Boonie Hat vs Bucket Hat, What are the Main Differences?

The question "boonie hat vs bucket hat" is often asked in our daily life. "I bought a hat that says it's a bucket hat, but in fact it's a boonie hat." Are you ever confused about it? So what are the objective differences between a boonie hat and bucket hat? Today let's explore it.

Boonie Hat vs Bucket Hat

A boonie hat or booney hat is a wide brim hat that commonly is used by military forces.It features a stiffer brim. Wider stiffer rim is the biggest feature that differentiates a boonie hat from a bucket hat. Sometimes there is a series of loops around the crown of the boonie hat. These branch loops is meant to hold additional vegetation or leaves as camouflage. Here is the definition of boonie hat in wikipedia.

Some boonie hats and bucket hats have a chin strap to provide stability especially on a windy day. The crown of the hat may be vented with eyelets or small mesh panels.

Why are they called boonie hats?

The origin of the boonie hat is hard to pinpoint.In the late 1930s, the U.S. military issued hats with a wide brim that went all around the head. First made of denim and later herringbone twill, these were nicknamed “Daisy Mae” hats (after a comic-strip character of the time). It somewhat resembled what we know today as a boonie.

That happened during the Vietnam War, when it was widely used by special forces like the MACV-SOG and the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols. In the beginning, these hats were made in a variety of styles and all purchased from local sewing shops using mostly recycled fabric in Tigerstripe or ERDL camouflage as well as Olive Green.

In 1967, the U.S. military began issuing boonie hats on a regular basis, officially designating them in typical military nomenclature as “hat, jungle, with insect net.” They supplemented regular patrol and baseball caps used by soldiers in garrison, thus paving the road to the boonie's success.

It was during the Vietnam War that the boonie acquired its famous name—although it is not quite clear why it ended up being called boonie. Some have speculated that boonie is a reference to the Tagalog word bundok, which means mountain.The term later evolved into a description for anything coming out of a wilderness area and was eventually shortened to boonie—a rather fitting name given Vietnam’s spectrum of landscape, which ranges from mountainous terrain to jungle deltas.

What are the loops on a boonie hat for?

Often a fabric tape band of 'branch loops' is sewn around the crown of the hat. This 'foliage ring' is meant to hold additional vegetation as camouflage.

How to wear a boonie hat?

Boonie hats are one of the most useful hats you can wear outdoors, especially when hiking, hunting, and fishing. If you don't know how to wear a boonie hat, then you're in the right place. Today, we are going to give you the best ways to wear a boonie hat.

step 1.Wear the strap of your Boonie hat loose, behind the head.

step 2.Wear the strap of your Boonie hat loose, in front of the head.

step 3.Tie the strap up over the top of the hat.

step 4.Wear the strap over the head, under the Boonie hat.

step 5.Tie the strap into a knot, at the back of your head.

step 6.Wear your Boonie hat at an angle for a casual feel.

step 7.Roll up the brim of your Boonie hat for a change of pace.

step 8.Wear Boonie hats with simple outfits.

step 9.Wear your Boonie hat with a sweatshirt and joggers during the winter.

step 10.Wear your Boonie hat with accessories.

Why are they called bucket hats?

A bucket hat (variations of which include the fisherman's hat, Irish country hat and session hat) is a hat with a wide, downward-sloping brim. Typically, the hat is made from heavy-duty cotton fabric such as denim or canvas, or heavy wool such as tweed, sometimes with metal eyelets placed on the crown of the hat for ventilation.Many wearers like to fold the brim upwards to change the aesthetic of the bucket hat.Here is the definition of bucket hat in wikipedia.

The bucket hat first appeared in the early twentieth century Ireland as a functional piece of headwear for outdoorsmen. Originally constructed from durable wool or tweed cloth, Irish farmers and fishermen favored the bucket hat because of the high lanolin content in the wool which made them water-resistant. Countrymen and ramblers soon embraced the bucket hat–then known by many as the “Irish country hat”–because in addition to its water-resistant properties, it was easy to wash and store in a jacket pocket.

Who wore bucket hats?

The army were issuing boonie hats as a standard. These hats were constructed from a wind-resistant cotton poplin, complete with a concealed mosquito net.

Just like so many classic garments and accessories, the military use of the bucket hat saw this piece of utilitarian headwear influence the world of fashion. By the mid-sixties, bucket hats had been embraced by civilians and celebrities alike.

The eighties and nineties saw the bucket hat gain popularity through the cultural movements of hip hop in the United States, and raving in the United Kingdom. By this point, many sportswear labels produced bucket hats.This urban connection resonated with the ever-growing rave scene in England, leading bucket hats to become almost synonymous with the Rave, Drum N Bass, and Jungle movements.

Are bucket hats in style?

Bucket hats are still widely produced in 2024 and boonie hats are still issued and worn by armed forces across the globe. They are also becoming more fashionable thanks to their versatility and ability to protect against the sun, rain, and wind. In terms of fashion, bucket hats have gained more and more popularity in recent years in line with the revival of eighties and nineties sportswear. They also have a strong presence in rap and streetwear culture.

Where to buy bucket hats in bulk?

Since 2009, Savana Hat has been a reliable hat supplier and wholesaler in China! We are focus on high quality hats and caps at competitive wholesale prices! Our main products include snapback hats, baseball caps, 5 panel hats, bucket hats, beanies, felt hats, straw hats and more!