When I was looking for a casual hat to wear out in the country I found one of my old trucker hats to wear out of habit but this time I took time to think to myself for a minute and thought this really is the perfect hat to wear out in the country. Further more it sparked the idea that I should do an article on the history and resurgence for this very casual hat that has been around for almost 60 years now that I am about to share with you here.

History

Trucker Hats also known as Mesh Cap, Netback Cap, Feed Cap and Gimme Cap (as in give me) because this cap was usually used as marketing tool by companies like Caterpillar, John Deere, and many others in the feed and agriculture supply business as well as the construction industry as a way of using them to advertise their businesses.

The companies mentioned here and many other companies like them would give them out to the farmers, truck drivers (giving the name Trucker Hat). Again, it was a unique inexpensive way to promote their business dating back into the late 1960’s and into the 1970’s.

And the trend continued on to this present day. The hats were definitely not designed for fashion, they were utilized only for their primary function to cover the head and to protect from the sun especially for the farmers.

This hat is essentially a cap that is characterized by a rounded crown, stiff bill, and mesh back. It is similar to that of a baseball cap with a slightly curved bill in front, a cap constructed from six almost triangular gores and a button on top. Instead of being made of cotton fabric like a typical baseball cap, the front section of a Trucker Hat above the bill is foam, and the rest is plastic mesh for breath ability . The foam front of the hat stands up straight and stiff, which makes the Trucker Hat taller than most baseball caps. There is an adjustable plastic snap or hook and loop closure in the back to ensure that one size fits all. The design was intended to make the cap much cooler in the sun or hot weather for the comfort of the wearer.

The Trucker Hat with it’s distinctive mesh back, is not attributed to a single inventor on record. Instead, it evolved as a practical promotional item.

The hat was very popular throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s with many big-name movie stars also seen wearing them off the big screen in their everyday life like John Wayne, Steve McQueen, and Paul Newman just to name a few.

By the early 2000s the Trucker Hat became a mainstream fashion trend predominantly among North American youth from suburban neighborhoods who associated with the hip-hop and skater subcultures. This came about with a sense of irony due to the hat’s rural or blue-collar association.

There is a few different versions of the Trucker Hat in the world today. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Classic Trucker Hat: The foundational style, featuring a foam front and mesh back, often with a snapback closure.

Vintage Trucker Hat: A style that emulates older designs, sometimes with a worn or distressed look.

Flat Bill Trucker Hat: Has a straight, flat brim, unlike the curved brim found on other Trucker Hats.

Curved Bill Trucker Hat: Features a curved brim, offering a more classic baseball cap look.

Custom Trucker Hat: A hat where the design, logo, or image is personalized by the wearer.

High Crown Trucker Hat: Has a taller crown, which can make the hat stand out more.

Low Profile Trucker Hat: Has a lower crown, making it sit closer to the head.

Snapback Trucker Hat: Refers to the type of closure, where the size can be adjusted using a snap closure at the back.

Foam Front Trucker Hat: Emphasizes the use of foam in the front panel for structure and comfort.

Cotton Mesh Cap: While not all Trucker Hats are cotton, some may incorporate cotton in the front panel for embroidery purposes, while the mesh back provides ventilation.

Resurgence

Today Trucker Hats are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. They are no longer just for outdoor workers and truckers. They are now a trendy fashion item due to a combination of factors including a resurgence of 1970’s thru to the early 2000’s retro fashion, nostalgia as well as the caps unique blend of ruggedness and style for those seeking a casual and some will say a fashionable look for many different groups of people both men and women.

Today many of you already know all the major sports teams offering the Trucker Hat version for fans to wear. I personally love wearing my Trucker Hat versions of my favorite sports teams. Many of today hat makers sell their own version of a Trucker Hat like Goorin Bros and some of them can be fetched for $60 or more. I personally love wearing a good old Trucker Hat when I am out in the great outdoors for many recreational purposes as well as when I am helping out on my relatives’ farm driving a tractor out in the fields in Saskatchewan because it keeps my hair in place, the sun out of my eyes and the hat is very breathable with the pass through mesh back allowing the air in. If you are just looking to take a little break from your formal more fashionable hats like the driver cap and fedora hats and are just wanting something  more casual, I suggest a Trucker Hat as a great option and works well paired with casual clothes especially denim.