Trucker hats are essentially tall baseball caps with mesh backs and adjustable straps. The front panel is tall to accommodate logos, designs and sayings. The original trucker hats were logoed caps given away as advertising by feed stores and farming supply companies to farmers, truck drivers and rural workers of all kinds. They were a simple way to promote companies and brands, and ownership of one became a source of identification with one’s rural roots.
Today, trucker hats are so much a fixture of casual culture that you see them everywhere you go, indoors and out. With so many to choose from, it’s helpful to know a bit more about them. This guide has all the information you need plus a few product recommendations at the end, such as the Lacoste Sport Gabardine and Mesh Cap, which uses moisture-wicking technology to help the wearer stay cool and dry.
What to know before you buy a trucker hat
The design of the trucker hat combines a bill, a stiff, tall peak with a foam front and a breathable mesh back. The hat protects the wearer from the sun and absorbs sweat, too.
The addition of the plastic-snap closure in the back saved manufacturers money because now one hat could adjust to all sizes. In time, urban youth took up rural wear as a fashion statement, followed quickly by skateboarders and surfers who turned trucker hats into brand-identity headwear and fashion items.
Logos
As with all gear sporting logos, the idea is to show your allegiance to a particular brand and/or lifestyle. Some trucker hats have only simple logos while others have designs and artwork. If you want to identify with a brand, a trucker hat is a great way to do it.
How will you wear it?
The old traditional way of wearing trucker hats and baseball caps is with the brim facing forward. The purpose of the bill is to keep the sun out of your eyes and the rain off your face. Wearing your trucker cap with the bill in front emphasizes the logo and makes it easy for all to see.
The new way of wearing a trucker cap is with the hat turned around backward with the logo facing behind the wearer.
Other ways have been invented in efforts to be different. Some trucker hat wearers flip the brim up in the front and others stick the bill out to the side, calling them “daffy caps.” Depending upon your perspective, this is either stylish or goofy.
Trucker hat features
Trucker hat bills
All trucker caps have bills to keep the sun out of your eyes. Some bills are flat, some are pre-curved and some are made for you to shape them to fit your own style.
Trucker hat materials
One of the differences between trucker hats and baseball caps is the material. Baseball caps are made of wool or cotton. Trucker hats replaced the fabric front panel of a baseball cap with a foam front panel that is easy to print on. Trucker hats replaced the fabric back-panel, too, this time with breathable mesh made from plastic. One feature common across all trucker hats is a plastic-band closure with snaps that adjusts to fit all sizes.
Trucker hat designs
Once, all trucker hats had company logos. Now there is no end to the designs you can find on trucker hats, so choose a trucker hat with a design that appeals to your mood and style.
Trucker hat trends
If you think you will have a long relationship with your trucker hat, look for one made of better materials than the others and assembled with greater care and precision. If you are after the latest trends, then buy the latest trucker hats from the companies you identify with and continue to buy new ones as the mood strikes you and as trends shift. If you want to be really bold, consider trucker hats with obscure logos that will prompt your friends to ask you what your hat is about and where you got it.
Trucker hat cost
Basic trucker hats can be found for less than $10. Trucker hats from popular lifestyle brands run between $20 and $30. The latest must-have trucker hats start at around $50 and reach as high as $100.
Trucker hat FAQ
Can I wash my trucker hat?
A. Most are machine washable, but it is always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s label and washing instructions. If you want to get rid of that “too new” look, wash your trucker hat until it is faded.
Do all trucker hats have the same tall front?
A. Traditional ones had tall, wide front panels so companies could imprint their logos on the front far more cheaply than attaching embroidered panels. Modern trucker caps now come in low-rise styles for people who want a fun hat, but like a cleaner, lower look.
Which trucker hat should I get?
Best of the best trucker hat
Lacoste Men’s Sport Gabardine and Mesh Cap: available at Amazon
Our take: The quality of this unisex trucker hat is noticeably better than lower-cost options.
What we like: Branded with Lacoste’s famous green-embroidered crocodile logo, this cotton twill cap is offered in a variety of seasonal colors with an adjustable back strap in a contrasting color, a decorative overstitched brim and eyelets for ventilation. The mesh and stitching are smooth and don’t irritate or chafe the skin.
What we dislike: This is a very expensive option for a trucker hat.
Best bang for your buck trucker hat
Carhatt Men’s Buffalo Mesh-Back Cap: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon
Our take: FastDry technology wicks away sweat for comfort, and the Carhartt Force sweatband fights odors.
What we like: This trucker cap from one of America’s most trusted work-clothing companies features a 100%-cotton washed canvas with a 100%-polyester mesh back for breathability and an adjustable fit with plastic-snap closure. This medium-profile structured cap has a pre-curved visor. It has the familiar Carhartt logo on the front and the Carhartt name on the back.
What we dislike: There are a few reports that the cotton fades quickly when washed.
Honorable mention trucker hat
Billabong Women’s California Love Pitstop Trucker Hat: available at Amazon
Our take: A laid-back design with trendy details from a leading-edge surf lifestyle brand.
What we like: This trucker hat has a laid-back design with a cool retro look and has a wider brim for more protection from the sun’s rays.
What we dislike: The hat is too small for some.
David Allan Van is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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