Every traveler knows sunscreen is essential for any trip. But experts also recommend supplementing lotions and creams with a good sun hat. The
Skin Cancer Foundation says the overwhelming majority of skin cancers are caused by cells that first appear on the head and neck and recommends hats for extra protection. The best sun hats have wide brims, flaps to protect the ears and neck (especially for outdoor activities), tight weaving to block rays, and—ideally—UPF protection (look for a rating of at least 50). It’s important to remember, however, that while today’s sun hats can do a lot to protect you, they can’t do everything.
Deanne Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut, warns that a sun hat alone doesn’t provide enough sun protection from reflective exposure.“The UV rays bounce off the ground and surfaces around us and can reach us from the opposite angle,” she notes. “For example, dry beach sand can reflect up to 20 percent of the UV rays.” Even with the widest hat, you still need to reapply sunscreen every two hours and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Our favorite sun hat, the
Columbia Bora Bora Booney II, has a three-inch brim, is lightweight and very packable, and has cooling mesh panels, plus a drawstring cord to cinch it against the wind. We also love the UPF50+ rating and multiple color options. If our top pick feels a bit too outdoorsy for you, you may want to try our other favorites. And be sure to scroll down for our expert shopping tips.
The best sun hats
When shopping for a sun hat, look for a wide brim—at least three inches. The best sun hat should be made of durable materials with a tight weave and ideally, UPF sun protection of at least 50. We found a number of top sun hats for travelers—read on for the pros and cons of each of our picks.
Why we like it: If you invest in a single sun hat, Columbia’s Bora Bora is your best bet. It’s easy to pack and has an expert-recommended three-inch brim to keep your ears, neck, and forehead shaded. The tight nylon weave does a good job of keeping most of the sun’s UV rays at bay (although the mesh panels may not provide total UV coverage). It’s a particularly good option for water sports and sailing, since the nylon dries quickly. We also like the chin strap for securing the hat on windy days. A second drawstring in the back lets you customize the fit even more.
Keep in mind: The UPF rating doesn’t apply to the mesh panels, and we wish there was an opening for a ponytail.
Why we like it: This highly rated sun hat is an all-around great choice for the trail, the water, or the road. It has an expert recommended three-inch brim, vent holes on the crown for airflow, a sweat-wicking band around the base, and an adjustable chin strap. We especially love that it’s made from Bluesign-approved recycled materials in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
Keep in mind: This hat doesn’t have a UPF rating, so be sure to supplement it with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Why we like it: This bucket-style sun hat is a stylish choice for the beach or pool, but it’s also functional. It’s made from durable raffia straw yet it’s packable, with reviewers saying it keeps its shape. The slightly floppy brim measures two and a half inches, which provides good coverage for your forehead, ears, and neck.
Keep in mind: This hat runs a little large. The raffia weave is slightly loose, so it may not provide complete sun protection. Don’t skip out on sunscreen.
Why we like it: This lightweight sun hat rolls up and tucks into a carry-on or shoulder tote. With a wide, four-inch brim, it provides ample sun and rain coverage (it’s waterproof), making it a particularly great choice for rugged adventures like safaris and kayak trips. We also love the versatility—draw cords adjust the fit and the sides snap up so you can wear it like a cowboy hat. A hidden pocket at the top is handy for stashing small items, such as a credit card.
Keep in mind: The side mesh panels make this hat breathable, but it leaves those areas of your head exposed to the sun.
Why we like it: As far as visors go, this one stands out for its lightness. But that doesn’t come at the expense of its functionality. It has a wide three-and-a-half-inch brim and folds in half, so you can stow it in a pocket or bag. We like the convenient slots built into the headband for securing sunglasses and the hook-and-loop closure for a comfy, custom fit. Additionally, the fabric has a 50+ UPF rating and is made to wick away moisture to keep your head cool and dry.
Keep in mind: Visors generally provide coverage for just the forehead, “and that’s about it,” says Mraz. Be sure to apply sunscreen on exposed areas: your face, ears, and neck.
Why we like it: Mraz notes that the benefits of straw hats include breathability and wide brims. When shopping for a straw hat, she recommends inspecting the weave. “Straw hats offer great sun protection as long as they are tightly woven and do not start to pull or create gaps that leave part of your scalp exposed,” she says. This Islander hat is made from natural tripilla, known for its flexibility and durability. It has a classic fedora style with a three-inch brim and an adjustable chin strap. For added breathability and ventilation, the crown has multiple eyelets and an elastic sweatband on the inside.
Keep in mind: The hat is only available in a single natural color.
Why we like it: This travel-friendly hat is packed with features that don’t bulk up the silhouette. The star of the show is the five-inch brim that’s wider in the back for extra coverage. The brim has a built-in wire so you can customize the shape and sun protection needs. It’s available in two sizes, but for a secure and custom fit, there’s an adjustable toggle in the back. We especially appreciate the concealed opening in the back for a ponytail and the detachable chin strap.
Keep in mind: This hat is made from a two-layer fabric and a cotton lining, so it may feel thicker, less breathable, and take longer to dry than other sun hats on our list.
Why we like it: Whether you’re spending a day on the water or the trail, this is an excellent hat to have on rotation. The three-inch wide brim provides good sun coverage in the front and back, plus the foam material means the hat will float if it blows off while you’re paddling. The neck flap provides great coverage for your nape and ears, but you can remove it and tuck it into the back brim. The mesh panel is covered so it doesn’t expose your crown to the sun. This is a unisex sun hat with inclusive sizing, but you can adjust it further with the elastic toggle.
Keep in mind: This sun hat comes in just three colors—all of which are light. They’ll keep you cool, but lighter colors don’t absorb as many UV rays (more on that below).
Why we like it: Patagonia’s merganser-inspired hat is lightweight and comes with a brim rope that doubles as a chin strap in windy conditions. The brim is made from a lightweight material that enables the hat to float in case it lands on the water, and the dark underbill helps reduce glare. The quick-release back buckle helps adjust the fit, while the mesh panels help keep you cool.
Keep in mind: This is a non-adjustable, baseball-style hat, so it’s best to apply (and reapply) sunscreen to your ears and nape. The mesh panels reduce sun protection.
How we chose the best sun hats
•
Third-party reviews: To ensure high quality and durability, we researched consumer reviews noting frequently mentioned pros and cons based on real-life experiences. •
Fabric: We looked for good quality materials, especially tightly woven fabrics like nylon, which can deliver better protection against UV rays.
Synthetic materials are also more protective than cotton or rayon. •
Style: We considered sun hats that have wider brims and additional features, like ear and nape flaps, which offer better protection. •
Sun protection: We gave bonus points to sun hats with UPF ratings, while recognizing that not every sun hat has this feature. Absent UPF ratings, every sun hat we chose offers different levels of protection and coverage, whether through denser materials or wider brims. •
Color: We considered the array of colors that hats come in because
certain colors absorb more UV rays than others.
Tips for buying a sun hat
“Hats with UPF ratings typically have features that provide more coverage, such as a wider, longer brim and sometimes flaps to cover the ears and neck,” Mraz explains. Additionally, UPF fabrics, which stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, are typically more breathable. A hat with a rating of UPF 50+ provides excellent protection. Most of our top picks have a UPF 50 or higher rating. While an extra-wide brim is not everyone’s taste, Mraz says that hats with smaller brims, such as baseball hats, fedoras, or bucket hats, only protect your scalp and forehead. Select a hat based on your needs and style, but keep in mind that the wider the brim, the better the coverage (and protection). Most of the hats on our list have a three-inch brim, but our top pick, the
Solbari Ultra Wide Brim Hat UPF 50+ has the widest at five inches, and it’s even wider in the back. Design features such as mesh panels are usually added for breathability and ventilation, but Mraz says they significantly reduce a hat’s potential to keep UV rays at bay. “If the mesh is on the back of your head where you have thick enough hair to cover your scalp, then it’s not so much of an issue. But if you have thinning hair and your scalp is visible [then it is a problem],” she explains. The
Coolibar Convertible Boating Hat has a covered mesh panel, which may be a good choice. Features, such as flaps and drapes, can help provide even more protection. While some of these are built in, most are removable, like our top pick the
Coolibar Convertible Boating Hat, so they don’t add bulk to your bags. You can also buy these flaps separately from retailers like
Amazon or brands like Coolibar. The color you choose isn’t just about aesthetics or personal preference. Color plays an important role in sun protection and comfort. Dark and bright, intense colors, such as black, navy, dark green, red, and yellow, absorb more UV rays than lighter colors. White or pale, pastel colors are better at reflecting light. However, darker colors retain more heat; the opposite is true for lighter hues.
Frequently asked questions
Which material would be best for a sun hat?“Tightly woven fabrics like polyester or nylon are best,” says Mraz. “If you can see through it, so can the sun.” Avoid stretchy fabrics or loosely knit cotton and linen, since they offer reduced protection.
What are the different types of sun hats?There are so many sun hat styles on the market, such as baseball caps, visors, bucket hats, fedoras, straw hats, and wide-brim hats. Each one offers a different level of sun protection for the skin, depending on the areas they cover. Our experts recommend wide brims, flaps for ear and neck protection, and good crown coverage. However, sun hats alone can’t do everything—it’s still a good idea to wear sunscreen and sunglasses.
What is the best shape for a sun hat?The best sun hat offers adequate coverage and sun protection to shield your skin from the sun. “A wide brim that goes all the way around your head is the best way to shield your head, face, ears, and neck, and even cast some shade over your decollete and shoulders, depending on how wide it is,” says Mraz.
