You’ve probably seen them before, but did you know the trapper hat is a historical icon?
Some of the first known records show trapper hats being worn by fur traders and trappers. These Mountain Men, as they came to be known, traveled to western America to expand the fur trade in the late 1700s.
These men were vital to the expansion of the early American west. Their travels documented the geography of the land, and opened new routes for settlers to follow. Without their early exploration, the West as we know it would not exist!
The trapper hat was an essential piece of clothing for these early explorers. Made of thick furs and leather, the hats not only protected the Mountain Mens’ heads, but also the ears and nape of the neck. The protection and warmth of natural fur was vital to staving off potential frostbite.
The trapper hat quickly became a wardrobe staple across the American West’s cold climates.
Fast forward to the 1900s and WWI. The humble trapper hat became necessary protection for pilots. Early fighter planes were open-cockpit. Trapper hats, with their distinctive ear flaps, were essential for covering the pilots head and ears while flying.
By the second World War, the trapper hat was also known as the bomber hat; while cockpits were now enclosed, the trapper hat was still vital to pilot comfort and safety. The cabins were not pressurized at this point in history, but were capable of flying up to 30,000 ft.
The trapper hat continued to protect pilot heads and ears in the windy and cold cockpit!
Today, the versatility and practicality of the trapper hat keep it popular. Whether you’re an avid hunter, outdoors lover, or someone who loves a wardrobe with history, the trapper hat will fit the bill.
Here at Merlin’s Hide Out, we handcraft this modern icon in Buffalo, Beaver, and Red Fox Fur the traditional way. Our trapper hats aren’t mass produced, rather, they are each sewn right here in Thermopolis by Merlin.
