5-Panel vs 6-Panel Hat: Differences and Use Cases
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Where would we be without the snapback? With a sweaty and sunburnt head. That’s where.
Yes, this cool adjustable hat has many unique features for comfortable wear and style.
And if you’re looking to sell your own hats, then the snapback makes good business sense too. The customization options allow you to create your own unique headwear brand while the popularity keeps it in constant demand.
Furthermore, with the global headwear market projected to have an annual growth rate of 6.45% between 2020 and 2025, this hat represents an investment opportunity not to be missed.
So read on to get the full lowdown on the best snapback caps around.
What is a Snapback Hat?
A snapback hat is easily identified using the plastic ‘snapback’ closure at the back. The adjustable snapback lets you change the hat’s size without compromising the style or shape.
So now you know where the name comes from. Let’s touch on the history of the snapback so you can impress your friends with some random trivia.
A Brief History of the Snapback Hat
Snapbacks evolved from the classic baseball hats American baseball league players wore in the early 1800s. The original caps could not be adjusted for a better fit. If your hat didn’t fit, then too bad for you. You had to get a new size or put up with wearing an ill-fitting hat all day.
You can see how this was a problem.
Players tried to address the size issue. Some cut holes into their hat, making a hole for a ponytail, for example.
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
The change was inevitable, and as the years went on, the shape and overall design of the baseball caps began to evolve. The size of the crown became bigger, for example.
In the 1990s, a small plastic fitting was added to the back of the cap, which had a snap feature. You could adjust the strap for a better fit. Hence the name; snap at the back = snapback.
And this is how the snapback hat was born.
Snapback Hats in Popular Culture
The snapback became popular when it was marketed to a mass audience. Nike and New Era began churning out new snapback hats, which were quickly available in stores worldwide. An adjustable cotton hat became the only type anyone wanted to wear!
The front of the branded snapback hats would feature the names and logos of popular sports teams. People would wear them to show off their local league, favorite team, or city. Not just across baseball, but football and NBA, too.
Then hip-hop musicians and rap artists started to wear snapback hats. Their popularity took off with a new demographic.
Source: GQ
This introduced the snapback hat to a global audience, and suddenly they were everywhere at different price points, depending on the style. You could get cotton Nike versions in your local shop. Or a high-fashion version at a much higher price in a Paris or London shop.
It wasn’t long before everyone became united in their love of snapback hats. And they became featured on fashion runways across the world in a range of different styles. Baseball caps. Trucker hats with a mesh back. Or FlexFits with a flat brim. In a store, you could get pretty much any new shape, style, or fitted size across men’s and women’s fashion.
The Benefits of Snapback Hats
If you’re interested in selling your own caps or want to create merchandise for your business, there are many good reasons to start with custom snapback hats. Here are a few factors that make people order custom snapback hats through our site.
1. 3 C’s
One of the best reasons to buy snapback hats is the 3 C’s. They are:
- Cool
- Comfortable
- Customizable
The whole point of getting yourself a snapback hat is to look cool and in style. So the first “C” is a big deal to most buyers. However, even as you look good in it, you’ve got to feel good. Therefore, snapback hats are made to be comfortable for every wearer. The adjustable width makes them fit well on all head shapes and sizes.
That last “C” is key because customization matters. Unique designs make snapbacks stand out from the crowd. You can add embroidered logos or patches to the front panels of the cap. Or you can print a design that works well on cotton caps.
You can also customize the flat or curved brim at the front. Many people use a different color brim so it stands out from the crown of the cap, as seen below.
Source: Retro Hip Hop Shop
Using a combination of two colors is great as it makes the design stand out. You can use a color wheel to select the perfect complementary colors.
2. Material Quality
In addition to the adjustable strap, many snapbacks come with other features for added comfort and fit. For example, some come with a mesh back, like the Nixon hat below. The mesh increases airflow and keeps your head cool when doing outdoor activities in the sun during summer.
Source: Nixon
As mentioned earlier, these features also make snapbacks the perfect hats for big heads, as they can be adjusted to fit a bigger head size. Also, the mesh won’t feel as tight as other materials, like a hat made from only cotton.
Some caps come with sweatbands built into the front of the cap. This is perfect for people who work or play sports under the sun in hot summer weather. The hat absorbs sweat and keeps it away from the wearer’s face and neck.
These hats can sometimes come at a higher price, but they are definitely worth every penny. I mean, who wants a sweaty forehead when enjoying a summer activity?
Products that are in demand are good for business. They can give you a very good return when bought in bulk at a low price. You’ll find that this is true for snapback hats. The price on bulk orders will depend on how many you purchase upfront. But as this can vary, you’re sure to find something for your budget.
Our B2B price points on custom snapback hats are great for anyone looking to resell items. They’re also affordable if you want to make some branded merchandise. They come with affordable shipping rates, too.
Best Snapback Hats
There are so many different kinds of snapback caps on the market that sometimes you just don’t know where to start.
Do you go for cotton or polyester? A low price for a hat with fewer features, or do you search for a hat with more comfort at a higher price?
It can get confusing out there!
So here’s a small selection of the best hats with a comfort strap for different head sizes. Maybe you can get some inspiration for your own creations.
The Baseball Cap
The original baseball cap style is instantly recognizable. They are still available in designs that resemble the first baseball caps worn by American baseball players. The only difference is that they now come with an adjustable enclosure. So you can get a close and comfortable fit every time.
The motorsport hat below demonstrates how the classic design can be matched with a snapback.
Source: Motorsport
Many brands use the baseball cap with a snapback, as it creates a classic fit and style, which is perfect for summer. You can often find them in your local tourist shop during the summer when on holiday or in the bestsellers list on Amazon.
They come in men’s and women’s sizes, and the more basic ones are usually available at a low price.
Create Your Own Baseball Cap
Every element of your baseball cap can be customized if you purchase it through Acme Hats (formerly known as Custom Snapbacks). You’ll find a range of colors to choose from to fit your brand colors. You can also add your logo to your custom design. These logos can either be printed or stitched, depending on your preference.
In addition to the standard baseball cap, we can also customize the mesh back baseball cap. This is similar to the classic baseball cap but has mesh panels on the back for extra breathability.
Get started with a free quote to create your custom hat design today.
Classic Snapback
The classic snapback hat comes with 5 to 6 panels on the crown and a flat brim. These hats were popularised by 90s hip-hop musicians and Spike Lee in the 1990s/ They’re still popular today.
The classic snapback became famous for promoting professional sports teams after New Era began mass producing them. They now produce snapbacks for most major sporting teams in America.
For example, the New Era cap below is for the Kansas City Royals. It is part of their iconic 9FIFTY selection of snapbacks, which is evident from the gold circle on the side.
Source: New Era
New Era is one of the best hat brands today. These caps are super successful because they use a popular brand logo or identity across the front. They also incorporate the team color scheme too.
If you want your logo to be the focus of the hat, then make it big and bold. These caps were designed to focus on your brand name and colors, so make sure that is the focus.
There are also great classic snapbacks available for your local sports team. They let you display to the world what community or group you belong to. Sometimes they can help bring funds into the local community too.
The hat below is for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, a college football team.
Source: UT Sports
It has a simple embroidered letter across the front and incorporates the team’s color scheme. This will make a big impact when worn at a game surrounded by hundreds of other hats.
Create Your Own Classic Snapback Hat
You can create your own classic snapback hat using our choice of over 50 QuickTurnTM colorways. Incorporate your team’s colors or company pallet to achieve a creative and eye-catching finished look.
Text, images, and logos can then be embroidered onto the front of the cap, with color options that complement the hat colors and suit your brand. Custom classic snapback hats are a great way of spreading brand awareness.
Unstructured 5-Panel Hat
This hat differs from the rest as it has no additional support behind the front two panels of the crown. This creates a unique style, sometimes called the ‘grandpa’ fit.
The Yupoong Classic 6502, which is featured below, uses an unstructured 5-panel style.
Source: Amazon
This type of snapback is often popular with urban skate and surf brands and can also be used as a unique fashion accessory.
Create Your Own Unstructured 5-Panel Hat
If you’re building a fashion brand, you may want to use this type of cap. It offers a much more relaxed fit and comes in 10+ QuickTurnTM colors.
It stands out from the crowd, and the unstructured front is perfect for designs and embellishments. So this one’s for all the folks who love some glitter and glam on their snapback hats. Your favorite gold pearls or silver embellishments will look great on this unstructured cap. There is no crease from an additional panel going down the middle, after all.
Mesh back Hats
These are sometimes mistaken for trucker hats, which can appear very similar. However, mesh back hats tend to have firm material fronts instead of the foam fronts found on trucker hats.
Meshback hats are split into two types based on how many panels are used to construct the crown of the snapback cap.
1. Meshback 5 Panel Snapback
Much like the unstructured 5-panel cap, this mesh back has no front seam. Like all mesh back hats, it’s perfect for summer, as the mesh encourages airflow through the hat.
This makes it perfect for more intricate embroidery or bigger designs, as they can be stitched onto a smooth plain surface without any seams running through the middle.
The Patagonia hat from the Babipur shop below uses a wide logo stitched onto the front, which creates a fluid look.
Source: Babipur
Not only does the embroidered logo look great, but it’s also clear and outstanding. Everyone who encounters the wearer can make out what’s written on it. And that’s the whole point; marketing your favorite brand while looking great!
2. Meshback 6 Panel Snapback
Much like the 5-panel mesh back hat, the 6-panel hat has a large site for your favorite logo or NBA team. But this time, there is a seam down the middle, which creates a more fitted look and feel to the hat.
Source: Boards 360
The fitted look makes the hat more crisp and sophisticated than its counterparts. Additionally, the middle seam helps draw the eyes to the logo.
Torn between a snapback and a fitted cap? Check out this snapback vs fitted cap article for a close-up look at the differences.
Create Your Own Meshback Panel Hat
Mesh hats are great for creating a fitted trucker-style look without having the foam panel upfront. So depending on what your new design will feature, choose how many panels your mesh back cap needs to achieve a clean finish.
Choose a 5-panel mesh back if you want a smooth surface for more intricate designs and a 6-panel mesh back for a structured fit and size. Conduct some web searches to find what will and won’t work for your company’s needs. Then choose your favorite option based on that.
Different Ways To Use Snapback Caps
Now you know which snapbacks are best, but you still need to know how to use them.
Here are some ideas on how to use snapback caps.
1. Fraternity and Sorority Caps
After going through blood, sweat, and tears to pledge to your chosen fraternity or sorority house, you’ll probably need a cap to display this. Having matching snapback hats with your mates will bring a sense of unity and help you catch the eye of all who see you.
Create Your Own Fraternity or Sorority Caps
Sometimes you just can’t find what you want. Maybe you need a specific color, or you’ve added something to your logo. Either way, customization will help you overcome this problem.
A customized frat or sorority baseball cap is a great way to introduce new members to your house and to create a sense of community amongst the members.
These caps work best when you keep things simple, as Greek letters should be clearly identifiable. Match the colors to your frat or sorority, and if you don’t already have a color scheme, make one up!
Your design and style of snapback cap could become an iconic piece of apparel that will be used for many years to come.
2. Tau Kappa Epsilon
The best fraternity and sorority hats keep things simple. They aim to convey the essential information in as little space as possible.
As an example, take the Tau Kappa Epsilon cap below. It uses big and bold Greek lettering so that the society can be identified. The bright color of the lettering stands out against a dark material, and the full spelling of each letter is listed below.
Source: Greek Gear
3. To Promote Company Brands
A snapback cap is a perfect way to promote brands or companies. They can be cost-effective promotional items due to the low price of bulk orders. And they have plenty of opportunities for customization.
Select your style and upload your artwork online, then leave experts like Acme Hats to do the rest. Not only will you create a good impression on potential investors, but you’ll increase your brand recognition with the public too.
Create Your Own Snapback Caps for Company Brands
If you want your company to stand out and be remembered, consider putting your branding on a baseball cap. They’re always popular with customers, particularly if they’re free!
And they’re so easy to make. Just select your style and upload your artwork. A more affordable price is often given for bulk orders, which sometimes also includes shipping.
While you may be considering the overall price of giving away some free products, it’s worth remembering that 88% of people claim they remember the advertiser better if they receive a promotional product from them. So even though a company-branded baseball cap may cost you a small amount of money, it may help you get more customers for your business.
4. Merck
Many companies in America used to give away caps as free promotional gifts. They were often given to truck drivers and agricultural workers, allowing the company to get free marketing whenever the hat was worn.
These caps were called trucker hats, and they had a large foam panel at the front for printing a logo or pattern for the company. While some trucker hats come with a snapback, many different designs are available for promotional hats.
Such as the one below by the pharmaceutical company Merck.
Source: eBay
This cap is simple and does the job. It has the Merck logo on the front, and the color is contrasted against the plain background, so it is the only focus.
5. Music Snapback hats
For some people, music is more than just notes and lyrics. It’s an identity.
And this is why music snapback caps are some of the best snapback hats to own. They represent a part of who you are, and you can demonstrate it to the world.
You can get a music snapback for pretty much any band these days, ranging from Fleetwood Mac and Foo Fighters to One Direction and Madonna.
Source: Grindstore
These snap hats are the best because they can be identified as music hats by using the logo or lyrics of a famous band.
Create Your Own Music Snapback Hat
You don’t have to be David Bowie to have your own cotton snapback cap. Even local bands can get a branded baseball snap cap to wear on stage or sell to fans in an online shop.
Wearing your own band caps on stage or in marketing materials will help create brand recognition and advertise your product. And when you sell the hats at gigs or through a website, fans will recognize it as a cap that the band has worn.
6. Trucker Snapback Hats
The Trucker snapback hat slightly differs from the baseball cap. The Trucker hat is curved slightly at the front and has foam that allows it to stand up straight and stiff. This makes the front slightly taller than that of the baseball cap. That’s perfect when you want to slap your custom logo at the front.
Trucker snapback hats tend to have a plastic mesh with a snap closure at the back. This makes it a one-size-fits-all kind of hat. It is great for both gents and ladies and gives the wearer’s head enough breathing space. And just like the other snapback hats, Trucker hats are great for all your advertising needs.
Wrapping it Up
So, now you know all about the best snapback hats on the market. From the baseball cap to the trucker hat, many different styles are available. And you’ve even been given some inspiration to create your own.
If you want to generate brand awareness, the trucker hat is a great option. It has a large flat panel at the front, which is the perfect size for company-related logos and patterns. And the trucker hat never goes out of fashion, so you’re guaranteed a good ROI on the price you pay.
However, if you’re looking to start your own fashion brand, you’ll need to put a bit more thought into it. Search for popular brands on Amazon or Google. Then make a note of their style, material, and price. Are they using cotton? Do they offer free shipping? Are they selling more via Amazon Prime? Build on this information and use it for your own site or Amazon shop.
Ultimately, the style and shape will be down to you. But if you find yourself getting stuck at any point, contact Acme Hat Co for some professional advice. We would love to help you create the perfect custom snapback hat for business, pleasure, or both!
