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The Texas Rangers have a long and exciting history since they were founded in 1823.
Today, they remain a legendary law enforcement agency that investigates crimes throughout the state of Texas.
They have a distinctive look and are known for wearing cowboy hats.
Do the Texas Rangers Wear Uniforms?
The Texas Rangers don’t wear uniforms for routine duty, but they do have a dress code that they have to follow.
According to the Official Historical Center of the Texas Rangers, when Rangers are on official general duty, they are required to wear conservative Western-style clothing.
The dress code covers many items, including appropriate choices for dress shirts, pants, Western boots, and dress shirts.
Hats are an important part of Texas Rangers attire. The dress code specifies in great detail what kinds of hats are allowed.
What Kinds of Cowboy Hats Do Texas Rangers Wear While on Duty?
Rangers must ensure that their hats meet all the dress code regulations.
What Styles of Hats Can Rangers Wear?
Texas Rangers are allowed to wear only one of two styles of hats: the Cattleman or the Rancher.
The Cattleman cowboy hat is a traditional design with a deep crease in the center of the crown and two indentations on the sides of the crown. This is known as the Cattleman Crease.
The Rancher is a straw cowboy hat with an oval crown that has a Cattleman Crease, a 4-inch brim, a wide interior sweatband, and a thin satin hat band that circles the crown.
What Color Is a Texas Ranger’s Hat?
While no specific color is required, the dress code regulations say the hat must be a light color.
Do Texas Rangers Have to Own More Than One Cowboy Hat?
Yes. The Texas Ranger dress code requires each Ranger to have one high-quality felt hat and one high-quality straw hat.
The hat that a Ranger will wear on any particular occasion will depend on the weather that day or the type of assignment.
How Big Is the Brim on a Texas Ranger Hat?
The brim must be no larger than 4 inches.
Are There Any Cowboy Hats That Texas Rangers Are Prohibited From Wearing?
Texas Rangers cannot wear palm leaf hats while they are on official duty.
They also can’t wear hats that are overly rolled, dipped, or crushed.
Hats that are worn out or faded are also not allowed.
Are Texas Rangers Required to Take Care of Their Hats?
Yes. The regulations specifically say that both hats – the straw hat and the felt hat – must be kept clean.
Exceptions to the Texas Ranger Cowboy Hat Requirements
When Rangers are engaged in tactical situations, including being in SWAT teams, rapid response teams, and border reconnaissance, they do not wear the Western attire described above.
Instead, they wear battle dress uniforms (BDUs), which include “boonie hats” or ball caps.
Robert is a native Texan writer for TexasWalkabout, passionate about Texas culture and food, wearing cowboy boots daily. He interviews local pitmasters and chefs, tastes and reviews innovative dishes, and explores hidden gems and iconic landmarks. Graduating magna cum laude in Cyber Security from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Robert excels academically and professionally while also being knowledgeable in Texas history and culture. After living in Texas for over 28 years, he provides first-hand and trustworthy information for all your Texas needs!
