Firefighter Dad Hat With Kids' Names: The Dad Est. Hat

The Dad Est. Hat is a firefighter dad hat with his kids' names on it. Dad Est. and the year he became a dad go on the front. Up to four names go on the back. It is $39, made to order, in black, navy or khaki. Free US shipping over $75.

What the hat says

• Front: "Dad Est." plus the year he became a dad.
• Back: up to four kids' names, each up to 10 letters.
• Fonts: Dad Block, Dad Slab or Dad Script.
• Colors: black, navy or khaki.
• Fit: one size fits most, adjustable strap, soft unstructured cotton twill.
• Price: $39. Made to order. Ships in about 6 to 10 business days.

What the hat does not say

It is a firefighter dad hat because a firefighter dad wears it. It is not a department hat. No logo, no station number, no helmet shield. It does not claim anything about his rank or his house.

That is on purpose. On shift he wears what the department issues. Off shift, he wears this. The names do the talking.

How to order it so nothing is wrong

1. Pick the year. Use the year he became a dad. With several kids, pick the year that means the most to him, such as the oldest's.
2. Type the names. Up to four, each up to 10 letters. Order them oldest to youngest or the reverse, your call. Stay consistent.
3. Spell every name twice. Out loud, then with your finger on the screen. Nicknames count.
4. Pick the font and color. If he wears a black or navy tee, khaki pops. If he lives in gray, go black.
5. Tick the spelling confirmation box. It is made to order. What you approve is what gets stitched.

(One joke: if you need three tries to spell a kid's name, ask the kid.)

More than four kids

The hat holds four names. If he has more, pick the four that fit best, or put the oldest four on the hat and give the rest a card. Do not try to cram in another name. It will not print.

6 picks to pair with it

The hat is the primary gift. These are add-ons, not replacements.

Pick	Price	When to add it
Dad Est. Hat	$39	Always. This is the gift.
Sheepdog Tee	$32	He already owns a hat.
Hard to Kill. Easy to Hug. Tee	$32	He has a sense of humor.
Protect. Provide. Lead. Tee	$32	He likes it short and loud.
The Dad Code Tee	$32	He likes rules on paper.
0300 Club Trucker	$34	You want a second hat.

Hat first, tee second

• Sheepdog Tee, $32. One word in stencil caps, for the protector. Unisex fit, true to size. See it.
• Hard to Kill. Easy to Hug. Tee, $32. Back line: ASK MY KIDS. See it.
• Protect. Provide. Lead. Tee, $32. Three words, stacked, distressed print. See it.
• The Dad Code Tee, $32. Five rules on the back. See it.
• 0300 Club Trucker, $34. Embroidered 0300, mesh back, snap. A shift-day hat to go with the names hat. See it.

Get to free shipping without padding

Shipping is free over $75. Flat rate is $5.95 under that.

• Hat ($39) + any $32 tee = $71. Short by $4.
• Hat ($39) + 0300 Club ($34) + any $32 tee = $105. Clears it.
• Hat ($39) + two $32 tees = $103. Clears it.
• Hat alone is fine. Pay the $5.95 and move on.

The cart shows the final total. The hat ships in about 6 to 10 business days and the tees in about 5 to 9.

Gift timing

Father's Day is the third Sunday in June, but a names hat works any time of year: birthday, Christmas, the day he came home from a long run. It is made to order, so do not wait for the last week. Order by Dec 10 for Christmas.

Off duty only

The hat and tees are everyday clothes. They are not uniform items or protective gear. Check his department's dress rules and wear them at home, at practice and on the porch.

Related reading

• Firefighter dad gifts: ideas he'll use on shift
• Father's Day gifts from kids for a firefighter dad
• Personalized gifts for dad with kids' names
• Gifts for a first responder dad

Third Shift Dad is made by a former law enforcement officer and dad of 3, for dads who protect and provide. Spell the names twice, then order. Build the Dad Est. Hat, $39