The differences between USA-made and Chinese-made caps are many. I have been told that New Era has received many complaints about Chinese-made caps regarding quality. I will go over the most noticeable differences and compare photos of USA-made and Chinese-made caps.
My example will be the Stockton Ports (Level-A California League Oakland A's affiliate) home cap from the 2011 season. The USA-made cap is my personal cap that I wear, the Chinese-made cap was game used this season by Rashun Dixon, brother of Anthony Dixon of the 49ers. Rashun gave it to a boy that I mentor and take with me to games, and he let me borrow it for the pictures.
USA-made cap.
Chinese-made cap.
The first thing I noticed is the difference in fabric. USA caps have more of a wool feel. Chinese caps feel more like felt or even almost like velvet. Chinese caps also seem to have a larger fit than USA caps. When it comes to the visual differences, the first difference is the size of the crown. The larger crown of the Chinese cap has received many complaints, with some describing them looking like Elmer Fudd's hat.
USA-made on left, Chinese-made cap on right.
The next difference is the stitching. Look at the stitching on the visors. USA-made caps have larger holes between the stitches, Chinese caps (usually) have barely noticeable holes. Chinese-made caps also have thicker stitching on the eyelets.
USA-made cap stitching
Chinese-made cap stitching
Next we have the inside. Although there doesn't look like anything is different, the buckram behind the front panels is much stiffer on Chinese-made caps. The taping is flatter and not as rippled as USA-made caps, and the silver bottom of the button is flat on Chinese-made caps rather than curved.
Inside of the USA-made cap
Inside of the Chinese-made cap
Behind the sweatband, the white "fuse" that keeps the sweatband and crown connected is different. USA-made caps have had this type of fuse since 2007 with the introduction of 100% polyerster on-field caps. Chinese-made caps have the crosshatch-patterned fuse seen on USA-made caps in 2006 and before.
How do you feel about Chinese-made on-field caps versus USA-made on-field caps? Can you tell a difference? Is there anything you notice that I didn't mention? Does it matter? I'd love to hear your feedback.
My biggest problem is the size inconsistencies. Off field customs and/or fashion 5950s are worse, making online ordering a gamble. Great blog by the way, long time follower. Let's Go Mets! (in 2012).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mugalunch. The sizing of the Chinese caps is frequently waaaay off, and given the prices makes online ordering too much of a gamble.
ReplyDeleteNew Era has never been consistent with sizing. I'll go through a row of caps to find one that fits good. There's no way I would buy their hats online. I just picked up a SF Giants 5950 at AT&T Park that was labeled "women's fitted". It's a low crown fitted. The others were like an Elmer Fudd to me. I think New Era should charge less for these Chinese made caps. We know they make them there to save $$. So why not lower the price. $35 is too high! Great blog! Keep em coming.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely important to be conscious of how and where the goods we consume are made. I feel a warm sense of satisfaction in knowing that the cap I am wearing was made with the highest form of craftsmanship and what deeply concerns me is that workers are not always treated justly in China and other underdeveloped countries, although there is no fool-proof guarantee that American factories will always promote the fairest working conditions. Still though, there is this strong sense of tradition for ballcaps made in the USA. So, if the caps were made identically in both places then I suppose there would only be the nationalistic argument but clearly the caps made in China are of a lower quality. That alone tells me that New Era should consider moving their cap-making operations back stateside; or they could follow Apple's lead with a disclaimer: "Designed in New York. Made in China"
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