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Yupoong vs Whelk: The Best Dad Hat
We know that Yupoong produces 80 million hats annually. The majority of people have worn their caps without knowing, as their great fits/designs have made them the dominant player in the headwear industry that they are today. However, their golden years of innovation seem to have succumbed to complacency, preventing them from addressing a huge issue in the clothing industry – its devastating impact on the environment.
Whelk’s mission is to foster the adoption of sustainable fashion. We understand that sustainability and social responsibility matter more than ever. But talk is cheap, so we believe that the choice of branded products speaks volumes about a company’s values, emphasizing the significance of offering merch that aligns with a brand’s ethos. That’s why we’re laser-focused on making sustainable caps that people love to wear.
Here are a few concrete reasons we think our cap is a better alternative to Yupoong’s classic dad hat:
TL;DR: A quick head-to-head comparison ⏳
- Materials: Both caps are made of cotton; however, Whelk opts for 50% recycled cotton. While Yupoong takes pride in its Permacurv visor, Whelk offers its Blutech brim, featuring enhanced biodegradation technology.
- Design & Style: Both caps have a very similar build and fit, but Yupoong currently offers a wider range of colours.
- Price: At entry-level pricing, Whelk’s cap is 4.7% more affordable.
- Impact: Although both models are made overseas, Whelk’s cap is manufactured in a WRAP and ISO 9001:2015 certified facility. Whelk is also a member of 1% for the Planet.
Materials
Yupoong (YP Classics 6245CM)
Yupoong offers their cap in 100% virgin cotton with a Permacurv visor, a technology that boasts its ability to maintain its proper shape and curve.
As for the safety of the cotton used, this information was not readily available. Their distributor informed us that their caps are “harmless and environmentally safe” based on their internal product safety standards, set up with the help of an accredited third party.
Whelk (Dad Hat)
In contrast, we opted for a blend of 50% recycled cotton and 50% virgin cotton. This cotton blend is OEKO-TEX standard 100 certified, a renowned industry benchmark for textile safety. This signifies that it has been tested for harmful substances to protect your health.
When it comes to our visor, it is made with Blutech, a technology that allows the visor to naturally biodegrade once the cap is thrown away, at the end of its lifecycle.
No shortcuts 🚫
It’s important to understand that fabrics are dyed and treated to improve performance. The sad reality is that some textile mills might use toxic chemicals as a cheap, yet dangerous shortcut to achieve maximum profitability. For us, it does not make sense to risk the health of people and the planet, which is why we opted for OEKO-TEX standard 100 certified cotton.
Design & Style
Yupoong (YP Classics 6245CM)
Synonymous with the dad hat, Yupoong’s cap has 6 unstructured panels with a rear metal buckle. It is currently available in 12 different colours.
Whelk (Dad Hat)
Our cap has a similar fit, ensuring a comfortable and stylish fit. We’ve chosen to prioritize the 4 best-selling colours to begin with and plan on extending the options as demand grows.
Pricing
Yupoong (YP Classics 6245CM)
For this analysis, we used the pricing provided by the established distributor S&S Canada for a blank YP Classics cap. As is standard in the industry, the price decreases with higher order volumes.
Whelk (Dad Hat)
We compared our entry-level price point with Yupoong’s, finding that our sustainable cap is 4.7% less expensive. Similar to Yupoong, we also offer discounts for bulk volume.
Sustainability shouldn't break the bank 💸
How do we keep our headwear competitively priced, all while committing to sustainable manufacturing? It’s all about cutting out the fat to focus on our environmental impact. We are a lean team with no physical stores. At the end of the day, we prefer to prioritize the planet over profits.
Impact
Yupoong (YP Classics 6245CM)
It’s near impossible to dissect Yupoong’s impact because of their corporate communication structure. Their website mentions donations and volunteer work without quantifying their contributions.
Their headwear is made in Bangladesh & Vietnam.
Whelk (Dad Hat)
Our commitment to environmental responsibility goes a step further with our membership in 1% for the Planet. As a member, we pledge to donate 1% of our annual sales to ocean-cleaning efforts. To prevent greenwashing, we openly share all our sustainable efforts, ensuring transparency as part of our DNA.
Our headwear is ethically manufactured in a WRAP and ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in Vietnam.
Whelk specializes in what Yupoong ignores:
our impact on the planet
From B-Corp certified businesses to promotional products companies, Whelk caters to the needs of conscious consumers seeking sustainable headwear. Contact us now to learn more about our offerings and how we can partner with you to amplify your brand’s commitment to sustainability.
- Better pricing
- 50% recycled cotton
- Biodegradable Blutech visor
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified cotton
- Member of 1% for the Planet