Ultimate Guide to Trucker Hats

The trucker hat: it’s one of those pieces of apparel that’s deeply ingrained in the history of Americana. From somewhat humble roots as promotional items, they’ve become an essential fashion piece worn by everyone from celebrities to music moguls and professional athletes.

One key feature of trucker hats is that they offer many customizable options that other lids (like your standard baseball hat) don’t, allowing you to personalize your style on a deeper level. That’s what makes them appealing to so many brands and buyers. Let’s delve into the trucker hat’s background and consider how brands can customize different features when creating their custom apparel.

What Is a Trucker Hat?

Trucker hats are a lot like baseball caps. They typically feature the familiar visor (bill) in the front, a rounded skullcap (crown) and a closure or clasp at the back. However, the features that make trucker hats different from baseball caps, dad hats and fitted caps are their:

  • Stiff fronts that give them a boxier shape.
  • Mesh backs that allow optimal ventilation.
  • Snapback plastic closures.

The stiff front/mesh back style gives trucker hats a trademark appearance and a casual but adaptable aesthetic. This two-style design also offers more opportunities for customization than other caps. This is a great thing for brands that want to create apparel that stands out.

The History of The Trucker Hat

The history of trucker hats is closely tied to the history of branded apparel. The design originated in the 1960s and 1970s when agricultural supply brands and manufacturers began using them as promotional giveaways. The caps’ breathability, durability and sun protection were all features that people in many blue-collar industries—including truckers—greatly appreciated. They could don their cap on the job, at home and in casual settings, and the business would get free advertising. Thus, the name “trucker hat” was born.

Trucker hats gained a strong following in the working-class, agricultural and rural fashion world over many decades. In the early 2000s, however, they exploded into the world of popular culture (with Von Dutch trucker hats being must-have staples for the celebrities and fashion-conscious of the era). That popularity has endured, with the trucker hat remaining an essential All-American accessory.

Key Style Features That Define a Great Trucker Hat

A good trucker hat can provide the perfect lid from the backyard to the loading yard. That’s partly due to the unique features that make it such a reliable, adaptable piece of headwear.

Mesh Backing

One of the trucker hat’s tell-tale features is its mesh back panels, which support good airflow and personal ventilation. This feature makes trucker hats particularly popular for businesses in hands-on industries such as construction, landscaping and food service. Your team can use trucker hats as part of their work uniforms, but won’t have to worry about getting too hot when they’re on their feet all day. You’ll also gain a great piece of branded apparel that your customers can use to rep their favorite brand.

The cool thing about mesh backs is that they offer a contrast point to your hat’s fabric front. You can even design two-tone hats where the front panels are one color and the back another, for a dynamic look. The right front/back color combination can help you cultivate a brand image that ranges from understated and classic to bold and fresh, whatever your preference.

Stiffer Front Panels

Compared to the soft front panels of baseball caps and dad caps, trucker hats’ panels are usually stiffer. However, they can come in both structured and unstructured designs.

  • Structured trucker hat fronts are usually made with either a flexible foam or a heavier fabric (e.g., twill, canvas) supported by buckram backing. The materials are strong enough to maintain the hat’s shape without appearing overly structured.
  • Unstructured hat fronts are usually made with heavy material but don’t include as firm a backing. This allows them to conform more closely to the shape of the head.

The stronger front designs make your hat sturdy enough to complement the mesh backing. They can also support the application of a wide variety of custom patch designs and logos. This is part of what makes them such excellent choices for branded apparel.

Snapback Closures

Trucker hats’ snap closures are easily adjustable for all-day comfort and a custom fit. The snaps also make trucker hats quite adaptable to all ages and genders. This can be a big help when stocking and marketing your branded products. Rather than having to buy and manage multiple sizes of the same hat design, you may only need one trucker hat option with an adjustable snap. This can make everything from reordering to stocking and shipping a breeze.

Other Trucker Hat Style Considerations

Besides front materials and mesh colors, you’ll want to consider a few other design options when creating branded trucker hats.

Bill Shapes

Your trucker hat’s bill is the flap that provides shade and eye protection. Curved bills offer a classic look people often associate with athletics, outdoor activities and daywear. This familiar style is one of the reasons curve-billed trucker hats often have broad appeal. They’re also adaptable to various settings, from hiking trips to pool parties or casual outings. Businesses that might prefer curved-bill trucker hats include:

  • Casual restaurants and craft breweries
  • Outdoor outfitters
  • Surf shops
  • Western-inspired brands
  • Landscaping services
  • Contractors
  • Golf courses
  • Sports venues
  • Amusement parks

Flat-billed trucker hats, on the other hand, have a more fashion-forward appearance. They’re a great choice for brands that want to cultivate contemporary images. They can offer a casual yet somewhat sleeker look, and are often great apparel options for:

  • Trendy urban restaurants
  • Concert venues
  • Nightclubs
  • Gyms
  • Custom vehicle shops
  • Skating parks
  • Modern boutiques
  • Custom sneaker stores
  • BMX and motocross businesses

Profile Designs

Your trucker hat’s profile refers to the height of the hat’s crown (the part that covers your head). Trucker hats typically have three profiles:

  • Low-profile hats feature shorter crowns that more closely fit the shape of the head. They’re often great for a sleeker, subtler and snugger look.
  • Mid-profile hats are typically 3-4 inches in height. They usually have a bit more structured front shape than low-profile options. Many people like these designs because they give the typical trucker hat feel without appearing too tall for different head sizes.
  • High-profile trucker hats typically have crowns of 4 inches or higher. They usually have a very structured front and silhouette, making them excellent as statement pieces.

Just like your mesh coloring and front materials, your trucker hat’s bill shape and profile will do a lot to convey a unique impression of your brand. You’ll want to weigh each of these factors carefully with a designer when creating your merch. The right aesthetics will help ensure that your hat style resonates with everyone from first-time visitors to loyal team members and customers.

Ready to Design Your Own Custom Trucker Hat?

With their sturdy designs and multiple customizable features, trucker hats are a great choice for unique branded apparel that blends comfort and all-American style. Giving your customers or team members a look they’ll love starts with combining your logo patch or other brand designs with the right cap features. That’s where CPH comes in to help. Using our array of customizable trucker hat options, we’ll go to work with you to bring your vision to life. Explore our trucker hat options or get a quote from a designer today.