Everything you need to Know before Buying Trucker Caps
By: Melody Posted on: Feb 9, 2022From the dusty highways of 1970s America to the fashion runways of today, the trucker hat had an unlikely journey into being a cultural icon. To think that it all started as a promotional tool for trucking companies and farm supply stores. Trucker hats have been our specialty in CapBargain, with some of the finest styles from OTTO CAP at unmatched wholesale prices. These hats are engineered to transform any outfit from ordinary to cool, and take creative customizations really well.
But any trucker hat won’t cut it every time. There are enough styles of trucker hats to suit various requirements - be it for casual use, promotions, outdoor adventures, merchandising and so on. The wholesale hats collection in CapBargain offers you a variety of blank trucker cap styles to suit any requirement, without big price tags. There are just a few things to be aware of before buying trucker hats in bulk, and this blog will help.
Let’s explore everything from the hats’ fascinating origins and construction details to various types and care instructions, helping you understand why these distinctive caps continue to capture hearts across generations and subcultures.
What is a trucker hat
A trucker cap bears a resemblance to the standard blank baseball cap thanks to features like a curved brim and a button at the top. However, the differences lie in the mesh back panel and often, broader foam-filled front panels. The hat traces its history back to the early 1970s when it was used as a promotional accessory. The term trucker cap was a reference to its earliest users - truck drivers - and the name stuck. Thanks to their convenience and style, today trucker caps are worn by people from all walks of life, and are at the core of viral trends like multi-patch trucker caps and hat bars.
What are the features of a trucker cap?
Here are the characteristics that make a trucker cap unique.
Breathable Mesh Back
Unlike regular baseball caps that are made of the same material throughout, trucker hats have a mesh back panel that is made of polyester. The lightweight mesh adds breathability and quicker cool-down making this cap the ideal choice for warmer temperatures.
Adjustable Snapback Closures
Blank trucker hats available at CapBargain generally come with an adjustable snapback closure, making it easy to fit your head. You can also fasten the hat tighter when running or engaged in other physical activities. Discover classic, retro, and iconic styles in our snapback trucker hat collection. We also have blank flexible-fit trucker hat styles, like the OTTO CAP 135-1 trucker 6-panel hat, which does not come with a closure mechanism.
Elevated Crown
The front panels of 5-panel trucker hats are typically filled with foam on the inside to give the crown a slightly elevated structure. This makes them the perfect place for designs or logos, though it will take expertise and specialized equipment to customize on foam panels. CapBargain specializes in customizing headwear, including foam-front panel truckers at very competitive charges.
What are the different types of trucker caps?
Foam front trucker cap
6 Panel trucker caps
6 panel trucker hats look almost like a baseball cap with the exception of the mesh back panel. The front panels will have a center seam in between.
Flat Visor trucker caps
Camo trucker caps
Meshed back hats with camouflage patterns are thematic headwear for hunting and other adventures in the wilderness. CapBargain has a curated selection of top-quality camo trucker hats, including camo-themed variants of our bestsellers like the 39-165 trucker hat.
Additionally, CapBargain also offers blank trucker hat styles from OTTO CAP that do not feature closure mechanisms. These styles are part of OTTO CAP’s premium line of hats, such as the OTTO FLEX, OTTO SNAP, and OTTO COMFY FIT. They are engineered to fit the size of the head, offering superior comfort, flexibility, and breathability but still at very competitive prices.
When and How to Wear a Trucker Hat
Trucker hats used to be a summer staple that keeps your head cool, even on a hot sunny day. But now they are worn year round. Our customers buy trucker hats for Fall hat parties, sorority hat bars, and holiday merchandising. The mesh back allows ample airflow and keeps your head from sweating. This feature comes enhanced in trucker styles that have performance sweatbands.
These meshed back caps are built to be styled for any occasion - college, work, or parties. Here are three ways to wear them without looking out of place.
- Bill facing front: If you are shooting for a simple laidback look, wear the cap naturally facing forward. This classic position with the cap fitted to the head is straightforward, comfortable, and ideal for formal events.
- Bill facing backward: Wearing a trucker cap backward to create a cool laid-back vibe is a look favored by the youngsters. Make sure that the bill points slightly down and is not facing straight backward.
- Bill pulled up: If you want the traditional look but with a bold twist to it, place the hat facing forward with the bill coming and lift the bill up so that it moves from your forehead to just past your hairline.
Are trucker hats still in style?
The trucker hat made its way back to the fashion world at the dawn of this century and has been an integral part of pop culture thanks to its popularity among various musical and artistic communities. With many actors, singers, athletes, and other celebrities spotted every day sporting a trucker hat, it's not far-fetched to say that this sporty headgear is here to stay.
Best trucker cap styles
At CapBargain, we have a huge selection of wholesale trucker hats, including foam front trucker hats, 5-panel trucker caps, camo trucker hats, flat visor trucker hats, and more. Here are some of our top picks.
1. OTTO Cap 39-169
The OTTO 39-169 foam front trucker hat is made with 100% Polyester foam front and mesh back. This 5-panel cap features a curved visor, seamless front panel, 8 rows stitching on visor, ultra soft terry cloth sweatband, and rope accent. The specialized foam on the hat is specifically formulated to be custom-friendly, taking embroidery, patches and transfers really well. This however requires decoration expertise and necessary equipment, both of which CapBargain offers.
2. OTTO 132-1037
OTTO 132-1037 snapback trucker hat is part of OTTO CAP’s premium “OTTO SNAP” lineup featuring flexible bills and durable snap closures. This hat is made with 100% Polyester front and mesh back. The cap features a seamless foam front panel with lining, flat visor, ultra soft terry cloth sweatband, and durable plastic snap closure. Available in solid colors and double tone variants.
3. OTTO Cap 32-467
Made with 100% polyester foam front and 100% polyester back, the 32-467 trucker cap also features a foam front panel and plastic adjustable snap. The cap doesn’t come in as many colors as the 39-165 but is still a good alternative. There are subtle differences between the two styles, though both make excellent choices for patches and embroidery.
How to customize a trucker hat?
Since day one, custom trucker caps have been a favorite of markets for promoting their brand name and logo. Today, custom trucker hats are used by businesses as promo products, merchandise or corporate uniforms, and fashion lovers who want to bring their identity to their headwear, or anyone who wants a unique cap. The variety of designs that can go on a trucker cap is incredible, and so is the final customized product.
Here are the popular options for creating custom trucker caps.
Flat Embroidery
In flat embroidery, the decorative stitches are sewn directly onto the garment to create an upscale look and feel. Since embroideries are created with thread and stitches, complex designs with lots of fine details, small texts, or color gradients would need to be simplified/modified before they can be embroidered.
3D Embroidery
3D embroidery is thread sewn over a piece of foam to cause a more 3-dimensional appearance. This method is great for monograms, sports logos, or just for adding a cool 3-dimensional element to an existing embroidery design.
Heat Transfer
Digital Heat transfer, which uses heat and pressure to apply a pre-printed design, is a preferred method for foam front trucker caps. Choose this method if you have full-color designs with lots of complex details that are hard to accomplish with embroidery.
Keep in mind that printing or embroidering on the sides and back of a trucker cap comes with challenges due to the mesh fabric.
Conclusion
If you have never been a hat person because they make your head sweaty, the breathable trucker caps can be the fresh breath of air that changes your heart. The mesh panel back, easily adjustable closure, and elegant crown make it a stylish, functional, and durable blank hat for just about anyone.