How to Keep a Cowboy Hat On While Riding

Few Things Are More Frustrating

You are in the bucking chute, adrenaline pumping. The gate swings open, your horse rares out, and within seconds your cowboy hat flies off your head. Not only is it distracting — it can cost you or just the pride of keeping your hat on during a ride! 

Riders of every discipline — queening, barrel racing, roping, bronc riding, cutting,  even trail riding on a windy afternoon — know the struggle. Keeping a cowboy hat on while riding feels like a battle against physics.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• Why cowboy hats fly off in the first place.
  
• Common methods riders use to solve the problem (and why most don’t work well).
  
• The modern solution trusted by competitors across the country.
  
• Extra tips for long-lasting hat security.
  

Whether you’re a serious rodeo athlete or just someone who loves wearing your cowboy hat on horseback, this article will help you ride harder without worrying about losing your lid.

Why Cowboy Hats Fly Off

A cowboy hat isn’t just headwear — it’s tradition, identity, and often a requirement in competition. But the very design that makes it iconic also makes it prone to flying off at the worst times.

Here are the most common culprits:

• Wind + Speed
   At full gallop, wind lifts under the brim like a sail. The faster you move, the stronger the lift.
  
• Sharp Turns + Arena Action
   In barrel racing and roping, quick directional changes create centrifugal force that loosens your hat.
  
• Non-Fitting Hats
  Hats that are slightly too big or have stretched over time are especially vulnerable. The everyday wear and tear on a cowboy hat alters the original shape and design.  Even brand-new hats may not fit evenly.
  
• Sweat + Movement
  Heat and sweat reduce friction inside the hatband, letting it slide more easily.
  

Common Solutions Riders Use

Riders have been trying to solve hat retention problems for decades. Some methods work in a pinch, but most come with big drawbacks. Let’s look at the most common fixes.

Stampede String 

• Pros: Cheap, easy to install, holds hat securely.
  
• Cons: Uncomfortable under the chin, highly visible, goes against the traditional cowboy look. Many riders simply refuse to wear them.
  
  

Adhesives / Hat Tape

• Pros: Creates temporary grip, can help in casual use.
  
• Cons: Messy, uncomfortable, damages the hatband or felt. Adhesive wears off with sweat and heat.

Bobby Pins 

• Pros: Lightweight and easy to carry.
  
• Cons: Gives headaches, uncomfortable fit, none secure feeling comes loose with movement. 

Tight Sizing

• Pros: No extra equipment needed.
  
• Cons: Gives headaches, still slips off during extreme runs, shortens the lifespan of the hat by forcing pressure points.
  

Takeaway: These quick fixes either compromise comfort, damage your hat, or simply don’t work well in competitions. Riders needed something better.

The Modern Fix — Bandit Hat Cinch

Enter the Bandit Hat Cinch — a rodeo-tested, competition-approved solution designed specifically for keeping cowboy hats secure while riding.

How It Works

Instead of strapping, pinning or gluing your hat down, the Hat Cinch uses an internal tension system that discreetly fits inside your hatband. It grips your head just enough to stay put — without pinching, pulling, or showing on the outside.

Why Riders Trust It

• Invisible: No chin straps, no adhesive, no pinning, nothing visible to distract from tradition.
  
• Competition Compliant: Used at events like Pendleton Round-Up and Cheyenne Frontier Days, National High School Finals Rodeo.
  
• Comfortable: Lightweight and breathable, so you can wear it all day.
  
• Proven: Riders from multiple disciplines report never losing their hats again.
  
  

Real Riders, Real Proof

The Hat Cinch isn’t theory — it’s been tested in real competition and everyday rides.

• Barrel Racers: “I used to lose my hat at least once a weekend. Since switching to the Hat Cinch, not once — and I can focus fully on my run.”
  
• Ropers: “I can focus on my roping, not my hat coming off!”
  
• Bronc Riders: “If it works in the rough stock pen, it’ll work anywhere.”
  

At major rodeo events, you’ll see competitors and even pros trusting the Hat Cinch to keep them focused on their event, not their hat flaying off. 

Quick Tips for Better Hat Security

Even with the best retention device, smart hat habits make a difference.

Start With Proper Fit

• Your hat should sit snug but comfortable. See our full Cowboy Hat Fit Guide for sizing charts and troubleshooting tips.
  

Store Hats Correctly

• Always store hats crown-down or on a proper rack to prevent warping that loosens fit.
  

Seasonal Hat Choice

• Straw in the summer, felt in the winter — lightweight hats are more likely to blow off. Some live by the unspoke rule; only wear straws Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  

Use the Hat Cinch as the Foundation

• The ultimate solution is combining a proper fit cowboy hat with the Bandit Hat Cinch for competition-ready security.
  

FAQs About Hat Security

Will the Bandit Hat Cinch work with my hat?
Yes, it fits most felt, straw, and wool cowboy hats across brands like Resistol, Stetson, and American Hat Co.

Is it allowed in competition?
Yes. The Hat Cinch is internal and non-visible, making it fully competition compliant.

Can I remove it easily?
Absolutely. Install once, and remove anytime — no residue or damage.

Final Thoughts

Losing your cowboy hat while riding isn’t just inconvenient — it can cost you fines, points, or even the cost of hat itself. Traditional fixes like stampede strings and adhesives either don’t work well or come with tradeoffs.

The Bandit Hat Cinch offers the modern solution: invisible, comfortable, and proven in the arena and outside of the arena. Whether you’re running barrels, roping calves, or just enjoying a trail ride, it lets you ride and not worry about losing your hat again.

Shop the Bandit Hat Cinch here