Clothing > Accessories
10 Best Sun Hats for Men: Portable Shade for Summer
Summers are a truly glorious time, long months of sunshine and bright skies and countless hours of outdoor fun.
For those of us who live in the Northern United States and Canada, we make use of every free moment to get out and enjoy the lakes, rivers, and beaches that are too cold most of the year.
All this outdoor activity means we are at risk of sunburn. And I mean a serious risk, because you can get insanely burned after spending an entire day floating on a paddleboard or tanning on a beach with no shade.
Sun damage will accelerate the formatting of wrinkles, sun spots, and aging of your skin. In fact, it’s estimated that as much as 80% of your skin aging is the result of UV exposure.
Sun hats are the simplest and most convenient solution for keeping your skin healthy and young. From baseball caps to full-brim hats to sun visors, they provide shelter for your face (and/or neck) to prevent sun damage and sunburn.
- Styles vary. The classic baseball cap is the simplest form of sun hat, but it only offers protection for one side of you at a time. However, there are full-brim hats—everything from Panama hats to cowboy-style hats to bucket hats—that will shield both your face and neck, but give you the fit that suits your head shape best.
- Function over form. Let’s be honest: no one really ever looks “cool” in a sun hat. It’s “Dad clothing” all the way, all about that function with little attention paid to form. Well, it’s worth sacrificing a bit of style to ensure you’re shielded from the sun for long hours of summer activity.
- A wide range of materials. Classic Panama sun hats are often made out of straw, while bucket hats and anglers’ hats are typically made from synthetic materials like nylon and polyester (sometimes mixed with cotton for comfort or Spandex for versatility). What matters most is that the material is either naturally UV-resistant or features some treatment that shields your scalp from solar radiation. Waterproofing or water-resistance is always a wonderful bonus to look for, too.
Every spring, I make it my mission to find the perfect sun hats to use over my Canadian summer. I’ve spent countless hours researching dozens of options, testing as many as I can get my hands on, and reading hundreds of reviews.
My research has led me to assemble this list of the best, most reliable, and most versatile sun hats for you to use in the sunny months to come.
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
Planning a hiking day? Throw on this hat and you’ll stay shielded from the sun. The 4-inch brim offers full protection for your face and the 7.5-inch neck cape ensures your neck will never sunburn.
The water- and stain-resistant nylon body is tough as nails while the polyester crown features moisture-wicking and ventilation to keep your head cool. Plus, the fabric is treated with SPF50+ UV protection.
Panama Jack Lifeguard Sun Hat
There’s a lot to love about this hat: an extra-wide 4.5-inch downward curving brim that shields your face fully, natural UVA and UVB protection, excellent breathability, an inner elasticized sweatband, and, best of all, a wonderfully light weight.
It’s so comfortable and light you’ll almost forget you’re wearing it—the perfect hat to take golfing, fishing, out for yard work, and to lounge on the beach or poolside.
Columbia Bora Bora II Booney Omni Shade Sun Hat
Whether you’re hiking or mountain climbing, you’ll be glad for this hat’s integrated ventilation and light weight.
The 3-inch brim keeps it from impairing your view of surrounding terrain but still offers ample protection from the sun.
I’m particularly fond of the “ultra-sweat-wicking” headband, which keeps my face dry and my head cool even on the hottest days. It’s the perfect all-day-in-hot-weather hat for my outdoor adventures.
Fishpond Low Country Hat
When I’m planning a day of dock fishing or kayak fishing, I’ll reach for my Fishpond Low Country Hat every time.
The silhouette is iconic, the Guatemalan palm fibers sturdy but nicely lightweight, and it’s breathable enough to keep me from baking in the sun.
The 4.5-inch brim offers great protection for my face and neck and the lanyard keeps the hat securely on my head. Highly recommended.
adidas Victory 4 Bucket Hat
My sons love this hat for their all-day fishing trips. They particularly rave about the breathability, thanks to the mesh ventilation integrated into the crown.
The Boonie bucket silhouette is an iconic style that every angler will be familiar with (and love), and it pairs perfectly with a fishing vest and/or waders.
Moisture-wicking, solar-protecting, and lightweight—just an all-around great fishing hat.
Hemlock Hat Co. Santos Lifeguard
Looking for extra protection from the sun? This Lifeguard hat delivers exactly what you need.
The high cattleman crown not only fits bigger, taller head shapes, but also offers extra protection for your face and neck no matter the angle of sunlight.
Every hat is handmade in the U.S. using high-quality tripilla palm straw that will hold up to many summers of daily use without fading or breaking.
THE NORTH FACE Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat
Athletes, trekkers, and long-distance runners, this hat’s built with you in mind. The nylon body is lightweight and breathable while still being highly resistant to damage from sun exposure, heavy sweating, dust, and rain.
The sweatband is moisture-wicking and quick-drying, and the whole hat features UV protection that’ll shield your skin all day long. Best of all, it’s made from 75% (or more) recycled materials—eco-friendly and sustainable, too.
Quiksilver Pierside Straw Hat
The tight straw weave on this hat makes it both durable and highly protective again sun and rain.
The lined headband ensures a comfortable fit and keeps sweat from dripping into your face.
Thanks to the adjustable chin strap, you’ll never have to worry about the hat flying away even if the wind kicks up while kayaking or boating. And you can’t argue with the insanely affordable price tag.
EINSKEY Unisex Sun Hat
This is my go-to hat for paddleboarding and kayaking trips. The fabric is both sun and water-repellent, and it’s designed to fold down small enough I can fit it into my dry bag or backpack when not in use.
It’s great for keeping ocean spray, rain, and sun out of my face, and the water-resistant coating ensures it’ll stay dry even if I accidentally drop it.
Quiksilver Bushmaster Floppy Visor Bucket Hat
This floppy hat is the ultimate packable companion. Its lack of stiff brim makes it easy to roll it up into a tight bundle that fits in a pouch, pocket, or backpack compartment, but when in place on your head, the 4-inch brim offers good protection from the sun.
The cotton fabric isn’t the toughest or most water-resistant, but it’s wonderfully comfortable and soft against your skin.
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