Snapback Vs. Fitted Caps – Which is Better?

Baseball caps come in an almost infinite number of colors and designs: sticker, no sticker, adjustment band, fitted, five-panel, six-panel, customized, plain – you name it, and it’s out there somewhere. Two of the most popular kinds of baseball caps are the fitted and the snapback, but which is better?

There isn’t a right or wrong answer here because, in the long run, the style of hat that you choose will depend on your preferences and needs. That said, there are distinct pros and cons for each style of hat that you will read about below.

What Are Snapback Hats?

Snapback hats are baseball caps with adjustable straps at the back. They get their name from how the strap snaps together to secure the hat on almost any head size. 

The ’90s hip-hop scene saw the Snapback cap become one of the most popular headwear choices, and it’s still one of the most well-known baseball hats to date.

What Are Fitted Hats?

Fitted hats are baseball caps made with flat brims and a closed back panel. So you won’t find an adjustable closure on these hats, as is the case with other types of baseball caps. That means you can’t adjust its size. You have to buy one that fits your head right out of the box.

Difference Between a Snapback & Fitted Cap

Even though the main difference between snapbacks and fitted caps is their design, there are a couple of other major differences between the two types of baseball caps. 

Let’s check out how they differ in terms of their versatility, comfort, ease of use, and other qualities.

Versatility

The snapback hat definitely takes the point in this category. The adjustable piece of plastic on the back of each snapback means it can be adjusted to fit almost anybody’s head. This is particularly helpful if multiple people within the same household use the same hat. In my experience growing up in a house with five kids and a lot of yard work, the snapback was a necessary quality for our headgear. There wasn’t time to ponder on which hat you wore – you just grabbed one, slathered on sunscreen, and headed outside.

The fitted cap, on the other hand, is not very versatile, though there are still varying degrees of fit. Some fitted hats come in more broad sizing like S/M and L/XL so that they can accommodate more noggins. Other fitted hats are designed to fit just one size of the head, making them, perhaps, the least versatile of all.

Comfort

The fitted hat gets the point of comfort because it is designed to fit your head perfectly. It has smooth fabric all the way around on the inside of the hat, so there isn’t anything pressing into or catching on your head. You also don’t have to worry about it slipping around on your head because it was made specifically for your size.

The snapback loses this point because, let’s face it, that plastic piece in the back is not very comfortable. If you’re adjusting it while you’re wearing it, sometimes the hair will get caught in the snaps, which can be painful. Additionally, the snapback anatomy makes wearing this hat uncomfortable because that plastic piece can dig into your forehead and get itchy.

Ease of Use

This could seem like a silly category (I mean, it’s a hat – not rocket science), but there is something to be said for picking up a hat at random and being able to wear it. The snapback wins this point because it will fit almost any size head right out of the gate.

The fitted hat either requires you to test multiple sizes of a hat or get measured in order to find your correct fit. While your head will probably stay the same size once you’re an adult, figuring out your hat size for the first time can be a hassle.

Customizability

Because the fitted hat isn’t intended to be adjusted frequently, the front panels are often made with stiffer material, which makes it the winner in this category. The stiffer material can yield more impressive custom baseball caps and also withstand the test of time. Additionally, the lack of an adjustment piece in the back means that you can add custom logos there.

The snapback is still an excellent choice for customization, and its five or six panels can handle both heavy and light customization. The adjustment piece makes it more difficult – but not impossible – to add customization to the back part of the hat.

Fashion

Both the fitted and the snapback have pros and cons in the fashion category. The fitted cap, because of its very nature, has a cleaner, more finished look, which can make it a good choice when you’re dressing up a bit. The snapback, on the other hand, can give off a more informal and carefree vibe.

The snapback also lets you do more with your hairstyle than the fitted hat because you have that extra space in the back. With a snapback, you can wear your hair down, in a low bun under the adjustment piece, or in a high bun or ponytail pulled through the opening in the back. Unfortunately, the fitted cap makes it very hard to do anything but wear your hair down or in a low bun or ponytail. Check out this guide on how to wear a snapback hat with style.

Cost and Durability

Fitted caps are typically a little more expensive than snapbacks because they aren’t considered one-size-fits-all. Their stretchable fabric fits snugly against the head for a more personalized feel. That said, they are usually also a little more durable because they don’t have as many extra pieces compromising the integrity of the hat.

The snapback is usually less expensive than fitted caps because it isn’t as personalized and labor-intensive to produce. The extra adjustment pieces in the back are great for making sure the hat fits, but they can also deteriorate at a faster rate than the rest of the hat, which makes them a little less durable than a fitted cap.

Both the fitted and snapback caps are incredibly popular with celebrities and influencers wearing both styles equally. If you’re trying to decide which is best for you, get one in each style and give them a thorough test run.

TL;DR

Snapback and fitted hats are two of the most popular baseball cap styles. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. In terms of versatility, customizability, and cost, you can’t go wrong with a snapback cap. Meanwhile, fitted caps take the prize for comfort, fashion, and durability.

Snapback hats also tend to be cheaper than fitted hats. Why are snapback hats cheaper than fitted ones? Snapback hats are easier to mass-produce than fitted ones. A snapback hat’s snapback closure makes it a popular fashion accessory with the general public because they’re one-size-fits-all. Also, manufacturers don’t have to account for different head sizes, reducing production costs.If you need custom snapbacks or fitted caps, don’t hesitate to contact Acme Hat Co. We know a thing or two about classic baseball caps and can help you design a hat that fits your needs. Get in touch with us today!