Rooted in heritage and craftsmanship, this Bozeman-based company creates custom cowboy hats that embody resilience, authenticity, and timeless design. Each hat is made by hand, designed to tell a story, carry a sense of place, and become a legacy passed through generations.
For owner Courtney Green, the journey to hat making was shaped by a lifelong love of the West. “I have always been a horse girl, and if I’m being honest, I’ve always been a cowboy girl, too,” she said. “I grew up listening to ‘90s country radio while perfecting my braiding skills on my horses’ tails in the barn. I suppose that’s not uncommon for little girls—I just never grew out of it.”
Her passion for style and design led her into the world of fashion merchandising, where she learned the power of branding, the emotive quality of an extraordinary image, and the subtlety of exceptional craftsmanship. But over time, she grew disillusioned with the industry’s shift toward fast fashion and disposable goods.
BY TAYLOR OWENS
The Montana Territory Hat Company isn’t just a hat shop—it’s a tribute to the American West.
Owner, Courtney Green, working on a few hats in the studio.
“I loved what I was doing, but my ‘why’ began to shift,” she said. “I wanted to build something that aligned with who I am and what I believe in. I wanted to get as far away from disposable fashion as I could. I needed to be back in the American West, surrounded by mountains, horses, and something grounded and real.”
That desire for authenticity brought her to hat making, a craft deeply rooted in the traditions of the West.
“I have always been drawn to workwear and cowboy hats. Style that stands for something. Product designed for life,” she said. “I wanted something grounded in purpose and beauty, in functional authenticity and a lasting heritage. As I say often—live your legacy.”
Each piece that comes out of Montana Territory Hat Company is handmade, from the selection of premium beaver felt to the finishing touches—hand-stitched leather sweatbands, vintage hatbands, and the occasional personal branding iron stamp.
That desire for authenticity brought her to hat making, a craft deeply rooted in the traditions of the West.
“I have always been drawn to workwear and cowboy hats. Style that stands for something. Product designed for life,” she said. “I wanted something grounded in purpose and beauty, in functional authenticity and a lasting heritage. As I say often—live your legacy.”
Each piece that comes out of Montana Territory Hat Company is handmade, from the selection of premium beaver felt to the finishing touches—hand-stitched leather sweatbands, vintage hatbands, and the occasional personal branding iron stamp.
“I make hats the same way they have been made through history. One step at a time.”
“The process begins with heat and steam, which allows the felt to be blocked around wooden blocks that are chosen based on head measurement and shape. After the felt cools and stiffens around the hat block, the felt is sanded and the brim is cut to the desired measurement. After removing the felt from the block, a sweatband is sewn in, and the hat is ready to be shaped. The hat band and branding or personalization is the final step.”
Clients can choose from ready-to-wear cowboy hats or create a custom order that reflects their individuality. Whether it’s a rugged rancher looking for a hard-wearing everyday hat or a musician seeking a timeless stage presence, Green ensures each creation is built to last a lifetime.
“I love hearing the stories behind why someone wants a custom hat,” she said. “It’s not just about fashion—it’s about identity.”
Beyond the walls of the studio, these hats tell stories of Montana’s wild landscapes. They shade the faces of ranchers mending fences at sunrise, shield travelers exploring Yellowstone’s open roads, and top the heads of those who embrace the independent spirit of the West. Montana Territory Hat Company has become a sought-after destination for hat lovers near and far, drawing in cowboys, adventurers, and artists alike.
“The process begins with heat and steam, which allows the felt to be blocked around wooden blocks that are chosen based on head measurement and shape. After the felt cools and stiffens around the hat block, the felt is sanded and the brim is cut to the desired measurement. After removing the felt from the block, a sweatband is sewn in, and the hat is ready to be shaped. The hat band and branding or personalization is the final step.”
Clients can choose from ready-to-wear cowboy hats or create a custom order that reflects their individuality. Whether it’s a rugged rancher looking for a hard-wearing everyday hat or a musician seeking a timeless stage presence, Green ensures each creation is built to last a lifetime.
“I love hearing the stories behind why someone wants a custom hat,” she said. “It’s not just about fashion—it’s about identity.”
Beyond the walls of the studio, these hats tell stories of Montana’s wild landscapes. They shade the faces of ranchers mending fences at sunrise, shield travelers exploring Yellowstone’s open roads, and top the heads of those who embrace the independent spirit of the West. Montana Territory Hat Company has become a sought-after destination for hat lovers near and far, drawing in cowboys, adventurers, and artists alike.
“A good hat doesn’t just sit on your head,” Green explained. “It becomes a part of who you are.”
At Montana Territory Hat Company, under every brim is a story waiting to be told. And for those who walk through the doors, they leave not just with a hat—but with a piece of Western history. Each ready-to-wear hat bears the name of a Montana landmark—Granite Peak, Miles City, Bridger, Blackfoot, and Virginia City—connecting each piece to the land that inspired it.
The cowboy hat stands as a powerful symbol of the American West, embodying both tradition and the spirit of individuality. No other item quite captures the same level of pride, purpose, and personal style. With its distinctive shapes and creases, the cowboy hat seamlessly blends form with function, offering not only a unique way to express one’s character but also serving as a practical safeguard against the elements.
“I always tell people that these are not just hats,” Green said.
“You can buy a hat anywhere. What you get from me is a piece of a place.”
At Montana Territory Hat Company, under every brim is a story waiting to be told. And for those who walk through the doors, they leave not just with a hat—but with a piece of Western history. Each ready-to-wear hat bears the name of a Montana landmark—Granite Peak, Miles City, Bridger, Blackfoot, and Virginia City—connecting each piece to the land that inspired it.
The cowboy hat stands as a powerful symbol of the American West, embodying both tradition and the spirit of individuality. No other item quite captures the same level of pride, purpose, and personal style. With its distinctive shapes and creases, the cowboy hat seamlessly blends form with function, offering not only a unique way to express one’s character but also serving as a practical safeguard against the elements.
“I always tell people that these are not just hats,” Green said.
“You can buy a hat anywhere. What you get from me is a piece of a place.”
Branding a Montana Territory Hat as a final touch.
“These hats are meant to hold the overpowering beauty of Montana reverence. I wanted to stand for something real. To represent a place and the preservation of a culture. A way of life. The cowboy life has always been an aspirational one for me. I live and love this life. I wanted to honor it.”
Today, Green lives in Montana with her two young children, close to the family ranch. When she’s not making hats, she’s riding horses, working cattle, and watching her kids compete in rodeos across the state.
“You can rest assured—a Montana Territory hat is made for every bit of this life,” she said.
She believes that a well-made product carries meaning beyond itself, and that each hat she crafts is infused with quality, intention, and nostalgia.
“I’m creating future vintage,” Green said. “These hats represent the preservation of a place, a culture, and a way of life. They are inspired by the past, lived in today, and built to be passed down for generations.”
Find out more at www.montanaterritory.com and follow along on Instagram @montanaterritory.
Today, Green lives in Montana with her two young children, close to the family ranch. When she’s not making hats, she’s riding horses, working cattle, and watching her kids compete in rodeos across the state.
“You can rest assured—a Montana Territory hat is made for every bit of this life,” she said.
She believes that a well-made product carries meaning beyond itself, and that each hat she crafts is infused with quality, intention, and nostalgia.
“I’m creating future vintage,” Green said. “These hats represent the preservation of a place, a culture, and a way of life. They are inspired by the past, lived in today, and built to be passed down for generations.”
Find out more at www.montanaterritory.com and follow along on Instagram @montanaterritory.
