What is a hat profile?

Off the top let’s get the jargon out of the way. The “profile” of a hat commonly refers to the height of the crown but is also used to identify the angle of the hat’s front panels. There are many different styles to choose from within each profile type, but this one defining feature can be a great first step to bringing your custom vision to life. Whether you’re looking for a certain angle of presentation for your patch or just comfort for your noggin, we’ve got you covered.

Hat Profiles Drawing Illustration Crown Height Comparison

High Profile Hats

Starting with the large and in-charge high-profile cap, it’s important to note that this is a great fit for those with larger heads but also for those who prefer to wear a hat loose. High-profile caps also have front panels that sit perpendicular to the brim rather than at an angle which can be great for displaying your custom decoration of choice. These hats are of the structured variety, but that doesn’t mean they lack comfort or amount of choice.

Mid Profile Hats

The mid-profile cap is the middle of the road and by far the favorite. A touch of angle in the front panels, a good bit of structured height to fit most head sizes, and great selection of colors to complement your decoration. When someone thinks “hat” this is usually the profile on top of mind. Mid-profile caps generally rest just above the ear while the crown itself still rests fully on the top of the wearer’s head. Never a bad choice for your first time but if you’re still hesitant, be sure to check out our selection of sample hats available for purchase in the “Samples” section of the website.

Low Profile Hats

Towards the low end of the profile, but the height of sleek style is a cap for the compact hat wearer. Low-profile hats tend to be for those with smaller heads or those that don’t want the bottom of the crown to rest on their ears. It has a steeper angle to its panels and is still structured. A great cap for wearing backwards while still being snugly on your head.

Low Profile (unstructured) Hats

Lastly, in the standard line up, we have the unstructured cap which actually gains its shape from the wearer’s head rather than the material of the hat itself. Great for breathability when you’re wearing it and easy to tuck away when you don’t, but we assure you that won’t be very often. Unstructured caps resemble the low profile hat in how it rests on your head while still being off of your ears. The uniquely structureless front allows for your custom decoration to easily be the boldest part of the hat while also providing a comfortable cap for whoever dons it.

Exceptions

And as with most categorizations there are exceptions to the rules above. The Richardson 256 is considered a high profile hat due to its perpendicularly angled front panel but does have a lower overall hat height that is closer to a low profile hat. Another unique example is the Otto Cap 39-165 which is a foam hat that has an angled front but also has a high overall hat height. If you’re looking for custom patch hats that don’t fit the mold and are just as unique as your company, these standouts are great options for you.

Our Picks

Low Profile (unstructured): Valucap VC300, Richardson R111, Cap America I1002
Low Profile (structured): Richardson R115, Richardson R225, Zapped Headwear Apache
Mid Profile: Richardson R112, Pacific Headwear P421, Zappard Headwear Blackhawk R+
High Profile: Yupoong 6006, Otto Cap 36-165, Richardson R169

Cap Profile Infograph Popular Styles For Custom Hats

If you have any questions we have a talented and dedicated team of designers that can provide guidance geared towards your needs. Be sure to put in for a quote and also don’t feel like you have to choose just one profile. We’ll help you customize a decoration that’ll work for any profile we can so that your hats are the best fit they can be.

Wanna see more hats? Check out our Catalog. Searching for inspiration? Peruse our Gallery. Ready to put in an order? Get a Custom Patch Hat quote now!