The Real Reason Why I Wear This Red Hat

Get your wool crusher hat here: www.hnwilliams.com/product/wo...
In today's video, I'm sharing a piece of my heart - the story behind this red hat that's become a part of my identity. It's not just a fashion statement; it's a cherished memory. When I was 12, my granddad gifted me a red wool crusher hat for hunting, the same style he always wore. Wearing this hat is more than a habit; it's a way to honor our shared experiences and keep his memory alive.
But there's more to this hat than nostalgia. In this video, I delve into the fascinating history of why American men drifted away from wearing hats as a daily accessory. From the cultural shifts of the 1960s to the changing tides of fashion, I explore how hats went from a necessity to an afterthought in men's fashion.
However, times are changing. A resurgence is underway. More men are embracing hats again, not just for style but for their utility, especially in places like the Pacific Northwest where I live. Here, a good hat isn't just a fashion choice; it's a practical tool against the elements. Whether it's for sun protection, warmth, or simply making a statement, the humble hat is making a big comeback.
Join me as I discuss this trend, share personal anecdotes, and maybe even inspire you to find your own signature hat. Let's rediscover the lost art of donning a hat together!
🌲 #Wranglerstar #RedHatStory #HatTrends 🌲

[@wranglerstar]

Get your wool crusher hat here: www.hnwilliams.com/product/wool-crusher-hat-made-in-usa/

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Libêrty and the men who died on that day

[@manofthehour5580]

​@@budget.88TruNews KZbin channel did a good job interviewing the men from that day.

[@patkonelectric]

Hats are coming back because men are going bold in their 20's. Mainly baseball hats.

[@rexfurlong5108]

@@manofthehour5580 The same "TruNews" channel that got banned from KZbin once upon a time for their anti Semitism....? Sounds like anything BUT "true" or "news".

[@adamcj73088]

Public school may not have done much but it did teach me to divide to get smaller numbers not multiply.

[@boringshawn33]

If you multiply by a decimal less than one you will get a smaller number. But yes, wrangler star was also wrong.

[@taylorpoole1053]

I went to public school…it’s divided by pi and it’s basically the formula of finding the diameter of a circle if you already know the circumference. I’m not a hat maker, but I would imagine that number is useful for making a hat mold even though the head is not a perfect circle.

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

Pi not square...Pi are round

[@teebob21]

@@obsoleteprofessor2034 One of my favorite anti-math jokes. Pie are indeed round. Square desserts are just casseroles or cobblers.

[@izahabockrath4475]

Yea i didnt even pay attention in school & i remember going over it also

[@Oddballkane]

Pie 🥧 is round lol

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

If anyone remembers the 1960's TV show, The Beverly Hill Billies, Jethro Bodine, the 20 yo nephew attending 6th grade private school, proudly stated that he caught the teacher in a mistake: Pie are not square. Pie are round.

[@TheMightyTengu]

I feel it, I started wearing a sombrero like my dad did when he'd work outside, I feel bad because i would tease him & he would always respond with: "You kids don't work outside anymore you wouldn't understand". I'm older now & he's passed away & you know what he was right, now that I'm older I understand.

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Libêrty and the men who died on that day

[@castlegarage6969]

My grampa worn a nazi helmet so I do now.i bet you did not see that coming

[@teebob21]

@@castlegarage6969 Jew got me again, Frankly.

[@teebob21]

I'm a mestizo. After every building collapse, my Dad's coworkers joked "get off me, homes!!"

[@tamsolo1584]

What you said made me think about how precious life is, and that we tend to not appreciate things untill they're gone. But, in a way, I'd like to think it's an additional meaning to "storing your treasures up in Heaven" 🙏 Glad you've stored up your treasures in Heaven and invest your talents/wisdom with us. Thank you. May YHWH bless and keep you, Shalom.

[@SmossyYT]

The way Cody tells stories. Love the fatherly feel.

[@thirdeyevision11]

Right? Lots of good ones in this episode. The story of talking about remarrying at dinner with Mrs. W. was particularly wise.

[@adamcosta4610]

This page has made me a more thoughtful husband, father and homeowner.

[@wranglerstar]

Me too, Adam,

[@YELLTELL]

RESPECT

[@rangerdanger222]

Proho fosho.

[@wranglerstar]

FoSho,

[@ensporium8857]

💯

[@TonyLasagna]

Had a similar bond with my grandfather. We would go hunting every fall and winter. He had an orange crusher, and I still have it. Thanks for sharing your story! Bringing back many memories. Now at almost 40, I hope I can pass it along to my own son.

[@ethanhand7570]

You forgot the brown one! My grandfather always wore a brown one with a pheasant feather tucked in it. It was normally accompanied with a red flannel, overalls, and a Belgium Browning 12ga. I've still got his shotgun now i know where to get the hat to go with it.

[@Fr33zy159]

Very nice hat, however as a midwesterner my first love in woolen headware has always been the Stormy Kromer. The duel tightening band/ear warmer just can't be beat in my opinion.

[@chunkylover54]

came here to say this

[@zeilstar]

I love them too, and my head is pretty average. But the brow radius has always felt too small, like I can fit my finger between my forehead and the brow. They also feel very deep in the top so they always sit on my ears instead of my head.

[@dagneytaggart7707]

I'd order one, but I've got a green/grey plaid wool bucket hat from Ireland. Bought it never worn at a garage sale for 50¢. I've come to love people who don't value quality things. They've saved me so much money with what they give away or sell for pennies.

[@marshallkarl7956]

“Of course a proper cloth tape will be in inches, because we’re not children of the devil” is hilarious and accurate

[@ericstrunck3611]

I laughed so hard

[@MrWiggenhammer]

and you multiply by Pi. If you don't know how to do that because... Of course to get a smaller number, you really should divide by Pi but I will admit I did not learn that in the US public schooling system. ;)

[@doktorjohannessen2069]

Is he just making fun of the metric system or is there an actuall joke?

[@teebob21]

There are two classes of countries on the planet Earth: those that use the metric system, and those that have had men walk on the moon.

[@doktorjohannessen2069]

@@teebob21 are you really arguing about which system is better? And do you know that Nasa uses Metric? That in general big industries and research in the us uses metric? And that People using Imperial instead of Metric and confusing the two has litterly cost the life of multiple hundred people? And billions of dollars?

[@jrod1995]

I got the red version last fall and it was a life saver during the cold winter. Now I want a green one! So many compliments.

[@Grovey0607]

I have been a long time follower from the very early days of your videos watching your red bag loadouts as I got ready for my first fire season. Growing up in the pnw my whole life I have always appreciated everything you have done. Crushers were a staple of my childhood and I still proudly wear one every day.

[@tommya.yalejr.5304]

Thank you very much for the West Coast status of North Carolina. I'm a tree climber and cutter for 29 years. I do enjoy all your content, it's good to know that I no longer East Coast trash. I am a western North Carolina West Coast man. Thank you beloved.

[@sloanzone]

A few quick comments. First, I am all onboard with hats coming back! I think they are a great addition to a wardrobe and I'd love to see more people get into hat making. Second, I think the green or maybe the black hats are best overall. The red hat just reminds me of the lady's organization, the red hat society. The black hat reminds me of Breaking Bad's Heisenberg.

[@SuperPangloss]

I concur.

[@swamp-yankee]

It’s for hunter safety

[@westcoaster3763]

You are young. The old timers wore red before tv was leading culture for the masses

[@surfearth1]

I still have my dad’s red hunting overalls and the pics with him and all my uncles wearing them in front of their harvest of the day. Good memories and great days.

[@aspergerio]

I had the same thing with my grandfather, and his old Akubra (Australian cowboy hat) I still wear it to this day, on the right occasion. The biggest and best man I ever knew, I'm honoured to have been raised by him, and taught how to be a man. Thanks for sharing with us, sir.

[@sloth_e]

Me too mate. My grandpa used a strip or two of masking tape under the flap of an akubra. He'd given me his old one (wasn't that old but he'd bought a newy) and he 1st used folded tissue but it fell apart. He went to masking tape amd that one strip lasted me 10 years till my dad bought me a brand new cattleman for my 16th.

[@aspergerio]

@@sloth_e I like that, thanks for sharing as well, matey. Sometimes these little things we remember can be pretty special, eh.

[@nutritionperfection]

Cody, if you multiply your head circumference by 3.14 you will get a larger number rather than a smaller number. Diameter is circumference divided by pi, hence you divide to find diameter aka your hat size.

[@duncanidaho8234]

Your indoctrination in basic mathematical concepts as part of a real education means you don’t understand the benefits of homeschooling where multiplying makes things smaller do you? (This is an attempt at a joke for those who find sarcasm hard to identify.)

[@VTtac802]

As a native Vermonter I agree with you Cody, I need one. I wear a hat everyday. I never knew about this company. I will have to grab a black one for sure. Thanks WS.

[@jerradgindle]

I'm loving the green!! but then again, green is, after all, my favorite color.

[@sippietippiegoobgoob5360]

Agreed the green looks great

[@michaelarchangelthehammer]

Green with the black ribbon

[@carlhendricks349]

I have ordered mine, I love the hats. Truly thankful that you brought them to all of us.

[@sweet65mustang]

Thanks for sharing the hats and the stories. I was so close with my grandfather. In the winter, I still wear a baseball style wool cap with ear flaps that was his.

[@LittleDipper55]

“Not children of the devil” 😂 his ability to casually drop comments like this is one reason I love this channel

[@Brette_Caldwell]

Really enjoy these type of videos, especially by you. I'm 22 and have mostly always worn a hat my whole life. Most of the time it has always been baseball caps. Lately since we've moved to the family land I have begun to wear cowboy hats. Typically straw in the Georgia spring, summer, early fall and, wool/felt in winter. I have developed a fine appreciation for a quality hat. Personally I really like the style of the cowboy hat, however for Hunting season, I think I'll order one of those orange hats. I still also wear the faithful baseball cap. Appreciate the fine quality videos worth watching that you make Mr.Cody.

[@Isaacsbased]

I can tell how excited you are to talk about your grandfather and those hats

[@KJaxJr]

When Cody put on the black one in the fashion show, he immediately turned into Walter White. 😂

[@man-qz8ki]

"it will be in inches, because we are not children of the devil" I love this guy, and im EU

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Libêrty and the men who died on that day

[@scroopynooperz9051]

​@@budget.88sh!t happens 😂

[@georgiarasmussen8343]

@@scroopynooperz9051 There is no way they mistook her identity.

[@_The_Captain]

I really like the black or red hat, and I think it looks great on you. I'm kinda old school, but I actually pride myself on that fact. There is nothing wrong with keeping tradition and history alive, in fact I think it's one of the most important things we can do. I'll be ordering a black one. Thanks, great video. Your content has been exceptional lately.

[@ron4378]

I appreciate you reminding us of the lack of learning "life skills", you are here for many reasons brother! I can't decide which color crusher you showed us, I would need all of them for sure. May God bless you and your family. 🙏

[@ericevans9507]

I wear a Stetson Open Road hat for the same reason you wear your crusher. Thanks for sharing. My Papaw too, was a great man. I miss him every day.

[@MaclearieFarms]

I’m 16 and I wear a full brim felt plainsman hat and in the summer a weaved hat with a cotton ribbon there badass and no man is complete without a hat

[@TylerKnouff]

Never in my life did I think I’d hear the phrase “these modern hoes” on your KZbin channel. Totally busted up laughing and had to rewind it once or twice. Gotta agree though

[@TexasLonghornRanch]

Truth, this new generation of “modern women” are lost.

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Libêrty and the men who died on that day

[@sickjohnson]

@@TexasLonghornRanch Feminism basically turned women into men...it is part of the Eugenics agenda to destroy the atomic family unit, and it working well with a divorce rate of 246%...? Liberalism, and homosexualism play into this agenda well too...?

[@chrismiksworld]

My Head is 23in as well. I really love old-style hats like this one and others such as the Bowler and Newsboy Hats

[@garlandthomson7501]

Man you finally got me ! Love your comments and your channel. Here in wash state too. God bless your efforts!

[@jwgbmp40]

Cody you are sooo right about the hats and why they fell out of style! We are about the same age, hats been gone awhile, other than ball caps.. but its funny, this summer, due to yt and my age and my outdoor "outlook", I started bringing wider brim wool hats and traditional pocket knives back! My son inlaws are getting Case xx trapper knives for Christmas and I started my edc hat out with a wool stetson crushable once colder weather hit! Its just funny to me, to watch our generational flows!! Good job on the hats bro!!

[@Flyfishtherockies]

This is one of those things that if you don’t “get it” at first, you probably never will. As a native northern Vermonter, I approve!

[@Dbcooper581]

I had one of these given to me by my grandparents when I was 13, I still have it and now my kids use when hunting. I've become very fond of the stormy cormer. The filson double mackinaw also sees a lot of use this time of year.

[@lizzapaolia959]

Thank you for sharing your videos 🙏

[@denttech2515]

You multiply by .314, or you can divide by 3.14 and get roughly the same answer. Though, they are different formulas for different reasons. Yes, i went to public school, for what its worth

[@17LetFreedomRing76]

For someone that hates the East Coast, you sure do own a lot of items actually made on the East Coast! Hats, knives, wood stoves, etc. and oh yea… love that West Coast math you use 😆

[@proudcanadian67]

Great videos ! Keep up the good work. Love your shop

[@whozaskin3639]

Thank you for all you do Cody!

[@jamespotter936]

I always like your granddad stories. Here is my story, he was a Deputy Sheriff, and we would go ride around out in the county. This was in the late 60's and early 70's. He would see a farm pond on some one's land and say we should fish that pond. I asked do you know who owns it. He would say no, but he won't mind. Most of the time a few fish came home with us. Come to find out I think he knew everyone in the county.

[@aeric_]

i thought i would go with the green but after seeing the orange that looks great for hunting deer lol thanks for sharing with us Cody happy to see the manufacturers are excited to see all the business booming!

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Libêrty and the men who died on that day

[@libertylovin2359]

​@@budget.88🙄

[@edistoisle4906]

Uplifting and encouraging! Thank you!

[@Brooklyntohomestead]

Surviving a homestead winter......just went back and watched it again.......man! What a great video! If a perfect life were a single day that would be it.

[@wrenchspinner101]

I was leaving comments about your wool crusher ( not good ones). I apologize I didn’t realize there was a connection or history with it pertaining to you and your grandfather. Thanks for the video explaining the history about it. Sincerely, a filthy east coast guy

[@masterbaits1]

Definitely about to order a orange and black one i really love the orange one since thats my favorite color but i also want black because as you said the versatility of it is spot on🤘🏻

[@crevis12]

I don’t know how I stumbled upon your channel a few months back.. but I’m hooked! Codi your demeanor is great, uplifting, whitty, cleaver and funny.. from a father to a father, thank you! Keep doing you brother

[@1hunterdale]

you are the MAN thanks for all video's over all these yrs

[@Mdouglas6217]

Hope everyone here and your families are blessed.

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Libêrty and the men who died on that day

[@nopenope7777]

"were not children of the devil" this is the kind of backhanded statements I subscribe for 😂

[@kingsclownvideos]

Very very Helpful! Thank you.

[@Girrrrrrrr]

I do wonder why we rarely hear about Cody talk about his Dad in these.

[@cybernoid001]

The only thing I'd change, is the satin ribbon. Would probably change it to a braided cord or thin/narrow leather belt.

[@scoobydoo5447]

Shock value and views is seemingly the reason this man does half the stuff he does. 😂

[@33shoobs]

Diggin this and the slow long form videos again Cody

[@tinkerbel8800]

Thanks for the story!

[@BillyCollinsArmwrestling]

“because we’re not children of the devil” bahahahaha 😂

[@thepatrioticmistersnevets9850]

Duluth Trading attempted to copy this hat and failed miserably. They lost my business entirely for perpetrating more serious shenanigans, but that's a story for another day. Thanks for this classic type installment of wisdom and anecdotes.

[@andrewkenseth4814]

Curious to hear more on this. I currently have been enjoying some of their stuff.

[@wunder8048]

this is really cool to see. my mother talks about how she remember her father when he still wore one to the office every day

[@cbass2755]

Very nice hats! I likecthem very much Cody. It looks nice on you! Merry Christmas Cody and to your beautiful family 🎅🎄🎅

[@calebdoner]

"Two things a man doesn't do: you don't use an umbrella and you don't drink from a straw." Timeless wisdom here! Lol

[@Flyinhighhatco]

Been seeing you rocking that red crusher and they look great!!! Would love to do a custom beaver 🦫 for ya one day 🇺🇸🪡🎩🪡🇺🇸… We are a high school sweetheart married team and your Modern Hoes comment had us dying!! God bless 🇺🇸

[@tweakingheavily]

love the stories cody, black and green are my favourites!

[@lifeasadreamrecords4479]

4 years ago i moved to my grandmas farm in serbia and started wearing a traditional shaikacha hat. Nobody under 70 wears them, get a load of funny looks but also people saying nice, you dont see that often. Gotta love the traditional style!

[@lifeasadreamrecords4479]

And its hand made by my neighbour from a military overcoat. Super warm, cant wait for snow!

[@JacobAnaya369]

I’ve learned so much from you sir! Oh and I about laughed my tail off when you said “these modern hoes ain’t loyal and won’t bring you three hot square meals a day in your shop” hahaha oh man that was seriously funny! I love your content and I’m a huge fan!

[@bturbo4812]

I not only love but respect the way this man unapologetically speaks his mind. Also, I always notice my grandfather never used a straw and I never knew why until now.

[@kingsuper97]

Fantastic shots! Reminds me of the tempo and demonstration of a Mr Rogers, love the scene change shots and the calm dialogue! Great work keep it up!

[@AndrexT]

When I see the red hat, I keep thinking of the Red Hat Ladies fraternal group. I think I will get a green one for gardening.

[@200milluminator]

Your humor is fantastic. “ a proper tape is measured in inches because we’re not sons of the devil.” 😂😂😂

[@zekeabercrombie3583]

Going to have a big hat if you multiply 23 x Pi.

[@attila2a746]

Great history lesson ! Thank you !

[@abttreefitty]

Your channel is like Mr. Rogers for adults. I absolutely love it.

[@maxbradley9534]

Your dad forgot to tell you the third thing a man doesn't do. That's math on camera, he steers clear and stays evasive. I'm a fan of the hat, you are very right, they look good, serve a purpose and there is no reason not to wear one.

[@mattjewett4473]

I find myself with a warm smile throughout this entire video.

[@MosesTheDrake]

Excellent video. I enjoyed it very much.

[@LeroyJenkins-ul1kb]

Do a review on that microtech please!

[@curtwhite876]

I had to pause to put myself back together.

[@LeroyJenkins-ul1kb]

@@curtwhite876 huh?

[@randymartin5521]

It's divide by pi not multiply. Your 23 inch head times 3.1419 would be close to 70.

[@JacobOverman]

The live weather and interior temperature of your shop is nice. Good touch!

[@wranglerstar]

Thanks!

[@jowcool1766]

VT man here keep up the hard work god bless brother 💪

[@heatshield]

4:10 “we’re not children of the devil” lol You crak me up, brother

[@curtwhite876]

I laughed harder at that line than I've laughed in a long time.

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Libêrty and the men who died on that day

[@user-gs5ez2hv3x]

I love that he doesn't know how to divide, but he blames public schools if other people can't do it.

[@RTWGraphics]

Yeah, picked up on that.

[@mikewilcox8866]

Thank you for this video. Black is the best looking one, but I would wear the green on occasion , being partially Irish.

[@joshuashenk3033]

My grand dad had so many of those. Hadn’t thought about it in years. Dang near made me tear up missing him.

[@Suns497]

i like the utility of the hat. The fact the it crushes up pretty nice, the material, all good. I cannot get around the colors or how it sits on the head. Much rather go with a cowboy hat or something like it. Even a bucket hat would work better in my opinion. To eachs own. Great stories as usual. And you are 100% right about not wanting to re-marry. Im lucky enough to have one like yours. They seem almost an extinct class of woman.

[@shp22japan5c]

Asking for a friend. How do you prevent the glass on the stove from darkening over time?

[@wranglerstar]

This glass is self cleaning, sometimes I clean around the edges with 00 steel wool,

[@shp22japan5c]

@@wranglerstar thank you! The one I grew up on in my grandparents cabin was so cloudy not an ounce of light came through. But with that stove, the house was either freezing or a thousand degrees, nothing in between.

[@PigSticker-wm2tq]

They sell cleaner too

[@watchchannel8201]

Bar keepers friend and a scotch pad.

[@whozaskin3639]

​@@wranglerstarwould be interesting to see if a very light film of dry silicone lube would extend cleanings or help if the wood was less than ideal...

[@kalliste23]

If they're wool presumably you can form fit them using hot water soak to shrink fit them by drying them in place on your head. That's the way British Army troops make their wool berets properly ally.

[@JokerLokison]

US Army also. You shave them with a disposable razor, then take a shower with it on and then shape it while it dries upon your dome piece.

[@xorbodude]

Heck of a product plug. good on you for helping them.

[@calebmoody326]

I think the black is my favorite and it would pair good with an all black suit for formal occasions.

[@ColonelSanders17]

"Of course a proper tailor's tape will be in inches because we're not children of the devil" gave a good chuckle. You're great Cody, keep it up. I look forward to your continued content this year.

[@CasanovaPopperz]

I really appreciate you and the content you make as a young man

[@Boomhauer69]

The only thing missing is the three piece suit to go with the hat. When I see those kind of hat that what I think. I myself plan on getting some nice suit and nice hat and walk around hopefully start trend of looking nice out in public. Here in Michigan I see alot guys walking around flashing fruit of loom's wearing baggy clothes or Pjs. To me I say let's bring back the rolling twentys clothly styles.

[@tonybologna123]

We’re not children of the devil ❤️ “ “ “

[@SMarcey]

I think for me the Green and Black ones look very good. I may very well be adding one to my hat collection. My understanding is the reason men stopped wearing hats by and large is a combination of the automobile becoming more prominent in American cities and horses going away. This means that men stopped being exposed to mud and horse manure whilst walking to work and shops. Once it became normal for men to go from their car which kept them off the sidewalk and out of the weather on the way to work and directly into their offices, things like long boots, long overcoats and hats became less and less a part of mens wardrobes. Those items were all requirements to keep the dirt and mud and horse manure off their nice cloths. When those things stop being an issue, in combination with car culture taking over out streets and ruining our public transportation infer structure those old fashioned menswear trends changed rapidly. Its quite a shame because theres nothing that makes a man look better than a nice over coat and strong felt cap of come kind. Also, dog, we have a smartphone in our pocket. I dont need to know how to multiply by Pi off the dome, my phone has a calculator. Also if the hat retailer is even remotely worth their salt they would include that sizing conversion chart on their page because they want to sell hats and not process a million returns.

[@SumDerg]

I loved your mini colab with General Sam

[@rightyouareken7587]

Love this channel

[@carlzirk]

Can't go wrong with black or red. Cool hat sizing hack.

[@N3ur0m4nc3r]

Black makes him look like PNW Walter White

[@yoyopg123]

Men stopped wearing hats in the 60s, thanks to John F Kennedy. Interesting that you chose the state that elected Bernie Sanders to an honorary member of the west coast. You prep most of the time to defend yourself against the struggle these guys actively endorse, and yet you support them. Go figure?

[@solanuskc4303]

If Bernie is the only thing you kno about Vermont, you have some reading to do

[@solanuskc4303]

Let me use your logic. BeRNiE iS frOM vErmOnT sO EVeRyOne FrOm vErmOnt is LiKe BeRNiE😊

[@sean9820]

​@@solanuskc4303Bernie is from NY and represents Burlington more so than Vermont.

[@TheMrpunisher77]

That green looks sharp on you, will see if anyone in South Africa sells these and will pick one up if they do, God bless you and the family

[@Lostinthesand]

Back in the days, we had a few of these hats as a habit for being handy in the woods.