New York City has always had a strong hat culture. From fitted caps in the Bronx to snapbacks in Brooklyn, hats are a big part of how people express themselves in the city. There are many hat brands that have come out of or become popular in NYC over the years. But recently, a brand called 31 Hats — short for Thirty One Hats — has been getting attention, even though it is based in Los Angeles.
This article compares 31 Hats with some of the top hat brands that people in NYC love. We will look at design, quality, price, and overall value to help you decide which one is actually worth your money.
A Quick Look at Each Brand
31 Hats (Thirty One Hats)
31 Hats is a Los Angeles based headwear brand that started in 2023. It was built around the idea of making hats that feel connected to real street culture — not just as fashion items, but as something people actually identify with. The brand has grown a strong following in the USA and Mexico, and its designs are inspired by LA street life, music, and urban culture.
Some of its popular products include the Gorras 31 Hats, the 31 NY Cristals Black, and several collaboration pieces with artists like El Mago. Prices range from $65 to $75, and the brand ships to customers across the United States.
New Era (NYC Icon)
New Era is one of the most recognized hat brands in New York and across the world. It is best known for its 59FIFTY fitted caps, which became closely tied to baseball culture and hip-hop in the 1990s and 2000s. New Era has been around since 1920 and has a huge catalog of products. Prices for a standard fitted cap start around $40 and can go much higher for special editions.
Ebbets Field Flannels
Ebbets Field Flannels is a Seattle-based brand but is very popular in NYC because of its focus on vintage baseball caps and old-school Americana styling. The brand makes high-quality wool caps that feel like they belong to a different era. Prices are higher, usually between $60 and $90 per cap.
Carhartt WIP
Carhartt WIP is not just a hat brand, but its caps and beanies have become very popular in NYC streetwear circles. The brand focuses on workwear-inspired designs that are simple and durable. A Carhartt cap usually costs between $30 and $55.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here is a simple comparison of the four brands based on key factors:
| Factor | 31 Hats | New Era | Ebbets Field | Carhartt WIP |
| Price Range | $65 – $75 | $40 – $100+ | $60 – $90 | $30 – $55 |
| Design Style | Street / Urban | Sports / Street | Vintage / Classic | Minimal / Work |
| Founded | 2023 | 1920 | 1988 | 1994 (WIP) |
| Cultural Focus | LA / Mexico | Global / Sports | Americana | Workwear |
| Unique Selling Point | Artist collabs, identity-driven | Massive variety, legacy brand | Vintage craftsmanship | Durable, everyday wear |
Design: How Do They Compare?
Design is often the first thing people notice about a hat. Each of these brands takes a very different approach.
31 Hats focuses on clean, streetwear-inspired graphics. Many of its caps feature bold but simple visuals — things like crystal details, spider graphics, and graffiti-style lettering. The brand also has collaboration pieces with artists, which gives the hats a more personal and creative feel. If you want a hat that stands out without being too loud, 31 Hats offers that balance.
New Era offers a much wider range of designs. You can find clean team logos, colorblock styles, and limited edition releases. Because of its size and history, New Era can produce more variety. However, some people feel that New Era designs have become too common, which makes them feel less special.
Ebbets Field Flannels has a very specific look — old-school baseball caps with wool material and vintage color combinations. If you like that classic, retro aesthetic, this brand is hard to beat. But if you prefer something more current, it may not be your style.
Carhartt WIP keeps things simple. The brand rarely uses flashy graphics. Its caps are usually logo-only or completely plain. This works well for people who want a hat that goes with everything but does not make a strong visual statement.
Quality and Build
All four brands produce hats that are built to last, but they use different materials and construction methods.
31 Hats puts a clear emphasis on fit and comfort. The caps are structured and hold their shape well. Customer reviews on the official website consistently rate the products highly, with most caps receiving four or five stars. For a brand that has only been around since 2023, this is a good sign.
New Era has a well-established quality standard, especially for its fitted caps. The structured build and tight stitching are consistent. However, some customers have noted that quality control on mass-produced lines can vary.
Ebbets Field Flannels uses high-quality wool and traditional construction techniques. These caps feel premium in your hands and are made to last for years. They do require more care than most modern caps, since wool needs proper storage to stay in good shape.
Carhartt WIP produces durable caps that hold up well with everyday use. The materials are practical rather than luxurious, which fits the brand’s workwear identity.
Price and Value
When it comes to price, all four brands sit in a similar range, but the value you get from each one is different.
At $65 to $75, 31 Hats is priced in the middle of the market. For that price, you get a hat with a strong design identity, good construction, and the appeal of supporting a smaller, independent brand. The free shipping offer on the official website also adds value for buyers in the USA.
New Era’s entry-level caps start lower, around $40, but special edition and collaboration caps can go well above $100. If you are buying a basic fitted cap, New Era offers decent value. If you want something more unique, the price can climb quickly.
Ebbets Field Flannels charges premium prices for its craftsmanship, and most buyers feel the cost is justified. But for casual buyers who just want a good-looking cap, the price may feel high for everyday wear.
Carhartt WIP is the most affordable option here, with most caps under $55. If budget is a priority and you want something simple and well-made, Carhartt WIP delivers solid value.
Cultural Identity: Which Brand Feels More Personal?
This is where 31 Hats does something different from the others.
Most large hat brands produce products for a wide audience. That works well for reaching more customers, but it also means the hats can feel a bit generic. 31 Hats takes the opposite approach. Every design is tied to a specific cultural reference — whether that is East LA life, a collaboration with a local artist, or a style connected to the Latin community in the USA and Mexico.
For people who want a hat that says something real about who they are, 31 Hats offers that in a way that New Era, Ebbets Field, or Carhartt WIP simply do not focus on. The brand is not trying to be everything to everyone. It speaks directly to a specific audience, and that audience connects with it strongly.
This is also why the brand has grown in Mexico alongside the USA. It is not just shipping products there — it is speaking to a community that recognizes itself in what 31 Hats makes.
Who Should Buy Which Brand?
Here is a simple breakdown based on different types of buyers:
Choose 31 Hats if you want a hat with a strong streetwear identity, support independent brands, and appreciate designs that are tied to real urban culture. Especially good if you connect with LA or Latin street culture.
Choose New Era if you want a wide selection, love sports team caps, or are looking for something with broad recognition. Good for buyers who want many options in one place.
Choose Ebbets Field Flannels if you appreciate vintage craftsmanship and are willing to pay more for a hat that feels like a piece of history. Best for collectors and people who love classic baseball aesthetics.
Choose Carhartt WIP if you want something simple, durable, and affordable. Good for everyday wear when you are not looking to make a strong style statement.
Final Verdict
Each of these brands has something real to offer. This is not a competition where one brand beats all the others — it depends entirely on what you are looking for.
That said, 31 Hats stands out for one clear reason: it knows exactly who it is making hats for. In a market where many brands try to appeal to everyone, 31 Hats has built something that feels specific and genuine. The designs are not random — they are connected to a real culture and a real community.
If you are in NYC and looking for something that goes beyond the usual options, 31 Hats is worth considering. The price is fair, the quality is good, and the designs carry meaning that goes deeper than just looking good on your head.
You can browse the full collection and find your next cap at the official store: thirtyonehats.org.
