Types of Military Hats - Boonie Hat vs Bucket Hat - UF PRO

Uniforms for a long time now have included tactical or military style hats. The most popular of these are patrol caps, operator caps, and boonie hats. In this post we’ll examine the boonie hat and see how it differs from another popular item of headwear, the bucket hat.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of white bucket hats wholesale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

What Is a Boonie Hat?

A boonie hat (also known as a sun hat and short for “boondocks hat”) is a wide-brim military hat that became popular during the Vietnam War and today is one of the world’s most readily recognised military hat styles. You can learn more about the history of boonie hats here.

What Is a Bucket Hat?

A bucket hat (also known as a fisherman hat) is intended for civilian recreational use (examples include hiking, trekking, and mountain climbing). Typically it is made of cotton, denim, or canvas.

Boonie Hat vs Bucket Hat

A boonie and a bucket hat resemble one another. Yet the two hats are decidedly different, primarily in terms of construction and functionality.

To demonstrate the differences, let’s do a boonie hat vs bucket hat comparison.

First, the brim of a boonie hat is stiff while the brim of a bucket hat is floppy.

The stiffness of the brim allows the boonie hat to be readily molded into whatever shape best suits the wearer’s need of the moment (although as you’ll learn in a bit, U.S. Army regulations prohibit such modifications). Still, regulations notwithstanding, the brim can be shaped to help reduce the wearer’s silhouette and make it harder to recognise the head at a distance. 

In contrast, the bucket hat’s floppy brim doesn’t really permit shaping. The way it comes from the manufacturer is pretty much the way it stays.

Another difference is that the boonie hat’s crown is customarily ringed with a band of loops. The bucket hat usually lacks these loops.

Yet another difference is the purpose for which these hats are made. The boonie hat is meant to be worn by operators embarked on tactical or military missions. The bucket hat, as noted above, is on the other hand meant for civilian recreational use. 

Why Do Special Forces Wear Boonie Hats?

The military boonie hat is often worn by members of special forces. The reason is that this hat supports many of the mission types undertaken by special forces operators. 

For example, when the mission calls for optimal silence while advancing on a target, the boonie hat is a much better choice than a helmet. A weighty Kevlar helmet bounces on the wearer’s head and produces a small but discernable sound. Owing to its softness and much lighter weight, a boonie hat makes no noise.

Special forces operators also wear the boonie hat because it facilitates concealment. For this purpose, operators can either wear a camo boonie hat (one that comes with the appropriate camouflage pattern already printed onto it) or they can stuff native leaves and grasses all around a plain boonie hat’s headband. 

Also, as mentioned earlier, the boonie hat reduces the silhouette of the wearer’s head (which together with these other functionalities, helps make the boonie hat a top choice among military camo hats).

Why Do Snipers Wear Boonie Hats?

Snipers express a preference for wearing a boonie hat because it doesn’t interfere with their ability to line up a shot. 

The fabric from which a boonie is made allows the brim to flex as needed so that the sniper can without difficulty get behind the gun, lay a cheek on the upper edge of the stock, and fully utilize the weapon’s optics. 

Were the sniper instead wearing a helmet, these preparatory actions might become unduly complicated. The helmet could even interfere with the sniper’s shot accuracy.

Sniper’s also wear the boonie hat for the same reasons it’s worn by special forces: to eliminate as much noise as possible and to facilitate concealment.

Is It Fine For a Civilian to Wear a Boonie Cap?

In the U.S. and in many other countries around the world there’s no law that forbids a civilian from wearing a boonie cap or, for that matter, most other military hats types. It’s even okay for fans of military hats with patches to affix a unit insignia or name of a vessel to their boonie cap.

However, there is the question of “stolen valour.” In some circles it is thought that a civilian (particularly one who has never served in the armed forces) donning any type of military garment is an affront to those who did serve. 

Not long ago, the website Quora.com asked veterans whether seeing a civilian in military-style garb made them upset. Nearly 200 veterans responded and almost none had anything negative to say about civilians being so attired. Indeed, the vast majority said they took it as a compliment, an attempt by ordinary people to identify with a heroic breed.

How To Wear a Boonie Hat?

The U.S. Army requires that the boonie hat (like every garment) be worn in accordance with its design, so wearers are not allowed to reshape or repurpose it into anything other than that which rolled off the manufacturer’s assembly line.

Many believe the boonie hat works best when it sits squarely on the head (its headband and the ground should be parallel to one another). Others believe the boonie hat should be worn loosely behind the head so that it doesn’t blow off in the event a sudden wind comes up from behind.

To prevent them from being blown off, almost all boonie hats come with a strap (usually an adjustable string that hangs to approximately the level of the wearer’s upper chest). There are several ways the strap can be positioned: for example, it can be worn loose or tight under the chin, at the back of the head, or tucked inside the hat (U.S. Army regs prohibit wearing the strap over the top of the hat). Some straps are permanently attached to the hat, while others are detachable.

Any locks of hair above the forehead should be tucked under the hat and not permitted to stick out from under the brim.

When Can You Wear a Boonie Hat In the Army?

A boonie hat can be worn when the commanding officer gives permission, but, generally, it’s acceptable to wear one in hot-weather environments if the helmet must come off and a patrol cap is unsuitable. Boonie hats are also approved for wear by members of a work detail.

Other Types of Military Hats and Headgear

The boonie hat is the go-to army hat for field use. However, there are other types of military hats worth mentioning. All were  born of necessity and vary in functionality. And, of course, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Patrol Cap 

Any military cap that’s flat on top and features a horizontal visor extending from the front is called a kepi. That’s basically what a patrol cap is. Specifically, a patrol cap is made of soft material; the only stiff element is its visor. It looks very much like a baseball cap.

Patrol caps are a popular substitute for combat helmets, but usually just in situations where there is minimal risk of exposure to flying shrapnel and other airborne objects with the capacity to inflict serious impact injuries to the head.

U.S. Army Rangers operating in Korea during the early 1950s wore a forerunner of today’s patrol hat. It was known as the M1951 cap. Because temperatures on the Korean peninsula could dip to freezing and below, the olive-drab M1951 came equipped with a woolen piece of hanging flannel at the back and sides to provide protection from the winter cold. When not needed this flap could be folded up and out of the way, and the hat would provide protection from the hot sun during the summer months. Soldiers typically wore the M1951 under their helmet which was possible due to the cap’s soft cotton construction.

Later in the decade of the 1950s, the M1951 was superseded by the similar-in-style but stiffer Ridgeway Cap. Possibly because Cuban dictator Fidel Castro had adopted the Ridgeway as his signature headwear, the U.S. ditched that style in 1962 (the same year as the Cuban Missile Crisis which brought America and the then-Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war).

The patrol cap disappeared from U.S. Army use until 1981. That year the Americans issued the M81 battle dress uniform. In 2004, the M81 was mothballed and replaced by the ACU (Army Combat Uniform), but the 1980s-era patrol cap lived on. In its current iteration, the U.S. Army patrol cap is made of a nylon-cotton blend, so it’s both durable and comfortable.

Watch Cap

Among the most often seen types of military hats is the watch cap (so called because it’s worn while on watch). The watch cap is knitted from wool (but not always) and is tight-fitting, so it excels at keeping the head pleasantly warm. 

Watch caps typically are constructed with enough added material along the bottom to let the wearer roll the excess upward to form a cuff. They’re not intended to make a fashion statement. For that, you need to acquire a beanie or a toque, both of which resemble the watch cap.

Historians tell us that the direct tactical hat ancestors of watch caps first appeared in the 18th Century. Among the first to don them were insurrectionists in what is today the province of Quebec. In 1837, these insurrectionists attempted to overthrow British rule in a cold-weather conflict that came to be known as the Lower Canada Rebellion.

During World War II, the majority of American sailors aboard ships seeing action in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic and Bering Sea wore a watch cap whether above or below deck.

Beret

The military beret hat is a soft, sloping cap with material gathered to one side. It can be made of felt, wool, cotton, or acrylics. Its purpose is to keep the head warm but also to give the wearer a jauntily distinctive appearance.

Unlike other army hat types, the beret was and still is best-known as civilian headgear. In the Middle Ages, peasants wore berets as a symbol of their place near the bottom of the societal ladder. In the mid-1800s, painters and sculptors living along the Left Bank of the River Seine in Paris made the beret synonymous with the fine arts. 

In the early 20th Century, Hollywood movie directors were always stereotypically portrayed as wearing a beret (while holding a megaphone in one hand). Even today, the beret remains popular with men and women across Europe (most notably France and Spain) and beyond, but primarily as a fashion statement rather than a functional item of apparel. 

Armed forces and law enforcement organizations see the beret as both: part fashion statement and part functional accessory. They also see it as an important asset for cultivating esprit de corps among the ranks.

France was among the very first to make the beret standard issue for its military, specifically as part of the uniform worn in the 1880s by its crack mountain troops. From that time forward, the beret was almost invariably associated with elite special forces including tank units, commando teams, paratroopers, and security detachments.

One of the nice things about the beret is it’s easy to stow. Because of the materials used and the way it’s made, a folded or rolled beret can be conveniently slid under a shoulder epaulet without detracting from the appearance of the uniform (and without ruining the cap itself). Likewise, the beret can be harmlessly placed inside a shirt, jacket, or pants pocket.

Also nice about the beret is that over-the-head earphones can be worn with it. Other types of hats must be removed first before earphones can be used, but not so the beret.

Combat Helmet

The ultimate army hat is a helmet. Its job is to protect the wearer's head from ballistics, shrapnel, and other types of physical impacts. No helmet is bulletproof; but those made of Kevlar and similar advanced materials are at least bullet-resistant.

A good helmet is comfortable and doesn't shift position when the wearer marches, runs, dives for cover, jumps over obstacles, and engages in other physically demanding actions. Further, a good helmet doesn't get in the way of the wearer's line of sight or field of hearing.

The helmet has a long and storied history. It was used in battle as far back as records go. But toward the end of the 1600s, helmets fell out of favour for the next three centuries (during that span, armies attired troops in felt tricorn hats and, later, kepis and American West-style calvary/cowboy hats).

It was in World War I that the helmet made a huge comeback. Battleground conditions were such that commanders of the opposing forces quickly realised that their troops needed far better head protection than that afforded by fabric caps and hats. In short order, steel helmets became standard issue.

The current-issue helmet in the U.S. is the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH), first put into service in 2012. Its British counterpart is the MK 7 helmet, which has been used by U.K. forces since 2009.

Conclusion

The boonie hat is a favourite of military personnel far and wide owing to its comfort factor and functionality. It can’t stop bullets and shrapnel, but it can certainly stop the sun (which is why it’s right at home in hot deserts and steaming rainforests).

Although designed for use as an army hat, the boonie is also worn by civilians who appreciate its simple yet versatile features.

Notably, the boonie hat is not the only type of headgear available to provide comfortable protection to the head. There are also patrol caps and watch caps and many others. Each has a role to play in enabling operators to get the job done successfully, safely, and in style.

Want more information on short billed cap? Feel free to contact us.

I. Introduction

“The bucket hat originated in the late 19th century/early 20th century as a very practical form of headwear for mariners and fisherman, particularly in Ireland,” says Dalrymple. They would have “originally been made from coarse sheep's wool – the lanolin within the fibers making the bucket hat water-resilient”.

Are bucket hats still trendy in 2024? Yes and for sure!! Bucket hats, also known as fisherman hats, have been a popular headwear item since the 90s, and their recent resurgence has seen them become a fashion staple. So, the question remains: are bucket hats still trendy in 2024? The short answer is yes, bucket hats are still trendy in 2024.

For today’s article, we will try to explore the bucket hat trend for 2024, let’s dive in!!

II. Bucket Hats: History and Evolution

A. Brief history of the bucket hat style, including its origins as a practical headwear choice

The bucket hat or fishing hat is said to have been introduced around 1900. Originally made from wool felt or tweed cloth, these hats were traditionally worn by Irish farmers and fishermen as protection from the rain, because the lanolin from the unwashed (raw) wool made these hats naturally waterproof.

B. The evolution of bucket hats from functional wear to a fashion statement

As fashion trends evolved, the bucket hat found its way into popular culture. In the 1960s, it became a hallmark of the mod movement, where it was paired with tailored suits and Chelsea boots. Later, in the 1990s, the world of hip-hop and urban culture adopted the bucket hat as a symbol of street style.

III.  Influences and Inspirations

From the very start, these high-performing hats were an unofficial symbol of the working class. So it was ironic that the British upper classes soon began to adopt them for more aristocratic pursuits: hunting, sport fishing, and even simply for long walks through the damp and drizzly English countryside.

Many celebrities would wear bucket hats. For example, Courtesy of Kendall Jenner; Kylie Jenner; Emily Ratajkowski/Instagram; Brilliant Bucket Hats! Celebrities have been showing off their best headgear in the fuzziest way possible. Other stars including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Hailey Bieber, Dua Lipa, and more have all slayed in textured caps as well.

As for ordinary people, you can dress them up to go out or match them with your casual clothing for a laid-back vibe. You will always look great and feel confident in your bucket hat, no matter how you style your hair or your face shape. Bucket hats suit everyone.

IV.Materials and Patterns

A. The variety of materials used in bucket hats for the 2024 trend, such as denim, nylon, or sustainable fabrics

Bucket hats can be made from many materials. Typically, the hat is made from heavy-duty cotton fabric such as denim or canvas, or heavy wool such as tweed, sometimes with metal eyelets placed on the crown of the hat for ventilation.

As for sustainable fabrics, hemp is a durable and versatile material that is a great option for hats. It is sustainable and grows quickly without the use of pesticides, making it an eco-friendly option. Hemp hats are long-lasting, breathable, and provide excellent protection from the sun.

B. The use of patterns, prints, and textures in bucket hats, including floral, animal prints, or tie-dye

What are patterns examples? Natural patterns include spirals, meanders, waves, foams, tilings, cracks, and those created by symmetries of rotation and reflection. Patterns have an underlying mathematical structure; indeed, mathematics can be seen as the search for regularities, and the output of any function is a mathematical pattern.

Floral Pattern: A design using flowers and other natural elements such as seed pods, leaves, and marine plants. Example(s) of Floral Design. Floral designs created with Artlandia SymmetryWorks. A naturalistic floral pattern created in Artlandia SymmetryMill.

Animal Pattern: Many animals have a variety of patterns, such as the speckled pattern on the feathers of guinea hens, the spots on a leopard, and the stripes of a zebra. Repeated uniform patterns are called tessellations, where the repeated shape is adjacent to the next, as shown in the snake image below.

Tie-dye Pattern: Tie-dye is a textile art form that uses various colors of thread as a way to create unique designs on fabric. The process of tie-dyeing is simple, but the resulting designs can be extremely colorful and intricate. Tie-dye can be used to create virtually any type of fabric, from clothing to pillows to blankets.

V. Silhouettes and Details

A. Different bucket hat silhouettes and shapes that are prevalent in the 2024 trend, such as oversized or structured designs

Should a bucket hat be oversized? Well, there are no set rules on how a bucket hat should fit but here are a couple of things to keep in mind when selecting the right size bucket hat for you. Don't get a hat that is too tight on your head. You want it to be comfortable. Consider the activities you'll be doing while wearing your bucket hat. Also, oversized bucket hats might be more popular in 2024. Structure designs would also be welcomed for the 2024.

B. Unique details, trims, or embellishments that enhance the overall aesthetic of bucket hats for the trend

What’s more? Bucket Caps are casual hats that can be worn all year long to keep you cool in the sun and dry in the rain. It has a wide edge and brim and other features like eyelets, wild graphic prints, and adjustable chin straps which make bucket hats a must-have staple in any closet.

VI. Versatility and Styling

A. The versatility of bucket hats in terms of outfits and styling options for different occasions

What clothes go with a bucket hat? For instance, you might wear a sweater with long pants, along with a thick jacket on top. You could also wear a bucket hat with jeans, a sweater, and a long overcoat for a stylish, cold-weather look.

B. Tips on how to incorporate bucket hats into various fashion styles, such as streetwear, bohemian, or athleisure

Many fashion enthusiasts are now looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact, and bucket hats made from sustainable materials like recycled polyester or organic cotton have become popular choices. To incorporate bucket hats into the fashion styles, you may try streetwear, bohemian, or athleisure:

Streetwear: Streetwear is a casual fashion style that became popular in the 1990s. It includes comfortable yet trendy clothing such as graphic tees, hoodies, sweatpants, and sneakers. Streetwear brands are inspired by both hip-hop culture and skater style.

Bohemian Style: Boho style is a free-spirited aesthetic that mixes different cultures and artistic expressions into an eclectic style with an emphasis on organic elements and nature. When putting together your boho-style space, mixing patterns, metals, woods, materials, animal hides, and trinkets from your travels is highly encouraged.

Athleisure: Athleisure is a hybrid style of athletic clothing typically worn as everyday wear. The word is a neologism combining the words 'athletic' and 'leisure'.

VII. Gender-Neutral Appeal

A. The gender-neutral nature of the bucket hat trend for 2024

Bucket hats are a true unisex accessory that can be worn by people of all ages and gender identities. From kids to adults, and from the 20s to the 70s, these hats offer a gender-neutral style that allows everyone to express their fashion sense without conforming to traditional norms.

B. The accessibility and inclusivity of the trend across all genders and age groups

You can find the perfect bucket hat for girls or boys or adult bucket hat. Whatever your vibe and whatever the occasion, we've got a print for you. It's the women's & men's bucket hat everyone will love for years to come!

VIII. Sustainability and Ethical Considerations

A.The importance of sustainable and ethical practices within the bucket hat trend for 2024

Sustainable and ethical practices within the bucket hat would also be a trend for 2024. Recycled polyester is also an option for upcycling fabric. It is a synthetic fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. This fabric has a lower environmental impact than virgin polyester and can be used to create hats. Upcycling fabric for hats is an excellent way to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices.

B. Brands or initiatives that prioritize eco-friendly materials and production methods

While a traditional business would like to think about maximizing profit, sustainability branding emphasizes a greater purpose. An effective sustainability program makes it clear to the target audience that their business model aspires to more than just boosting their bottom line.

IX. Forecast and Future Trends

A. The future of the bucket hat trend beyond 2024, considering its longevity and staying power in the fashion industry

Do bucket hats sell well? Yes and definitely, bucket hats are currently one of the hottest trends in fashion. These versatile hats are available in a wide range of colors and materials, making them a perfect accessory for any outfit.

"A bucket hat says [the wearer] is a little more relaxed and chill and has a nice sense of style, ease, and cool," says celebrity stylist Zadrian Smith, over the phone from London. "The silhouette is a little more loose and limber. It's not stiff, like if you were wearing a baseball cap, fedora, or a Panama hat." Therefore, it would surely remain in the fashion world for a long time.

B. Potential influences and factors that may shape the evolution of the trend in the coming years

Trends are generally created by four major factors: government, international transactions, speculation/expectation, and supply and demand. These areas are all linked as expected future conditions shape current decisions and those current decisions shape current trends.

X. Conclusion

"Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live." — Gianni Versace.

Bucket hats, as a part of the fashion world, became popular in the 1980s and stayed a trend through the 1990s. Recently, within the last few years, bucket hats have come back into fashion. From runways to street and influencer style, these hats are being seen as a trend again for summer 2024 and beyond.

They are also a true unisex accessory that can be worn by people of all ages and gender identities. From kids to adults, and from the 20s to the 70s, these hats offer a gender-neutral style that allows everyone to express their fashion sense without conforming to traditional norms. Therefore, don’t hesitate to embrace and experiment with bucket hats as a stylish and on-trend accessory. Remember, personal style and individual interpretation matter in the fashion trends.

So, that’s all for today, and if you have any questions, please comment down and let us know!!

The company is the world’s best full mesh cap supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.