In this text, I present best outdoor sun hats for men and women. Some models are unisex and some are designed specifically for men or for women. All models are very breathable and most of them offer maximum UV protection.
What to look for?
♦ The first thing that comes to mind is UV protection. This is of importance in any outdoor environment, but this is particularly important at high altitudes.
At higher altitudes, UV radiation intensity is higher. Roughly speaking radiation increases by 8 – 18 % with 1 km (0.62 miles) increase in altitude. So at 3000 meters, you will be exposed to drastically more radiation than at the sea level. For that reason, almost all the hats presented here have a very high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), either 30 or 50.
This table from Wikipedia shows standards accepted by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), good to bear in mind when you buy an outdoor hat:
♦ The radiation is not only direct but also reflective from the ground. For that reason, it is good to have a brim with a dark underside. This is protection from reflective glare.
I would warmly recommend you to see a video below, with some general advises on how to choose a hat.
♦ Having a hat with a wide brim or a narrow brim, or just a hiking cap with a front brim only will depend on the purpose of the hat/cap. Those presented here are all hats with brims.
My list of the best outdoor sun hats
- Camo Coll Outdoor UPF 50+ boonie Hat
- Columbia Carl Peak Booney Hat
- Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II Sun Hat
- Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
- Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat
- Outdoor Research Women’s Solar Roller Hat
- Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap
- Outdoor Research Seattle Sun Sombrero
- SiggiHat Womens UPF50 Cotton Packable Sun Hat
- Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
The hats are given in alphabetical order. Please read more about them below.
1. Camo Coll Outdoor UPF 50+ Boonie Hat
This is an incredibly popular hat, there are more than 1200 customers’ reports on Amazon alone, and the average rating is 4.4/5. When you see its all features and the incredible price of around $12 (can you believe this?), you realize why this is so. There are around 12 different colors available for men and women. As you realize from the title, it comes with a great UPF factor. You can smash it and store in any pocket and use it when necessary. This item is built for protection.
The hat comes with a wide ventilation mesh on the crown, plus a few holes on the sides. The material is a soft 100% polyester. The inner diameter is 7.5 inches and the outer 13.5 inches. You have an excellent UPF 50+ factor. As you see from the picture, you have an adjustable drawstring.
This is a great all-around hat, for any activity where you need a decent sun protection. It is very high in the list because of the alphabetic order, but I would rate it high in any case.
2. Columbia Carl Peak Booney Hat
This nicely designed hat offers advanced repellency and UPF 50 protection from the sun. The hat is equipped with a drawcord and a toggle on the back and with an adjustable chin strap. The ventilation features are similar to the Bora Bora hat below, and possible objections are the same. Note that the fabric used here is water repellent.
Summary of features
- Omni-SHIELD advanced repellency.
- Omni-SHADE UPF 50 sun protection.
- Adjustable drawcord and toggle at back.
- Fabric:
– 96% nylon; 4% elastane stretch canvas.
– 100% polyester mesh. - Water and Stain Repellent.
- Best use: fishing, hiking, camping.
- Model for men.
- Colors: 4.
Please see more in this video:
3. Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II sun hats
This is an enormously popular sun hat, available at Amazon in many colors. The Bora Bora Booney II has the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of recommendation.
It offers UPF 50 protection, which implies that it blocks out around 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
The hat is equipped with a drawcord and a toggle on the back. You also have an adjustable chin strap.
It has a large mesh section on the crown, which offers great ventilation and breathability. You can see it in the picture above, it goes all the way around the back side. The brim is 3 inches wide.
Above the brim (and just below the mesh section) you have a webbing which allows you to clip the hat onto your backpack when you do not need it.
This is a unisex model.
Summary of features
- Fabric:
– Omni-Shade 100% textured nylon poplin on top, sides, and brim. It has UPF 50 for protection.
– Omni-Wick sweatband and mesh vents, which are non-UPF. - Omni-Wick sweatband and mesh actively breathe and pull moisture away.
- Adjustable cord and toggle at back.
- 8 possible colors:
Users’ experience & possible cons
- Fit as expected statistics is phenomenal 92%.
- In my view, it offers far better ventilation than the model above. But note that the mesh itself does not offer UV protection. This is different in the Outdoor Research Sombriolet model above which has the protective fabric over the ventilation openings (but those also reduce ventilation).
4. Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
Very good materials are used in this Sombriolet sun hat, it is lightweight, 88 grams only, and it offers great UV protection, with the UPF factor above 50.
The brim of the hat is stiffened with foam, and this same foam makes the hat floating if you drop it into the water. The brim is in the range 3 inches to 3 3/4, so it is rather large everywhere.
This implies a great protection from the sun and your face will be in shade most of the time. But at the same time, such a size implies it might be unstable in windy conditions.
The hat has venting openings all around the crown, which is surely a great feature to have for ventilation and increased breathability. The chin cord is long and with a lock, you will like to use it in particular in windy conditions. The cord is also removable.
On the back you have a drawcord with a clip, to adjust the hat to your head circumference.
Inside the hat, you have a moisture-wicking headband, and in the crown, you have a mesh as an extra layer.
This is a unisex model. Note that Outdoor Research offers an infinite guarantee for their hats.
Specifications & summary of features
- Avg. weight: 3.1 oz / 88 g (L).
- Fabric:
– 86% nylon, 14% polyester double weave ripstop crown.
– Supplex, 100% nylon plain weave under brim.
– 100% nylon mesh lining. - Breathable.
- Lightweight.
- External drawcord adjustment.
- Crown venting.
- Removable chin cord.
- Foam-stiffened brim floats.
- Wicking TransAction headband.
- UPF 50+.
- Flexible brim piping.
- Mesh-lined crown.
- Lifetime guarantee.
- Sizes: M, L, XL.
- Colors: 5
Users’ experience, pros & cons
Outdoor Research Sombriolet sun hat has received a great rating by users:
- At Amazon, its average rate is 4.6/5.
- Fit as expected statistics is 86%.
- It offers full UV protection even in the ventilation openings which are covered by the protective fabric. The underside of the brim is made in dark colors to reduce glare, which is a great feature.
5. Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat
This is again an ultra-lightweight hat from Outdoor Research. The same material is used here as in the Sombriolet model (the item 1 above).
This hat comes with 50+ UPF rating. Its design includes a broad brim and an external drawcord with the clip on the back. The chin cord is adjustable and removable.
Inside you have a headband that wicks moisture and enhances comfort. The hat is available in several nice colors and in 3 sizes.
You might want to compare this hat with the waterproof version presented in my another post.
This is a model designed for men.
Specifications & summary of features
- Avg. weight: 2.3 oz / 65 g (L).
- Fabric:
– 86% nylon, 14% polyester double weave ripstop crown.
– Supplex, 100% nylon plain weave under brim. - Breathable.
- Lightweight.
- UPF 50+.
- Foam-stiffened brim floats.
- Wicking TransAction headband.
- External drawcord adjustment.
- Removable chin cord.
- The hat does not have a ventilation opening.
- Lifetime guarantee.
- Sizes: M, L, XL.
- 5 colors:
Users’ experience
- Amazon average rating for this hat is exceptionally high, 4.7/5.
- Fit as expected statistics at Amazon is also remarkable, 92%.
6. Outdoor Research Women’s Solar Roller Hat
The Solar Roller hat is very lightweight, 65 grams only, and made of a very breathable material. It is built specifically for women. It provides UV protection, with UPF 30. The brim is stiffened with foam, it is of the same width all around the hat. Due to the foam, the hat floats.
The hat is very packable and it can be stored in any pocket on the pack. There are no ventilation sections with mesh-like in the models 1 and 2 above. The color under the brim is made darker to reduce glare, just like in other OR hats presented here.
You have a drawcord with a clip on the back of the hat, this is used to adjust it to the head size. The chin cord is adjustable, you have a clip under the chin, and it is also removable.
Please see the video above where this hat is presented together with the OR Helios Sun hat.
Specifications & summary of features
- Avg. weight: 2.3 oz / 65 g (M).
- Fabric: Supplex, 100% nylon plain weave.
- Breathable.
- Lightweight.
- Wicking TransAction headband.
- UPF 30.
- Foam-stiffened brim floats.
- Brim width 2.75 inches.
- External drawcord for adjustment.
- Removable chin cord.
- Lifetime guarantee.
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL.
- 6 colors:
Users’ experience
- This hat is available on Amazon in several departments, and it has received different average ratings. They are in the range 4.5/5 up to 4.9/5.
- The fit as expected statistics is great, 90% or 91%, dependent on the department.
- The hat has no ventilation openings. This is not an issue for every outdoor activity, but it may be in some situations. Also, the protection rate is lower than in other models presented in the text.
7. Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap
This is a very functional cap, a great tool for any outdoor activity. The most packable of all models presented here due to its foldable brim which is only on the front.
This is 100% Supplex nylon, very breathable and lightweight, with the TransAction headband that keeps sweat from dripping to your face. There are two versions, with the UPF 30 and 50. There are several nice colors available, for both men and women.
Users’ experience
- The Radar cap is available at several departments on Amazon, with the average rating in the range 4.3/5 – 4.6/5.
- The fit as expected statistics is in the range of 70% – 78%.
Specifications & summary of features
- Average weight: 51 g (1.8 oz).
- Water-resistant.
- Breathable.
- Lightweight.
- Wicking.
- Quick-drying.
- TransAction headband.
- UPF 30 and 50.
- Foldable brim.
- Dark fabric under brim.
- Embroidered Outdoor Research logo.
- Packable.
8. Outdoor Research Seattle Sun Sombrero
If this name sounds familiar to you, yes you are right. This is the sun-version of the iconic waterproof Seattle Sombrero from this brand. So they built it for those who would go to desert-like areas or anywhere where they need a good sun protection hat.
This is a completely packable hat, so you can store it anywhere, smash it and put in any pocket and it will still look great when you need it. The brim is stiffened with a floating foam, so it will not sink if you drop it in the water. You have 70D nylon, it is with a bit of water resistance and inside you have a mesh liner. A wicking headband is inside as well.
The hat is with an internal cinch cord for adjustability, and you also have an adjustable and removable chinstrap. It has Velcro tabs on both sides (visible in the picture) so you can fix the brim when you want to use it that way.
Specifications
- Weight: 2.9 oz (82 g).
- UPF 50+ protection.
- Material: 100% Supplex nylon.
9. SiggiHat Womens UPF50 Cotton Packable Sun Hat
This is a women-specific design, a hut they make in 8 different colors and in 3 different sizes. You see a lot about it already from the title, the UV protection is at the maximum, and the hat is packable so you can store it anywhere. The brim is asymmetric, with 4 – 4.5 inches width, and angled so that it covers the face and offers a good protection.
Note that there are no ventilation openings on the crown. If you follow the link below you will see the UPF 50 rating as certified by a test center. The hat is very popular, so see the price to realize why; it costs only around $16 at the moment of writing this text. The rating it has received from Amazon customers is very high 4.4/5 based on more than 420 reports.
The S size is 54 – 56 cm (21.2 – 22 in), M is for 56 – 58 cm (22 – 22.8 in), and L is for 58 – 60 cm (22.8 – 23.6 in). The chin strap is adjustable and detachable.
10. Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
Adventure is an award-winning hat, it has received Editors’ Choice award by Outdoor Gear Lab. The reasons for this are obvious, the hat offers exceptional protection and comfort. The UPF for this hat is 50. No other hat on the market can match the Adventure’s sun protection.
The protection is not only due to the enormous brim but also due to its design; it is down-turned unlike any other hat presented here. The underside of the brim is in dark colors to protect from glare.
In addition to this, you have the cape in the back to protect the neck from the sun. On this back cape, you have a velcro tab, plus yet another tab on the crown. So you can roll it up and attach to the crown.
The fabric of this hat is very breathable. The hat also has mesh sections on the crown, so this provides an excellent ventilation.
With such a ventilation and breathability you have a guaranteed comfort. The small weight of the hat only adds to its overall comfort.
This is a unisex model.
Some cons
- The huge back cape is unstable in windy conditions.
- The mesh sections surely do not provide the prescribed UPF 50.
- Sweatband does not run all around the hat, see the picture above.
- Not so nicely packable.
Users experience
- This hat is presently available at two departments on Amazon. So average rate is 4.4/5 and 4.6/5.
- The fit as expected statistics is incredibly good, 91% and 100%.
- My reason for this rate is that I would not like to have such a huge back cape all the time. If this was removable, or if I would use it in some very sunny area, this would be a perfect hat for me. But in the Alps, this would not be my first choice, therefore my rate.
Specifications & summary of features
- Weight: 3 oz (85 g).
- Fabric:
– Body: 100% nylon.
– Mesh ventilation: 100% polyester. - Unisex.
- UPF 50+.
- Sizes, for men and women: S, M, L.
- Water repellent and stain-resistant.
- 4 inches downsloping front brim and 3¾ inches on the sides.
- 7½ inches back veil neck flap with a lift-up tab.
- Floatable foam core and poly brim wire.
- Strategic mesh ventilation.
- Wicking sweatband.
- Chinstrap with cord lock.
- External sizing band for a custom fit.
- Huge choice of colors.
Care and maintenance
- Hand wash cool with mild soap.
- Line dry.
- Do not iron.
- Packing: Packs flat for travel. Do not fold or crease brim.
Please see this video about the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat:
Conclusion
To conclude this text about best outdoor sun hats for men and women, all models presented here are of exceptional quality and some are with a quite unique design. In my view, the prices are truly reasonable for such quality tools. This list will be regularly updated so bookmark this page and visit it from time to time for the latest updates.
As the name says, these hats are built to protect from the sun. But if you need waterproof hats, I would warmly recommend you to visit my another text.
Thank you for reading, I hope this text has been useful to you. If this is so, please share it with others.
It will be great to have some comment from you, there is a comment box below. Have a nice day.
Acme Hat says
Great blog, you gave us a lot of choices. Thanks for sharing this, it’s really helpful.
Jovo says
Great to hear such words, much appreciated.
Mark (AKA The Mountain Hiker) says
Jovo – Excellent review – Really comprehensive and detailed analysis of these sun hats. Ventilation is high on my list of priorities. Your blog over-all is excellent as well, and I envy your hiking and climbing experience.
Although not available in Europe, I would suggest that a new hat on the market, made by Urban Canairie in Canada, would be an ultralight, super ventilated alternative for those looking for cool sun protection on short day hikes and sightseeing excursions. The ventilation is higher on the hat, so I believe it is more effective. You can check them out at http://www.urbancanairie.com
Jovo says
Many thanks Mark for the kind words and for the suggestion about the new hat. This is very appreciated. I shall definitely read about it. I myself always use hats and caps, have a number of them, mostly of the type that can be put in a pocket and in the pack. I wonder if you could send this cap to me for testing.
I see that you also run a site and I see texts about tours in Canada. What a coincidence, these days I was just discussing with my family about the differences between the Alps where I normally go and areas like Canada. The Alps are indeed safe, no wild animals, and I was saying that having arms must be compulsory in some areas in the US and Canada. I have been reading about this in some FB groups. But then, this ruins everything because I would not wish to kill animals, going to mother Nature should only be for pleasure and it is best not to interfere with wild animals. So I wonder if you have had any unpleasant experience of this sort.
Mark (AKA The Mountain Hiker) says
Jovo,
I know people at Urban Canairie, so I can send you a hat sample 🙂 Please email me your address.
I prefer to hike in the Caribbean (so I can get away from the cold Canadian winters). The mountains aren’t too tall there, but the views are pretty good, and I like the rain-forest experience. The poisonous snakes/spiders won’t bother you.
That said, I have done some hiking in Eastern Canada and the United States. Canada is very safe – Generally no need for fire-arms, unless you are in Grizzly Bear territory in the Rockies or in the far North (Yukon or NWT). Then it’s best to carry a high powered rifle, or better yet, hire a guide to go with you – He’ll have the rifle. Anyways, for Eastern Canada, I suggest hiking in Newfoundland or Quebec. I don’t have much experience out West, although I hear Vancouver Island is good. Of course, the North is amazing, but you’ll need alot of time and professional guides.
I think its safer in the US in the woods than it is in the cities… Again, unless you’re in the Rockies where they have grizzly bears, there’s no need for fire-arms. The Appalachian Trail in the Eastern USA has amazing hiking, I’ve done a couple of Trails in North Carolina that were good. Again, The Western USA is great for hiking, but I’ve only been to Uta, so I don’t know too much about that area.
Anyways, the only unpleasant experience I had was in the Yukon hiking a small mountain (Grey Mountain, just outside Whitehorse). I was hiking alone, with no rifle or bear spray, so I was nervous the whole time. I made it up/down unscathed, but it would have been more enjoyable if I was less afraid of a bear attack.
Jovo says
Many thanks Mark, The Mountain Hiker, great to hear about your experience. I shall send you my email now.
I have a little of experience with rain forest, I was staying on Tenerife (Canary Islands) for one year and there is a small part with a beautiful rain forest so I did many tours, some are described in my posts here in the site.
Andrea Ho says
Great article with helpful information and various choices.
I live in a tropical country where UV intensity is extremely high, and the rains come unexpectedly as well. Picking out the most suitable hat is what I consider. The Sunday Afternoons Adventure is quite good for my wife and my elder sister. They often spend a whole Sunday day in the garden on weekends. I like the video presenting in details all items in the list. Thanks.
Jovo says
Hi Andrea, you are right, for such an environment the Sunday Afternoons Adventure hat is the best possible option, it covers far more than any other hat described here.
EllieCommunicates says
Now that the weather is getting warmer, your website would be very helpful.
I never knew there are so many things we need to consider before buying a sun hat.
As I have small children and they definitely need sun hats during summer, will you post some information how to choose children’s sun hats?
Thank you
Jovo says
Hi Ellie, yes I have a plan to write about sun hats for kids, though those will be only for outdoor purpose like hiking and backpacking.
Fray says
Hi Jovo,
Nice article. I’ve done a fair bit of climbing in the Alps, but I really struggle with overheating, no matter how light I dress… I must just naturally run a high body temperature. And so I’ve always struggled with hats. My head starts overheating after a few hours, which is not ideal when concentration is vital.
I love the idea of the Sunday Afternoon Adventure, but that flap would drive me crazy once the wind picks up.
I’m back out there again next August, and I don’t fancy getting burnt again, so I’ll probably give the Sombriolet a go. Plus I can’t imagine it doing any harm on our Indian roadtrip this summer… just as effective at ground level?
I’ll check back closer to the time for some advice about boots.
Jovo says
Hi Fray, you are going to have a great summer, India and then Alps. I might be in the Alps myself in August. You are right about the flap, that is why I did not rate it particularly high, although it surely does the work for sun protection. Sombriolet is my choice as well. But do not miss the one on my post about waterproof hats. There is one which is a normal sun hat but with a waterproof cover which you put when you need it. This is Outdoor Research SunShower Sombrero.