Flashback to the Snapback
Sneaker culture is about more than just sneakers. It encompasses an entire style and swagger, unique to each sneakerhead and the brands they love. For decades, hats have been a huge part of that sneaker culture equation.
From snapbacks to fitteds, most sneaker collectors also have a flat-brimmed hat collection on deck. (Full disclosure: when we crafted the Shoe Laundry cleaning kit, we made it multi-purpose to keep our hats looking as fresh as our AJ1s.)
In this flashback, we’re breaking down the history of the snapback - from MLB to N.W.A.
A brief history of the snapback
The very first snapbacks were worn by the Brooklyn Excelsiors baseball team in 1958.
The design was simple, with a short, flat brim. Not exactly the best for keeping sun out of their eyes, but damn they looked cool. And, of course, the adjustable strap in the back meant each player could fit the hat to his exact head shape.
After that, the snapback started gaining a little traction. New Era had already established itself as the leading brand in baseball caps and snapbacks were the next step in their lineage. They debuted their own designs of the silhouette for teams like the Cleveland Indians.
The demand died down in the 70s but picked back up in 1989, when MJ made his iconic shot against the Cavaliers and became an overnight legend. In his post-game interview, he wore his Gatorade snapback. The hat re-entered the mainstream (and pretty much never left).
When Fresh Prince of Bel Air hit screens in 1990, Will Smith made the snapback a bonafide 90s must-have.
And it was soon adopted by the pillars of 90s pop culture, including hip-hop groups, like N.W.A and Mobb Deep, and the biggest rappers in the game, from Tupac to Dr. Dre.
The snapback stayed top-of-mind all through the 90s. When the new millennium hit, the trend took a short break while fitteds took over. That is until 2011, when Tyga and Chris Brown released their track “Snapbacks Back”.
They weren’t wrong. Snapbacks roared back into the pinnacle of culture and hat lovers everywhere started to expand their collections. Once again, music giants like Jay-Z and Kanye West championed the snapback and the zeitgeist followed suit.
Just like the evolution of sneakers, snapbacks have always been tied to sports and hip-hop. It’s no wonder that the two typically go hand-in-hand. And if you’re a sneakerhead in 2021, chances are you’ve probably got at least one snapback in your closet.
Our founder, Amir, in one of his favourite snapbacks.
How to clean your snapback hats (without ruining them)
Need to freshen up your snapbacks? Our all-natural sneaker cleaning kit can do the trick. Here’s how:
- Use our biodegradable bamboo and sisal fibre shoe brush to lightly brush away any excess dirt or particles.
- For a quick clean in between wears, our reusable pearl microfibre cloth acts like a magic eraser. Just wipe it lightly against the fabric to erase any scuffs or marks.
- Use half a pump of our foam-based, all-natural cleaning formula to get that plastic adjustable strap at the back looking brand new. Massage the formula over the strap using the microfibre cloth and you’re good to go - no water required.
Oh, and score FREE SHIPPING when you buy a cleaning kit anytime between now and April 30th.
