10 Best Trucker Hats Reviewed and Compared
By Lauren Keating
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Trucker hats are making a major comeback. And for trail runners, it’s not a fad about to fade away. More than just a fashion accessory or a way to hide messy hair, trucker hats actually serve a real purpose for athletes.
Trucker hats are commonly worn by trail runners because they reflect the rugged and muddy activity. Trucker hats are also less expensive that other running hats, so athletes don’t have to feel bad about losing it or tossing it mid-race. And besides the fact that Forest Gump ran with one on, they perform exceedingly well for runners. Between its breathability, protection from the sun and overall comfort, it’s time to switch a boring cap out for a trucker hat.
- The North Face Trail
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Our rating - Lightweight & Comfortable
- Price: See Here
- Outdoor Research Trail
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Our rating - Moisture Wicking Properties
- Price: See Here
- Arc'teryx
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Our rating - Versatile
- Price: See Here
10 Best Trucker Hats
The North Face Trail
The athlete most certainly will be comfortable when running, cycling or hitting the gym with this trucker hat from North Face. It has a moisture wicking sweatband to keep sweat away from building up, and has FlashDry tech that speeds up drying time. The FlashDry fabric repels water and sweat by pushing moisture to the surface of the fabric. It is lightweight and soft, and has plenty of structure without being too stiff. It also has a longer bill, for more sun and rain protection.
Breathability
This trucker has breathable mesh throughout the sides and back that allows for enough ventilation. This is a popular option for trail runners because it keep them cool and dry. This means they can stay comfortable longer so that nothing gets in the way or their performance.
Style and Fit
This is arguably the most stylish hat on this list. It allows the athlete to look good doing their activity of choice without having it skimp out on performance. It has a slightly extended bill with a low profile that provides more sun protection. It has a snapback closure to adjust the fit. It also rebounds really well when folded and packed up.
- Moisture-wicking properties with FlashDry tech that keeps the consumer cool and dry
- Extremely stylish
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Durable without being bulky
- Bigger than their running hats, but not the typical sized trucker hat
Outdoor Research Trail
If one word best describes this hat it would be lightweight. It seriously feels light like a feather, weighing in at just 1.9 oz, and is great for running or cycling without being weighed down. It has moisture wicking properties that keeps things cool and dry for added comfort when getting down and dirty with the workout of choice.
Breathability
The consumer doesn’t have to worry about working up a sweat with this hat on. That’s because it has a half moon mesh back with sewn eyelets to increase ventilation. It is quick to dry and has a cool and dry headband.
Style and Fit
It has a FlexFit 110 Construction that has the stretchiness to conform nicely to the head. There is a quick-release buckle back for adjustments. It is designed to keep its shape and look great when folded or smashed inside a bag. It rebounds great, being extremely durable to use when hiking or during that ultra race.
- Ultra-light
- Moisture wicking properties and breathable
- Durable and rebounds great when folded
- Durable
- Not bulky or too deep like some other trucker hats
- Can fit a little small
Arc'teryx
The natural fibers (cotton and elastane) used with has provides next to skin comfort that is great for wearing while working up a sweat. It has a snapback closure that is much more comfortable in the back than plastic ones. It has a little stretch to it, which increases its comfort and is deep, although might have some issues with the perfect fit.
Breathability
Ventilation isn’t the problem here thanks to the polyester mesh panels that allow for air to circulate. It has a low profile with a slight curve of the bill that blocks out of the sun, protects from rain and allows for air flow.
Style and Fit
This Arc’teryx hat has that classic trucker looks, with all the benefits of wear it while working out. It has the company’s bird and work graphic on the from that is rubberized and is available in a few color options. Some consumers have an issue with the fit, it being just a tad too deep for smaller heads so fits around the ears awkwardly, but most will find it fits true to size. It also has a snapback closure for more snug fit.
- Comfortable, with a slight stretch
- Versatile for every day and working out
- Loses its shape and color over time
ASICS Fuzex Structured
Just by looking at this hat it looks comfortable. It is made with polyester and spandex, giving it the stretch needed to fit comfortably. It is lightweight, making it great for working out.
Breathability
This trucker from ASICS doesn’t have a mesh back panel like many of the other options on this list. That means it’s not as breathable. However, it is lightweight and provides great moisture management.
Style and Fit
With its slight stretch, this hat fits like a classic baseball hat. It’s not bulky, and has a low profile that lays closely to the head. It has a hook and loop adjust ability to further customize the fit.
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Great stretch
- Manages moisture
- Hook and loops design not has convenient as snapback closure
Patagonia P-6 Logo
Comfort isn’t a problem with this hat, since it is light, airy and just comfortable to wear, making it ideal for long hikes, traveling, road racing and more. It has an organic cotton canvas headband that is soft and feels good on. The bill is large enough to keep the sun away to increase visibility when running on those sunny days.
Breathability
With its open mesh paneling, it is nice and airy with plenty of ventilation. The slight curve of the bill allows air to get in, and so it won't be too hot for workouts.
Style and Fit
This hat has the fit of a classic baseball cap with a higher construction of a trucker. It has an adjustable snapback for a more custom fit. It comes in various color options, giving a choice for just about everyone.
- Lightweight and breathable
- Fits just like a cap with the benefits of a trucker
- Color fades over time
Nike SB Performance
With its high crown and flat bill that keeps the sun away while resting a little more securely on the head. It has a a a woven backing at the front two panels that adds structure, which allows it to keep its shape when stored in a bag. Plus it has a Dri-Fit band that keeps the forehead nice and dry.
Breathability
This trucker features open mesh panels with embroidered eyelets on the back and sides that allows air to get in while preventing the head from getting too hot and sweaty. This hat is made with polyester, and has a polyester and cotton lining. Overall, this is a light and airy option.
Style and Fit
Any Nike addict needs this trucker hat for their workout collection. Its flat brim gives it a classic feel, yet the mesh back gives it a sporty look. It’s versatile appearance wise to be worn every day, to the gym or on the trails. It has a snapback closure that allows the consumer to adjust how it fits. It comes in white with wolf grey, white with black or black with light aqua.
- Great look, and versatile for working out and every day use
- Lots of ventilation
- Wicks away sweat
- Looks best in white, but easily gets dirty
Pistil McKinley
Made with polyester, cotton and spandex, this hat is soft to touch, yet flexible enough tot not feel stiff when wearing. It is unlined, which helps to keep the head nice and cool when working out. It has a mid crown, so it has a lower profile than other truckers, but enough structure.
Breathability
This trucker features mesh panels in its back and sides that provide ample ventilation. It is comparable to other trucker hats however, it does have a slight bend at the bill to allow the forehead to breathe. The soft bill also isn’t has sticky when sweaty as other options.
Style and Fit
This trucker hat is designed specifically for women, and when compared to unisex options fits females much better. It is taller in height than a traditional baseball cap, but not overly high to look silly or be too much for those who haven’t worn a trucker before. It is deep, so it might git the ears for some consumers. t is extremely stylish with a graphic print that includes velvet overlay detail. It is almost too pretty to sweat in, but the mountain prints is made for the outdoor lover.
- Great color and prints
- Made with good quality, making it durable
- Constructed specifically for women
- Only available in two color options
- Not available for men
- Can reach the ears for some consumers
The North Face Mudder
Comfort is the feature that’s at the forefront here because of the faulty materials used here. Its body is made with 100% cotton canvas, which makes it soft with a great feel, as well as being lighter that other cotton fabrics. It is lightweight, while still being durable. This makes it great for wearing when trail running to protect the face from the sun without being overly bulky. The brim is structured to have a slight bend, more than other trucker hats but less than baseball caps.
Breathability
This hat is made with a polyester mesh that covers the backside and side paneling of the hat. This means there is more than enough ventilation to avoid sweat from building up. The main problem with this option is underneath the brim. The fabric stains easily from sweat.
Style and Fit
This option from North Face is retro meets sports meets trucker. It has a faded look to it that isn’t as worn in appearance as the Fenway Patch "Dirty Water” trucker, but much for that more crisp and new looking hats. It is available in many different color options, making it a great choice for men and women.
When it comes to sizing, the hat can be adjusted via its snapback. The mesh won’t bunch up when making it tighter. It has a low profile and doesn’t run big.
- Great for hiking, running, or other outdoor activities
- Worn look
- Lifetime warranty
- Machine washable
- Runs true to size, but may feel small for some
prAna La Viva
Made with polyester and organic cotton blend, this hat from prAna not only is made well, but it also is helps preserve a healthy environment for cotton farmers with the use of harmful pesticides.
It had enough depth to go over the hair nicely, with room for a ponytail so women can wear is comfortably. It has a stiff brim that rounds a bit, great for keeping the sun out the eyes.
Breathability
This trucker includes a mesh back the makes it breathable. Compared to other options, it ranks the same when it comes to its amount of ventilation. However, made specifically for women, the amount of depth and large mesh panel is great for when managing longer hair without getting too hot and sticky.
Style And Fit
This option has that classic trucker hat look, and is made for specifically for women. This means fitting well, even their those with slighter bigger heads. It can feel a bit too large for some women, but it has an adjustable snapback to make for a more secure fit.
Arguably the best part is how stylish this trucker hat is. It comes in various color and design options like Pomegranate Marrakesh and White Bali. This makes it great for showing off when out and about around town, when hanging with friends, and when hitting the gym.
- Extremely stylish with vibrant colors
- Constructed for women
- Versatile for the gym, boating, and every day wear
- Can feel a bit big on
Fenway Patch
This trucker hat is all about the comfort, soft to touch and is stretchy. Even the mesh is soft and not stiff, making it ideal to wear for every day and not just when working out.
Breathability
This trucker hat features a completely meshed back side, allowing for plenty of ventilation. The slight bend of the bill allows for slightly more air flow to the face, making sweat less likely to build up compared to other options.
Style and Fit
This option resembles a traditional baseball cap more than taller trucker hats. It has an adjustable snapback, making it one size fitness most. While many trucker hats fit awkwardly on some, this has a great fit for even those with bigger sized heads. It won’t too too box or boxy on the head. There is room for women to put their ponytail through, making it comfortable to wear for those with long hair.
It has a worn and frayed look that is made to look like its old, plus features the Fenway logo for Boston fans. It is navy in the front with a khaki mesh back.
- Fort and comfortable
- Looks and fits like a baseball cap
- Worn look, made for Boston fans
- Doesn’t have that distinct trucker hat look to it
The Criteria We Used for Our Evaluation
It takes a whole lot more then just its look to classify a trucker hat as the best. While design is great for first impressions and for those who consider themselves stylish, it needs to have all the functionalities that are appealing to athletes. This includes things like mesh paneling on the back to encourage air flow, and its overall value. We used a set criteria to establish which options are the best. These are explained below.
Comfort: Since many wear trucker hats both for every day activities and workouts including time on the trails, a trucker hat needs to be comfortable to wear. How comfortable is this particular option? Is the fabric soft? Does it feel too stiff, especially at the brim?
Fit: Trucker hats are designed to be deep and sit taller than regular caps. In terms of fit, this could be a problem for those who have a bigger or smaller size head. How well does this hat fit? Is it one size fits all? Can it be adjusted?
Breathability: The hat needs to have enough ventilation to not overheat the user in the sun, or cause sweat to build up and it make it sticky and uncomfortable to wear. Does it feature a mesh panel or other breathability features?
Durability: How well is the hat made? Is it made to last, and can it withstand some wear, tear, and lots of sweat?
Other Important Things to Consider
Who would’ve thought trucker hate would ever make a comeback? But that doesn’t mean the athlete should dig out the one they have back when it was in trend in the ‘00s. For hitting the trails, the gym or for every day use, it’s time to upgrade to a trucker hat that is designed for the athlete in mind. Even though the hat is versatile, sporting goods companies put in the right tech, fabric, and features to make the options on this list suitable for getting sweaty.
Price
With that said, this all can come at a price. Consider how much as a consumer you are willing to spend on a trucker hat. Is it going to be tossed midway through a long distance race such as an ultra marathon? That means shelling out the money for a more expensive option isn’t the best of ideas. However, if the consumer is going to wear it often, go for whatever price point is comfortable. Just because a hat has a higher price tag doesn’t mean it’s automatically better than others.
Fit
It’s a good idea to first try on a trucker hat before buying one. That’s because this style fits differently than a classic baseball cap. Some people like the way a trucker hat fits and looks on them, while others don’t.
Trucker hats are designed to be deep and tall. This might be too boxy or make the consumer’s head feel like it’s too small. Others may find that their head feels too big to wear this style.
FAQ
Q: Why do trucker hats have mesh?
A: Trucker hats were originated as a way for rural businesses to spread brand awareness and give them away to farmers, the plastic mesh adding to its cheap production cost. For athletes, the mesh means ventilation and air circulation to prevent overheating and sweat build up when working out.
Q: How do I make my trucker hat fit better?
A: Most options are one size fits all, but includes a way to adjust the kitsch as a snapback closure. Keep in mind that these hats are deeper and sit higher on the head with a more flat bill.
Q: How do I clean my trucker hat?
A: Read the company’s recommendation for cleaning, but generally its best to hand wash and leave out to air dry. Some options may be machine washable.
Q: How to break in a trucker hat?
A: With its more straight brim and open meshed back, trucker hats aren’t “worn” in like baseball caps. Just wear the hat, or look for an option that has a little stretch to avoid it feeling too stiff when wearing.
Q: Why wear a trucker hat for running?
A: Trucker hats are ideal for trail running since they are breathable, keep the sun away and are durable. Plus they are versatile to wear off the trails too.
Q: Are there female specific trucker hat?
A: Trucker hats are unisex, but there are some options that mare made specifically for women, so it will have a better fit.
Sources
- , Trail Runners Wear Many (Trucker) Hats, Trail Running Website, May 04, 2017
- , Crown Types, Outdoor Hat Website,
- , FlashDry, Company website,
- , Now Fashion Statements, Trucker Hats Were Born Out of Necessity, News Website,
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