When to Use breathable bucket hat?

23 Jun.,2025

 

Lightweight Breathable Bucket Hat - DICK'S Sporting Goods

See all reviews

5 Silvia
[ Very sturdy, flexible and comfortable. Suitable for our summer needs!

Hengxing are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

5 Mary H
[ This is the fourth hat of this type I ’ ve purchased. They fit well and wash well too! I actually bought 2, one in white for me and one as a gift for a friend. I would recommend it!

5 Meg
[ Great fit, lightweight and great for outdoor activities.

5 Evie D.
[ Perfect hat to swim with! It dries really quicly, very light

5 Dave
[ Great! As promised, this hat covers the head and keeps the sun off.

See all reviews

5 Smuts
Loving my hat, it is comfortable to wear and has a form that stays nicely shaped.

5 RELL3Y
I bought this as a gift for my husband and it was a perfect fit! Material is great, the design is great- it protects him from the sun while also looking good- so it is quite versatile. And it ’s washable!

5 Jean72
I got this to wear hiking to keep the sun off my face and back of my neck. I like the fit and the fact that you can adjust the tightness and shape the brim. I wish it was a little more lightweight but I 'll wear it for more casual activities.

5 BrutusBuckeye11
Bought this hat specifically for a beach vacation and it turned out to be one of the best buys that I have made in a long time!

5 RoRod
Bought this last minute for a key west trip and it did n't disappoint. Will be purchasing in different color.

See all reviews

5 Letsgm6
Satisfied with the items I bought. Bucket hat and towel is good for when it ’s real hot outside

5 JesusSaves
Blocks the sun well, adjustable size so it doesn ’ t blow off on a windy day.

5
My husband and I bought these because left ours at home and we were travelling. They are so comfy and light weight.

5 Ant822
Really help to keep you cool in the hot Sun. Feels so refreshing when you wet it first.

5 Sharo
[ This hat has the perfect fit. It kept me cool during my work out. Kept the sun from blinding me during my run. The material is thin so it does not cause your head to sweat either. I recommend this to anyone that it outdoors alot.

See all reviews

5 Nate D0gg
This hat is great! I 've owned it for about a year now and it has still held up very well in the Florida heat! Me and the family go on a yearly trip to Orlando and the amusement parks down there can get HOT in July! This hat is a great addition for daily wear for hours on end and tens of thousands of steps later on peak south Florida humid summer days. It does a great job keeping the sun out of the eyes, is very lightweight and breathable. No concerns if it gets wet in the pop up downpours, or you can purposely wet it and it can keep you cool that way as well. I strongly suggest pairing this with sunglasses and sunscreen as well, but this is probably one of the more important things to pack. If you plan on being outdoors in the summer heat and sun for hours on end, this is the one to keep a cool head per se! 5 stars very happy with this.

5 Dave 3 putts
I took my kayak out for the first time and got sunburnt. I bought this hat and it ’s great.

5 Jbaaa
Hat is easy to clean and provides great sun protectopn.

5 Froggie14
i love my hat other people liked it I wore it to keep the sun off my head.

5 KJ
Worked well for my husband. He was attending an outdoor sporting event and needed a hat.

See all reviews

5 Adab
This hat was perfect for my husband- he loves all three of those things and wears it out on the boat to protect his pale skin!

5 Skopie
While I was on My business trip to Florida, I received a lot of compliments on the hat I was wearing especially on the Golf Course. I had recently had a lesion that was noncancerous removed and the bill of the hat protected my face and kept me cool while on the golf course. This was a great purchase for me.

5 Motherx2
Bought this for my son to go out paddle boarding for the day. Living in Florida where the sun is not forgiving he needed something to keep the sun off his face. This hat did the trick.

5 RC21TX
Love this hat, it has come in handy for swim meets, kids golf tournament, swimming pool, yard work etc…. I would highly recommend this hat.

See all reviews

5 Ap95
Great hat for baseball games and outdoor activities.

5 dbg888
My wife got me this hat before we went to Florida for a week. It is light and comfortable to wear. Good sun blocker. I recommend getting the light- colored version. It held up through seven sweaty days in the heat, without sweat stains.

5 Dan23blake
Keeps the sun off my face, neck and ears. Light and airy!

5 MS
Purchased this product a few weeks ago. My son wears this hat between tournament baseball games and likes the shade it provides from the sun. Also, great style and fit.

5 Lulu80
My head is on the big side, and this hat is perfectly roomy and comfortable. It ’s great for summer! I wear it in the pool to keep the sun out of my eyes, and it dries quickly and the chlorine hasn ’ t caused any discoloration. I ’ ve also been able to toss it in the washing machine without incident( but I do air dry it). I did cut the strings off( just not my thing!), but they ’ re great for the people who want to secure it a bit better. It stays just fine without them!

See all reviews

5 Seattle Kayaker
I love this hat so much that in preparation for a Baja kayak trip, I bought a second just in case I lost the first one. I am an adult woman with a small head and fine hair. Ass result, this large size of `` kids '' hat fits me perfectly with room to adjust to loosen and tighten given conditions. It packs beautifully and is ultralight. I bought my first hat in Hawaii for a whale watch trip and by sheer luck, I tried on the kid's size `` large '' and learned that it was perfect for me.

5 Susie H
Love this hat. We bought one for each of our 4 grandkids as they came along because both my husband and I have one and love them. Wide brim to shade their ears and longer back to shade their neck. This hat is a winner!

5 Jackie B
I have a small head for an adult and have difficulty finding hats. This is a quality hat and is very useful and comfortable. It fits well and I love the adjustability to get the fit perfect!

5 Lady writing a review
Perfect for my young grandson! It keeps the sun off his neck and face and looks cute too! The fit is adjustable so will grow with him. Highly recommend!

5 Zoe
Great hat for outdoor activities like trail walking or kayaking. Both my kids love the breezy feeling and 360° sweatband inside the hat to stay cool on super sunny hot days.

See all reviews

5 JC78
[ Tbh I have a small head so I was hesitant but it fits snug enough just over my ears it sits right and it ’s so comfortable I will forget that it is on.

5 AbuShihab
I live in FL and it ’s a great hat to wear outside to help block the sun.

5 Mando
[ The green goes great with my Masters golf outfit. No need for anything more.

5 DereKeith
[ I don ’ t really wear hats but I love this one here, does fit exact since my head is somewhat on the larger size ????

5 Early
I like the way it looks, and it does what bucket hats do, Lol. Definitely recommend!

See all reviews

5 Bwolff
Fits a guys head, breathable, spot for my sunglasses. Greta choice if you want to embarrass your wife and kids…. Highly recommend

5 KB
I love this hat so much. I have it for years and just lost it on a hike and here I am ordering the same exact ones so I ’ m not without it. So lightweight and comfortable..

5
This hat is very light, comfortable, and has excellent ventilation. The sizing feature is innovative, and works well without the cords protruding from the back. The crown pocket comes in handy. My go- to hat for hot summer days.

5 Reggie
I 've had the Brushline Bucket for more than a year. It's been comfortable, functional, and held a good shape through many washes. While the first one is going strong, I 'm buying another in a different color.

5 Skye
I got this hat because the brim is slightly smaller than my full on sun hat, so it ’s not as awkward to wear in the car or indoors, but still provides a good amount of sun protection. I got the goldenrod color, and it ’s a little darker in person, but still a cool color. It does seem to run a little small compared to my other hats of the same size, so if you ’ re in between sizes, probably best to size up. Oh, and the sunglasses holder is awesome! After having them in a couple of sun hats, I would never want to buy one without.

See all reviews

5 MB
[ My daughter hasn ’ t got to try it out yet, but it ’s very cute! It ’s lightweight and will travel well. It seems like it will be exactly what we expected it to be.

5 Lmay
[ It is the perfect size brim and very lightweight. I have a small adult head and the kids large fits perfect. It also fits my 10 year old child ’s head perfect as well.

5 Doreen
[ This hat fixed perfectly. I have a small head so I ordered the kids and it ’s perfect. Keeps the sun off my ears, neck and face.

5 R Catone
I am a small female and women's size hats typically are too big for me. I decided to try the Columbia youth size hat and am very happy with the style and the fit. Perfect for my trip to Europe in July.

4 Anthony
[ Fits well and blocks the sun well. Great colors, looks cute and good quality!

See all reviews

5 VOUMD
The hat is made of sweat wicking material and the logos are discrete. The hat does fit a little snug but hopefully it will stretch out for a perfect fit soon

5 Jjjjj22
Love the color as well as style. Fits to true size.

5 Anton18
I bought a good hat at a good price. It seems like it would be good to wear in weather like today.

5 Rob
My son and I both got this same hat for Scouts camp in the Adirondack mountains in August. It was HOT during the days, and these hats did their job keeping the sun out of our eyes. It made camp a lot more fun for both of us. They are not cheap, but very well made and appear to be durable. They also worked well keeping our faces dry when it rained.

See all reviews

5 Margie
Really loved this hat but had to return because it was too small. Did not have the size we needed in stock either. But overall nice little bucket hat.

5 Nehemias
[ This hat is awesome. My son looked super stylish wearing it too.

5 Nathan
[ Daughter loves it, easy to wear for a toddler as it's not too cumbersome, great hat.

5 Siu
[ I love the color. I have a small head and the large fit me perfectly, very light weight. My only minor complain is since it's reversible. I wish they did n't have the label on the inside. I still will buy it again if they have more choice of color.

5 Gina
[ This is the only hat my child will keep on. I attribute it to the light weight material.

See all reviews

5 Jeff14
It ’s great for the hot sunny day outside to give me shade and help me stay cool.

5 Anthony
I ’ ve received many compliments and now my wife wants one as well

5 dens
it's perfect. the colors the quality and the comfort are on another level. definitely worth it

5 LLIAM
Everything a golfer would want in a wide brim hat to keep the sun off of your face and neck. It is summertime and the sun is getting more intense. This hat offers the wide brim, larger than the Bucket style hats, and stiff construction in the brim itself. The top part of the hat is made from lighter weight material and is breathable. I purchased the white hat for more reflection from the sun. I am sure I will be using this hat every day on the golf course this year. Overall, it is a solid product, it meets all the Adidas quality.

5 Poggle
[ I purchased this for my golf playing husband, who loves it and I borrowed it, when he was n't wearing it. He ended up giving me the hat and purchased another one for himself. The hat is comfortable, fits snuggly and protects my head and neck. I had brain surgery a while ago and the hat does n't irritate my scar the way a baseball cap does. The string helps prevent the hat from flying off, when a gust of wind takes me by surprise.

See all reviews

5 Banshee29
[ Great product. I have a large noggin, and OR is only brand that fits well. Baseball caps give me headaches, so this is way to go. Fast delivery, easy as 1, 2, 3

5 Johnny5
[ Left anchorage looking for a pot of gold. Front range shrouded in clouds. Onwards towards hatchers. Cloudy mountains continue. First switchback a blue bird sighted. Gone. Upwards. Clouds break. Skyscraper welcomes. Cold smoke. Hat was perfect for the skin. Packs small. Don ’ t worry about crushing it. Quick dry and light.

5 coloradobaugh
[ I 'm on the edge between a large and x- large. Went XL and it's roomy but still fits great because it cinches down. This hat is cool because it has a brim for sun protection but it's not huge and floppy. Size up for a bit more brim, or down for a more compact brim. It's light, well- made and protects you for those hot Summer days or desert hikes.

5 Hothead
[ This hat is perfect for the hiking I do in Colorado. The brim is narrow enough to not get caught in the wind, and yet it still protects my head, face, and neck from sun rays. It has the sun protection of a larger sunhat, yet it's smaller like a ball cap. I also appreciate the sizing adjustment in the back.

5 davids
[ Have been looking for a long time to replace an old comfortable hat and after a number of failures, this is the one! Very lightweight, comfortable, attractive and blocks the sun. Will buy a second one for backup. Love it!!

See all reviews

5 Sharon
I have some very pretty sun hats that I wear all summer. But I can ’ t wear them on bright, blustery spring days because they don ’ t have chin straps. I have the Adventure hat that is great for gardening but not what I wanted for walking the dog in the neighborhood. The Clear Creek Boonie meets my needs. The brim is large enough to shade my face but not too large. It looks good with my short hair and it also looks good with long sleeves on cooler days.

5 Michelle
Great for sun and rain protection. Looks good on, I got the green which is neutral enough to go with everything I wear. This is a great hat for hiking or doing whatever outside. And a great packer!! Just roll it up.

5 Ann
I love this hat! It shields head/face from the sun and keeps me cool. I have 2 and love the fact you can turn it inside out to change the color. I plan on getting more when new colors are available.

5 KathiJ
Exactly what I needed! I have one hat that is similar to this, but I am wearing it in every single outdoor photo so I wanted another for variety. Then THIS hat came along that ’s reversible!! I love it! It is exactly what I was looking for, but better! I love that it has a removable strap. It ’s there when I need it, but on a calm weather day I can remove it. With my other hat I would tuck the strap up inside, which was a bit annoying. This is the perfect hat for me, and now that it is reversible I have a little more variety.

5 Nancy
The Clear Creek hat is easy to pack for out of state adventure. I liked the color combination and that it was reversible. The chin strap helped in windy situations. And especially the sun blocking coverage. I have a baseball style hat with neck fabric coverage that I use for mowing. I have enjoyed your hats for a long time. Easy to hand wash and dry. Thanks for a great hat.

See all reviews

5 Joan F
I received the hat and it's really a great sunhat and stylish. I love that it is reversible!

5 Wdoss
I purchased this hat for sun protection on the boat and it did not disappoint. It is comfy and cool but most importantly it stays on when the boat is moving. The handy neck straps keeps the hat securely in place and it travels well in my beach bag.

5 Kat
This hat is a must for me on scuba trips. It meets 3 main criteria for a dive boat: a strap to secure it on your head, water resistant, easy to pack. THANK YOU for the straps! They are hard to find. It protects my skin and looks cute, too!

5 Dani
[ I bought these for a friend and myself- we both like them- they shade you and still look good. I haven ’ t washed it yet so hopefully it cleans easily.

5 Deb66
Very excited to wear my daydream bucket hat. I dislike hats but must wear one due to a medical condition. This hat is lightweight& comfortable without making me look dorky! So glad I found this today. I will take it with me everywhere!

See all reviews

5 Whimsical
Loosing my beautiful silver hair! Hopefully this cute grey bucket will make up some loss, and give me fun times as well.

5 Karen
Bought this hat for my summer vacation. I wish it came in more colors. I love it because the brim is not overly wide, as many hats are. I bought the soft dusty rose color. Its really pretty, but would love to have it in cream or teal too.

5 Ryn
Have had 2 for a year. Love everything about them. Came back intent to buy at least one more but still no depth in color selection. Please bring in more colors including some bright colors and a classic white. color selection, sadly. Please introduce classic white and variety of bright colors. Who does n't love a great bucket hat??

5 CareP
Great hat……but…. Just finished a Rick Steves Ireland tour. Wore it a ton. Everyone wanted to know where I got my bucket hat. I told them, but said, don ’ t get too excited because the color selection is poor. Sadly, colors are same as when I bought mine. Many tourists were wearing various bucket hats- they are clearly popular. Sunday Afternoon should come out with many colors! Eggplant purple, a dark emerald, navy, maybe a lovely shade of sage, etc.. not pink or lavender! AND, make the hat in men ’s, too, if they haven ’ t already. My husband wants one but won ’ t buy black because it ’s the one I have. Can ’ t be twins!

5 Derek
Premium quality and fit. Love it. Absorbs sweat well.

See all reviews

5 Soccermawmaw
My granddaughter loves her bucket hat. Wears it all the time.

5 0hcooldude
Cute one size fits all pink Hurley Bucket hat for occasion will get some well deserved attention.

5 My Son U M
I ’ m so so so so so so so happy I bought this hat Glad I got the credit cards

5 Jey05
My daughter loves this bucket hat. It did seem a little overpriced though.

5 MelissaChairez
I bought one for me and one for my daughter who is 10 and fits her just as well too.

See all reviews

5 Carol
[ Perfect for the beach

5 The
[ Very good

5 Kalie
[ Great for the pool!! Keeps the sun off my face and very breathable!

5 Kathryn
[ Sheik and functional, kept me from sunburn on recent Yellowstone trip! Chin cord came in handy on windy days on the boat!

5 Janet
[ I love the color! This is a comfortable hat that provides good coverage to protect from the sun. It's a little small, considering that it comes in two sizes and I purchased the L/XL.

See all reviews

5 Monika K
Just perfect! Very high quality! I highly recommend this hat!

5 Leeann
Love these hats! The size large fits both my 4 and almost 7 year old girls great!

5 Barbara
I love Sun Day afternoon hats! This is my second, and it's reversible. I 'm a small- headed adult and the hat fits perfectly. I 'm always glad to have the strap to keep it on in the wind, because even a small breeze lifts other hats off.

5 Nancy
Lightweight, breathable, wide brim for good sun coverage My 4 yr old granddaughter who normally doesn ’ t like to wear a hat, will put this one on to go the park or the beach. it ’s flexible and it ’s shape bounces back without knocking it off their head if they were to bump it

5 AdventureOn
Great sun hat for my 10 year who loves being outside. The cinch ability allows for extra usage as she grows. She likes the chin strap as it ’s windy where we live. Lightweight and two hats in one!

For more information, please visit breathable bucket hat.

See all reviews

5 kz
I bought the blue bucket hat for a Florida kayaking trip and it was great! The cord that holds it on was totally necessary because we had wind gusts and other people's hats were blowing off. I did let my granddaughter borrow mine for awhile.

5 Josh
[ XL sizing option is appreciated. From my experience, this hat is really well produced and comfortable.

5 DEL
[ Great hat works well for sun protection especially on rafting/kayaking trips

5 Ann
[ This is a really nice hat. Bright retro colors and retro style. Very comfortable, and does a good job keeping the sun off my head. It might have been nice if the strings were removable, in case you did n't want to wear them all the time, but I can just tuck them up inside the hat. With the cinch cord on the back, it stays on your head pretty well even without using the strings below your chin.

5 Colin
[ Comfortable, stylish, and provides good sun protection.

See all reviews

5 Sarah from Kentucky
Perfect for my 6 year old. She loves the pattern and it is high quality and durable.

5 GM
These are the best hats for active outdoor loving redheads. This is maybe the 9th bucket hat we 've ordered. The small works great for our 1 year old. Our almost 5 year old is now in a large. I highly recommend these hats, functional, cute, and my kids keep them on.

5 Katie
Cute and protects from sun! My son loves wearing it and we get compliments!

5 Katie
We love this hat! We have had the play hat for years and wanted to try another model. This one is less adjustable so I should have order a bigger size to get more wear out of it but it ’s so cute, has great coverage and were big fans of the brand.

5 Jean L.
The Fun Bucket Hat is aptly named! With its capacious brim the Hat shields the fierce rays of the summer sun, allowing the wearer to play as she/he wishes! And it's cute!

The 3 Best Sun Hats of | Reviews by Wirecutter

By Kyle Fitzgerald and Liz Thomas

In almost four decades on this planet, I’ve spent an incalculable amount of time outdoors in the sun. And if it isn’t already clear from the photo next to my name at the top of this article, I’m bald.

So take it from me: Protecting your head from UV rays is important. My parents, having grown up at a time when sun protection was an afterthought, see doctors yearly to catch pre-cancerous spots on their faces.

Also take it from the research: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States—one in five people will get it, according to current estimates. A good sun hat, along with sunscreen and other protective steps, can help you avoid being one of those people.

But a good hat works only if you want to wear it. Since , we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing hats on trails, on mountains, and in parks, looking for the right combination of protection, comfort, and style. We have sun hat recommendations for maximum protection, the most breathability, and low-key activities, as well as a few others worth considering if our picks don’t work for you.

What we looked for

  • Sun-protective fabric

    We chose hats that had an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of at least 30.

  • Full brim

    Hats with brims that wrap fully around the head are more protective than baseball caps.

  • Comfort

    A hat is good only if you want to keep it on your head. We tested hats for fit, adjustability, and breathability.

  • Good visibility

    The right sun hat should have a protective brim that still allows you to see your surroundings.

Read more

Why you should trust us

I’m an associate staff writer covering outdoors gear for Wirecutter, and I spend a lot of time in the sun, hiking, kayaking, and walking my dog. I’ve previously reviewed and written buying guides for first aid kits, camping chairs, and headlamps.

For this guide:

  • I researched 35 sun hats and tested 16, going on hikes in Southern California, Wyoming, and Vermont during the spring and summer months, when the UV index is highest. I also measured each hat’s level of sun protection using a UV card.
  • We asked other testers to try on the hats to assess how they worked on different hair types and to weigh in on style preferences.
  • This guide builds upon the research, testing, and writing done by Liz Thomas, an avid long-distance hiker and backpacker; her work still appears throughout the current guide.
  • Since , we’ve spoken with three sun-protection experts: public health educator Lisa Quale of the University of Arizona Skin Cancer Institute, as well as Dr. Marie Jhin and Dr. D’Anne Kleinsmith, two dermatologists certified by the American Board of Dermatology.
  • Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

Who this is for

Whether you’re hiking, backpacking, rafting, golfing, or just taking the dog for a walk, you are exposing yourself to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Every dermatologist we interviewed warned that even during the winter or on overcast days, UVR hits the earth—and thus, you.

Dr. Marie Jhin explained that the higher the elevation, the closer people are to harmful UV rays. “The more exposure to these dangerous rays, the higher the risk,” she warned, noting, “I see a lot of airline pilots who are exposed to the rays in the air and get more skin cancer.”

However, you should understand sun hats’ limitations. They are great at blocking UV rays coming directly overhead from the sun, but they aren’t good at blocking those that bounce off surfaces like rocks, sand, water, and snow. This is especially true in the middle of the day regardless of your hat’s brim size, at high altitudes, and during the summer, when the sun is the most intense.

To fully protect yourself, you should consider a sun hat to be just one component of your sun defense. Avoid the sun during peak times, wear clothing made of high-UPF fabrics (UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor) and full coverage, wear sunscreen to protect your face from reflected UV rays, and maybe even use a sun-shading umbrella.

What about wearing a baseball cap?

Any hat can provide some protection. However, as Dr. D’Anne Kleinsmith warned, baseball caps “do nothing to protect the ears and sides of the face and neck.” Assuming that you’ve opted for a baseball cap with a UPF rating of 30 or more, it protects mostly just your scalp and some of your face in the shade of the brim. Visors have a similar coverage problem and don’t even protect the scalp.

For better sun protection, we suggest choosing a hat that has a full brim, as all of our picks do.

Best sun hat for overall protection: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat

Best for...

This UPF 50+ hat has a big brim and a neck covering, and it’s airy and comfortable. But it won’t win you many style points.

The Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat is the best sun hat if you prioritize protection and comfort, but its looks aren’t for everybody.

It’s the most protective sun hat we tested. The Ultra Adventure Hat is made of a nylon and polyester blend rated UPF 50+, the highest possible protection level. Its 3.25-inch clamshell brim (the longest brim of our picks) and flowing neck skirt provide generous coverage of the face, ears, neck, and upper shoulders. In windy conditions, the stiff brim stays put and continues to provide protection, and a chin strap ensures that the hat doesn’t fly off your head.

It’s comfortable to wear and to adjust. One tester commented that this hat was so comfortable, she almost forgot she was wearing it. That’s important if you’re spending a lot of time outside. It also has an adjustable cinch at the crown to adjust its tightness, and it has the widest sizing range of any of our picks (from 21.2 to 24.6 inches in head circumference, depending the size).

It allows you to see what’s around you. There’s a fine line between a protective brim and one that blocks your vision. A surprising number of sun hats get this wrong, but our testers found that the Ultra Adventure Hat’s brim gave the wearer plenty of front and peripheral vision for navigating, looking at the scenery, and even spotting wildlife.

It packs great and keeps its shape. The flexible fabric folds down into a stuff sack for travel. Unlike other hats we tested, when we took it back out, it retained its original shape and didn’t appear crinkled or sloppy.

It has a couple of other thoughtful features. If you want to take your sunglasses off, the Ultra Adventure Hat has two holes above the brim to hold them in place. It also has reflective fabric on the back of the hat, next to the mesh, to help keep you visible in low light.

Sunday Afternoons offers a lifetime guarantee. We haven’t noticed any durability issues, but should you have a problem, Sunday Afternoons will replace any hat with a manufacturing defect for life (though the company does charge an $8 shipping fee).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Its style is not for everyone. A few testers didn’t want to wear this hat because of the way it looked, and a couple of others felt self-conscious while wearing it, especially while not on the trail.
  • Its color choices are limited. This hat comes mostly in earthy tones, so if you’re looking for bold hues or fun patterns, this is not the best option.

Specs

  • UPF rating: 50+ (blocks over 98% of UV rays)
  • Brim length: 3.25 inches
  • Material: 88% nylon 12% polyester
  • Sizes (head circumference): S/M (21.2 to 22.9 inches) and L/XL (22.9 to 24.6 inches)

Best sun hat for keeping cool: Columbia Bora Bora II Booney

Best for...

This hat was the most breathable one we tested, but it offers less coverage than the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat.

The Columbia Bora Bora II Booney is the airiest hat we tested, but it’s less protective than the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat, our pick for overall sun protection.

It’s the breeziest hat we tested. Our testers loved the extensive layer of mesh that wraps around most of the hat’s crown; thanks to that design, this hat allows a lot more air circulation than other models. It also has a thick sweatband that dries quickly.

It offers great protection—with caveats. The Bora Bora II Booney’s nylon UPF 50 fabric blocks 98% of the sun’s rays from hitting your skin, and its brim is almost as wide as that of our overall-protection pick, at 3 inches all the way around.

However, in contrast to the Ultra Adventure Hat, this model’s lack of a skirt leaves the lower cheeks, the sides of the face, and long noses without coverage. Its mesh ventilation also brings a trade-off, as each of those holes can allow more direct UV light to hit your head.

It’s lightweight and packable. The Bora Bora II Booney’s nylon fabric is lightweight and foldable, and it easily squeezes into a backpack without taking up much space.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Its brim is a bit floppy. In windy conditions, the brim flies up against the forehead, exposing the nose to sun rays, something the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat does not do.
  • It’s less packable. After we packed up this hat, it retained wrinkles longer than many of the other hats and took longer to regain a normal-looking hat form.
  • It lacks color options. This hat is available only in earthy tones, so if you’re looking for bold hues or fun patterns, you won’t find them on this hat.

Specs

  • UPF rating: 50 (blocks roughly 98% of UV rays)
  • Brim length: 3 inches
  • Material: 100% nylon
  • Sizes (head circumference): one size (21 to 23.5 inches)

Best sun hat for casual adventures: Solbari Bondi Bucket Hat

Best for...

This UPF 50+ bucket hat is ideal for easygoing outdoor activities, but its smaller brim makes it less protective than our other picks.

Note: Solbari’s website has two product pages, showing this hat on female and male models, but it is the same hat.

As long as you won’t be sweating up a storm or be exposed to sun for hours, the Solbari Bondi Bucket Hat UPF50+ is a great choice for more relaxed outdoor adventures.

Its fabric is smooth and comfy. The Bondi Bucket Hat’s 100% nylon fabric felt much softer than the material of other bucket hats we tested, such as the Cotopaxi Tech Bucket Hat. One of our testers has wavy hair and frequently finds that hats leave her hair in tangles; the Bondi Bucket Hat left her curls largely unruffled, which she attributed to the smoothness of the fabric.

It’s easy to adjust and has multiple size options. The drawstring and cinch on the back of the hat are easy to tighten or loosen—which is especially helpful in windy environments because the hat lacks a chin strap.

It offers solid coverage without blocking your vision. Its 2.75-inch brim slopes downward to offer more face coverage but still leaves plenty of visibility.

It’s packable, and it holds up well. The Bondi Bucket Hat folds and rolls down to the size of a mini-size soda can, and unlike many hats we tested, it seemed less vulnerable to creases and wrinkles after we packed it up.

It offers more color options than our other picks do. If you’re looking for something brighter and more colorful, the Bondi Bucket Hat offers a wider range of color choices than our other picks. Its casual, vibrant style also made it blend in easily whether we were hiking on a trail or walking around a city.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • It provides less protection from the sun than our other picks. At 2.75 inches, the Solbari Bondi Bucket Hat’s brim is the smallest among our picks. That quarter-inch can make a difference, depending on the size and shape of your head, as well as the position of the sun.
  • It isn’t especially breathable. This hat isn’t meant for sweaty adventures as our other two picks are. It traps heat more than them because it has no holes or vents for airflow.

Specs

  • UPF rating: 50+ (blocks over 98% of UV rays)
  • Brim length: 2.75 inches
  • Material: 100% nylon
  • Sizes (head circumference): S/M (22 to 22.75 inches) and L/XL (23 to 23.75 inches)

Other sun hats worth considering

If you want a hat with a lifetime warranty and don’t mind paying extra: Consider the Tilley LTM6 Airflo Sun Hat. A former pick, this Tilley hat is made with UPF 50 fabric, and it has a distinctive fedora shape that some testers found appealing. It comes with a lifetime guarantee that even covers normal wear and tear. However, it’s a lot more expensive than any of our picks.

If you prefer a technical look and won’t need to pack your hat: Consider the Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat. This UPF 50+ hat has a brim that is 3 inches in the front and extends to just over 4 inches in the back, protecting more of your neck than the Columbia Bora Bora II Booney. It’s also almost as breathable as that Columbia hat, thanks to vents along the side of the crown, along with an inner layer of mesh designed to separate your head from the outer fabric (although we couldn’t tell just how effective this feature is). Its stiff brim makes it a little clumsy to fold and not nearly as packable as our picks, however.

If you want a hat for casual adventures and don’t need to pack it: Consider the UPF 50+ Solbari Everyday Broad Brim Sun Hat With Pocket UPF50+. I found myself reaching for this hat for long dog walks and short hikes when I didn’t go for the Solbari Bondi Bucket Hat. Its 3.25-inch brim offers generous coverage, and it has an easy-to-use cinch for tightening. Its brim is stiff and stays put in the wind, and its chin strap is removable, which comes in handy when you don’t want something dangling. It doesn’t pack well, though—I creased the brim trying to jam this hat into my daypack. Its fabric also causes it to trap more heat than our picks from Sunday Afternoons and Columbia, so it isn’t ideal for extended hikes in hot weather. (Note that Solbari has a separate product page for a women’s version and a men’s version, but the hats are the same, and the listings’ only differences are the models shown wearing the hats.)

How we picked and tested

After conducting more than 25 hours of research, looking through customer reviews and online guides, reviewing scientific studies, and speaking with experts on dermatology and skin cancer, we considered the following while looking for sun hats to test:

  • Sun-protective material: It should be no surprise that this is the number-one job of a sun hat. A good sun hat should be made of fabrics carrying an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of at least 30, which absorb and reflect ultraviolet radiation before it can hit your body. We also tested the hats’ materials ourselves to find out roughly how much protection they offered.
  • Full brim: An important feature separating sun hats from baseball caps is their full-brim coverage, which protects more of your face, ears, and neck. Public health educator Lisa Quale recommends that a hat’s brim be at least 3 inches, and two of our three picks meet that criteria (the one that doesn’t, the Solbari Bondi Bucket Hat, is just a bit smaller at 2.75 inches).
  • Comfort: Fabric feel, weight, fit, sizing options, and adjustability all factor into this, as do flaps, Velcro, strings, or cinches that might rub against the body or hang awkwardly.
  • Breathability: We picked hats that feature breathable fabric and that also allow heat to escape from the head through strategically placed vents.
  • Good visibility: The right hat finds a middle ground, providing a brim that protects you but still lets you see what’s in front of you.
  • Stylishness: As Quale said, “If you don’t like a hat, you’re less likely to wear it.” So we looked for hats in a variety of styles that would blend into different scenarios, whether you’re deep into the trails on a long hike or on a casual stroll in a city neighborhood. Beyond our picks, we have a few other sun hats worth considering, which may appeal to you if you have other style preferences but still want enough protection.
  • Packability and durability: In particular, we were interested in how well a hat and its brim would hold up to an outdoor lifestyle—how well it would survive being folded and stuffed into a bag, for example.

Since , we’ve tested sun hats in a variety of environments, from sun-baked deserts and high-altitude mountain passes to casual strolls around city neighborhoods. We’ve also used them in less intense situations, such as on dog walks and short hikes. Our tests covered the following aspects:

Initial fit and comfort testing: Once we had our testing pool of sun hats, we tried them on and factored in all of the criteria we established in making our selections, as well as thinking about how each hat worked for different head sizes and hair types. We eliminated many hats for a lack of sizing options, poor visibility for the wearer, or overall bad design.

Testing each hat’s fabric with a UV card: After eliminating hats based on the fit test, we set out to confirm whether the rest actually blocked UV rays as they’re supposed to. First we bought a foam head and slapped a UV card on top of it in the middle of a high-UV-index day with the sun at its highest position.

Using a camera’s burst mode, we measured the hat fabric’s rough ability to reduce UV rays by capturing the UV card’s measurement just as we removed the hat from the foam head.

According to the card, all of the hats did their job and kept UV levels low on the scalp—we even tested hats that didn’t have official UPF ratings (like the Cotopaxi Tech Bucket Hat), and they fared just as well as hats that had UPF ratings.

We also looked at how much each hat protected the nose area from UV radiation by placing the card there. The face is exposed to more reflected UV radiation (rays that bounce off the environment, as opposed to coming directly from the sun), so the UV readings on the nose were slightly higher for all of the hats we tested. That said, they were all still within the low range.

Field testing: We took the hats on hikes, dog walks, kayaking trips, and city strolls in Southern California, Utah, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York during late spring and summer, when the UV index is highest. We paid extra attention to fit, comfort, visibility, and breathability—the things that make you want to keep your hat on.

Two of our sun hat picks, the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat and the Columbia Bora Bora II Booney, were a part of two other intense testing sessions:

  • Eight testers (four men, four women) wore and compared various hats on at least one 4-hour hike at altitude (between 7,000 and 12,500 feet) in California and Colorado.
  • Two testers (one man, one woman) took hats on a 100-mile backpacking trip on the West Highland Way in Scotland, the perfect place to test hats in serious wind. Testing each hat in cloudy weather ended up being a good way to determine if the hat truly was comfortable—it had to be so comfortable we could forget we were wearing it, because most of the time we felt like we didn’t need a hat (even though we knew, objectively, that we did need the protection).

What to look for if you need to buy a sun hat off the shelf

If you, like me, are a forgetful packer, here are some features to keep in mind if you need to do some emergency sun hat shopping:

  • Hats with a certification of UPF 30 or above are best.
  • In the absence of a UPF rating, hold the hat up to the sun—if you see a lot of light coming through the fabric, it’s less likely to be protective. “As a general rule, darker colors are more sun protective due to their ability to absorb UVR before it reaches the skin,” said Lisa Quale. “Light colors let more UVR pass through—think of dark drapes vs. light drapes.”
  • The hat should ideally have a full brim that’s 3 inches or wider (a bit shorter than the length of a credit card).
  • Densely woven fabrics like denim, canvas, wool, and most synthetic fabrics (such as nylon or polyester) are typically good at absorbing UV radiation or reflecting it away from you.
  • A dark underside brim absorbs light reflected off the environment around you (such as off concrete, sand, snow, or rocks), protecting your face from extra UV exposure.

The competition

Coolibar Charlie Cotton Bucket Hat: This waxed hat is made of 100% cotton. It was quite stiff and less comfortable than other hats. It was also notably wrinkled out of the box.

Coolibar Women’s Etta Shapeable Sun Catcher Hat: This hat had one of the widest brims at 4 inches, but it made seeing difficult, and the pattern on the underside of the brim was surprisingly distracting.

Cotopaxi Tech Bucket Hat: This hat comes in only one size, and testers said it ran too small. It lacks a UPF rating but performed well in our UV card test.

Kavu Chillba Hat: The Chillba was bulky and harder to travel with than other options, and testers found it less secure than other hats. Its design seems to be inspired by Southeast Asian conical hats, and it prompted racist remarks from passersby toward the original writer of the guide, Liz Thomas.

Lack of Color Holiday Bucket: We quite liked the look of the wide, structured brim on this cotton hat—its brim is one of the widest we found at over 4 inches—and its UPF 50+ protection. It also comes in multiple sizes, so testers were able to find a good fit. For summer days, however, the heavy material and lack of ventilation had us running hot. It’s also one of the more expensive hats we tested, at just under $100. We plan to try this hat again in cooler, fall weather.

Lululemon Women’s Cinchable Wide Brim Bucket Hat: This hat was one of the lightest and most packable we tested, but its brim was too wavy and floppy for our liking, and its neck cape was too short to cover longer necks.

Nike Apex Dri-Fit Bucket Hat: This hat was comfortable but lacked ventilation. It could be a fine choice for casual adventures, if you don’t mind having a Nike logo front and center.

Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Hat: Similar to Outdoor Research’s Sunbriolet, this hat has a slightly larger brim. But it lacks the Sunbriolet’s ventilation.

Patagonia Quandary Brimmer Hat: This hat has a shape similar to that of the Outdoor Research Sunbriolet, but its brim is smaller and less protective in the back. Its sizing ran small, and its chin strap felt cheaper than those on other hats we tested.

Peter Grimm Sebastian Extra Wide Brim Lifeguard Hat: In testing for a previous version of this guide, many testers liked this hat. Worn in the wind, however, it took off like a parasail. It also could not fold down, and it was a pain to transport on flights or on the back of a pack when we weren’t wearing it.

The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat: Like the Columbia Bora Bora II Booney, this hat offered good ventilation, but it fared even worse than that Columbia hat after being packed down; its brim was wavy, uneven, and difficult to reshape.

Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap: Though our testers frequently received compliments from other folks on the trail about this hat’s color and innovative design, they all found this hat’s fabric too hot and not breathable enough to use. We interviewed two Sun Runner owners who have hiked over 1,000 miles in their caps who reported the same problem.

Solbari Go-To Bucket Hat UPF50+: For our testers, this hat neither felt as comfortable nor looked as good as Solbari’s other bucket hat, our pick for casual adventures.

Solbari Ultra Wide Cotton Linen Hat UPF50+: The brim on this hat was expansive, measuring 5 inches in front and even longer in back. Unfortunately, the brim felt too floppy and made it hard for the wearer to see the trail.

Uniqlo UV Protection Wide Brim Hat: This hat is made of 100% linen. It’s affordable, it has a very large 4-inch brim, and it’s comfortable, though not as breathable as the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat and Columbia Bora Bora II Booney. Unfortunately, at this writing it’s out of stock, and we’re not sure when it will be available.

Care and maintenance

Washing your hat frequently will help prevent accumulation of sweat and associated salt, which can cause the fabric to deteriorate, permanently discolor your hat, and lead to rot (gross).

Never throw your hat in the wash. Instead, wash it by hand using cool water. You can use a gentle brush, such as a soft toothbrush, and a mild dish soap to attack difficult stains. Never use bleaches or fabric softeners, which may weaken the sun-blocking qualities of your hat.

When your hat is clean but still damp, reshape it, being careful to smooth out any wrinkles, and let it air dry completely before packing it up or using it.

What to look forward to

This spring, we’ll be testing some casual, beach-friendly and less sporty sun hats in Hawaii. We also plan to test sun hats that offer full face coverings this summer. In the future, we’d like to try sun hats that have full-face protection, for people who are especially sensitive to UV radiation or would like that option. We’ll also continue exploring hats made from natural fibers, including canvas, wool, and denim.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Sources

  1. Lisa Quale, health educator at the University of Arizona Skin Cancer Institute , and interviews , April 22,

  2. Lint Bunting, long-distance hiker , interview,

  3. Dr. Marie Jhin, board-certified dermatologist and author , interview,

  4. Dr. D’Anne Kleinsmith, board-certified dermatologist , interview,

Meet your guides

Kyle Fitzgerald

What I Cover

I test and review gear for travel and outdoor adventures, from camping chairs to first aid kits. I’m also interested in tackling issues of sustainability and safety in the areas that I cover.

Liz Thomas

Further reading

  • 40+ Wirecutter-Recommended Sun Protection Picks

    by Gabriella DePinho and Wirecutter Staff

    A robust selection of gear we like that’ll help stave off sun damage all summer, including sunscreens, sunglasses, children’s beachwear, and UPF clothing.

  • Wirecutter’s 50 Favorite Hiking Picks for Hitting the Trails

    by Gabriella DePinho

    From headlamps to hiking shoes, here are some of our favorite, Wirecutter-approved items for hiking.

  • I Hate Hats. But I Love Wearing This $20 Sun Visor All Summer Long.

    by Rose Maura Lorre

    Hats are one of the best forms of sun protection—but if you can’t stand wearing one, here’s why you may prefer this roll-up hat-visor hybrid instead.

  • This Surfer-Approved Sun Hat Always Gets Me Compliments

    by Samantha Schoech

    This cool, handmade African straw hat has lasted six years so far—and survived being dunked in a river.

Advertisement

Contact us to discuss your requirements of bucket hat with string. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT