The Other Open Roads.....

[rclark]

Okay, so how about the Resistol "Open Road?" I know, no matter what name is on it, nowadays they are all made by Hatco in Garland...

https://www.lbjstore.com/all-the-way-with-lbj-lbjs-open-road-resistol-hat.html

I actually own one and it’s technically called the “LBJ”. Same exact hat as a Stetson Open Road.

 

[T Jones]

My own creation that I converted from a Resistol Westerner. The ribbon, bow, and brim binding are salvaged ribbons that I had laying around and used on this project...

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I actually own one and it’s technically called the “LBJ”. Same exact hat as a Stetson Open Road.

There has also been a couple of Resistol "Lyndon B" in 3X & 5X show up with 2-3/4" BE brims. Always wondered about the 2-3/4" brim when history says he preferred 2-1/4"?

 

[Lefty W.]

In any event, I asked the question of a long-time friend of the Johnson family, which did Lyndon prefer - Stetson or Resistol?
Because at the time, Resistol was made in Texas, and Stetson wasn’t, the answer was obvious.

 

[Lefty W.]

Okay, so how about the Resistol "Open Road?"

https://www.lbjstore.com/all-the-way-with-lbj-lbjs-open-road-resistol-hat.html

The advertising copy reads as follows:

"LBJ's Resistol Open Road Hat is a 4x Fur Felt with a 2 3/4" brim and a 4" crown. The inside is trimmed with a leather sweatband imprinted with "Made Especially for the LBJ Presidential Library." Comes in multiple sizes. Email us if we don't have yours and we will special order it for you!"​

This reads almost as if the term "Open Road" is being used in a generic sense to describe this style of hat.

Doing a little searching, I found that the John B. Stetson Company, a Delaware corporation, has registered the term "Open Road" as a trademark for "head wear." The surprising thing is that the application was only filed on April 27, 2000, and yet JBS Co. claimed the first use of the term as early as 1920.

I guess since Hatco makes Stetsons and Resistols, nobody will get too excited about this...

 

[Bamaboots]

LBJ's Resistol Open Road Hat

Doubt many reading that would have understood “OR clone”.

 

[jlee562]

In any event, I asked the question of a long-time friend of the Johnson family, which did Lyndon prefer - Stetson or Resistol?
Because at the time, Resistol was made in Texas, and Stetson wasn’t, the answer was obvious.

The Garland factory was originally the Resistol factory, pre Hatco, no?

So in a way, Resistol makes Stetsons.

 

[M Brown]

I live fairly close to the Hatco factory store...it's a 30 min drive from me. On any given day they'll have a dozen or more Open Roads on the rack in various sizes & colors. At the store they sell for $79 for a 4x. 6X is a bit more but still about half of most on line vendor prices.

The challenge is finding one in your size on that any given day you visit the store IF you you wear a larger size, like me. (7 1/2) They usually always have 7 1/8 and smaller in various colors.

The store gets inventory from the factory next door weekly so stock is constantly updating. But The biggest challenge when visiting Hatco is managing to come back home without a new hat, or two, or three!

 

[Rmccamey]

...and you can often catch some really great deals on straws and panama's.

I live fairly close to the Hatco factory store...it's a 30 min drive from me. On any given day they'll have a dozen or more Open Roads on the rack in various sizes & colors. At the store they sell for $79 for a 4x. 6X is a bit more but still about half of most on line vendor prices.

The challenge is finding one in your size on that any given day you visit the store IF you you wear a larger size, like me. (7 1/2) They usually always have 7 1/8 and smaller in various colors.

The store gets inventory from the factory next door weekly so stock is constantly updating. But The biggest challenge when visiting Hatco is managing to come back home without a new hat, or two, or three!

 

[NotHardly]

Applying for membership with this Dobbs Westward.

It’s also my first rehab job. Dropped in a new perforated sweat, new ribbon, even made my own liner.

 

[rclark]

Love the hat but I think you qualify for membership in the Brotherhood of the Thin Ribbon:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-brotherhood-of-the-thin-ribbon.12491/page-26

 

[barongan]

Following

 

[DaveProc]

I'm thinking late 1950s Brent Conformatic Open Road clone. The felt is soft and pliable and can be almost shaped by hand, better quality than my 3X Open Roads. My other Brent says "Sold exclusively by Montgomery Ward " on the tip, this one does not anywhere. Does not appear to have ever been worn.

 

[Rmccamey]

Love those NOS type hats. Hard to tell that is not a Stetson OR.

I'm thinking late 1950s Brent Conformatic Open Road clone. The felt is soft and pliable and can be almost shaped by hand, better quality than my 3X Open Roads. My other Brent says "Sold exclusively by Montgomery Ward " on the tip, this one does not anywhere. Does not appear to have ever been worn. View attachment 238472 View attachment 238473 View attachment 238474 View attachment 238475 View attachment 238476 View attachment 238477 View attachment 238478 View attachment 238479 View attachment 238480 View attachment 238481

 

[dh66]

I'm thinking late 1950s Brent Conformatic Open Road clone. The felt is soft and pliable and can be almost shaped by hand, better quality than my 3X Open Roads. My other Brent says "Sold exclusively by Montgomery Ward " on the tip, this one does not anywhere. Does not appear to have ever been worn. View attachment 238472 View attachment 238473 View attachment 238474 View attachment 238475 View attachment 238476 View attachment 238477 View attachment 238478 View attachment 238479 View attachment 238480 View attachment 238481

Man! That is a nice one!!!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I'm thinking late 1950s Brent Conformatic Open Road clone. The felt is soft and pliable and can be almost shaped by hand, better quality than my 3X Open Roads. My other Brent says "Sold exclusively by Montgomery Ward " on the tip, this one does not anywhere. Does not appear to have ever been worn. View attachment 238472 View attachment 238473 View attachment 238474 View attachment 238475 View attachment 238476 View attachment 238477 View attachment 238478 View attachment 238479 View attachment 238480 View attachment 238481

Looks pristine! Congratulations finding such a great hat.

 

[DaveProc]

Looks pristine! Congratulations finding such a great hat.

Thank you! And it has a great name ;-)

 

[georgie girl]

Applying for membership with this Dobbs Westward.

It’s also my first rehab job. Dropped in a new perforated sweat, new ribbon, even made my own liner.

did you use the awl for attaching the sweatband??

 

[M Hatman]

I'm thinking late 1950s Brent Conformatic Open Road clone. The felt is soft and pliable and can be almost shaped by hand, better quality than my 3X Open Roads. My other Brent says "Sold exclusively by Montgomery Ward " on the tip, this one does not anywhere. Does not appear to have ever been worn. View attachment 238472 View attachment 238473 View attachment 238474 View attachment 238475 View attachment 238476 View attachment 238477 View attachment 238478 View attachment 238479 View attachment 238480 View attachment 238481

Those are NICE......I am sure you will love it........I love mine!
Good get......
PS: Here is mine if you want to compare.....mine is a nice medium light grey....
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-other-open-roads.36972/page-38#post-2554295

 

[DaveProc]

Those are NICE......I am sure you will love it........I love mine!
Good get......
PS: Here is mine if you want to compare.....mine is a nice medium light grey....
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-other-open-roads.36972/page-38#post-2554295

They are almost twins! I plan on changing the crease on mine to something other than the cattleman is probably had for over 60 years. Love the telescope on yours!