I think the ride height, brim, etc are all personal preference.
This doesn't really answer your question, but I thought I would share my recent hat buying experience.
All my life I have bought "off the shelf" hats from the western wear store. Then had the guy at the counter shape them, or I might tweak them a little once I got them home. Never did have one that just felt "right"
Last year I broke down and bought a custom hat for the first time. Having the same guy that makes the hats, be the same one that shapes and fits it to your head is the way to go...
I purchased mine at
http://www.catalenahats.com/When it started warming up this year, I drove back to catalena hatters and had them fit me with a straw American Hat
Something else I found interesting about a good custom hat, is the restoration. I can take my hat, run it over with the truck, drop it in oil, sweat in it for 5 years, then send it back to the maker. For $80.00 they will completely overhaul the hat and send it back looking like new. I figure 80 bucks is less than a cheap hat at the western store.
