The Care Category Series: Hats, Maintaining Integrity & Structure

Hats occupy a particular space in the wardrobe; somewhere between function, identity, and gesture. They sit at the top of the body, exposed to the elements, absorbing light, heat, sweat, and the subtle oils of the skin, and of course; add a particular vibe to a look that if you’re a hat person, is pretty unmatched. Not everyone can pull off hats, but those who do; do it with dedication and style. Still, unlike most garments that we own, they are rarely washed, and often mishandled, and they are almost always misunderstood in terms of care.

To understand why hats require a more considered approach, it helps to look briefly at their construction, and, in the case of the now-ubiquitous five-panel cap, their cultural and material history, as an example of their care-specific needs.

The five-panel hat, often referred to as a “camp cap”, traces its origins to cycling caps of the early 20th century. Designed to fit snugly under helmets, these caps were constructed from five fabric panels; a flat top, two side panels, and two front panels, allowing for a low-profile, structured silhouette. Over time, the design migrated into skate and streetwear culture, where it became a canvas for expression; logos, prints, textures, and materials ranging from cotton twill to nylon and technical blends.

While this style is just one in the plethora of hat silhouettes that exists; what remains, is the architecture. Unlike a T-shirt or even a jacket, a hat is built to hold its shape. The brim is designed to be reinforced; the crown must be structured or semi-structured; and the internal band serves to absorb sweat. Each of these elements responds differently to moisture, heat, and agitation. Traditional washing methods (such as soaking, scrubbing, machine cycles) can warp brims, distort crowns, and degrade adhesives or stitching. A hat, once misshapen, rarely returns to its original form.

Material sensitivity can complicate the path to good hat maintenance. Felt hats, for instance, are particularly vulnerable to water damage and require dry, minimal intervention. Cotton caps absorb oils and sweat readily but can shrink or fade under harsh cleaning. Technical fabrics also rely on specific finishes for water resistance or breathability, which can be compromised by conventional detergents.

Despite all of these very particular and sensitive design considerations, hats remain one of the most exposed items we wear. They sit at the intersection of body and environment; collecting sweat, sebum, dust, airborne particles, and odours. The inner band becomes a micro-environment of its own, often holding onto bacteria and residue that traditional cleaning either fails to remove or strips away too aggressively.

This is precisely where a different approach to care becomes critical, and it’s why we set out to develop our own specialised system for hat care. The Lab has always been full of hat wearers — instinctively so — and this category felt both personal and inevitable to us. While our foundation began with sneakers, hats emerged as a natural extension; a parallel expression of care, shaped by the same attention to material, form, and cultural significance.

Our microbial biotech care is designed to work with the structure and materiality of hats, rather than against them. Instead of relying on harsh surfactants or high-impact washing, the formulation introduces beneficial microbes that activate in the presence of moisture. These microbes produce enzymes that break down sweat, oils, and odour-causing residues at a molecular level; effectively lifting what needs to be removed without saturating or stressing the material.

Take, for example, our Hat Protector, Hat Deodoriser, and Hat Wipes; a few products from our Hat Care offering, that demonstrate the distinct yet complementary functions within our considered system of care. Together, they form a set of low-impact, on-the-go interventions; tools you can use anytime, anywhere, without exposing your hat to the kinds of water saturation, heat, or harsh agitation that so often compromise its structure.

The Hat Protector forms an invisible, water-based shield at a molecular level, safeguarding against liquids and stains while preserving the natural colour and texture of the fabric. Rather than coating the surface, it works within the fibres themselves, maintaining breathability and integrity across materials, from cotton to technical blends. Our Hat Deodoriser operates on a probiotic level, continuing to work for up to 72 hours after application. By addressing odour at its source — rebalancing the bacteria that accumulate in the inner band and crown — it restores freshness without masking or overwhelming. It is an effective form of cleanliness; one that aligns with the natural ecology of the hat itself.

Alongside this, our Hat Wipes offer a precise, low-impact method for ongoing maintenance. Infused with our proprietary Hat Cleaner formula, they accelerate the breakdown of dirt, oils, and residue at a microscopic level, continuing to clean for up to 72 hours post-use. Non-soap based and environmentally conscious, they allow for targeted care that respects the structure, composition, and longevity of each piece in your collection.

All our products mean that delicate fabrics can be refreshed without distortion. The brim can retain its integrity; the crown can hold its shape; the lining is cleansed without being overworked or mindlessly chucked into the washing machine, with a hope that it will return salvageable. The process our products offer is precise, low-impact, and responsive to the actual conditions of the hat. Rather than immersing the entire hat, we have developed our solutions so that care can be targeted, allowing for maintenance that is both effective and materially respectful.

A well-made hat is designed to age, but it absolutely should not degrade prematurely just because you love wearing it regularly. By removing the residues that accelerate breakdown, while preserving the fibres and construction, microbial care extends the life of each piece.

This philosophy of care extends beyond the product itself and into our packaging and production. As you’ll know, we protect the living microbes inside each formulation with packaging made from 40% upcycled plastic and recycled bottles — reducing waste while ensuring stability and performance. Every product is 100% vegan, PETA approved, and Green Tag certified, embedding environmental and ethical responsibility into every stage of the lifecycle.

To care for a hat, then, is to understand its construction, respect its materials, and engage with it as an object designed to hold both form and meaning. It is also to approach that care with intention, through considered, low-impact rituals enabled by biotechnology solutions like ours, that offer the right balance of efficacy and restraint; allowing your favourite hat to remain itself, for as long as possible. We got you.