Going on a hike involves a lot of planning. It’s essential to do your outdoor research, consider your shoes, and the all-important route before setting off. But have you considered what you should wear on your head? A good hiking hat, walking hat, or sun hat is a key item to buy before you hit the trails. As well as keeping the sun out of your eyes, hiking hats also provide invaluable defense from harsh UV rays and make sure that your face stays in the shade. There’s nothing like a bad case of sunstroke to ruin your carefully planned hike.
Today’s best hiking hats have added features designed to keep your head and neck cool so that you can enjoy the views. Check out our buyer’s guide to find the best hiking hats for your requirements.
View The Best Hiking Hat Below
1. LETHMIK Outdoor Waterproof Boonie Hat
Made from 100% high-quality waterproof polyester with UPF 50 sun protection, this unisex boonie from Lethmik will keep wearers dry and safe from the sun when hiking, regardless of the weather. It has an adjustable elastic drawstring that sits comfortably under the chin, and breathable, mesh air vents on both sides. It’s also foldable and can easily be carried in a bag, or even in pockets for extra convenience. The hat comes in a range of different colors, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits you.
Pros:
+ One size fits most adults
+ Wide brim keeps the face protected from the sun
+ Hat is crushable and foldable for easy storage and transportation
+ Waterproof material keeps the head dry in wet conditions
+ Built-in sweatband keeps the head cool
Why We Liked It – This hat is practical, stylish, and offers a high degree of protection against the sun when hiking. It conveniently packs down and is easy to carry. Made from lightweight and breathable fabric, users report a high level of comfort.
2. Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Sun Protection Hat
Fans of Quiksilver won’t be disappointed with this wide-brimmed hat that features an embroidered logo on the front. Made from 100% cotton in a khaki color, the hat will make sure you stay cool while keeping the sun out of your eyes. It has a long flexible strap in matching fabric that can be adjusted to secure under the chin. It would be suitable for camping, the beach or the trail. What it lacks in features compared to some others, it makes up for in simple style, although you will pay more for the Quiksilver brand.
Pros:
+ Cotton fabric keeps you cool
+ Simple design
+ Adjustable and matching chin cord
+ Embroidered with stylish Quiksilver logo
+ Khaki color suitable for the beach or the trail
Why We Liked It – This hat doesn’t have as many features as some of the others in this list, but sometimes it pays to keep it simple. The brim keeps the sun off the face so users can focus on the trail.
3. EINSKEY Sun Hat
This boonie rivals the Lethmik for excellent features. It’s waterproof, lightweight, and rolls up easily, saving space. It has an adjustable chin strap and an internal moisture wicking sweatband that will keep wearers dry on even the most challenging of hiking trails.
The best feature of this sun hat is its extra-wide brim and UPF 50+ sun protection, which offers a high level of defense from the sun’s harmful rays, whether hiking, fishing gardening, or at the beach. One size generally fits all; the hat features a rear elastic drawstring, so it can be adjusted to fit the size of your head.
Pros:
+ Internal moisture wicking sweatband to keep users dry
+ Extra-wide brim and UPF 50 rating sun protection
+ Mesh crown keeps the head cool
+ Made from high quality, durable material
+ Lightweight and packable, the hat can be rolled up and carried
Why We Liked It – This boonie comes out in front due to the brim, which provides outstanding defense against the sun’s rays. The unisex design and a range of colors mean there’s a hat here for everyone!
4. Palmyth Mosquito Head Net
This hat sports all the features you’d expect from a hiking hat: it’s made from water-repellent material, has an adjustable chin strap, and wide brim for keeping the sun off the face. The Palmyth hat also has the added bonus of a mosquito guard feature, perfect for walking through in the woods or lakeside camping in summer.
The mosquito prevention comes in the form of a hidden mesh compartment that discreetly rolls up into the main body of the hat. The hat also has certified UPF 50+ sun protection woven into the fabric of the hat. For those cloudy days, there’s a removable neck flap.
Pros:
+ Mosquito net feature guaranteed to keep the bugs out
+ Removable neck flap so you can customize the look of the hat
+ UPF 50 that’s woven into the hat’s fabric
+ Breathable, waterproof material makes it suitable for all outdoor activities
+ Suitable for men and women, with a range of color options
Why We Liked It – If you’re looking for a hat that does it all, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive model than this one. The added mosquito net means you’ll be protected from the sun, and any bugs you might encounter on your hike!
5. Solaris Wide Brim Boonie Hat
Available in a range of colors, this boonie is suitable for men and women. It’s made of 100% polyester, so it’s waterproof and very breathable. There’s a large mesh vent and a moisture-wicking sweatband inside the hat to keep you cool. Like other models, this hat can fold down and is easily transported in a bag or pocket.
This hat is reasonably priced; it has the same features as some of the pricier models and would be suitable for those who are after a hat with a high UPF at a low price. The hat doesn’t have an adjustable chinstrap, which may put some users off.
Pros:
+ UFP 50 sun protection
+ Cool boonie style
+ Transportable and foldable
+ Lots of features at a low price
+ Waterproof, breathable material
Why We Liked It – The hat has a nice range of colors to choose from, ranging from khaki to navy. It’s good to have an option for those who aren’t keen on the chin strap design. This hiking hat does everything it needs to and keeps the costs down.
6. USHAKE Hiking UV Protection Hat
Departing from the boonie style, this baseball cap hiking hat is perfect for those who are after excellent defense against the sun, but don’t want a traditional wide-brimmed hat. This hat has an 8cm brim and detachable neck and face protectors that block out 98% of the sun’s rays, making it one of the best hiking hats for defense against the sun.
These features also have the added bonus of keeping dust off your face when you’re out hiking on Sunday afternoons. The material is super lightweight; the nylon and polyester are windproof, water-resistant, and quick-drying. It’s easy to adjust the hat depending on the situation you find yourself in.
Pros:
+ Adaptable style – can be worn as a baseball cap too
+ Removable protectors cover the ears, neck, and face.
+ Material is suitable for all weathers
+ The hood is adjustable for different head sizes
+ Comfortable, lightweight style
Why We Liked It – This hiking hat stands out from the rest because of the uniqueness of its design. The baseball cap would be suitable for any scenario, but it can easily be adapted into a hiking hat with just a few small adjustments.
Hiking Hat Buyer’s Guide
We’ve given you six awesome hats to choose from for your next hike, but if you’re new to hiking and want the best possible hat, what should you be looking for?
Material
When you’re in the great outdoors, you’re at the mercy of the weather. It’s important to pick something made of a lightweight material such as nylon or polyester, so it doesn’t weigh you down and will keep you cool in hotter temperatures. These materials are also usually water-resistant, which is handy if you get caught in a shower.
Style
When out hiking, you’ll often be exposed to the elements for long periods of time. That’s why it’s important to invest in a hat in the right style. Something that keeps the sun off your face and protects your head from the heat is ideal. The best option is a wide-brimmed hat, which is perfect for the job. But it’s not all about your face and head: you can also get burnt on your neck, which is why hats that come with additional protection for the neck are preferred.
Ventilation
Hiking can be a sweaty business, so many hiking hats now come equipped with built-in ventilation panels. These are helpful additions to any hiking hat, as they allow for greater breathability, letting air in and allowing your head to stay cool.
What’s a Boonie Hat?
You’ll see that many of the hiking hats available are called “boonie” hats. If you’ve never heard this term before, a boonie is a type of wide-brimmed hat commonly used in the military. They are not to be confused with the similar-looking “bucket” hat, which has more of a bucket-like shape, with a brim that slopes down.
Why do I need UFP protection?
The majority of hats that we’ve reviewed have a high UPF rating. A UPF rating is a way of measuring what levels of the sun’s radiation is blocked out by the hat fabric. This is very important for protecting your head, so you don’t get sunburnt. Sunburn can lead to skin cancer, so a 50+ rating is always preferred. The best hats should have this rating as standard.
Conclusion
Hiking is a timeless hobby for all the family, but its important to do outdoor research so you can be prepared for all eventualities, especially sunburn, sunstroke, and other weather-related conditions. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself and avoid these issues is to invest in a good quality hat. We’ve featured the best hats we can find in this guide.
All provide that all-important protection from the sun, but can also shelter wearers from wind, rain, and dust. Using our handy pros list, you should easily be able to find the best hat for your next walk or hike. With varied styles and options available, there’s something here for everyone.
