Trucker hats have gone from throw-away promotional items to rural workers to iconic fashion wear.
You might be curious about the history of trucker hats and what’s popular and trending with them.
We’ll take a look at the history of trucker hats, styles that are popular and trending, as well as what and when you can or should wear them.
Best Trucker Hats
In the past, trucker hats were given out as promotional items by companies like John Deere and Southern States to truck drivers and other blue-collar, rural workers.
Trucker hats today are still promotion items for companies. Still, often the wearer wears them to project a message, iconic or not.
Here are the best trucker hats we’ve seen recently:
1. American Hat Makers Camo Snapback Trucker Hat
What do you get when you mix a camouflage pattern and a laser engraved USA flag centerpiece on a trucker hat? A whole lot of hell yeah, that’s what you get!
This American Hat Makers snap back trucker hat has a 2.75” brim and a 4” crown that prominently displays the stars and stripes. Its featherweight mesh back, and sewn-in sweat will keep the sweat off your brow in comfort and badass style.
It even comes with a lifetime guarantee!
2. Yeti American Logo Badge Trucker Hat
Nothing keeps you cool like a Yeti...American Logo Badge Trucker Hat, that is! This 5-panel bow-fit trucker hat has the Yeti logo on the front and comes in blue/white.
It comes with a Bureo brim derived from NetPlus, a material made from 100% recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution.
Do some good for the world and look cool when you’re doing it with this eco-friendly hat from Yeti!
3. Backcountry Sunday Afternoons Artists Series Trucker Hat
If you want to make a statement, why not make it an artistic one? The Backcountry Sunday Afternoons Artist Series Trucker Hat comes in four striking, colorful outdoor scenes that are guaranteed to turn heads.
All the artwork is original art created by artists specifically for this series.
They have a lightweight and lightweight cotton crown as a pillow with a polyester mesh back that breathes, keeping you cool when you’re working up a sweat.
The one-size-fits-all snapback makes it easy to adjust for any sized head.
4. Madewell Organic Cotton Trucker Hat
Suppose you’re looking for some chill Y2K vibes in a trucker hat made from 100% organic cotton. In that case, the Madewell Organic Trucker Hat is a perfect fit.
It’s an oversized trucker hat with a padded front panel, vacay-ready graphics, and an adjustable mesh back. It comes in fresh chili and cumin styles.
What’s cool is that it’s made from organic cotton grown without fertilizers and pesticides from untreated, non-genetically modified seeds. You want 100% organic. That’s 100% organic.
5. Patagonia P-6 Logo Trucker Hat
This sweet trucker cap has the iconic Patagonia logo prominently on its crown. Its brim is made with Bureo’s NetPlus from 100% recycled fishing nets and is also Fair Trade Certified sewn.
The P-6 is a mid-crown trucker hat with an organic cotton front and a recycled polyester-mesh back with an adjustable snapback closure.
Currently, it only comes in black, but forge gray, navy blue, and white with light plume gray can be reserved via a waitlist.
6. MM6 Maison Margiela Logo-Embroidered Trucker Cap
Hey, all you fashion-forward folks! I've stumbled upon THE hat that'll make you swoon: the Maison Margiela flat-brim cap. Trust me; this is one luxe find you'll want to flaunt in your ever-growing hat collection.
This Maison Margiela gem, made from 100% cotton, is not only über-stylish but also super comfy and breathable. One size fits all (OS) means you don't have to stress about sizing; this cap is a true crowd-pleaser.
And let's talk about colors, shall we? Choose from three fabulously on-trend hues: dreamy Lilac, ever-classic Black, or crisp White.
7. Goorin Bros. The Farm Adjustable Snapback Mesh Trucker Hat
The Farm adjustable snapback mesh trucker hat is the ultimate accessory for effortless cool.
This iconic trucker hat features a 57% polyester and 43% cotton blend, ensuring comfort and durability.
The Farm trucker hat is available in one size with an adjustable 4-snap-in back strap, guaranteeing premium comfort for all you fashion enthusiasts. Plus, each hat purchased from Goorin Bros comes with a holographic sticker, assuring you of its authenticity.
The beauty of The Farm trucker hat lies in its ever-evolving designs. Fabrics, animal motifs, colors, and playful words may change. Still, the signature silhouette remains the same, ensuring you always know what you're getting with Goorin Bros.
8. Bass Creek Outfitters Mens Trucker
We've discovered a must-have accessory for your hat collection: the Bass Pro Shops mesh trucker cap.
Available in one size, this cap comes in two stylish colors: bold Black and earthy Green. The adjustable snapback closure ensures a customized fit for all you hat enthusiasts.
This Bass Pro Shops trucker cap, crafted with a breathable mesh design, will keep you cool and comfortable all day.
The cap's signature screen-printed logo on the front adds a touch of authenticity and a nod to the great outdoors.
9. Grace Folly Trucker Hat for Men & Women
This Black Grace Folly flatbill trucker hat is no ordinary headwear. However, thoughtful touches like the silicon front patch, printed logo, and patterns on the back mesh help you stand out from the crowd and showcase your unique style.
The adjustable snapback and mid-profile design make this hat suitable for both men and women, offering a one-size-fits-all solution. This hat is crafted from premium cotton and mesh materials. It delivers long-lasting comfort and breathability, proving you get what you pay for!
And with so many other cool colors and designs, you can find the perfect Grace Folly cap to match your style.
10. Classic Trucker 51 from Von Dutch
Time to travel back to the Y2K era with the iconic snapback Classic Trucker 51 from Von Dutch.
Its exceptional fit sets the Classic Trucker 51 apart from other trucker hats. While it looks like a trucker hat, it fits like a baseball cap, ensuring no risk of feeling too loose. In addition, one size fits most, making it a versatile choice for fashion lovers everywhere.
The Classic Trucker 51 offers an effortlessly cool vibe in a sleek Black color. Pair it with your favorite sweatshirt and jeans for a casual yet trendy look that pays homage to the Y2K fashion scene.
11. YP Classics Retro Trucker Cap
Time to elevate your accessory game with the YP Classics Retro Trucker Cap. This vintage-inspired cap is perfect for those who appreciate the classics and want to stand out.
The cap features a 6-panel, mid-profile, structured design with a matching plastic snapback closure for a customizable fit. The curved visor, matching under-visor, and 8-row stitching on the visor add an extra touch of sophistication to this classic accessory.
This imported cap, constructed from a 65% polyester and 35% cotton blend, is designed for lasting comfort.
With a history dating back to 1974, this cap's design combines time-honored style with a modern flair.
12. Lululemon Trucker Hat
Get ready to conquer your workouts in style with the Lululemon Trucker Hat. One of the critical features of this trucker hat is the sweatband, which helps absorb sweat and keep you comfortable during your workouts.
Lululemon, the renowned athletic brand, has crafted this cap with active individuals in mind, incorporating a mesh fabric back panel for enhanced breathability.
Available in sizes S/M and L/XL, the Lululemon Trucker Hat is made from a blend of nylon, polyester, Lycra®, and elastane, providing a comfortable and durable fit for all your fitness endeavors.
The sleek Black color adds a touch of sophistication to your athletic wardrobe.
13. Richardson Unisex 112 Trucker Adjustable Snapback Baseball Cap
Embrace the timeless appeal of the Richardson Unisex 112 Trucker Adjustable Snapback Baseball Cap.
The mid-pro design showcases six panels, a slightly rounded crown shape, a pre-curved visor, and premium contrasting topstitch detailing, ensuring you look fabulous.
This cap, featuring an adjustable snapback design, ensures a comfortable fit for men, women, and even some youths, providing versatility in sizing for all wearers.
This hand-washable hat, constructed from a 53% polyester and 47% cotton blend fabric, features a breathable mesh backing for added comfort.
Rooted in Oregon, Richardson is a family-owned and operated company ensuring that every hat is crafted with love and care.
14. LARIX Trucker Hat - Tamarack Mountain
Prepare to be wowed by the LARIX Trucker Hat - Tamarack Mountain, a cap that combines exceptional embroidery, crisp design, and adjustable sizing for an unparalleled wearing experience.
Each LARIX hat is embroidered at their Columbia Falls, Montana shop, ensuring outstanding results using the most advanced sewing technology and techniques available today.
The adjustable sizing of the LARIX Trucker Hat - Tamarack Mountain ensures a comfortable fit for various head sizes. If unsure, please measure your head for the perfect fit. In addition, the hat accommodates baseball cap sizes ranging from 6 5/8 to 7 7/8 and head sizes between 20 to 24 inches or 51 to 70 centimeters.
15. VIONLAN Baseball Cap American Flag Trucker Hat
Showcase your patriotism in style with the VIONLAN Baseball Cap American Flag Trucker Hat. This cap combines high-quality materials, exceptional design, and an adjustable snapback closure for the ultimate wearing experience.
The front panels of the hat are made from 100% cotton twill, ensuring a comfortable, breathable, and perfect fit. The structured polyester mesh back panels are rugged and designed to withstand wear and tear while maintaining their color over time.
The VIONLAN American Flag Trucker Hat features a 5-panel cotton trucker design with a solid front highlighting the cap's unique style.
The high-quality American flag embossed logo is created using the most up-to-date printing techniques.
History of Trucker Hats
The trucker hat can trace its roots back to the early 1970s when “feed hats” or “gimme hats” were given away as promotional items. Feed or farming supply companies gave them to farmers, truck drivers, and other rural workers who might use their products.
The high-crown and wide front platform of the trucker cap made it ideal for emblazoned company logos. At the same time, they were functional, practical, and cheap to mass produce.
A traditional trucker hat has 5-panels, a high-crown, mesh nylon back with foam, a polyester front, and a one size fits all plastic snapback.
Since its introduction, the trucker hat has remained a staple of the blue-collar uniform and an iconic pop culture symbol of rural America.
Buyer's Guide
Trucker Hat vs Baseball Hat
A trucker hat isn’t different from a baseball hat at all. In fact, a trucker hat is actually a type of baseball hat. This means that while all trucker hats are baseball hats, not all baseball hats are trucker hats. Basically, a trucker hat is a type of hat within a larger category.
So, what makes a trucker hat unique?
First off, a trucker hat is higher than the average baseball hat. This height comes from the large foam front. This is the part of the hat where company logos were originally placed and where, nowadays, any type of logo, symbol, or word can be found.
Second, a trucker hat has a mesh back to it. This is particularly unique as a trucker hat is one of the only types of baseball hats that has this feature. This is a helpful way to identify a trucker hat; if you see a hat with a mesh back, chances are that it is a trucker hat.
Finally, a trucker hat has an adjustable strap in the back. In most cases, this means that a trucker hat is also a snapback hat.
Trucker Hat vs Snapback Hat
A snapback hat is any hat that has a specific type of adjustable strap on the back of it. This strap features a line of snaps that can be adjusted so that the strap is larger or smaller. Hats that adjust with velcro or that are not adjustable at all are not snapback hats.
All snapback hats are a type of baseball hat. In addition, almost all trucker hats are a type of snapback hat. So trucker hats are a category of snapback hats, which is a category of baseball hat. While this may seem a little complicated, just remember that trucker hats are more specific than both baseball and snapback hats.
Advantages of Trucker Hats
There is a reason trucker hats are popular. Part of this comes from the fact that they offer advantages that other types of hats are incapable of offering.
Breathable
One of the biggest advantages that trucker hats hold over other types of baseball hats is the fact that they are breathable. Most baseball hats have some sort of ventilation, usually in the form of a few small holes on the hat’s crown. However, trucker hats take this to the next level. Besides visors, no type of hat has the same level of ventilation as a trucker hat.
This makes them helpful in a few different situations. If you wear a hat to work out, a trucker hat can be used to prevent your head from getting too sweaty. The same is true if you need a hat with a brim to cut the glare but don’t want to deal with having a hat suffocate your head. In any of these situations, a trucker hat is very helpful.
Adjustable
We’ve already discussed the fact that trucker hats are adjustable. These hats fit a variety of different heads thanks to the snaps in the back. While this is a relatively small advantage, it should not be overlooked.
In many cases, one-size-fits-all hats only fit a specific head size well. For anyone whose head is larger or smaller than this size, the hat will be either too big and thus loose or too small and thus tight. These hats will fit all heads, but they won’t be comfortable for many people.
Meanwhile, fitted hats have their own problems. A fitted hat will fit someone perfectly. However, it will only fit that person well. If they want to let a friend borrow their hat, it might not fit their friend very well. Because of this, fitted hats have limited utility.
Trucker hats address both of these problems. The fact that they are adjustable allows you to adjust the hat to fit your head perfectly. When ordering one, you don’t have to worry if it will be too big or small because you know it is adjustable.
You can also share the hat with ease. If you want to let someone borrow or give it away, you can be sure it will fit the other person. Plus, the hat only takes moments to adjust, so you can refit it in no time at all.
Show a Message or Logo
Trucker hats have a large front space where logos, images, or text can be displayed. This is a distinct feature of these hats.
This space serves as a great platform to show off your personal style, taste, or even ideas. If you have a brand you like, you can get a trucker hat with their logo.
If you have a design you really love, this can form the centerpiece of your hat. You may even choose to get a trucker hat that simply has a word or phrase that you resonate with. In any of these cases, a trucker hat is a great form of self-expression.
The fact that trucker hats are relatively cheap means all of this can be customized by the average person. Instead of using an already existing logo or image, you can create a custom trucker hat.
On this hat, you can insert a piece of your art or a phrase that you came up with. Trucker hats give you a blank space, which you can take advantage of in whatever way you see fit.
Marketing
As you now know, trucker hats were created as promotional items for companies because they were an effective form of promotion. This has never stopped being true. Modern companies can use trucker hats in the same way that companies of the past did.
Many companies choose to simply give out trucker hats with their company’s logo on them. Giving out hats in this way already increases goodwill and improves a company’s reputation.
However, this is even more helpful because people will continue to wear the hats and spread the company’s message long after the giveaway is done. By giving out trucker hats with a company’s logo on them, a company can promote itself in a wonderfully effective way.
Outfits to Wear With a Trucker Hat
Trucker hats can make a statement for you or be part of your fashion statement. It’s not hard to find something to wear with a trucker hat because anything casual is pretty much in play.
Feel free to wear your trucker hat forward or backward facing, whatever one you like better.
Some outfits we like to wear with trucker hats:
T-Shirt and Jeans/Khakis
We’ll call this one casual chic. You can go monochrome and keep everything one color, or stack a trucker hat on top of a classic logo t-shirt and distressed jeans.
Flannel and Jeans/Khakis
Trucker hats and flannel go together like America and apple pie. If you’re going to rural chic, go with it and add some boots to finish off the look.
A Hoodie and Whatever
Stay warm while you look cool by wearing a trucker hat with the hoodie of your choice and whatever you think is comfortable and looks good.
Best Time and Occasions for Trucker Hats
Trucker hats, while practical, are frequently just another accessory. However, they are meant to be fun, so you should wear them anywhere where it’s legal or at least allowable to have fun.
You can wear a trucker hat to any casual event, like barbecues, pool parties, and out to bars and clubs that allow hats.
Trucker hats are great for any outdoor activity because they can help protect you from the sun and keep you cool.
Best Trucker Hats - Final Thoughts
Trucker hats have come a long way since the days of the “gimme hat” and the “seed hat.”
Where they were once strictly promotional items for rural workers, they’ve become and remained popular with mainstream America.
Trucker hats are practical and functional, provide excellent protection from the sun, and help keep the sweat out of people’s eyes and cool when working outside.
Many people wear trucker hats today to be ironic or praise some bits of Americana that may have gone by the wayside.
Trucker hats today make another green statement, as many are made from organic or recycled materials.
If you wear a trucker hat for work, for fun, or fashion, find one you like and be comfortable in it.
Comment
In December you carried an oiled looking brown cap, with regular bill and it had the State of North Carolina above the normal brim. How can I get one for my husband? We go to our Cracker Barrel once a week.