Hats are back in fashion, but which ones should you choose – the classic Melin hat or the trendy Salt Mafia cap?
Both brands have their devotees, so let’s take an in-depth look at their key features, pros and cons to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Salt Mafia | Melin |
| Style | Streetwear, hip hop | Heritage, preppy |
| Cost | $25-$50 | $100-$150 |
| Materials | Cotton, polyester, acrylic | Wool, leather |
| Manufacturing | China | Sweden |
| Sizing | One size fits most | Multiple size options |
| Brim Types | 5-panel, 6-panel, dad cap | Classic, short brim, wide brim |
| Customization | Fully customizable | Limited custom options |
The Rise of the Streetwear Cap – All About Salt Mafia
Salt Mafia exploded onto the cap scene in 2016, bringing streetwear style to headwear. Founded by Ann Arbor entrepreneur Jackson Barnett, Salt Mafia caps feature bold prints, unique patches, and an urban vibe.
Here’s an overview of Salt Mafia’s key features:
- Trendy streetwear aesthetics
Salt Mafia hats channel a hip hop and skater-inspired look. Their caps come covered in graphic prints, punk patches, and bold logos. It’s headwear made for clout-chasing hypebeasts.
- Affordable pricing
Compared to traditional hat brands, Salt Mafia caps are very reasonably priced. Most cost between $25-$50, making them an accessible fashion accessory.
- Variety of styles
From 5-panels to dad caps, Salt Mafia offers tons of brim shapes. Their caps also come in cotton, polyester, acrylic and more. You’ll find a head-turning style for every outfit.
- Made in China
To keep costs down, Salt Mafia produces their caps in China. This allows them to offer lots of options at a low price point. But the tradeoff is cheaper materials and construction.
- One size fits most
Salt Mafia caps come in a one size fits most style. They include an adjustable plastic snapback closure to tighten or loosen the fit. This makes it easier to buy, but doesn’t offer a customized size.
- Full customization
One of Salt Mafia’s biggest draws is their fully customizable caps. You can choose the fabric, patches, buttons, and embroidery to create your own unique hat.
- Drawbacks
While affordable and stylish, Salt Mafia hats aren’t the highest quality. Many are made from cheap acrylic or polyester instead of natural materials. They’re also produced unethically in China, with questionable labor practices.
The Classic Stylings of Melin – Sweden’s Premium Hat Brand
Contrasting the streetwear aesthetic, Melin focuses on timeless heritage styling.
The premium hat brand was founded in Stockholm in 1937, and still makes their hats in Sweden today.
Here’s what makes Melin one of the top hat brands worldwide:
- Iconic classic design
Melin perfected their classic hat style in the 1950s, creating an iconic look that’s remained unchanged for 70 years. It features a short brim and indented crown that works with every outfit.
- Ethical manufacturing
Unlike cheap overseas production, all Melin hats are handmade by skilled hatters in Sweden. Their ethical craftsmanship results in stunning quality.
- Natural high-end materials
Melin uses materials like ultra-fine rabbit fur felt, top grain leathers, and hand-woven ribbons. This focus on luxury natural fabrics makes their hats incredibly durable.
- Multiple sizes available
Melin hats come in a range of sizes from XS to XXL to ensure the perfect personalized fit. Achieving your ideal size results in a great shape that lasts.
- Shorter wait times for custom orders
Made to order in Sweden, Melin can fulfill custom hat orders in just 1-2 weeks. Other hat brands can take 4-6 weeks when outsourcing production overseas.
- Much higher pricing
As their premium materials and ethical manufacturing suggests, Melin hats cost a lot more than mass-produced options. Expect to pay $100 or more for one of their caps.
- Limited customization options
Melin caps can be customized with initials, name, or logo, but that’s about it. You can’t fully design your own hat like with Salt Mafia.
Comparing The Pros and Cons of Salt Mafia And Melin Hats
| Salt Mafia | Melin | |
| Pros | Trendy styles, low prices, full customization | Timeless design, premium quality, made in Sweden |
| Cons | Cheap materials, questionable manufacturing, one size fits most | Very expensive, limited custom options |
Salt Mafia pros:
- On-trend streetwear look perfect for hypebeasts
- Low pricing between $25-$50 makes caps affordable
- Fully customizable with unlimited print and patch options
- Variety of brim shapes and styles available
- Adjustable size can work for most people
Salt Mafia cons:
- Made cheaply in China with acrylic and polyester
- Lack of quality control and ethical standards
- One size fits most doesn’t guarantee a perfect fit
- Limited durability due to cheap materials
Melin pros:
- Iconic timeless silhouette with 70 year heritage
- Handmade in Sweden with incredible craftsmanship
- Luxurious natural materials like wool and leather
- Multiple size options ensure a customized fit
- Short lead time for made-to-order hats
Melin cons:
- Very expensive at over $100 per hat
- Limited customization options beyond initials or logos
- Not trendy or streetwear inspired
Also Read: Comparison of Branded Bills And Melin Hats.
Which Type Of Hat Is Best For You?
- Melin For Timeless Investment Pieces
If you value craftsmanship and want a hat that’ll last decades, Melin is likely the best choice. Made ethically in Sweden from premium materials, they’re in a totally different league than most caps.
Melin’s classic styling also gives their hats a versatile heritage look that fits any wardrobe. While expensive as an investment, a Melin cap will stay stylish and durable for years to come.
- Salt Mafia For Trendy Streetwear Style
For budget-friendly caps with an urban streetwear vibe, Salt Mafia has Melin beat. Their huge variety of edgy styles fit right in with hip hop, skater, and hypebeast aesthetics.
Fully customizable with prints and patches, Salt Mafia hats let you create your own look for under $50. While the quality isn’t premium, it’s easy to buy multiples of their caps to keep up with changing trends.
- Best of Both: Customize Melin With Patches
You can get the best of Melin’s quality and Salt Mafia’s customization by ordering a blank Melin cap in classic tan or navy.
Then buy your own patches from Etsy or eBay to iron onto the Melin hat any way you like.
This lets you customize an ethical quality hat while still expressing personal style.
Adding your own patches offers savings over Melin’s in-house customization too.
While distinctly different, both Salt Mafia and Melin fill an important niche in the hat market. Melin brings heritage Swedish quality and craftsmanship that makes their caps heirloom pieces.
Salt Mafia captures trends with its bold prints and patches, but can’t match Melin’s materials and ethical manufacturing.
Ultimately your budget and personal style should determine which brand is right for you. Melin for investment classics, Salt Mafia for modern streetwear swagger. And customized Melins let you blend both worlds for the best of both.
Whichever you choose, both Salt Mafia and Melin make it cool to rock hats again. With caps back in fashion, it’s simply a matter of finding the right look for you.
Also Read: Differences Between Melin And Mission Hats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Melin hats stand out for their timeless design crafted from premium natural materials. Made in Sweden since 1937, they focus on heritage quality with details like top grain leather trims and ultrafine rabbit fur felt. Each cap is handmade by expert hatters.
As a heritage Swedish brand using skilled local craftsmen, Melin’s costs are high. Their hats retail for $100 to $150 because they use pricier fabrics like wool felt, employ ethical manufacturing, and produce caps in smaller batches versus mass market brands. The quality matches the price.
No, unlike most hats Melin does not outsource production to China. All Melin caps are handmade in their Stockholm factory using Swedish materials when possible. This in-country manufacturing results in excellent quality control.
Melin offers two main cap silhouettes – the Classic Melin and the Smaller Melin. The Classic has a wider brim and taller crown, making it more structured and formal. The Smaller Melin has a shorter brim and more casual look. Both share the same indented crown styling, just sized slightly differently. Choose Smaller for relaxed wear and Classic when you need more polish.
Wrapping Up
Hats are a great way to add personality and polish to any outfit. As the Melin and Salt Mafia comparison shows, you have plenty of options between streetwear and heritage styling.
Let your budget, sensibilities, and wardrobe needs guide you towards the perfect cap.
With proper care, a hat can last for decades and become a beloved possession. So choose wisely based on quality materials and ethical production when possible. And don’t forget – customize your cap with flair that matches your vibe.
Whether channeling an urban hip hop look or timeless Scandinavian craftsmanship, your hat makes a statement. So wear it with confidence to bringAccessorizing with the perfect headgear shows you have style savvy.
Let this overview of Melin and Salt Mafia guide you to the ideal cap that matches both your look and values.