For avid hat wearers, especially of baseball caps, there are two groups of people. One that swears on five panel baseball caps, while the other believes that six panel baseball caps are the superior choice. If you’re new in the hat scene, you’re most likely confused by these terminologies. Well, no fret, as we’re here to show you the difference between 6 and 5 panel baseball caps.
What Are Panels?
Before we go into the details, it’s important to know what exactly does ‘panels’ mean. Panels basically refer to the crown of the hat. Depending on either the five panel or six panel baseball caps, the panels differ from each other in style, personality, and trends, though the purpose is relatively the same and that is to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays.
Difference in Brim
For five panel baseball caps, the brim is curved and already pre-shaped by the producer. Six panel baseball caps, on the other hand, feature a wider and flatter brim. Due to their wide brims, six panel baseball caps will tend to cover most of the forehead, while five panel baseball caps appear more subtle. If you want maximum protection from the sun, six panel baseball caps would better suit your needs.
The Difference in Front Panel and Angle
When it comes to six panel baseball caps, the front panel is much sturdier and shaped like a flat surface. This causes the front panel to form a 90 degrees angle with the brim. However, five panel baseball caps feature a front panel that bends backward, resulting in the panel to form an obtuse angle with the brim.
Difference in Crowns
Since the crowns of five panel baseball caps are relatively shallower, the hats tend to be smaller in size as compared to six panel baseball caps, which have a more rounded head in appearance. This also makes sense as five panel baseball caps have lesser panels than six panels, thus looking smaller. For those wanting their hats to make a big impact and be the focus of the entire outfit, then going with the six panel baseball caps would be the obvious choice.
Difference in Closure
Even though both types of baseball caps have adjustable closures, they are made from different materials. For example, six panel baseball caps have closures that are made out of plastic. They are made from plastic in order for the buttons to fit into the small holes. However, when it comes to five panel baseball caps, the closures come in the form of a metal buckle that fits onto the fabric. Depending on people’s preferences, this style of closure is much easier to adjust the clasp and fit onto the head perfectly.
Difference in Trend
Five panel baseball caps are also called dad hats, so you can guess that they are a vintage design that is more popular with the older demographic. Regardless, this does not mean they’re out of style as five panel baseball caps are a classic in the hats scene, and are actually making a comeback in the fashion world. Six panel baseball caps tend to be more well-liked among the younger generation as they rose in popularity due to hip-hop, which was particularly huge in the early 2000s. In recent years, six panel baseball caps are associated with the EDM and clubbing scenes. If you lean towards a more classic style, then the five panel baseball cap would be more to your liking, while someone who prefers a more trendy and attention-seeking style would enjoy the six panels cap more.
