Many people asked about the X factor
   ratings on their hat. What does it really
   mean when you wear a 10X hat? 50X
   hat? 100X Hat? Well, according to a book
   called "The Cowboy Hats" it explain that
   in the hat making field, felt has
   traditionally been graded according to its
   X-factor. The X-factor was originally
   determined by the density and shape of
   the material, and ranged in grade from a
   low of 1X to a high of 10X. Hats made of
   material rated below 5X generally
   contained a poorer grade of fur and little
   or no beaver fur. A 10X hat was made of
   100% beaver fur. The X-factor was also a
   fairly reliable price guide, with a 3X hat
   costing $30 and a 4X hat costing $40 and
   a 5X hat costing $50 and so on. Fifty
   years ago, a 10X Stetson cost $100, was
   made of 100% pure beaver fur and was
   the finest hat available.


   Today, however, the X-factor rating system is rather subjective.
   Manufacturers and dealers are not only rating hats differently, each according
   to its own criteria, but they are also using the X as a price plateau rather
   than an actual quality rating system. In general, today's X-factor works out
   like this: a 2X beaver will cost under $100; a 10X beaver about $250; a 30X,
   $450; and 100X beaver hats generally cost upwards of $1,000.
   One company's 5X beaver might actually be better than another's 10X - it's
   a tricky system.

   Prospective hat buyers are advised to discuss the material's X-factor with the
   hat maker or dealer in detail to ascertain the true X-rating. The real test,
   ultimately, is the look and feel: a good hat is soft and silky. (end of Book
   quote)

   Perhaps you will begin to understand that when you order a hat from
   Montana Rio, a Traditional Wear hat company you are getting the very best
   simply because we abide by the original hat making rule, something we call
   the Code Of West" hat. If you are tired or fed up with cheap "mass
   manufactured hats" you've come to the right place. Receive your free
   measurement and estimate for your customized hat and you won't be
   disappointed. That's our pledge.