Ariat straw hats are made by M&F Western Products, Inc., a Texas-based western accessories manufacturer that produces the Ariat hat line under a licensing agreement with the Ariat brand.
M&F Western has been making western accessories since 1969 and is one of the largest distributors and manufacturers of western wear accessories in the United States.
Ariat International is an American brand founded in 1993 in Union City, California, best known for its western boots and equestrian footwear, but the brand also licenses its name to M&F Western for the hat line.
Ariat does not manufacture its own hats. Like most of its product categories, hats are produced by specialist third-party manufacturers who hold Ariat licenses and build the products to Ariat’s specifications.
Ariat straw hats are available in a wide range of styles including bangora straw, natural straw, and diamond weave constructions, typically featuring leather sweatbands and 4 to 4.25-inch brims suited to outdoor and ranch use.
Ariat is the official footwear and apparel partner of the Professional Bull Riders, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, and the Federation Equestre Internationale, giving the brand strong credibility across western and equestrian communities.
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Who Makes Ariat Straw Hats and Who Is M&F Western?
Ariat International licenses its name to M&F Western Products, Inc. for its hat collection. M&F Western handles all design, production, and distribution of Ariat-branded hats.
M&F Western Products was established in 1969 and is headquartered in Texas. The company is the leading manufacturer and distributor of western accessories in the U.S., with product lines that include hatbands, belt buckles, belts, wallets, boot accessories, and leathercare products under numerous western brand licenses.
Beyond Ariat, M&F Western produces accessories for other major western brands. It holds the Nocona Belt Company license and distributes Crumrine buckles and jewelry.
The company sells through western stores, ranch stores, department stores, and gift shops nationwide.
Where Are Ariat Straw Hats Made?
Ariat products are designed in the United States but manufactured globally using a network of specialist factories.
Ariat’s broader product range is made in China, Mexico, Italy, Vietnam, and the United States depending on the category.
Straw hat production typically involves factories in China and Mexico where the infrastructure for high-volume natural straw and synthetic straw hat manufacturing is well established.
The specific country of origin for each individual Ariat straw hat model can be found on the hat’s interior label.
Ariat’s premium felt hat line, also produced by M&F Western, includes models made in the USA. The 6X fur felt hats in the Ariat collection carry “Made in USA” markings and come in Ariat-branded hat boxes, representing the higher end of the Ariat hat range.
What Is the X Rating on Ariat Straw Hats?
The X rating on western hats is a quality grade that indicates the content and quality of the materials used. Higher X numbers generally indicate better-quality straw or felt and more refined construction.
Ariat offers straw hats in grades including 5X, 10X, and 20X. A 20X straw hat uses higher-quality natural straw fibers and tighter weaving than a basic 5X model.
The higher the X rating, the more durable and water-resistant the hat tends to be in real outdoor use.
It is important to note that the X rating system is not standardized across the industry. Each manufacturer applies its own scale, so a 20X hat from Ariat may not be directly comparable in quality to a 20X hat from Resistol or Stetson. The X number is a relative quality indicator within a given brand’s lineup.
Ariat vs. Stetson vs. Resistol: Which Hat Brand Is Best?
Stetson, Resistol, and Ariat are three of the most recognized western hat brands in the United States, but they come from very different manufacturing histories.
Resistol hats are made entirely in the United States at the company’s facility in Garland, Texas. Resistol has been producing American-made hats since 1927 and is owned by Hatco, Inc., the same parent company that owns Stetson.
Ariat hats are produced by M&F Western using global sourcing. Stetson outsources most of its hat production to overseas factories, with a smaller premium line still made domestically.
For buyers who specifically want an American-made western hat, Resistol is the clearest choice at most price points.
For buyers who prioritize the Ariat brand name and its equestrian community connections, the M&F Western-produced Ariat hats deliver solid quality at competitive prices.
What Is the Ariat Brand Known For?
Ariat was founded in 1993 by Beth Cross and Pam Parker in Union City, California. The name is inspired by Secretariat, the legendary racehorse widely considered the greatest thoroughbred of all time.
The founders worked with biomechanical research labs to engineer riding boots that treated the equestrian athlete with the same technical rigor applied to other sports footwear.
That approach differentiated Ariat from traditional western boot makers who prioritized appearance over performance.
Ariat grew into the largest equestrian footwear and apparel company in the world by 2020. In 2012, the Fisher family, founders of Gap Inc., acquired Ariat International.
The brand today sells boots, apparel, hats, and accessories across the western, equestrian, and workwear segments. For more on where Ariat products are made, see Where Are Ariat Boots Made and Where Are Ariat Boots Made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ariat Straw Hats
Are Ariat hats made in the USA?
Some Ariat hats are made in the USA, specifically the premium 6X fur felt models in the collection. Most straw hats in the Ariat lineup are made in China or Mexico by M&F Western Products. Check the interior label of any individual hat for the specific country of origin.
Who is M&F Western Products?
M&F Western Products, Inc. is a Texas-based western accessories company founded in 1969. It is the largest manufacturer and distributor of western accessories in the United States, producing hats, hatbands, belt buckles, belts, and leather goods under numerous brand licenses including Ariat.
Where can I buy Ariat straw hats?
Ariat straw hats are sold at western wear retailers, farm and ranch supply stores such as Tractor Supply and Rural King, boot stores, and online through the Ariat website and major retailers like Amazon and Boot Barn.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.