a pretty tight weave, although I think some models have venting. Plus, though I can't prove it, my gut tells me hemp will wear better over the years than Shantung.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

While I don't own one, my advice is to steer clear of the Shantung Open Road and instead go for the woven hemp variety. I have a couple of woven hemp hats made by Peters Bros that are very nice and airy. The Shantung, in addition to being coated, is a pretty tight weave, although I think some models have venting. Plus, though I can't prove it, my gut tells me hemp will wear better over the years than Shantung.

If it’s not one of the vented models, I don think that your Shantung OR will breath much as all. I’m not against Shantung, but for me it has limited applications. Maybe Jared @jlee562 can give a more informed opinion as he has one the hats in question.

 

[Frunobulax]

If it’s not one of the vented models, I don think that your Shantung OR will breath much as all. I’m not against Shantung, but for me it has limited applications. Maybe Jared @jlee562 can give a more informed opinion as he has one the hats in question.

I'm against Shantung. Just don't like it. Maybe Jared could change my mind.

With the hemp, if you get stranded somewhere, you can unwind it and make a rope to escape!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I'm against Shantung. Just don't like it. Maybe Jared could change my mind.

With the hemp, if you get stranded somewhere, you can unwind it and make a rope to escape!

I agree with your opinion of Shantung. However, if the crown is well-ventilated it has a place in my rotation as a hard use summer hat. I think of it like I do Akubra’s polypropylene hats: rarely what I prefer and occasionally just the ticket.

I wish Peters Bros. was easier to deal with. Unanswered emails and telephone calls and a near worthless website has soured me on them.

 

[Frunobulax]

I agree with your opinion of Shantung. However, if the crown is well-ventilated it has a place in my rotation as a hard use summer hat. I think of it like I do Akubra’s polypropylene hats: rarely what I prefer and occasionally just the ticket.

I wish Peters Bros. was easier to deal with. Unanswered emails and telephone calls and a near worthless website has soured me on them.

I had the advantage of walking in the shop and doing it in person. I think things changed a bit when one of the sons, now the proprietors, left to pursue another career. Their quality fell off for a bit. Hopefully, they've gotten their mojo back. I'd like a third with more of a dress hat look, but I'm hesitant. I used to go to Ft. Worth every January and they were a block from my hotel. That made it easier.

Plus, I could carve out some time for a day trip to Garland.

 

[jlee562]

It's true I am a proponent of the vented shangtung ORs.




I can't speak to the unvented shangtung hats. I don't think that would be my first choice. I would consider one of the Hemp ORs, certainly, but I already have a Panama one. I appreciate that I don't have to "baby" the shangtung OR, which makes it nice to stash under an airplane seat, for example (in the before times). One time it blew off my head and hit the pavement with a satisfying smack, but I wasn't really concerned and it was no worse for the wear. So it fills a niche in my straw hat collection, but if I wanted to wear a "nice" hat I'd grab the real Panama.

 

[Duper]

It's true I am a proponent of the vented shangtung ORs.




I can't speak to the unvented shangtung hats. I don't think that would be my first choice. I would consider one of the Hemp ORs, certainly, but I already have a Panama one. I appreciate that I don't have to "baby" the shangtung OR, which makes it nice to stash under an airplane seat, for example (in the before times). One time it blew off my head and hit the pavement with a satisfying smack, but I wasn't really concerned and it was no worse for the wear. So it fills a niche in my straw hat collection, but if I wanted to wear a "nice" hat I'd grab the real Panama.

Much appreciated everyone!

I do own the natural hemp Stratoliner. The OR hemp might seem and look a bit to similar so I was thinking of trying the shantung straw as I do not own any shantung in my small straw hat collection. I did not find the sage version online for the good size and a price I can accept.

I think the one I am looking it is the upgrade from the shiny white shellacked 6X version. That one would be the base model and I have seen and handled those a couple of times.

I think this one would be very similar in construction as the vented versions,,,just no venting. I spoke to a retailer today and he said the Silverbelly colour is what is also marketed as Toasted by Stetson.

It sure would be great to handle one in person but alas in my part of the world there are none to be found.

,,,Mike in Canada

 

[Frunobulax]

Much appreciated everyone!

I do own the natural hemp Stratoliner. The OR hemp might seem and look a bit to similar so I was thinking of trying the shantung straw as I do not own any shantung in my small straw hat collection. I did not find the sage version online for the good size and a price I can accept.

I think the one I am looking it is the upgrade from the shiny white shellacked 6X version. That one would be the base model and I have seen and handled those a couple of times.

I think this one would be very similar in construction as the vented versions,,,just no venting. I spoke to a retailer today and he said the Silverbelly colour is what is also marketed as Toasted by Stetson.

It sure would be great to handle one in person but alas in my part of the world there are none to be found.

,,,Mike in Canada

Check one 2 miniranch on line. He has some pretty good prices.

 

[Duper]

Check one 2 miniranch on line. He has some pretty good prices.

Thanks for that! I was speaking to him earlier today. He was very helpful.

,,,Mike in Canada

 

[Snowman]

It's true I am a proponent of the vented shangtung ORs.




I can't speak to the unvented shangtung hats. I don't think that would be my first choice. I would consider one of the Hemp ORs, certainly, but I already have a Panama one. I appreciate that I don't have to "baby" the shangtung OR, which makes it nice to stash under an airplane seat, for example (in the before times). One time it blew off my head and hit the pavement with a satisfying smack, but I wasn't really concerned and it was no worse for the wear. So it fills a niche in my straw hat collection, but if I wanted to wear a "nice" hat I'd grab the real Panama.

Hmmm. That looks quite a bit nicer (and less plastic-y) than what I think of when I hear shantung.

 

[Rmccamey]

And you might call the Hatco Outlet store in Garland, TX. They are usually good to work with over the phone and "factory seconds" often go for 1/2 to 1/3 of the regular retail price. For everyday wear or work hats, the prices are hard to beat.

Thanks for that! I was speaking to him earlier today. He was very helpful.

,,,Mike in Canada

 

[Frunobulax]

And you might call the Hatco Outlet store in Garland, TX. They are usually good to work with over the phone and "factory seconds" often go for 1/2 to 1/3 of the regular retail price. For everyday wear or work hats, the prices are hard to beat.

^^^^^What he said^^^^^^

 

[Duper]

I did give the outlet shop a call today. No Open Roads in felt or straw in my size. Same for Stratoliners.

I have ordered the base model 6X straw from a Canadian retailer. Hopefully it will be here next week. The photos they texted to me of the specific hat I purchased looked OK.

I have purchased from the Garland outlet store before and the transactions went well. Just no product this time around bit was worth a try.

,,,Mike in Canada

 

[59Lark]

Loungers; i have been trying to purchase some fedoras, i have worn 137w in caribou with 1 1/2 black ribbon with a blue feather for 20 yrs. The wholesale has skyrocketed since 2015 , the new market it seems is trendy colours appealing to the in crowd, trendy prices as well. I too am looking for a summer hat, no a/c in the studebaker , mike in canada, here is another mike in southern ont, what canadian retailer are you talkin about, i am looking for a milano straw fedora, big head 7 3/4 . Conservative colours, amish would be wary of dealing with someone wearing a cabana hat. hoping for a clue . 59Lark

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Loungers; i have been trying to purchase some fedoras, i have worn 137w in caribou with 1 1/2 black ribbon with a blue feather for 20 yrs. The wholesale has skyrocketed since 2015 , the new market it seems is trendy colours appealing to the in crowd, trendy prices as well. I too am looking for a summer hat, no a/c in the studebaker , mike in canada, here is another mike in southern ont, what canadian retailer are you talkin about, i am looking for a milano straw fedora, big head 7 3/4 . Conservative colours, amish would be wary of dealing with someone wearing a cabana hat. hoping for a clue . 59Lark

Are you looking for a Milan weave straw or do you need a Milan (wheat) straw hat? If you are alright with the former then the hemp Milan weave hats are good options. I’m considering another attempt at ordering a Peters Bros. hemp hat for the summer and they offer conservative colors. Stetson offers the Open Road and the Stratoliner in hemp Milan weave in a variety of colors.

Good luck.

 

[59Lark]

loungers; i am a creature of habit, those montreal made 137w have been my everyday and special occ. for over 20 yrs, summers i like a milano straw fedora, being the owner of a textile business after my local habashery closed, i set up a account wtih said montreal hat plant, wholesale you have to buy three a time, but from 2015 to now the wholesale has gone more than double , three hats will now cost over $500. with tax and shipping. I dont smoke and i hardly drink, but that is a expensive luxury for a man who buys his clothes at thrift stores. I used to go the biltmore plant and buy seconds but that is no longer an option having been dragged off to the USA. The problem is with living in the past is you still have to pay todays prices. yours sincerly 59lark.