The baseball hat is the most popular hat type in the world. From its humble beginnings as part of traditional baseball uniforms, the baseball hat has become a cultural mainstay and has grown to become a popular fashion accessory. With an almost unlimited number of style choices, it's tough to decide which type of baseball cap is the best for you.
That's where we come in. We've assembled this guide to summarize the top 5 types of baseball hats, explain the characteristics of each and make recommendations on how to best customize them. Let's… play ball!
There are almost unlimited baseball hat styles, but they generally fall into five broad categories. Each category has a combination of common characteristics based on style and construction. Below is a closer look at the top five types of baseball hats, organized by their defining trait and common characteristics listed, along with recommendations from our catalog.
This category is a catch-all for the vast majority of baseball hats sold. Although a “dad hat” is closer to the true classic (the old-timey baseball cap, before they were structured), when people today picture a baseball hat, this is what they think of.
Profile: Medium crown
Bill: Slightly curved
Structure: Structured
Closure: Fitted, elastic (Flexfit), snapback, Velcro
Fitted baseball hats have no closure, come in various sizes, and you will need your head measurement (use a tape measure or string around the circumference, just above the brow). Flexfit changed the game with a patented elastic band sewn in the back of the cap, making it a ]one size fits most’ although they typically come in S/M or L/XL.
Profile: Medium to high crown
Bill: slightly curved or flat
Structure: Structured
Closure: none or elastic
Snapback baseball caps are hugely popular and refer to just about any hat with the classic plastic closure that snaps into place, creating an adjustable fit for any size head. So within this category, there can be many styles and other characteristics, with the common denominator being this closure.
Profile: medium to high
Bill: curved, slightly curved, flat
Structure: structured
Closure: plastic
Dad hats have been all the rage for a few years now. People love the soft, casual feel, low-profile shape, and vintage look. The typical dad hat is made of cotton, denim, or twill and often comes in natural or faded, garment-washed colors. A distressed effect adds to the worn-in appearance, like your favorite cap you've had for years.
Profile: Low crown
Bill: Curved
Structure: Unstructured
Closure: Cloth or leather w/ buckle, Velcro, plastic clip
It's hard to believe that trucker hats are still popular 20 years after being called a passing fad, but the style appears here to stay. This baseball cap is defined mostly by its large front panel, contrasted back panels made of mesh (for extra breathability), and snapback closure. The classic truck stop kind uses foam material for the crown and bill.
Profile: High crown
Bill: Curved, slightly curved, or flat
Structure: Structured
Closure: Snapback
Some hat characteristics define their category, while others combine to make a unique style. The nice thing about this cross-breeding is it gives customers an array to choose from. Here are the key characteristics to look for when deciding which type of baseball hat is right for you.
The fit of a baseball hat simply means the approach used to make sure it fits snugly on your head and doesn't blow off with the slightest gust of wind or when you're cruising down the highway with the top down. There are three primary approaches to ensuring fit.
The back of an adjustable baseball cap will have a certain type of closure or strap, allowing for a snug fit on any size noggin. Here are six of the main kinds of closures.
This refers to the overall shape of the hat. It's structured or not.
Technically, the crown is the entire part covering the head, but typically it refers to the front portion of the hat above the brim. The height of the crown will dictate the profile. A classic baseball cap has a medium profile, trucker hats tend to have high profiles, and dad hats have low profiles.
Panels are pieces of fabric or material sewn together to make the full crown of the hat. The number of panels is a major characteristic of baseball caps, usually five or six, with some hats having seven. Panels don't define their own category since various types of hats can have five or six panels, as shown below.
The bill of the hat, also known as the visor, is the stiff portion that protrudes from the bottom of the crown and provides shade from the sun. Bills are typically made of cardboard covered with fabric (be careful when washing!), but many modern hats use plastic. Most people will apply pressure to the bill until it curves (or flattens) to their taste.
The peak, or brim, is the front edge of the bill or visor. There are various styles as manufacturers get creative with materials and construction. Most people prefer regular or contrasting underside. Years ago, when there was less variety, most undersides were green for some reason. Nowadays, you have many colors to choose from.
Baseball hats are typically made from cotton, cotton blends, canvas, jersey mesh, wool, acrylic, polyester, and other fast-wicking fabrics. If that sounds like all the materials, it is. As manufacturing technology advances, companies are constantly improving the process and using softer, more durable, lightweight, and stylish materials.
Choosing the right print method is just as important as choosing the right hat. With over 20 years of experience, we know what works best. Listed below are the top three ways to customize hats.
By far and away, embroidery is the way to go for hats. It can work on just about any kind of hat, structured or unstructured, 5 panels or 6, and on any type of material. Embroidery is bold, durable, and professional looking. Whether branding your merch, making company hats for your staff, or creating a winning team uniform, embroidery is a home run.
Yes, patches! Many people don't know this, but custom patches are an outstanding and affordable choice for customizing hats. Like embroidery, they can work for just about any type of baseball cap. Unlike embroidery, though, they come in a wide assortment of styles and materials. We can even press patches onto unique locations that embroidery can't go.
Screen printing is the most affordable, but it runs into some issues on baseball hats. For example, we don't recommend screen printing on 6-panel hats because of the seam going down the middle of the print area. Likewise, on unstructured dad hats. It works for trucker hats or anything with a large front panel and high crown.
Now that you know the various characteristics of baseball hats, the top five types, and the best ways to customize them, you should have all the knowledge to choose the right ones. Once your design is ready, jump into our easy-to-use Design Studio, select your product, and get started on your order today.
For more information youth baseball hats custom, denim baseball cap wholesale, leather strap baseball caps, please get in touch with us!