How to Craft and Use the Explorer's Hat and Cowboy Hat

Crafting the Hats

Both the Explorer's Hat and the Cowboy Hat are made with shaped crafting recipes. Arrange the ingredients in the crafting grid in the pattern each recipe requires, then take the finished hat from the output slot.

Wearing the Hats

Equip either hat in your helmet armor slot. The Explorer's Hat and Cowboy Hat are worn on the head, so they occupy the same slot as the Mining Helmet. You cannot wear a hat and the Mining Helmet at the same time, so decide whether you want the hat or the helmet's light for a given trip.

Wear the Explorer's Hat or Cowboy Hat when you are traveling, building, or exploring above ground and do not need a head-mounted light. Switch to the Mining Helmet when you go underground and want light while keeping your hands free.

If you want a separate light source instead of a helmet, craft the Flashlight, Mining Lantern, or Ender Lantern. All of these items come from shaped crafting recipes. Keep both hats in your inventory and swap them in when you want a different look without changing your other gear.