I used to believe all hats were created equal. Whenever I needed a cap for the beach or running errands, I’d simply grab the cheapest option. This habit led to years of purchasing terrible, flimsy cheap baseball caps that would fall apart after just one season.
My transition from a budget buyer to a quality-focused shopper took time and, admittedly, wasted money. I learned that spending a little more upfront saves a lot of frustration down the line. Here’s how I completely upgraded my cap collection.
My first purchases were super cheap. They lasted maybe a few weeks. I was just looking for a simple cap, but I ended up with the worst quality available. These hats are everywhere—they look fine on the rack, but they fail quickly in real life.
I found myself buying three or four of these hats every single summer. They were essentially disposable fashion. The costs added up, yet the quality was consistently nonexistent.
Verdict: Do not buy these caps. They aren’t a bargain—they’re only cheap for a moment. You’ll need to replace them almost immediately.
I eventually grew tired of the junk. I decided to double my budget and upgrade to something in the mid-range. The result was... okay.
These caps were often official team merchandise or from big-box stores. The fabric was thicker, and the overall construction felt much sturdier. They held their shape better, whether I was sweating in them or tossing them into a bag.
While the quality improved, I encountered new issues: