Different felt qualities - felt hat qualities
What are the differences between wool felt and fur felt hats?
The felt hat can be either wool felt or fur felt. The difference is significant as the raw material does not yield the same quality of felt.
In both cases, the hat remains of quality, pleasant to wear and always crafted with a dedication to hat-making tradition. However, the fur felt hat is made with more refined materials.
There are therefore two categories: the wool felt hat and the fur felt hat.
| Type of felt | Wool felt hat | Fur felt hat |
| Origin | These are strands of wool which constitute the raw material used for wool felt, as opposed to the higher-end fur felt. |
It is the fur of hares, domestic rabbits and wild rabbits that constitutes the raw material used for luxury felt. Depending on the work carried out on the surface of the felt, different finishes can be obtained. smooth felt: (smooth felt) the felt is sanded with sandpaper. Flemish felt: (fur imitation) the fiber is raised using a wire brush. velour felt: (velvet imitation) the fiber is raised using a dogfish skin, then trimmed. |
| Water resistance | Not waterproof. Indeed, originally, the wool felt is not waterproof, but it can be made so through processes such as Vita Felt by the brand Stetson. |
Waterproof. It is naturally waterproof due to the fur it is made from, designed to resist rain. |
Our selection of Traclet felt hats
Since 1880, Chapellerie Traclet has been selecting felt hats combining elegance, comfort and hat-making expertise. Discover affordable and durable wool felt models, as well as a premium rabbit fur felt model.
Black Waterproof Wool Felt Fedora
100% wool felt
A timeless black fedora, treated against rain, foldable and handcrafted in Italy. An excellent value for money to discover the felt hat.
39,00 €
Discover this hat
Traveller Flavien Wool Felt
Wool Felt – Made in France
A versatile and comfortable traveller, crafted in France. Its wool felt protects against the cold while its brim provides good coverage against wind and bad weather.
69,00 €
Discover this hat
Homburg Sarre Cognac Wool Felt
100% wool felt
A structured Homburg shape, recognizable by its center crease and turned-up brim. Its cognac shade brings distinction and character to classic or formal outfits.
110,00 €
Discover this hat
Traveller Rabbit Fur Felt
100% rabbit fur felt
A premium model, softer, more supple and more luminous than a classic wool felt. A fine illustration of the comfort and fineness of fur felt.
150,00 €
Discover this hat
How to distinguish a fur felt hat from a wool felt hat?
You will easily recognize a fur felt hat because the quality is not the same.
The fur fiber is indeed softer to the touch, whereas wool felt is rougher.
Moreover, fur felt has a more luminous and shiny appearance than wool felt.
How to judge the quality of a hat's felt?
Certain brands such as Stetson and Bullhide use a rating system to attempt to judge the qualities of hats: the X system.
On certain hats, you may see an inscription on the inner sweatband indicating a number of X (20X for example at Stetson indicates that it contains a percentage of beaver fur).
The rule is simple: the more X's, the more beaver fur (a nobler fiber) the hat contains, combined with rabbit fur.
The Stetson with a 100X rating is the President hat by Stetson, a hat offered to every American President and made from 100% beaver fur.
Please note that the X rating does not indicate quality, which is a subjective notion personal to each individual. It can refer to a hat's ability to be folded and return to its original shape without marks. Vitafelt is one of the best known, popularized by Stetson.