Here’s a timeless accessory that's been cruising through fashion trends for decades: trucker hats. These iconic items aren't just workwear anymore—they've become staple items in just about any wardrobe, adding a touch of laid-back cool to any outfit.
From sporting events to music festivals and everything in between, custom trucker hats are also a canvas for self-expression, allowing you to showcase style and personality with a design that's as individual as you — or your brand.
Whether you're looking to rock a distinctive design, promote your business with a promotional product, or commemorate an event, this accessory offers a truckload of possibilities.
What Makes a Good Trucker Hat?
With their breathable mesh back and adjustable snapback closure, trucker hats are as comfortable as they are stylish, making them the go-to choice for anyone looking to top off their look with a dash of personality.
Something you’ll run into when shopping around for the best trucker hat to customize is that the differences between options can seem subtle at first. To help you make your pick, here are some elements to look out for.
Brand
Some of the biggest companies in the apparel game produce custom trucker hats. From workwear brands like Carhartt to athletic brands like Nike and outdoor adventurewear manufacturers like The North Face, look for makers that align with your style or your own brand’s ethos. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, consider options from lesser-known manufacturers.
Material
By design, most trucker hats are made of separate materials for the brim, panels, and mesh, with some elements even comprising blends of two or more fabrics. As you shop around, there are some differences to keep an eye on. Some of these options available include:
- Cotton: Offers a soft and breathable feel.
- Cotton canvas: A sturdy option, this cotton variant provides a durable, rugged texture.
- Polyester: This lightweight, durable material is perfect for ventilated panels.
- Poly: A versatile and moisture-wicking fabric, this material improves performance.
- Spandex: Usually blended, this incorporates stretchable fibers for a flexible and snug fit
- Recycled materials: Many materials may also be available in recycled options, making them more environmentally sustainable.
Color
Color is another important consideration because some custom trucker hats are available in a wider range of colors than others. This can come down to the design, the manufacturer, or general availability. So, if you’re looking for a specific color scheme to complement your logo, consider the range of available colors for your favorite styles.
Order Size
Need a bulk order to stock your shop? Looking for a few custom hats for a team gathering? At some point in the ordering process, you’ll need to decide on a minimum order. Generally, the bigger the order, the cheaper the per-unit hat costs. The last thing you want is a big box of unused hats, so check in on minimum quantities before you start designing your hat.
Construction
To the naked eye, every trucker hat might look basically the same. But there are actually several different styles of construction to choose from. These include:
- Foam: This classic style has a thick, soft foam front panel that’s great for a novelty or throwback look.
- 5-panel: These hats have five sections, with four symmetric panels of mesh plus one large double panel at the front. They’re ideal for displaying a wide, continuous logo.
- 6-panel: Similar to 5-panel hats, these have four panels of mesh around the sides and back. But with these, the front panel is split in two, making them more flexible.
- Low-profile: These hats have a more slanted front panel that’s more rounded to the head.
- Mid-profile: Slightly higher than low-profile, these hats show a bit more of their design while still maintaining a sleeker look.
- High-profile: The most classic profile for a trucker hat, a high-profile construction, has a broad front panel that’s raised higher and gives a fuller view of the design.
The Best Trucker Hats to Customize
You can pick up a good trucker hat just about anywhere, but if you want one to show your company logo, branded graphic, or favorite emblem, you’ll need to design one yourself. You can customize these trucker hats for workplace giveaways, event promotions, school functions, stocking a team shop, and more.
1. Carhartt Rugged Professional Series Cap
Looking for rugged custom hats? Look no further than these classic truckers from one of America’s leading workwear brands. These Carhartt hats have a mid-profile construction and six panels, combining performance and style the way only Carhartt products can.
Material: 59% cotton, 39% poly, 2% spandex front panels / 100% polyester mesh back
Available colors: Navy, ShadowGrey, Black, Dark Khaki
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
2. Nike Snapback Mesh Trucker Cap
For a premium option, you can’t do much better than a Nike hat. This recycled polyester snapback trucker pairs a clean 5-panel construction with a high-profile build so you can proudly display your custom design right alongside the iconic Nike “swoosh.”
Material: Recycled Polyester
Available colors: 10 color combinations
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 5-panel
3. Big Accessories 6 Panel Mesh Trucker Hat
This sleek 6-panel hat features a relatively low-profile construction. 100% cotton and priced for budget needs, it’s a solid choice for athletic utility and all-around comfort. It’s also available in eight colors to fit your custom branding.
Material: 100% cotton twill front panels / 100% polyester mesh back panels
Available colors: white, light gray, black, red, stone, light forest, royal, navy
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
4. Port Authority Twill Foam Trucker Cap
This throwback foamie from Port Authority has a casual, simple feel with a high profile and a low per-unit cost. If you’re looking for a classic embroidered hat to display your custom logo, check out the Twill Foam Trucker Cap.
Material: 100% cotton twill bonded to polyester foam front panel / 100% polyester mesh mid and back panels
Available colors: Ivory/Navy, Charcoal/Black, Black/Black, Ivory/Red, Ivory/Royal
Minimum order: No minimum
Construction: 5-panel
5. Yupoong Trucker Hat
For those who want variety, this modern take on the trucker hat has it. Available in over 30 color combinations, this option from Yupoong comes in single and two-toned color schemes to fit your custom branding.
Material: 43% cotton front / 55% polyester & 2% spandex blend on mesh back/side
Available colors: 33 color combinations
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
6. Valucap Sandwich Trucker Cap
Sometimes, the best trucker hat option is a simple one — but simple doesn’t have to be limiting. This white-mesh design comes with a huge array of bill and front panel colors and features mid-profile construction and a distinctive hook-and-loop closure.
Material: 55% cotton, 45% polyester twill / 100% polyester mesh back
Available colors: 38 available colors
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
7. Big Accessories Mesh Trucker Cap
This 5-panel offering from Big Accessories offers an eye-catching single-color design with 8 options to suit your needs. Budget-priced with no minimum order, this is the perfect option for branded company swag.
Material: 100% cotton twill front panels / mesh back panels
Available colors: White, Light Gray, Black, Red, Stone, Forest, Royal, Navy
Minimum order: No minimum
Construction: 5-panel
8. Port Authority Snapback Five-Panel Trucker Cap
Another no-minimum option, this trucker hat from Port Authority is both comfortable and classic. Its mid-profile design and 5-panel construction make it a great choice for those who want to show off their custom design with small quantity orders.
Material: 100% cotton twill front panels and bill (Solids) / 100% poly mesh back panels; 65% polyester / 35% cotton twill front panels and bill (Heather Grey)
Available colors: 8 color combinations
Minimum order: No minimum
Construction: 5-panel
9. Econscious Organic Trucker Hat
Available in a huge range of colors and made from 70% organic cotton, these hats are for those who want to make a statement with quality, eco-conscious branded apparel. With 30% recycled polyester, it’s also as sustainable as it is durable.
Material: 70% certified organic cotton, 30% recycled polyester
Available colors: 21 color combinations
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
10. Russell Outdoors Camo Snapback Trucker Cap
If the usual color combinations aren’t cutting it, consider this option from Russell Outdoors. These camouflage hats are as durable as they are distinctive, with multiple color variations, 100% cotton fronts, and 100% polyester backs.
Material: 100% brushed cotton twill front panels / 100% polyester mesh mid and back panels
Available colors: 5 color combinations
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
11. Adidas Sustainable Trucker Cap
When it comes to athleticwear, you can’t go wrong with an Adidas hat. This premium option has front panels made almost entirely from recycled polyester and slightly curved brim, making it equal parts stylish, durable, and sustainable.
Material: 97% recycled polyester, 3% spandex front / 100% white recycled polyester mesh back
Available colors: Grey Three, Black, Power Red, White, Collegiate Royal, Collegiate Navy
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
12. Big Accessories Foam Front Trucker Hat
Big Accessories makes some of the best trucker hats for customization, and this throwback foamie shows why. With a classic 5-panel foam front, a truckload of available two-tone color schemes, flat bill, high-profile, and all-around polyester construction, this retro-style hat makes for an affordable and memorable giveaway or corporate gift.
Material: 100% polyester front panel / mesh back panels
Available colors: 9 color combinations
Minimum order: No minimum
Construction: 5-panel
13. The North Face Ultimate Trucker Cap
Outdoor enthusiasts: ready for the ultimate trucker hat? This trucker-style hat from The North Face offers the brand’s signature durability with premium cotton canvas structure. Its mid-profile design and polyester back mean it’s ready for everything from the trail to the beach to the backyard.
Material: 100% cotton canvas front panels / 100% polyester mesh back panels
Available colors: 8 colors
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
14. New Era Snapback Low Profile Trucker Cap
New Era hats like this low-profile trucker make for great swag, branded product, or giveaway options. Made to last, these accessories are both attractively and comfortably designed with a low-profile 6-panel build.
Material: 100% cotton (solid) / 80% acrylic 20% wool (heather)
Available colors: 11 colors
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
15. Carhartt Canvas Mesh Back Cap
For those who want both form and function, this canvas mesh trucker from Carhartt has both in spades. With several available colors and Carhartt Force® sweatband, this hat fights odors, keeps sweat at bay, and looks great doing both.
Material: 100% cotton washed canvas front panels / 100% polyester mesh back panels
Available colors: Shadow Grey, Moss, Navy, Black, Carhartt Brown
Minimum order: 6
Construction: 6-panel
16. District Flat Bill Snapback Trucker Cap
For a touch of style, this District hat combines a high-profile construction with a flat brim for a look that’s both retro and modern. With no minimum order and plenty of color options to choose from, it’s a great option for showing off your custom design in style.
Material: 100% polyester foam
Available colors:
Minimum order: No minimum
Construction: 5-panel
17. New Era Recycled Snapback Cap
Check out this New Era hat if you want an alternative to the classic-style trucker hat made from recycled materials. Featuring a rounded brim and low profile, it combines a traditional baseball cap-style build with the trucker hat’s signature half-mesh format, giving it a uniquely athletic design.
Material: 100% Repreve® recycled polyester twill; 100% polyester mesh
Available colors: White, Graphite, Black, Scarlett, Deep Navy
Minimum order: 6
Construction: Low-profile
Is a Custom Trucker Hat Right for You?
Trucker hats have been in style for decades, and they’ll be in style for decades to come. But when it comes to personalized apparel, are custom trucker hats right for you? Here’s why they might be.
- Affordability: Trucker hats are more affordable than many other swag and tradeshow giveaway ideas.
- Branding ability: Whether you’re producing custom apparel or marketing products, trucker hats are perfect for displaying logos and designs.
- Versatility: Many product options have dozens of color scheme options to complement your design.
- Desirability: Everybody loves free hats — especially trucker hats. These pieces will be highly desired at any conference, event, or gift shop.
Customizing the Best Trucker Hats
As you can see, you’ve got plenty of options. The differences may be hard to detect at first, but finding the best trucker hats for your needs will come down to a few key elements:
- Style
- Construction
- Per-unit price
- Available colors
Not sure trucker hats are right for you? Consider other custom apparel options. Whichever one you choose, RushOrderTees can help you design the perfect piece to suit your needs and ship it when you need it.
Bryce Emley
About the Author
Based in New Mexico, Bryce Emley is a seasoned content writer and expert in the realms of custom apparel and eCommerce. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing, he seamlessly blends his passions, specializing in insightful content that bridges the gap between innovative apparel solutions and digital commerce trends. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryce is an avid creator, channeling his creativity into poetry, screenplays, and creative nonfiction. In his leisure time, he has a penchant for collecting unique, vintage anime t-shirts, showcasing his love for both rare finds and the artistry of apparel design.