Chances are, like us at Pickleball Union, you’ve got a few go-to hats for sports, outdoor activities, and casual wear. And yes, you probably have one just for pickleball!
With hats everywhere these days, quality often slips—but not with Imperial. For over 100 years, they’ve crafted hats with care. We’ve made two of their styles our “official hats,” and will cover their product line and service.
Why Imperial as our “Exclusive Headwear Partner”? We value fit, function, and style. Out of dozens of designs—including two pickleball-specific lines—we chose the Wrightson Performance Cap as our official hat, and the Original Performance Cap as an alternate. After wearing both on and off the court, we give them a solid 4.75 balls out of 5!
- Top Quality: 100+ years of craftsmanship.
- Comfortable: Lightweight and breathable.
- Tons of Styles: Many colors and designs.
- Pickleball Ready: Special pickleball collections.
The Details: Wrightson Performance Cap
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Semi-structured, mid-profile |
| Design | 5-panel “retro fit” |
| Material | Lightweight performance poly fabric |
| Liner | Cushioned, absorbent brow liner |
| Closure | Adjustable snap closure |
| Detailing | Woven rope detailing |
| Color Options | 22 color combinations |
| Customization | Custom logo/graphic embroidery |
| Price | $30 |
First impressions
You can usually tell when a product is high quality the moment you see and touch it, and the Imperial Wrightson Performance Cap is no exception. From its sleek profile to the soft fabric, precise stitching, and comfy brow band, this hat checks all the boxes. The woven rope detail adds a stylish touch, too.
I’m especially picky about logo stitching, and the tight embroidery of the Pickleball Union logo looks sharp. Could the edges be even cleaner? Sure, but it passes my test for a quality stitched logo. (We went with a black hat and white logo—our brand colors.)
Game On… The Fit and Play Testing
With a slightly larger head circumference, I adjusted the snapback closure, slipped the hat on, and with a few tweaks, it fit perfectly! Imperial calls it a “retro fit,” but I’d describe it as a blend of low profile with a touch of structure. The front panel has just enough rigidity with a vertical design that showcases our logo beautifully.
The back four panels fit snugly, thanks to the crown’s curved shape, and the lightweight poly fabric makes it incredibly comfortable. Plus, the bill is long enough to block out the sun effectively and the hat is listed as SPF 50 sun protection!
A Glasses-Friendly Fit
One of my big tests with any hat is how well it pairs with my eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses, which I always wear while playing. This hat passed with flying colors! It sits just above the temple-ear bars and frames perfectly—no awkward bumping or adjusting.
It works with both pairs of glasses, which is a rare find since I like to wear my hats low, close to the ears and browline.
Court-Ready Comfort
As expected, the hat performed great when I hit the court. It’s super comfortable and breathable, better than most hats I’ve worn. Thanks to the cushioned brow liner, there are no pressure points, and it stays in place even after multiple games—no need for constant adjustment. After hours of play, it still felt good on my head.
The best part? My partner and a few opponents noticed the hat and gave it some compliments!
The Original Performance Cap
For our second pick, we went with Imperial’s best-selling performance cap—a soft, unstructured, low-sweep design made from the same lightweight poly fabric. This one features a padded brow band like the Wrightson, but with a loop-hook strap closure instead of plastic snaps.
I chose the white version with a deep orange logo, and it quickly became my go-to. It fits even better than the Wrightson, offering incredible comfort for both long rec sessions and casual wear. With 38 color options to choose from, there’s a perfect match for everyone! Plus, it also features SPF 50 protection.
Imperial – Hats and Exceptional Customer Service
In a world full of hats, quality and service are key. Imperial has been a stellar partner, making the design and ordering process effortless. Their attention to detail ensured we got exactly what we needed for our Pickleball Union Pro subscribers.
With 100+ years of expertise, Imperial delivers. From structured to unstructured styles and endless colors, they have it all. Their Pickleball collection, including Major League Pickleball hats, impressed us. Though priced higher, the quality and service are unmatched.
The Final Score
| Category | Rating (1 to 5) |
|---|---|
| Design/Style | 5 |
| Fabrication Quality | 5 |
| Fit | 5 |
| Aesthetics | 5 |
| Embroidery | 4 |
| Price Point/Value | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.75 |
Whether you wear a hat for function, style, or both, you can’t go wrong with Imperial. Their unmatched variety of fabrics, colors, and styles sets them apart from any other brand I know. Plus, you’re working with a company that’s been delivering top-quality products and exceptional customer service for over a century.
Pickle on, my friends, pickle on…
