Which cap is best for kids? Buying guide with criteria
Which cap is best for kids? The short answer, the five criteria that really matter, and which cap style suits which age – from toddlers to school kids.
The short answer: The best cap for kids fits the measured head circumference, can be adjusted with a closure, is light and has a brim that really shades the face. For toddlers from 1 year we recommend the airy trucker cap or the soft dad hat, for nursery and school kids the snapback cap and for sporty kids the extra-light sports cap. At Soulbuddy from Bremen, Germany, every kids' cap also comes in the same design for mum and dad.
Criterion 1: size by head circumference, not by age
The most common mistake when buying a cap is choosing the size by age. Children's heads grow at different speeds: one two-year-old may measure 47 cm, another 51 cm. So measure once around the head just above the ears and eyebrows. At Soulbuddy, KIDS S fits 40 to 45 cm, KIDS M 45 to 49 cm and KIDS L 49 to 54 cm (snapback, performance cap and beanie). Trucker cap, sports cap and dad hat run one centimetre smaller: KIDS S 40 to 44 cm, KIDS M 44 to 48 cm, KIDS L 48 to 53 cm. If your child is right on the border, take the bigger size: the closure lets you tighten a cap, but never widen it beyond the fabric. How to measure correctly is shown in our article Measuring kids' head circumference.
Criterion 2: a closure that grows along
A good kids' cap lasts more than one season. The closure at the back – press studs on the snapback and trucker cap, a buckle on the dad hat – gives three to four centimetres of leeway, so a KIDS M cap usually fits from the first to the second birthday. Fitted caps with a fixed circumference are impractical for children because they are too small after a few months.
Criterion 3: light material and a soft inner band
Children only keep a cap on if nothing pinches. Look for a soft sweatband inside, covered seams and a weight your child does not notice. In summer, trucker caps with a mesh back and sports caps made of quick-drying fabric are the airiest choice – more in our guides to the trucker cap for kids and the sports cap for kids. Cotton snapback caps and dad hats are woven more densely and are the all-rounders for the whole year. In winter, the beanie in the same design takes over.
Criterion 4: the brim
A flat brim like on the snapback cap shades the face widely – a real advantage on the beach and at the playground. If you prefer it rounder, shape it with the cap curver. A pre-curved brim like on the trucker cap, sports cap and dad hat sits closer to the face on small children and slips less when playing. That is why many parents use a trucker cap for nursery and playground and the snapback cap for days out.
Criterion 5: a design your child wants to wear
The best cap is useless if it stays in the bag. Children are keenest to wear their cap when mum or dad wears the same one. That is why every Soulbuddy kids' cap also exists in an identical design for adults: in a set of 2 with an ADULT and a KIDS cap, or in a set of 3 with two kids' caps for siblings. No big logo, and the snapback alone comes in more than 20 colours. How to match without looking like a costume is in our article Matching outfits without looking too matchy.
Which cap suits which age?
Age is only a guide – what counts is the measured head circumference from criterion 1.
| Age (guide) | Size | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| babies from approx. 3 months | KIDS S | snapback, trucker cap, dad hat or performance cap |
| approx. 1 to 2 years | KIDS M | trucker cap, dad hat or sports cap |
| approx. 2 years to primary school | KIDS L | snapback cap, the sports cap for running around |
| from approx. 54 cm head circumference | ADULT one size | any adult cap |
Frequently asked questions
From what age can a child wear a cap?
From about 40 cm head circumference, usually from around 3 months, KIDS S fits. For newborns, caps are generally still too big.
What cap size does a 4-year-old need?
Four-year-olds usually measure 50 to 52 cm, so KIDS L. Measure anyway, because the range at this age runs from 49 to 53 cm.
How much does a good kids' cap cost?
At Soulbuddy, kids' caps cost between €17.90 and €27.50 depending on the model. A matching set of adult and kids' cap costs €42.90 to €54.90, a family set of 3 €58.90 to €76.90.
How do I know the cap fits properly?
The brim sits about a finger's width above the eyebrows, the cap does not pinch anywhere and stays in place when your child shakes their head. If the inner band leaves a mark after wearing, it is adjusted too tightly.
Your set, your colours
Choose style, colour and size for every cap – and save up to 25 % with the bundle discount.
