Sizing a hat should not be complicated. Most people have never measured their head and never needed to.
If you are shopping Vacation Darts, the good news is that almost every hat we make is fully adjustable and built to fit a wide range of head sizes comfortably.
But if you want to be certain before you order, here is everything you need to know.
Step One: Measure Your Head
You need a soft measuring tape or a piece of string and a ruler. That is it.
Wrap the tape around your head about one inch above your ears and across your mid-forehead. This is where a hat sits. Keep the tape snug but not tight. You are measuring the circumference of your head, not squeezing it.
If you are using a string, mark where the string meets itself, lay it flat against a ruler, and read the measurement in inches.
Do this twice. Head measurements can shift slightly depending on how you hold the tape. Take the average if you get two different numbers.
Step Two: Know What You Are Working With
Every hat in the Vacation Darts lineup is adjustable. There are no fitted caps in our collection. That means you are not locked into a specific size the moment you check out.
Snapbacks (Monaco Darts, Malibu, Nazaré, Cappa) use a plastic snap closure at the back. The circumference opens and closes across a wide range. These fit most head sizes comfortably up to 7 5/8.
Trucker hats (Santiago) use a snap closure with mesh panels at the back. Same range. The structured front sits about 3 inches tall from the brim to the top of the crown, which gives it a slightly taller profile than a dad hat.
Dad hats use a sliding metal adjuster. These sit closer to the head and give you the most precise fit because you can fine-tune the closure rather than snapping between fixed positions.
Toques are one size and fit all normal head sizes. No measuring required.
What the Numbers Mean
If you measured your head, here is a general reference:
| Head Circumference | Approximate Hat Size |
|---|---|
| 20 3/4" – 21 1/8" | 6 5/8 |
| 21 1/2" – 21 7/8" | 6 7/8 |
| 22 1/4" – 22 5/8" | 7 1/8 |
| 23" – 23 3/8" | 7 3/8 |
| 23 3/4" – 24 1/8" | 7 5/8 |
All Vacation Darts adjustable hats comfortably fit the full range above, from 6 5/8 up to 7 5/8.
If you fall outside that range on either end, message us before you order and we will tell you honestly whether the hat will work for you.
What to Do If You Are In Between Sizes
With adjustable hats this is rarely an issue. The closure gives you enough range that landing between two traditional hat sizes does not matter the way it does with fitted caps.
If your head is on the larger side, snapbacks will generally give you more room than dad hats because the plastic closure opens wider than a fabric strap. The Santiago Trucker and the Monaco Darts Snapback both accommodate larger heads comfortably.
How Our Hats Fit in Practice
The St. John's Golf Hat fits 6 5/8 to 7 5/8 comfortably.
The Santiago Trucker Hat fits the same range. The structured crown sits 3 inches tall from the brim which gives it the same pronounced profile as the St. John's. If you have worn trucker hats before and found them sitting too high, the Santiago is on the taller side of the spectrum.
The Monaco Darts Snapback, Malibu Snapback, Nazaré Snapback, and Cappa Snapback all use the same plastic closure system and fit the same range. The Monaco and Malibu have the same 3.5 inch crown height as the Santiago. The Nazaré sits slightly lower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to measure my head to order from Vacation Darts? No. All of our hats except the toques are fully adjustable. Most people order without measuring and the fit works straight out of the box. This guide is for anyone who wants to be certain before they order.
What if the hat does not fit? We have a 30 day return and exchange policy. If the fit is not right, reach out to us at joey@vacationdarts.com and we will sort it out. We pack every order by hand and we stand behind every hat we ship.
Can I wash my hat without it shrinking? Adjustable hats are more forgiving than fitted caps when it comes to washing. Hand wash in cold water and air dry for best results. Do not put a structured snapback in the dishwasher regardless of what you read on the internet. It warps the brim.
What is the difference between hat size and head circumference? Hat size is a number like 7 1/8 that corresponds to a range of head circumferences. It is a measurement system designed for fitted caps. With adjustable hats the hat size number matters less because the closure handles the fit. Head circumference is the raw measurement in inches that tells you where you land in the range.
My head is larger than 7 5/8. Will any of your hats fit? Message us before you order at joey@vacationdarts.com. We will tell you honestly which styles have the best chance of working and which ones to avoid.
The Short Version
Measure one inch above your ears across your mid-forehead. If you land between 6 5/8 and 7 5/8, every adjustable hat we make will fit you. If you want a closer fit, go for the St. John's Golf Hat with the sliding metal adjuster. If you want maximum room, go for one of the snapbacks. If you are still not sure, message us and we will figure it out together.
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Vacation Darts is a headwear and apparel brand based in Vancouver, BC. We ship to 17 countries and pack every order by hand. Questions about sizing? Email joey@vacationdarts.com and expect a fast reply.
