Ebbets Field caps are wool baseball caps made in the style of old-school teams from the early 1900s to around 1970. They cost more than a stadium cap, fit a little differently and get better the longer you wear them. If you like vintage style and want a cap that lasts, they're one of the best picks out there. If you want a modern, tall, stiff fit, they might not be for you.
Below, we walk through the styles, how sizing works, what the caps are made of and how custom orders work, based on the maker's own product details and general buying advice for wool caps like these.
Who Makes Ebbets Field Flannels Hats?
Ebbets Field Flannels was founded in 1988 and is based in Seattle. The name sounds like Brooklyn, and that's on purpose. It's a nod to Ebbets Field, the old home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. But the company has always been a Pacific Northwest business.
It started with one man's obsession. Founder Jerry Cohen got fixated on wearing an old wool flannel baseball jersey, years after pro teams had stopped using them. When he couldn't find the old fabric anymore, he had it made.
That focus shows in the caps. Many of them are faithful copies of real historic team caps, including lots of defunct minor league teams, Negro League clubs and Pacific Coast League teams. For Seattle fans, there are caps from the old Seattle Rainiers, the city's minor league team before the Mariners.
Ebbets Field Caps: The Main Styles
Most people choose between two closures. The rest is about fabric and logo.
| Fitted | Adjustable (strapback) | |
|---|---|---|
| Back | Closed, sized like a hat | Leather strap with an antiqued brass buckle |
| Fit | Snug and clean once you pick the right size | Flexible, easier to gift |
| Best for | Your own cap, when you know your size | Gifts, or if you're between sizes |
Beyond wool, the brand also sells caps in cotton twill, denim and trucker styles. But the wool caps are what Ebbets is known for.
You'll also see two words on product names: "Vintage" and "Authentic." On the current site, the authentic wool caps are hand-sewn reproductions of specific team caps from a specific year, like the 1957 Seattle Rainiers.
What They're Made Of
Here's what goes into a typical Ebbets wool cap, based on the maker's product details:
- Wool broadcloth. The Seattle Rainiers cap, for example, uses 14 oz navy wool broadcloth in an 85% wool, 15% nylon blend.
- Green satin under the visor. A classic touch from old ballparks. It's become an Ebbets signature.
- Haircloth-backed buckram crown. That's the stiff layer that gives the front its shape.
- Satin taping and a cotton sweatband inside.
- Embroidered or wool felt logos on the front.
Where are they made? Most product pages say "Made in the USA." Some newer authentic caps list the USA and Canada.
Fit and Sizing: How to Get It Right
This is the part people get wrong most often. Ebbets says its caps replicate historic pro caps from 1900 to 1970 and fit differently than modern caps.
So what does "differently" mean? One buyer's guide from Heddels puts it nicely: Ebbets caps don't hug your head as closely as some vintage brands, but they're less boxy than a New Era. Think a slightly lower, softer, rounder shape than the tall caps you see at stadiums today.
Ebbets fitted cap size chart
| Cap size | Head measurement (inches) |
|---|---|
| 7 1/8 | 21 5/8 |
| 7 1/4 | 22 |
| 7 3/8 | 22 3/8 |
| 7 1/2 | 22 3/4 |
| 7 5/8 | 23 1/2 |
| 7 3/4 | 23 7/8 |
| 7 7/8 | 24 1/4 |
| 8 | 24 5/8 |
Quick sizing checklist
- Wrap a soft tape measure around your head, about one finger above your eyebrows and ears.
- Measure twice. Use the bigger number.
- Between two sizes? Wool breaks in, but a cap that's too tight on day one usually stays uncomfortable. Many people go up.
- Buying a gift and don't know their size? Get the adjustable version.
- Keep the tags on until you're sure. Ebbets takes returns within 30 days on caps that are unworn and in resellable condition. Items marked Final Sale can't be returned.
Ebbets Field Hat Review: What Owners Say
What follows comes from people who own several and have written about them over the years.
The good
Quality is consistent. People who own several Ebbets caps tend to describe the quality as consistent and well above a typical stadium cap.
They get better with wear. The wool is said to break in and mold to the head over time, improving the longer it's worn. That's the big difference from stiff polyester caps.
They feel premium. They're often described as noticeably a cut above what you'd buy at a stadium, with real sizing that fits better than a one-size-fits-all cap.
The designs are fun. You're not stuck with today's big-league logos. There are vintage teams, cities, states and odd little designs that make good conversation starters.
The not-so-good
Leather straps vary. On adjustable caps, the quality of the leather strap can be hit or miss, depending on the leather used for that run. A good tip: check the product photos, since you can often tell what the strap looks like.
The fit isn't for everyone. If you love tall, structured modern caps, the lower vintage shape might feel too shallow. Read the size chart carefully.
Price. These caps cost noticeably more than a basic stadium cap. You're paying for wool, US-made construction and the history behind reproducing a specific team and year.
Wool needs a bit of care. No washing machine. Ebbets lists these caps as spot clean only.
Can You Get Custom Ebbets Field Hats?
Yes, but it's built for groups, not single orders. Ebbets makes custom caps from genuine wool broadcloth in your choice of colors, with wool felt patches or detailed embroidery. The minimum order is 100 caps, and you contact their sales team to start.
That's why custom Ebbets caps usually come from teams, businesses, shops and online communities. The brand has done group runs for Reddit, Styleforum, Superfuture and menswear stores. Local shops have done it too. This very page once featured a Burien cap made for a neighborhood gift shop, the kind of thing people bought to rep their part of town.
Want something custom for just one person? Look at the brand's city and regional caps first. There's a decent chance your town, state or an old local team is already in the lineup.
How to Care for a Wool Ball Cap
- Spot clean only. A soft cloth, cool water and a drop of mild soap. Dab, don't scrub.
- Never use the washing machine or dryer. Wool can shrink and the crown can lose its shape.
- Air dry on a round shape, like a balled-up towel or a bowl, so the crown keeps its curve.
- Brush off dust with a soft clothes brush now and then.
- Store it upright, not crushed in a drawer.
- Treat the leather strap gently. Keep it dry. A little leather conditioner once in a while keeps it from cracking.
Are Ebbets Field Caps Worth It?
Get one if:
- you like vintage style and want a cap that looks better with age;
- you want a real fitted size instead of one size fits all;
- you care about US-made goods and baseball history.
Skip it if:
- you want a tall, stiff modern cap shape;
- you need something you can toss in the wash after the gym;
- you just want a cheap cap for yard work.
A Great Gift for Hometown Fans
An Ebbets cap is one of those gifts that feels personal without much guesswork. Pick an old local team, a city cap or a design tied to someone's hometown, and you've got a story they'll wear. Go with an adjustable cap if you don't know their size.
It pairs nicely with other local-pride pieces. Browse our hometown gifts for more ideas, from hometown sweaters to jute market bags with your town's name on them.
What to look for
- Closure: fitted for a snug, sized fit vs. adjustable strapback with a leather strap and brass buckle, better for gifts or sizes you're unsure of.
- Fabric: wool broadcloth (around 14 oz, often an 85% wool, 15% nylon blend), with green satin under the visor and a haircloth-backed buckram crown for shape.
- Fit: a lower, rounder vintage shape than modern stadium caps - wool breaks in, so size up if you're between sizes.
- Where made: most caps are made in the USA; some newer authentic caps list the USA and Canada.
- Custom orders: group runs only, with a 100-cap minimum through the sales team - not for single buyers.
FAQ
- Can I machine wash an Ebbets Field cap?
- No. Ebbets lists these wool caps as spot clean only. Use a soft cloth, cool water and a drop of mild soap, then air dry the cap on a round shape so the crown keeps its curve.
- What's the difference between fitted and adjustable Ebbets caps?
- A fitted cap has a closed back and is sized like a regular hat, for a snug fit once you know your size. An adjustable (strapback) cap has a leather strap with an antiqued brass buckle, which makes it more flexible and easier to give as a gift.
- Can I order a custom Ebbets Field cap for just myself?
- Not really. Custom caps have a minimum order of 100, so they're made for teams, businesses and groups, not single buyers. For one person, look at the brand's existing city, state and historic team caps instead.
