Yes. All of our hats are entirely handmade, from the rawest form of the materials. Each hat is individually blocked, sanded, shaped, designed, and sewn right here in my studio—crafted entirely by hand, with care and attention to every detail.

Our hats are built with the finest quality felt you can buy and can generally be reshaped if necessary. Should your hat need adjusted, please contact us.

Our felts are available in two distinct weights: Western and Dress.

• Western Weight Felts are characterized by their stiff and rigid structure, ensuring exceptional durability. This makes them ideal for travel and frequent wear, standing up to the demands of an active lifestyle.

• Dress Weight Felts are lighter and offer greater flexibility, providing a comfortable and versatile option perfect for more formal occasions or everyday use where a bit more ease is desired.

Maintaining your hat is very important if you want it to last a long time. We are confident that with the right care your Alder West hat will last for generations.

Learn more here

Currently, we do not offer vegan alternatives, as we believe animal-derived materials that are responsibly sourced provide the superior craftsmanship and aesthetic that our customers expect.

We understand and respect the growing demand for vegan products and are continually exploring innovative materials and techniques that align with our commitment to quality and sustainability.

If you would like more information about our materials, please feel free to reach out - contact.

The starting price for a custom rabbit-fur felt hat is $650, a custom beaver fur felt starts at $925, and a custom 50/50 starts at $750. For a custom straw hat please contact us for a quote, there are many types of straw that can be customized, and price points start at $400.

Absolutely! Our hats are crafted to conform to the unique shape of your head with regular wear, ensuring a comfortable and personalized fit. On average, our hats offer approximately 1/8 inch of stretch. If you find that your hat feels too snug—meaning you can’t easily slide a finger between your forehead and the inner sweatband—we recommend selecting a size up for the best fit.

Rabbit fur felt is a popular material in hat making due to its softness, durability, and versatility. It's made by removing fur from pelts while preserving the natural oils. With a texture that closely rivals beaver felt, rabbit offers only subtle differences in feel but stands out with its wide range of vibrant, unique colors not easily found in other materials.

While more cost-effective than beaver felt, it’s not quite as weather-resistant. A light rain won’t hurt, but after a storm, your hat might need a little extra TLC. With proper care, though, a rabbit fur felt hat can last a lifetime.

a balanced blend of rabbit and beaver fur. This combination combines the softness of rabbit with the durability and water resistance of beaver, providing a high-quality option without the premium cost of pure beaver hats. It’s a perfect fusion that offers the best of both worlds.

Beaver felt hats are crafted for those who value both durability and refinement. Known for their high oil content, beaver felt offers exceptional water resistance and a uniquely soft texture that only improves with time. It’s the material of choice for anyone seeking a hat that can handle the elements while maintaining its shape and comfort for years.

Choosing a beaver felt hat means investing in long-lasting quality, especially with Alder West's premium beaver felt, designed for longevity and crafted to be a piece worth passing down through generations.

Wool felt is made from sheared sheep wool.This will be your cheapest option. While the price point is way kinder to the wallet, the durability unfortunately matches the low price point. With a shorter lifespan, Wool will break down over time, lose it’s shape, and can’t hold up to the elements or sweat. This material is also not easily reshape able.

At Alder West, we prioritize longevity and craftsmanship. That’s why we choose premium felt materials like rabbit and beaver felt for our hats. These materials ensure our hats maintain their shape and appearance over time, providing you with a durable and stylish accessory that stands the test of time.

We kindly suggest you to check out the sizing guide page here.


Need more guidance?
Feel free to contact us at hello@alderwest.com

Please email hello@alderwest.com to place a custom hat order or fill out our contact form here.

You can browse our custom page for inspiration to aid in the process of creating a custom hat.

While we’re currently an online-only boutique, creating a physical space is part of our future vision.