Baseball vs Trucker Caps — FranchiHatz
Our Step By Step Breakdown!
Lots of people can’t figure out the difference between Baseball and Trucker caps, so in this article we’ll go over the main differences.
We’ll break down the differences in materials, colors, durability, storing, caring. Then we’ll compare how Truckers and Baseball caps differ in crowns, fronts, backs, and bills. And ultimately we’ll go over which is cooler!
Baseball Caps Basics
Initially, these were used for baseball players, but have evolved into golf hats, dad caps, and more. Baseball caps usually have cotton all around the top of the crown. Baseball caps use a variety of closures on the back.
What are Trucker Caps
Trucker caps are a sub-type of the baseball hat. Trucker caps usually have a tall (high profile) front. Trucker caps have mesh crowns on the back half. This mesh was designed originally to allow ventilation for farm workers. Most trucker caps have snap back adjustable closures on the back.
Alternate names and variations for Trucker & Baseball Caps
Baseball caps have a variation called the dad cap, which is a non-structured hat with a soft front
Trucker caps were initially called gimme cap or feed cap, as vendors went around giving them away for free advertising and truckers and farmers yelled for free merch.
When to Wears Trucker & Baseball Caps?
Baseball caps are often worn as a casual hat around town. You may see people wearing baseball caps while at Starbucks, working out, walking the dog, shopping for groceries, and other typical urban life activities.
Trucker hats are frequently worn in rural and farm areas, as well as generally while living rural life. People wear often Truckers while trucking, RVing, fishing, hunting, and camping.
Finally, both caps are popular among sports fans! Celebrating teams, slogans, memes, and more.
Famous People Wearing Trucker & Baseball Caps
Lots of celebrities wear both Baseball and Trucker caps. Many actors wear both types of hats depending on their background or look they are going for.
Country musicians not only wear their western hats, but are also very fond of trucker caps.
Pop and Rap musicians usually wear baseball caps.
History of Baseball and Trucker Caps
Baseball caps originated from baseball player uniforms, where they use the hat bill to block the sun from their eyes. Another key part of the baseball roots was to put each team logo on the front of the cap. It’s interesting to note that baseball caps weren’t used outside of baseball until the late 1970s. But now these caps are used for so many different scenarios and activities.
Trucker caps were born around the 1980s as free merchandise from farm supply companies. They grew in popularity in rural areas followed by truckers shipping products into suburban and city customers. Over time, the advertisers expanded to include companies like Budweiser beer, John Deere farming trucks, and Franchi hunting.
Front Designs on Baseball and Trucker Caps
Both Baseball and Trucker caps have a wide range of designs on the front. Historically, both caps had silk screen designs like company logos put on the front. Both caps utilize embroidered logos, words, and other designs.
Trucker hats are more often used to add a company patch to the front of the hat. But obviously, sports team patches are used on baseball caps.
Baseball caps are used for a wider range of uses like quotes, fun graphic designs, and even all over designs like leopard print.
Dress Code for Baseball and Trucker Hats
Both Baseball caps and Trucker caps are very very casual and not considered formal in any way.
It is possible to find a work environment, where business casual means corporate polo shirts are used in conjunction with a corporate logo baseball cap.
In some cases, you may find someone who wears a black baseball cap with no logo as a semi-formal VIP or artsy look with a jacket or blazer.
Blocking the Sun with Trucker and Baseball Caps
Both caps do a great job of keeping the sun out of your eyes.
Trucker caps usually keep people cooler because they have better ventilation with the mesh crown on the back half.
Baseball caps may be slightly warmer in the fall or winter seasons. Baseball caps do a better job of keeping the rain drizzle and snowflakes off your face.
Are Trucker or Baseball caps more Comfortable?
Both Trucker and Baseball caps are pretty comfortable. They can both be adjusted for your head size and use case.
You can wear both caps at an angle that is right for your situation, regardless of if you are standing outside, driving, or having fun.
Both Baseball and Trucker caps have different bill options if you prefer a flat or curved visor.
Baseball cap and Trucker Colors
Both Baseball caps and Trucker caps come in many many colors. They also come in different background patterns like camouflage or animal prints.
Both cap styles also come in two-toned colors for your sports team or fashion statement. Two-tone colors can have different colors on the front and/or back. Even the back closure can come in a complementing color. Sometimes you can even find the top of the visor is a different color than the bottom of the visor.
Most caps use the primary material color for the color threads on the panels and bill. Some caps use a secondary, complementary color for the thread.
Materials for Trucker and Baseball Caps
Both have bills that are made out of similar materials.
Most Trucker and Baseball hats have panels that are made out of cotton or polyester.
Trucker caps usually weigh less than baseball caps. Trucker meshes are often made of low cost acrylic blends.
Sometimes you may find that both Trucker and Baseball caps come in a frayed or distressed style — where caps appear aged and a bit ripped. This is the same look used on jeans so that new jeans look broken in.
Trucker vs Baseball Cap Durability
Both caps can handle a lot of rough usage. Both can be cleaned easily with your hand or wet towel or rag.
Since Trucker hats have foam buckrams, they hold up the front of the crown better than baseball or dad caps.
Trucker snap-back closures may last longer than strap back buckles or velcro straps. Even when a few of the Snap nubs break off, the snap closure still stays strong.
Storing your Caps
Both caps can be stored in a similar way. Baseball and Trucker caps can be hanged on hooks or rack.
Both Trucker and Baseball caps can have the back half-folded into the front half, and then arranged to have a dozen-plus caps stored together in a bin or drawer or closet area.
Traveling with Baseball and Trucker Caps
Both caps can be comfortably worn to travel by car, train, plane, or boat. They also make great eye covers if you want to rest with a quick nap.
Both can be folded or inserted fully in a backpack, purse, or mini luggage.
They are also both lightweight for long trips, even though the Trucker cap may weigh a few ounces less.
Maintaining Baseball and Trucker Hats
Both caps are pretty easy to care for. They can be gently cleaned in a washing machine to freshen them up. Or clean aggressively to get rid of messy dirt and sweat.
Sometimes you dont want to ruin the structured front shape or foam, so you can carefully clean by hand using water with mild soap, followed by a nice air dry.
You can also use a wet towel or an old toothbrush on the bill of the cap.
Which has better ventilation — Trucker or Baseball Caps?
Trucker hats have the best ventilation because of the open mesh back half of the crown.
Baseball caps have less airflow, because of the fabric panels all around the top. Nevertheless, they still have about 6 eyelet holes on the top of the crown.
Cap Fronts
Trucker hats have taller fronts than baseball caps. They are considered high-profile because of the foam buckram on the inside to hold up the front. Remember that the Trucker tall fronts were designed to highlight vendor advertising on free hats from suppliers.
Baseball caps have a shorter medium-profile front. In some cases, dad hats without any front structure have even shorter fronts.
Back of Trucker and Baseball Caps
Trucker caps usually have a half circle hole with a snapback closure on the back.
Baseball caps use a variety of adjustable size closures — many have a half-circle opening above a snapback or strap closure. In some cases, fitted and elastic flexfit caps use complete panels on the back with no holes.
Both Trucker and Baseball caps with snap back and strap back closures have a hole that can be used for ponytails. In some cases, special caps are sold with a second vertical hole for hair above the closure.
Adjusting Cap Sizes
Trucker caps usually use a snapback closure on the back. They are strong plastic and are very flexible to size your hat depending on your head or hair type or length. A snapback can have the circumference of the head adjusted by up to 2″.
Baseball caps also come with adjustable snapback closures, but also in strap backs, flex fit, and fitted hats. Strap backs use a belt like buckle to adjust the hat size for your head by up to 3″. Fitted hats have closed backs and made to a specific hat size like a Large can be 7 ⅜ which is 58.7 centimeters or 23 ⅛ inches. Flexfit hats are closed back hats with a little elastic that allows it to stretch plus or minus on a general size like large.
Baseball Bills vs Trucker Bills
Both Trucker and Baseball caps have firm bills.
Trucker hats usually have longer bills and pre-curved bills.
Baseball caps and Dad Caps may have short, regular, or long bills. Baseball caps come in flat or curved bills depending on the look.
A recent trend is encouraging flat bills on both caps, because they look mint and brand new, versus the worn and broken in curved look.
Bands on Trucker and Baseball Caps
Both types of hats do not have a typical hat band around the outside of the crown like you find with Fedoras or Panama hats. Some baseball caps have puffy piping or cord on the front half of the crown where the bill starts.
Inside Trucker & Baseball Caps
Both kinds of caps have sweat bands on the inside. These keep the sweat from trickling down on to your face and shirt. They also help keep the hat snug on your head. The sweatbands on trucker and baseball caps are usually made of cotton.
Caps with Button Tops!
Both Trucker and Baseball caps have a classic button on the top of the crown. The button is a nice fashion trim to close out the design, but it’s really there to hold the various panels together.
Are Trucker Caps cheaper than Baseball Caps?
From a wholesale point of view the Trucker hat is cheaper to manufacture do to the meshed back half and snapback closure. Trucker caps sold in retail range from $15 to $25.
Baseball caps range in price, but are generally more expensive due to the additional material panels. Baseball caps support more complex color design options including various panel colors and different colors on both sides of the bill. Baseball caps also have high-end back closures like buckles, flexfit, and fitted options. Finally, Baseball caps have more branding options like logos on the sides and back. Baseball caps range from $20 to $50 for branded sports team caps.
How to Wear your Trucker or Baseball cap?
Most of the time both types of caps are worn with bills facing forward. They are most often worn on the upper part of the forehead.
Some Trucker hats are worn at an upward angle, with the bill about 30 to 45 degrees up.
Baseball caps are usually worn with a horizontal bill straight out. Sometimes baseball caps are worn low and with the bill is pointing slightly down to block the sun. This look is usually done with curved bills.
Most people like to have the front hair 100% in the cap, while others like to have a little front hair show.
Is a Trucker Cooler than a Baseball Cap?
While Trucker and Baseball caps have many colors, styles, and uses, we think that the baseball cap is currently cooler than the Trucker cap.
It can be worn at many angles, forwards, backward, and even sideways. We think, the baseball cap is more flexible and can look stylish at a date, bar, game, around town. You can also pull off a business casual/semi-formal look with the right baseball cap. So if you want to level up your around town look, grab a clean baseball cap with a simple or minimal design.
Originally published at https://www.franchihatz.com on March 19, 2021.
