The iconic trucker hats have a fascinating history. The caps started as functional headwear for truck drivers and went on to become one of the most sought-after promotional tools for American businesses. Their evolution from highway fashion to haute couture is also worth noting. So is the attention these caps still capture in Los Angeles. The hats are a favorite for residents of the trend-setting capital in the West Coast. Trucker hats are seen in promotions, during events, and in almost every fashion-forward retail store offering custom accessories.
Road Warrior To Retail Rockstar
Trucker hats burst onto the scene in the 1970s as promotional giveaways from feed stores and auto parts suppliers. Today they have become a hot fashion item in LA, with a rapidly growing wholesale market. From startups to boutiques, everyone flaunts trucker hats. Many aspiring headwear decorators use trucker hats to learn the tricks of the trade. The hats themselves sell for between $30 and $80 in retail. Last year, we saw one of the hottest retail fashion trends with multi-patch trucker hats. It got a lot of attention on Instagram, and quite a lot of retailers across California embraced the concept and started pushing multi-patch truckers into their sales strategy.
Why LA’s Going Nuts for These Nets
The wholesale trucker hats market in Los Angeles is booming for good reasons. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that trucker caps somehow perfectly blend practicality and style. This makes them solid picks for:
- Brand promotions
- Festivals and outdoor events
- Retail stores looking for quick-selling merchandise
- Sports teams and fan merchandise
- Restaurant and bar staff uniforms
Top Wholesale Trucker Hat Styles For Retailers in 2025
There are quite a lot. But these are my top 7 recommendations after a hands-on experience with each.
- Richardson 112
This American favorite is obviously at the top of my list. The snapback trucker hat is arguably the most popular in the United States. And Californians love it. The 6-panel hat is made of top-quality poly-cotton blend fabric, and it’s both soft to touch and wear. Fits great and delivers awesome results on customization. Did you know that the 112 comes in over 90 colors?
- Yupoong 6606 Retro
47% cotton, 25% polyester, and nylon for the rest, but 100% vintage look. I own only one. It’s been through a lot but still looks pretty great. They say the hat is designed for a timeless look and they were right. I’d recommend it for its durability and appeal.
- Flexfit 6511
Another poly-cotton-spandex trucker hat with eight rows of stitching. As the name suggests, this is a “flexible fit” model, so doesn’t come with a closure at the back. It just fits and it fits perfectly. Got a few of them from promotions, and one of those promotions was in LA. Really great cap. I am a true believer of flexible fit trucker caps becoming the next big thing.
- OTTO CAP 39-165
Great fit, great comfort, superb quality, and is exceptionally budget-friendly. The 5-panel 39-165 is built to be the perfect promotional tool, but it equally works as a solid retail merchandise. It can take prints well with its foam front panel. The low pricing is the highlight because a customized 39-165 trucker cap can sell anywhere between $30 and $45 to my knowledge. That’s a huge margin to pass up. The 92 color options make it even more attractive in my opinion.
- District DT630
They call it the “Super Soft Mesh-Back” and I agree. It’s impressively soft, thanks to the 100% cotton twill front panels. The hat is low profile and unstructured, however, and only has around half a dozen color options. But once you wear it, you’ll love it for what it is.
- OTTO CAP COMFY FIT 135-1
Got it from a friend. The 6-panel trucker hat is engineered for maximum comfort. Hence the name and the hat deliver just that. It’s amazingly comfortable. The polyester front panel felt exceptionally soft to me. The cap costs around $7 in wholesale stores. I’d recommend it if you are ordering bulk hats.
- Yupoong 6006 Flat Bill
5-panel cotton-poly-nylon blend with a distinctive flat bill. The best thing about this hat, I feel, is the color options. Comes in over a dozen colors, and every single one looks awesome. We don’t see a lot of flat-bill trucker hats in LA. But this one seems to be a hit among the younger demographic.
Hundreds of businesses in Los Angeles invest in wholesale hats for promotions and events or merchandising. The hats enhance marketing campaigns, grab attention on social media, and yield reasonably nice profits when sold as merchandise. And it all depends on how they are jazzed up with decorations.
What I’ve seen on trucker hats in LA:
- Both simple and 3D embroidery
- Leather patches
- Reflective materials
- Glow-in-the-dark prints
- Multiple patches
- Jewels and gemstones
It’s now easier to find trucker hats that offer enhanced UV protection or ones that have advanced sweat-wicking sweatbands. But the key to maximizing the value of your wholesale hat purchases is research and sampling in my opinion.
My tips for LA retailers would be to:
- Buy in mixed color batches to test market preferences
- Keep the first custom order batch below 50 pieces
- Check sample quality before placing bulk orders
- Check if the wholesale supplier offers free shipping
- Check if the suppliers offer decoration services and whether it’s a good deal
- Make sure to add up volume discounts, set charge discounts, and wholesale prices
The wholesale trucker hat scene in Los Angeles is not static at all. Californians embrace new trends fast. But trucker caps somehow manage to stay relevant even after decades by blending a little nostalgia and modern style. My advice would be to partner with suppliers who understand the unique demands of the Los Angeles fashion scene and can deliver consistent quality at reasonable prices.
