How to Pack a Hat in Luggage Without Losing Its Shape

Jet-setting with your cap collection? Don't start packing until you know exactly how to store your caps safely in your luggage.

The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination only to discover your caps crumpled at the bottom of your suitcase, with a wonky shape that can't even be restored once they're back on your head.

The good news is that this doesn't have to be a reality when you travel. You can keep your hats in perfect condition, even when they're sharing a suitcase with a few wardrobe bullies. Here's everything you should know about how to pack a hat in luggage without damaging its shape.

Choosing the Right Hat for Travel

Before you even start thinking about the logistics of suitcase packing, you can save yourself a lot of hassle by choosing the right hat for travel.

For example, there's no real guide for how to pack a sun hat with a floppy design, like a bucket hat. If you don't want the stress of trying to maintain the shape of a structured hat in your luggage, the easy way out is to pack summer hats that don't have structure.

Of course, that rules out a lot of options, which is why we're sharing how to pack those trickier hats below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Packing Hats

If you don't want to ruin your structured hat's shape in your suitcase, you'll want to follow the packing method outlined in this step-by-step guide.

1. Fill the hat crown with soft items from your suitcase. These could be soft clothes (t-shirts, pyjamas, anything you don't mind getting creased), socks, or underwear.

2. Put the hat upside-down in the middle of your suitcase, brim-side up.

3. Check that the brim is flat, then pack light clothing around the hat to keep it in place and create a sort of cushion all around. Keep those heavy items well away!

You should find that taking these safety measures will keep your hat in perfect shape and avoid damaging its structure.

This guide applies to all hats with a more structured design, like baseball caps, Panama hats, straw sunhats, and boater hats.

Using Hat Carriers and Protectors

If you're traveling with a particularly expensive or beautiful hat (for example, if you're attending a wedding) or you're just nervous about damaging your hat in your case, you might just want to travel with a hat box or carrier.

You can buy a hat case with a handle to take as your carry-on luggage item, or get a lighter case made from structured fabric to put in your suitcase.

The price of a hat box ranges from as little as $5 all the way up to $200+, depending on where you buy it from.

Another option is to use a hat clip to attach your hat to the outside of your bag, so you can keep an eye on it throughout your journey.

Tips for Different Hat Materials

Wondering how to pack baseball hats made of cotton, canvas, or polyester? How about a straw sun hat or a felt fedora?

If you're looking for the easiest-to-pack materials, our tip is to go for wool, felt, and cotton hats. These hold their shape better but will still crease if they're pressed for too long, so follow the step-by-step packing guide we shared above.

Noticed some creases in your hats when you unpack? It's not game over. You can use a damp cloth or steamer to smooth them out, as long as the care label says it's safe to do so.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

So, that's the lowdown on how to pack a hat so you're not forced to rock the "squashed chic" look on your vacation. But wait! We're finishing this blog post with a list of common mistakes you should absolutely avoid when you're hat-packing.

• Don't just throw your hat in your case at the last minute.

• Avoid putting your hat below heavy items, like your toiletries or, God forbid, a tea kettle. Make sure to think about your hat's position when you stand your suitcase up.

• On a similar note, don't pack your hat near anything sharp, like a belt buckle.

• Don't commit the crime of folding a structured hat.

Easy enough, right? If you're feeling confident enough to pack any kind of hat for your next trip, we've got all the hats you could possibly want at Notch Gear!