Howler Brothers Hats: The Perfect Blend of Function and Style
Sep 08, 2025
Let's talk about hats. Not the ones you buy and never wear. We're talking about that one hat that lives on your truck's dashboard, gets sweat-stained and sun-faded, and somehow looks better for it. The hat that's been with you through fishing trips, road trips, and probably a few bad decisions.
A good hat earns its place in your rotation. It keeps the sun out of your eyes, hides a rough haircut, and tells people a little something about who you are without saying a word. Howler Brothers gets that. They make hats for guys who actually do stuff outdoors but still want to look decent when they roll into town for a beer. Trust us, these are the hats you'll actually wear.
The Rise of the Trucker Hat in Men's Fashion
It’s a funny thing about trucker hats. The hats started out as freebies at gas stations and feed stores back in the '60s and '70s. John Deere, Budweiser, and local co-ops handed out trucker hats like business cards. Nobody thought twice about them. They were just cheap, breathable hats for guys working in the sun.
Then, around 2003, something weird happened. Celebrities started wearing them. Ashton Kutcher and Justin Timberlack made them famous. Fashion magazines lost their minds over them. Vogue actually wrote about the cultural significance of the trucker hat. The New York Times wondered if they were cool or already over. Remember Von Dutch? Well, that whole trucker hat empire ended exactly how you'd expect a fashion trend built on chaos to end, so thank God the hype died down. But the trucker hat itself stuck around because it actually works. Now, brands like Howler Brothers are making them the right way: better materials, smarter design, and the same relaxed vibe. Zero irony required.
What Sets Howler Brothers Trucker Hats Apart
So what makes a Howler Brothers hat worth your money when you could grab any old trucker hat at the gas station? It comes down to the details that only matter once you've worn enough cruddy hats to know the difference. These guys thought through the stuff that actually bugs you when you're out there doing something.
Glare-reducing under the brim
Here's a detail most people miss. Howler puts dark navy under the brim on most of their hats. Sounds small, but when you're squinting into the water trying to spot fish or just driving west at sunset, that dark underbrim cuts the glare big time. The guys who designed these actually fish. You can tell.
Highly breathable materials
Yeah, mesh backs are standard on trucker hats. But Howler uses quick-drying nylon-poly blends that actually handle sweat and water. These hats don't get gross after one hot day. They dry fast, breathe well, and keep their shape after getting dunked or rained on.
Pliable brim
Every guy has his own way of wearing a hat. Flat brim, curved brim, somewhere in between. Howler's brims bend how you want them to bend. No fighting with stiff cardboard that won't hold its shape. You shape it once, and it stays that way.
Different crown heights
Some guys like a low-profile fit, while others want that classic high-crown trucker look. Howler makes both. Medium crowns sit closer to your head for a modern fit, while tall crowns give you that vintage foam-dome style. Pick what works for your head shape and go with it.
Our Favorite Howler Brothers Hats Right Now
We've got two Howler Brothers hats in the shop that keep flying off the shelves. One's for the everyday guy who wants something reliable. The other's for the guy who appreciates a little vintage weirdness. Both are solid picks that'll earn their spot in your rotation.
Travelin' Fish
The Travelin' Fish hat feels broken in from day one. It has an unstructured crown, soft fabric, and a pliable brim that you can shape however you want. That navy underbrim we mentioned? It's got it. The adjustable snapback fits pretty much everyone. The little Howler Monkey tag lets people know you've got good taste without being loud about it. The Travelin’ Fish is your everyday hat, the one you grab without thinking.
Squatch Rider Foam Dome
The Squatch Rider Foam Dome brings back the classic foam-front trucker in the best way. High crown, five-panel design, curved brim that actually stays curved. It looks like something you'd buy at a truck stop in 1978, but made with materials that won't fall apart after a month. Perfect for road trips, dive bars, and anywhere else you want to look like you're not trying too hard. Keep this one handy.
Shop Howler Brothers at Rooster Bus
Look, we've sold a lot of hats over the years. Most of them are forgettable. Howler Brothers makes the ones that stick around. They handle real use, age well, and look good doing it. There are no gimmicks, just solid hats for guys who need them.