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Wait, you might be thinking to yourself. You mean to tell me that up until this point GQ had never aggregated the best baseball caps for men? Your incredulity is warranted, friend. In the years since GQ Recommends first blessed the web with our elite-level shopping intel and kind-minded vibe checks, we’ve covered the hat beat extensively, waxing eloquent on everything from winter-proof beanies to summer-ready buckets. But in our effort to criss-cross every corner of the headwear galaxy, the humble baseball cap, much like a behatted celebrity avoiding the paparazzi’s flash, has gone woefully unrecognized.
What, you might also be thinking, makes this omission such a source of consternation? Aren’t baseball caps just as ubiquitous as white tees and blue jeans, and don’t they all do pretty much the same thing? Yes and no. Yes, there are more baseball hats than we care to count (which made curating a list of the best of them a delicate matter), but they’re by no means created equal.
In 2024, baseball caps come in all shapes, sizes, fabrics, and fits—and they’re no longer the sole preserve of the diamond. There are plenty of cotton twill caps ideal for indulging in America’s pastime (we’re talking about brunch, of course)—but there are also ripstop nylon running caps designed to protect your head on the go. And that’s not even touching on the snapback versus fitted debate!
All of which is to say, the best baseball caps for men can change by the day—even the hour—depending on your needs. (And some just look better than the rest.) So to help you cover your head in exquisite fashion, we took the liberty of culling 19 of our favorites, from perennial best-sellers you’ll recognize from the major leagues to buzzy newcomers you’ll recognize from fashion week—or, at least, your favorite episode of Succession.
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more about how we made these picks here.
Material: 100% Cotton Sizing: One Size
With over 150 years in the hat game, Buffalo-based New Era is the undisputed leader when it comes to whipping up caps that let you rep your favorite team with pride. The New York Yankees cap needs no introduction—no matter where you're from, it's a global emblem of cool. Constructed from a durable cotton that looks better the longer you wear it, it just might be the quintessential NYC cap. Few people wear MLB headwear quite like Tyler, the Creator, but you've got to try.
Material: 100% Polyester Sizing: One Size
Peace, love, and good fits (or something like that). When Kapital’s not churning out their specialty of perfectly spliced denim, they make an equally covetable cap. A mix of neoprene and mesh panels painted over with a slogan we can all get behind, the trucker cap is a fashionable rift on a laid-back classic. Pair with your finest denim for a look that lets ‘em know the boss (you) have arrived.
Material: 100% Wool Sizing: One Size
If you want to feel like a baseball legend—or at least wear the same cap they were sporting back in the day—Ebbets Field Flannel is your go-to. Handmade from the same wool cloth that greats like Jackie Robinson sported while wowing the crowd, their caps are made to last and be passed down to the next generation of fans. Doesn’t matter if you’re repping the East or the West, they’ve got a wooly cap for you.
Material: Recycled COOLmatic | EXP® fabric Sizing: One Size
It should come as no surprise that one of the best running brands knows how to make a baseball cap that can withstand a lap (or 10). Using a recycled cooling mesh for the body and spongy EVA foam for the brim, Ciele’s RDCap is flexible, lightweight and, most importantly, comfortable to work for hours on end. If you were looking for a cap that could block out the sun while keeping sweat from dripping down and blocking your view, look no further.
Material: 100% Cotton Sizing: One Size
Crafyed from the same water-resistant waxed canvas as their iconic field jacket, Barbour’s baseball cap is made for the long haul. With a durable body that’ll keep you from looking like a miserable, soaking sap (at least at the top), it’s a no-brainer accessory for days that have a little rain thrown into the mix. It's like functional blank slate, best paired with your broken-in chore coat or burliest denim for an unstoppable fit.
A frayed brim with a double piercing and chunk bitten out the side—doesn’t get freakier than that. Balenciaga is no stranger to pushing the envelope with their designs that rely on comically big proportions in a punky, jet-black color palette. But if their usual offerings are a little too extreme for your daily tastes, an easy way to join the fold is by way of their surprisingly versatile accessories. Aside from being a de facto statement piece, this baseball cap has all the fixings to elevate an otherwise boring fit while offering much-needed sun protection.
Material: 100% Cotton Sizing: One Size
A cap Paul Atreides would approve of if he were battling weary co-commuters for space on the train instead of giant sandworms on the deserts of Arrakis. From the brand that’s had 75+ years of perfecting their bestselling work jacket, Carhartt’s sunwashed, 5-panel cap was built to block the heat. With a sturdy cotton body featuring an adjustable strap for a tailored fit, it’s the perfect midweight topper for when temperatures get testy.
Material: 100% Cotton Sizing: One Size
As you get older you come to realize two things simultaneously: your parents had some questionable takes on many things—and were very right about others. The latter probably includes their longstanding affinity for mail-order catalogs—“they just don't make ‘em like they used to”—with L.L.Bean front and center. These days, the Bean makes everything from toasty flannels to the tote bag that has inspired countless imitations. The brand’s classic baseball cap is no different. Made from 100% cotton, it’s a breathable basic that looks good year-round, whether or not you've got any household chores on the agenda.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
A couple of years ago, we clocked an usual amount of our colleagues wearing this hat around GQ HQ. We're happy to report it still slaps.
Tending to the garden that is your ability of putting together great fits.
Say goodbye to the blues with a new baby blue.
When denim feels too tough and cotton too simple, cord delivers the texture while keeping things nice and classic.
The color-shifting nylon mimics the beetle's defensive mechanisms, a surefire way to keep you well-protected from fashion haters everywhere.
No better way to pay homage to Palace’s global network of skaters and shakers—and protect your peepers in the process.
Looks excellent with khakis, looks even better with a full-on Canadian Tuxedo.
Scream Queens but make it baseball.
We all know the real work of art: you.
America's favorite is also GQ-vetted.
It's like the experts always says: embrace the wrinkles and you'll start to forget they exist.
By The Editors of GQ
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