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Nov 12, 2023

The Best Baseball Caps for Men Are a Hit On and Off the Diamond

By Michella Oré 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

By Michella Oré

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 2023, 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 21 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.

New York Mets Cooperstown 59FIFTYRetro Crown

Nitty Gritty

A throwback that feels fresher than ever.

Rapha x Snow Peak Travel Cap

End.Clothing

A weatherproof fitted that can withstand whatever the elements toss at it with finesse.

Nike "AeroBill" Featherlight Cap

Amazon

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.

Cherry LA Logo-Embroidered Two-Tone Cotton-Twill Baseball Cap

Mr Porter

Old Hollywood charm meets Young Hollywood swagger.

Abercrombie & Fitch New York Yankees Dad Hat

Abercrombie & Fitch

You don't have to share Denzel's team spirit to pull off this hat, but you should crib the unmediated sense of zen he wears it with.

Loro Piana Logo-Embroidered Cashmere Baseball Cap

Mr Porter

The Kendall Roy special.

Everlane The Baseball Cap

Everlane

The Kendall Roy special, minus the Loro Piana logo—and eye-watering price tag.

By Sean Manning

By Gerald Ortiz

By Lori Keong

Todd Snyder x Liquor Store cap

Todd Snyder

An absolutely killer cold-weather cap inspired by the most storied shop in modern menswear.

Cayl Hiking Cap

End.Clothing

UV protection that makes you look (and feel) a whole lot cooler.

J.Crew Made-In-The-USA Garment-Dyed Twill Baseball Cap

J.Crew

Perfectly sun-washed, minus the grueling rinse and repeat cycle.

By Sean Manning

By Gerald Ortiz

By Lori Keong

18 East Valley Six Panel Hat

18 East

It's like the experts always says: embrace the wrinkles and you'll start to forget they exist.

Rosa Rugosa "Gardiner" Trucker Hat

Rosa Rugosa

Tending to the garden that is your ability of putting together great fits.

Corridor "New York New York" Cap

Corridor

If you're real proud, say it one more time.

By Sean Manning

By Gerald Ortiz

By Lori Keong

Polo Ralph Lauren Logo-embroidered cotton-twill baseball cap

MATCHES

Say goodbye to the blues with a new baby blue.

Paratodo embroidered runner cap

Paratodo

For when you're feeling real dainty.

Metalwood "Metal" Logo 5-Panel Hat

Metalwood

Metalwood's cheeky camo cap might've started out as a joke, but it's proving to be just the jolt of energy the once-stodgy sport needs.

By Sean Manning

By Gerald Ortiz

By Lori Keong

Lo-Fi Flowers 6 Panel Cap

End.Clothing

Who says you have to wait until spring to watch the flowers bloom?

Beams+ 5 Panel Hay

Todd Snyder

Groovy, baby!

Ampal Creative "On the Road III" Hat

Huckberry

Great for short getaways but built for the long haul.

By Sean Manning

By Gerald Ortiz

By Lori Keong

William Ellery JuneBug Scrap Hat

William Ellery

The color-shifting nylon mimics the beetle's defensive mechanisms, a surefire way to keep you well-protected from fashion haters everywhere.

Madewell Organic Cotton Broken-In Baseball Cap

Madewell

Looks excellent with khakis, looks even better with a full-on Canadian Tuxedo.

By Yang-Yi Goh

By Gerald Ortiz

By Avidan Grossman

By Gerald Ortiz

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