At some point in your hat buying journey, especially for first-time buyers, you might wonder what’s the difference between snapbacks and trucker hats. At first glance, they almost look similar, but they cannot be more different. Before getting into the comparisons and which is the best choice for you, let’s talk about the background of the snapbacks and trucker hats, and why they are called so. Snapbacks simply refer to the fastening strap found on the back of the cap. This allows the wearer to adjust the cap to their head size, making for a more snug fit. Snapbacks are a form of the ever-popular baseball cap, though they feature a flatter brim and higher profile. When it comes to dad hats, they can be traced back to the 1960s, when automobile companies would use such hats to promote their logos. As such, trucker hats are commonly associated with, you guessed it, truckers.
If you’ll like to know which type of hat to go with, whether it’s a snapback or trucker hat, continue reading.
Considering that the panel for snapbacks are relatively larger in size as compared to trucker hats, they can showcase more designs and is therefore considered a more fashionable option out of the two. This should come as no surprise as snapbacks tend to be more popular among the hip-hop crowd, which rose in the early 2000s due to the music and basketball scene. Now, you can see many millennials and those from Generation Z sporting snapbacks not only for functional purposes but casual wear as well.
However, this does not mean the trucker hats are not in style. The thing is, trucker hats are a classic and are mainly favored among dads and truckers due to their functionality. Trucker hats have a mesh panel, making them extremely breathable and lightweight. Therefore, trucker hats are here to stay as long as the older demographic continues to like them for their practical designs.
When it comes to the brim, trucker hats have a curvier brim, while snapbacks feature a flatter brim. In terms of aesthetics, trucker hats would look better on smaller heads as the curve brim would complement smaller faces more. The brim of the snapbacks is also stuck out at a 90 degrees angle, which gives a ton of visibility in the front of the cap. If you’re someone who prefers a larger panel, then the snapback would be the obvious choice to go with.
Since snapbacks can trace their roots to baseball caps, snapbacks can be worn for baseball games or other sports events like tennis, golf, and even volleyball. However, as fitness wear becomes a trend in the mainstream fashion industry, people are increasingly incorporating snapbacks into their casual wear. Of course, you can also wear snapbacks while working out and wearing your fitness clothes. All in all, snapbacks are extremely versatile and can be worn with anything and to anywhere. While no one’s stopping you to wear trucker hats, they’re most likely worn by truckers and farmers.
