The Flexfit Conspiracy

[Dumpster Flyers]

They dont make baseball caps like they used to and it makes me mad. My pop gave me way back when and still fits great but this Flyers hat I bought a couple years ago stretched really really big and now it wont stay on my head. Its made of some stupid elastic matereal.

Wanna know why? Read this exerpt from "The Flexfit Cartel: How Planned Obsolescence Ruined the Sports Headwear Industry":

... After years of unsuccessfully pitching their concept to any venture capitalist within shouting distance, Yupoong finally had the resources and infrastructure to scale manufacturing and slash their cost per unit to competitive levels. Flexfit was no longer an interesting little side project. Soon, it would become a gamechanger.

In 2005, the South Korean Yupoong Inc., approached the New Era Cap Company with a revised licensing proposal. According to New Era's then-CFO Jeff Buckfield, they made an offer "faster than you can say 'annyeong.'" They promised not only to boost New Era's margins, but complete revolutionize the industry. It was, as Buckfield put it, "a stroke of perverse genius."

Through the late 1990's and early 2000's, "adjustable" caps were going out of style, and the demand for "fitted" caps was on the rise. Unfortunately, this trend was a punch in the gut to retailers. To sell fitted caps, they would have to carry at least four sizes of every make and brand, meaning less shelf space, fewer items in stock, and lower sales revenue. Flexfit solves this dilemma, as only two sizes (instead of four) satisfy 90% of the market. For many retailers, Flexfit was an answer to their prayers.

Genius? It certainly seems so. But why did Buckfield call it "perverse?" The answer lies in the Part II of Yupoong's business model: planned obsolescence. Unfortunately for the consumer, the limber polyester does not maintain its form after regular use. A Flexfit cap may feel secure and snug in the store but soon stretch out to an enormous size, rendering it unwearable to the dissatisfied purchaser. Then, they buy another one. And New Era profits.

Fast forward to 2007 - New Era transitions its entire 59FIFTY brand to Flexfit. Yupoong signed licensing deals with competing companies, who have their own licensing deals with all the major league sports leagues. Thus marked the beginning of the end for buy-it-for-life baseball caps. Hats became a disposable commodity. ...

Click to read more...

 

[John Price]

Neat

 

[Finnish your Czech]

I have never owned a baseball cap

 

[Pharrell Williams]

Shut up.

 

[Legionnaire]

Flexfit caps are fine. My problem is always with the fitted. The sizes are not consistent at all.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

I take the biggest size available in fitted hats and fitted hats are the only ones I can/will wear.

 

[Sniper99]

Flexfit caps are fine. My problem is always with the fitted. The sizes are not consistent at all.

This is true. I have to wear a size 8 and what I find weird is some MLB teams dont fit but other teams do. I'll try on a Blue Jays size 8 at Lids and it will give me a red line on my forehead almost instantly, but a Giants hat will fit perfectly fine.

 

[aleshemsky83]

Am I the only one that thinks non broken in brims look stupid?

I never got how that was fashionable.

You look like a damn clown.

 

[Bones Malone]

Buy New Era fitteds

 

[Legionnaire]

This is true. I have to wear a size 8 and what I find weird is some MLB teams dont fit but other teams do. I'll try on a Blue Jays size 8 at Lids and it will give me a red line on my forehead almost instantly, but a Giants hat will fit perfectly fine.

Yuuuup. I've had that happen with same the same team even. Sucks.

Am I the only one that thinks non broken in brims look stupid?

I never got how that was fashionable.

You look like a damn clown.

No. I'm not a fan of it either. What I don't get is when people leave the damn sticker on. Drives me nuts.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

No. I'm not a fan of it either. What I don't get is when people leave the damn sticker on. Drives me nuts.

it is called style son

 

[Satan]

ive got a big dome so i dont wear hats

 

[jasonleaffan]

Yuuuup. I've had that happen with same the same team even. Sucks.



No. I'm not a fan of it either. What I don't get is when people leave the damn sticker on. Drives me nuts.

Stickers are left on for a reason. For hats with white or other light colored brims it allows you to grab them from a position that won't leave fingerprints.

 

[Sniper99]

Yuuuup. I've had that happen with same the same team even. Sucks.



No. I'm not a fan of it either. What I don't get is when people leave the damn sticker on. Drives me nuts.

I find that frustrating too. Wow kid you're showing off your head size youre so cool.

Take that damn sticker off after your purchase. Cmon son.

 

[Dumpster Flyers]

Whats wrong with you people???

Your missing the point that they made FLEX FIT hats bad on purpose so they brake after a year and you have to buy another hat. Did any of you even READ the article??? Its outrage us. I wear hats all the time but now all the new hats I see in stores are FLEX FIT and I know they will brake before long so I dont buy them but I still see everyone buying them not knowing what theyre getting in to so I tell them the truth when ever I can.

 

[hotcarle]

This is true. I have to wear a size 8 and what I find weird is some MLB teams dont fit but other teams do. I'll try on a Blue Jays size 8 at Lids and it will give me a red line on my forehead almost instantly, but a Giants hat will fit perfectly fine.

Some teams' hats also are taller, giving them a train conductor look. I'm a Red Sox fan, but they're just so tall..meanwhile, Indians hats fit so nice!

 

[Sniper99]

Some teams' hats also are taller, giving them a train conductor look. I'm a Red Sox fan, but they're just so tall..meanwhile, Indians hats fit so nice!

Maybe thats what I need is something that kinda looks tall so I dont cut off the blood circulation then just tell my friends i'm not bandwagon jumping LOL

 

[izzy]

snapbacks

 

[Legionnaire]

it is called style son

Nah. It's called I'm a broke ass thief who is planning on returning this hat later.

 

[Legionnaire]

Stickers are left on for a reason. For hats with white or other light colored brims it allows you to grab them from a position that won't leave fingerprints.

Sooooooo. I guess that means that the sticker allows you to magically lift the hat off of your head with one finger! That's hot. Defying the laws of physics...now that's a sticker!

I find that frustrating too. Wow kid you're showing off your head size youre so cool.

Take that damn sticker off after your purchase. Cmon son.

Right?!? There's hood, and there's ghetto. And that **** is straight up ghetto.

 

[Bones Malone]

Whats wrong with you people???

What do you mean, you people?

 

[CycloneLaunch]

Whats wrong with you people???

Your missing the point that they made FLEX FIT hats bad on purpose so they brake after a year and you have to buy another hat. Did any of you even READ the article??? Its outrage us. I wear hats all the time but now all the new hats I see in stores are FLEX FIT and I know they will brake before long so I dont buy them but I still see everyone buying them not knowing what theyre getting in to so I tell them the truth when ever I can.

Probably made under questionable conditions

 

[John Price]

I can't stand fitted. I purchased one and it didn't even fit my head. Plus the brim is so wide. **** that.

I like the Velcro hats or adjustable.

 

[Satan]

i only wear the in-style dad hats

 

[jasonleaffan]

Sooooooo. I guess that means that the sticker allows you to magically lift the hat off of your head with one finger! That's hot. Defying the laws of physics...now that's a sticker!



Right?!? There's hood, and there's ghetto. And that **** is straight up ghetto.

I'm guessing you never noticed the small circular one with the MLB symbol located under the brim. Do you even own a fitted hat?