Here’s what happened. One day, I suddenly felt like wearing a baseball cap. It wasn’t to protect myself from the sun, nor was it to follow a celebrity. I just thought it looked cool, especially those with the logos of Major League Baseball (MLB) teams.
I used to think it was simple: go into a store, pick out a cap with your favorite team’s logo, pay, and leave. But guess what? I was completely wrong.
That day, I walked into a large sporting goods store, ready to get it over with quickly. But as soon as I entered the hat section, I was stunned. There was a whole wall of hats, all different brands and styles, and I was overwhelmed.
New Era, ’47, Nike, Fanatics, Adidas… Even Adidas makes official MLB hats now?I stood there with a few hats in my hands, my mind blank: What’s the difference between these brands? Which one is comfortable to wear? Which one doesn’t look silly?
I had planned to spend ten minutes and be done, but I ended up staying there all day.
I started trying on hats one by one
Since I didn’t know which one was good, I had no choice but to try them on.
I picked up the most common and popular one—New Era’s 59FIFTY. This hat is very famous, and many players wear it during games.
As soon as I put it on, I frowned: it was too tight. Not “just right” tight, but like someone was pressing down on my head with their hand. After less than five minutes, my temples started to hurt.I thought, “Is my head too big? Or did I buy the wrong size?”
I tried another New Era model called “Franchise.” This one was slightly looser, but the shape of the crown was a bit strange—the top was too pointed, like a small mountain peak, and didn’t look natural. Plus, the brim was too stiff, and it was difficult to bend it with my hands. It looked too “formal” to wear out on a daily basis.
Then I tried the “Clean Up” model from the ’47 brand. This one was completely different. The hat was soft and comfortable to the touch, like an old T-shirt. It felt light on my head and didn’t feel constricting.
But there was a problem: it was too soft. After wearing it for about ten minutes, the hat started to lose its shape, the brim sagged a little, and the whole hat looked sloppy, like it hadn’t been slept in.When I took a photo, it made me look tired.
I thought a flat-brimmed hat would be the answer
I saw a lot of young people on the street wearing hats with flat brims, which looked really cool. Nike has a model called Aero Adapt, which is adjustable and advertised as having a “smart fit.”
I tried it too. It was indeed light and breathable, with an adjustment buckle at the back to fit different head sizes.
But when I put it on, I immediately felt something was wrong. The flat brim looked like a small piece of wood on top of my head and was very noticeable. I’m not used to this style, and no matter how I look at it, it looks like I’m cosplaying an advertising model.
I also tried the MVP model from ’47, which also has a flat brim and is adjustable.The same issue arose: the brim was too straight and unnatural. Additionally, the plastic strap at the back was thin and pinched the back of my head, and the adjustment mechanism was not smooth.
At that moment, I realized: flat-brimmed hats are not for everyone. They require a specific style of dress and time to maintain their shape. I just wanted a comfortable and stylish hat that I could wear casually, not one that I had to spend time figuring out how to “style” every day.
Can cheap hats really work?
After trying on a bunch of hats and not finding one I liked, I was a little discouraged and ready to leave empty-handed.
Just next to the cash register, I saw a pile of cheap hats from a brand called Fanatics, called the “Game” series. They were only about half the price of other brands.
I didn’t want to buy them because cheap things are usually of poor quality. But I liked the color of one of them, so I tried it on.
Surprisingly, the shape of this hat was not bad. The crown was of moderate height, not as high as a 59FIFTY or as flat as a Clean Up. The fabric was of medium softness and hardness, and it didn’t lose its shape too quickly when worn.
But upon closer inspection, I found some problems:
- The logo is printed on, not sewn on, and feels thin to the touch;
- The label on the inside of the hat is a bit rough and rubs against my head;
- Overall, it feels like something you can use temporarily, but don’t expect it to last a year.
I hesitated, but in the end, I didn’t buy it. It’s cheap, but I don’t want to buy a hat that will lose its shape, fade, and fray after wearing it a few times.
I finally found the “perfect” one
After trying on seven or eight hats and spending more than three hours, I was about to give up.
Just as I was about to leave, I looked back at the New Era rack. This time, I noticed an inconspicuous hat called “Low Profile.” It wasn’t as flashy as the 59FIFTY or as loose as the Franchise.
I tried it on—wow, this is the one.
This hat:
- The crown isn’t too high or too low, perfect for my head shape;
- The brim has some stiffness, but you can gently bend it into a natural curve with your hands;
- The fabric is sturdy but doesn’t feel heavy on the head;
- It looks natural when worn, not like I’m trying too hard to look cool.
Although it doesn’t have a particularly stunning design, it wins in terms of balance: it’s well-rounded and goes with everything. It’s like eating—you don’t necessarily need Michelin-starred food, as long as it’s clean, tasty, and comfortable to eat.
A few things I learned
After a day of trial and error, I came up with a few points:
- Brand name does not equal suitability for you.New Era is great, but the 59FIFTY may not suit people with large heads; ’47 is soft, but may look lackluster.
- Comfort and style are not always the same thing. Some hats are comfortable to wear but look bad in photos; others look cool but cause headaches after prolonged wear.
- Adjustable hats are not necessarily more comfortable. Some adjustment straps are poorly designed and end up pinching the head.
- Cheap hats are usable, but don’t expect them to last long. If you plan to wear it often, it’s more cost-effective to invest in a good quality one.
- The most important thing is your head shape and habits. Just because it looks good on someone else doesn’t mean it will suit you.
How do I look at hats now?
Now when I go to a store, I don’t just grab one and buy it. I think first:
- What style of clothes do I usually wear?
- Do I want a softer or harder hat?
- Do I want it for everyday wear or as a collector’s item?
Then I start trying them on, one by one, without rushing.
Buying a hat may seem like a small thing, but it’s actually quite important. It’s not just an accessory; it also affects your face shape, head shape, clothing style, and even your mood for the whole day.
The low-profile hat I’m wearing now has been with me for two months. I’ve washed it twice, and it hasn’t lost its shape or had the logo peel off. Every time I go out, friends ask me, “Where did you get that hat? It looks really nice.”
At that moment, I felt that spending the whole day browsing in the store was worth it.
