Perhaps one of the most underrated pieces of hiking gear you’ll ever own, a hiking hat is a must-have piece of equipment. When you’re putting together your gear list for your next day-hike or backpacking trip, I can imagine you’re thinking more about the shirt you’re going to wear and the snacks you’re going to bring than what you’re wearing on your head. But bringing the right hat can make a huge difference in your day, even if you don’t realize it at first. It’s especially important to wear a hat if you’re hiking in sunny and hot weather.
We’ve assembled our picks for the best hiking hats of 2023, and laid out any considerations you should take into account, as well as the different types of hats available.
Best Hiking Hats of 2023
Product
Highlights
Price
Tilley LTM6 Airflo Broad Brim Hat
Lifetime Guarantee, UPF 50, Floats in Water
$$$
Editor’s Choice
REI Co-op Vented Explorer Hat
UPF 50+, Wide Brim
$$
Columbia Bora Bora Booney II Hat
UPF 50, Polyester Sweatband
$
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
Sun Protection Cape, UPF 50, Floats in Water
$$
Sunday Afternoons Bug-Free Charter Hat
Embedded Bug Repellent
$$
Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat
Breathable Waterproof Protection
$$$
REI Co-op On the Trail Cap
Moisture Wicking, UPF 50
$
Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat
Breathable Mesh Back Panel, Awesome Designs
$
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Editor’s Choice – Tilley LTM6 Airflo Broad Brim Hat
Our top pick for the best hiking hats comes from Tilley, a brand that’s widely known for making high quality hats built for adventure. This Airflo Broad Brim is Guaranteed For Life, which means Tilley will repair or replace it if there’s any issues with wear, tear, or manufacturing. The hat is UPF 50+ with a DWR finish, machine washable, floats in water, and has a brim that is 3.5 inches. There’s also a pocket in the crown for storage and a cord under the chin so you can secure it when the wind picks up. While this hat is the most expensive one on our list, the features and lifetime guarantee make it well worth it.
Specifications
- Guaranteed for Life
- Available in 5 different colors and 9 size options
- UPF 50+ and DWR finished
- Brim width: 3.25 inches
- Floats in water, pocket in the crown, machine washable
Pros
- Guaranteed for Life
- 5 different colors
- 9 different size options
Cons
- Most expensive hat on our list
REI Co-op Vented Explorer Hat (REI choice)
REI brand makes some good products, and this hat is no exception. It’s made from organically grown cotton and provides UPF 50+ sun protection. The 3-inch brim provides plenty of protection and you can even use the brass snaps to flip up the sides. There’s a stash pocket inside the crown, a chin draw cord for windy conditions, an inner sweatband to wick sweat, and mesh side vents to keep you cool. This hat has all the bells and whistles for an affordable price!
Specifications
- One color and three sizes
- UPF 50+
- Brim width: 3 inches
- Inner mesh side vents and sweatband
- Chin strap and stash pocket inside crown
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Has all the note-worthy features
Cons
- Made of cotton, which isn’t always the best hiking material
Columbia Bora Bora Booney II Hat – Most Affordable
Columbia makes some awesome adventure gear, and their Bora Bora Booney hat is very highly rated. While it does lack a hidden pocket and a variety of size options, it’s the most affordable hat on the best hiking hats list. It’s still rated UPF 50+ for sun protection, and it has a wide 3 inch brim. The polyester sweatband and mesh interior helps wick sweat off your head, and the draw cord is perfect for windy conditions. Instead of offering different size options, it’s adjustable using a toggle in the back of the hat.
Specifications
- 5 color options but only one size
- Nylon UPF 50 shell with polyester sweatband
- Adjust size by draw cord and toggle in back
- Brim width: 3 inches
Pros
- Easier to order online without trying on since the hat is adjustable in size
Cons
- Limited size options
- Lacks interior pocket
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat – Best Caped
We picked this Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat for our pick for the best caped hiking hat because of the amount of sun protection is has. While it doesn’t offer many color or size options, it’s highly rated with lots to bring to the table. The brim is the widest on this list at 4 inches, which is paired with a 7.5 inch cape in the back for neck protection. It’s rated UPF 50+, and is treated with a DRW finish. The large mesh side panels allow extra air flow, and the sizing strap in the back cinches for the perfect fit. Plus, it’s still one of the most affordable options on this list!
Specifications
- One color, two size options
- Water-resistant nylon with UPF 50+
- Wide brim (4 inches) paired with 7.5 inch cape in back
- Use draw cord for size adjustment
Pros
- One of the most affordable options
- Offers widest brim and most sun protection
Cons
- No color options
- Only 2 size options
Sunday Afternoons Bug-Free Charter Hat – Best For Bugs
If you live or hike near water or in humid environments, those mosquitoes may slowly drive you mad. We’ve added this hat to our list specifically for the fact that it hosts an EPA-registered No Fly Zone permethrin-treated fabric that repels bugs. Plus, it comes with all the basic features like a wide brim, crown pocket, UPF 50+ fabric, mesh ventilation, and even a Sunglass Lock to keep your glasses in place. While this hat isn’t our most expensive on the list, it is on the higher end – but it’s worth it to keep those critters at bay!
Specifications
- Two color and two size options
- EPOA registered No Fly Zone permethrin-treated fabric repels bugs
- Floats in water, wicking sweatband, internal adjustability, sunglass lock, crown pocket, UPF 50+
- Brim width: 3.25 inches in front and 3.5 inches in back
Pros
- Repels bugs without sprays
- Lots of features
Cons
- On the more expensive side
- No fun color options
Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat – Best For Rain
If you find yourself frequently outside in rainy conditions, this Seattle Rain Hat is one of the best hats on the market for the situation. On top of the basic features such as UPF 50+ material, chin cord, and wide brim, it also boasts a GORE-TEX shell with fully taped seams. This means you get a breathable hat that offers waterproof protection. The brim is foam-stiffened so it can better withstand the weight of rain drops while directing them away from your face.
Specifications
- 6 colors and four sizes
- Goretex shell with taped seams provides breathable waterproof protection
- Brim width: 3-3.75 inches front to back
- UPF 50+
Pros
- Fun color options
- GORE-TEX shell
- Stiffened brim to keep upright
Cons
- More expensive
Katherine Homes Trucker Hat (coolest prints)
We love this printed trucker hat! It comes in a variety of color/designs, all beautiful and unique in their own way! While ball caps do provide limited sun protection, they are still great minimalistic options for when you’re on trail or outdoors for shorter periods of time. Plus, this company is a member of 1% for the Planet, and each hat comes with a product tag about environmental concerns related to its specific design.
Specifications
- 6 different designs in awesome prints
- 1% for the Planet
- Breathable hat with polyester mesh back
Pros
- Affordable
- Awesome designs/colors
Cons
- Limited sun protection
Considerations for the Best Hiking Hats
Here are a few things to take into consideration when shopping for the best hiking hat.
Fabric & UPF
To get the most out of your hiking hat, you should pick a hat that is made of synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester. It should be lighter in color, since that helps reflect the sun instead of absorb it. The tighter the fabric weave, the less sun it will let through. Most sun hats that are made for hiking should already have a UPF 50+ rating, meaning they will block 98% of the sun’s rays. You should avoid cotton and straw hats, which just get wet and aren’t tightly woven enough for real sun protection.
Width
The brim of the hat should be at least 2.5 inches, so we’ve only included options that fit that requirement on our best hiking hats list. Any brims that are shorter won’t provide the needed sun protection, but anything too wide will just get floppy. Pick a hat that has the right balance between rigid and flimsy. Stiffer brims may dig into your forehead, but they also provide better protection against wind and rain. For really rainy conditions, consider pairing a stiff-brim option with a rain poncho for ultimate weather protection.
Sizing
Any sun hats for hiking should be easily adjustable, especially since lots are either “one size fits most” or have a very limited amount of size options. Plus, you’ll want the ability to easily adjust the tension over the course of your adventure. Imagine wanting a loose fitting hat for most of the day, but when the afternoon winds pick up, you’ll want to tighten it a little more.
Water Resistance
While it may be tempting to completely round out your hiking gear with water-resistant and waterproof materials, this feature isn’t necessary in a hiking hat. Unless you’re planning on hiking in rainy conditions, the water-proofing layer will just make your hat less breathable, which is not desirable, especially in hot conditions.
The Best Mesh
Mesh is great for increasing breathability, but it’s inherently less effective at blocking the sun’s rays. You’ll want to find a good balance of mesh and UPF 50+ material so you aren’t defeating the purpose of wearing a hat and leaving your skin exposed.
Three Types of Hiking Hats
There are three types of hiking hats: wide-brimmed, caped, and a ballcap. Each have their own pros and cons, but we personally use wide-brimmed hats for our heads (or ball caps for shorter adventures).
Wide-Brimmed (most common)
This is our hiking hat of choice and is probably one of the first images to come to mind when you think about a traditional hiking hat. It’s designed to provide 360 degree shade, while still providing plenty of airflow.
Caped (for the serious hiker)
Caped hiking hats look like a ballcap with an extra piece of material. The brim covers the front of your face, while the neck flap protects your ears and neck. This cap is often associated with more serious hikers, or hikers that frequently hike in hot and arid environments.
Ballcap (most versatile)
A ballcap (or cap) is your traditional baseball cap and can be purchased almost anywhere. While it provides the least amount of sun protection, it’s also the most versatile. It can be worn in day to day activities, but it can also be paired with a sun hoodie or Buff for extra protection when you need it. These types of hiking hats also typically have the best designs, with more options for colors and prints.
Fun Design Features for the Best Hiking Hats
- Adjustable headband – as already stated above, hiking hats should have an adjustable headband so you can make sure the hat fits properly throughout the course of your hike.
- Chin Strap – chin straps may not be the most fashionable, but they really come in handy when the wind picks up. The chin strap on my hiking hat has saved my hat more times than I can count.
- Sunglasses holder – This is a nifty feature where there are slits on the sides of your forehead where you would slide the side of your sunglasses into for extra support and protection.
- Foldable/packable – most hiking hats should have a soft enough brim that they can be folded down and stored into your pack. If you wear a hard-brimmed hat, you’re committing to having it on your head the entire day.
- Hidden pocket – some hiking hat designs come with a hidden pocket in the crown which is perfect for a small key, credit card, or a little cash.
- Floating – lots of hiking and adventure hats float in water, perfect for when you’re on the lake, river, or ocean!
Ashley is an adventurous soul who loves all things nature, especially warm sunshine, wildflowers, scenic snacking, and mushrooms. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast who has spent years enjoying time outside doing things like hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
Her goal with Know Nothing Nomads is to make these hobbies easily accessible through knowledgeable content and how-to’s based on all the stuff she’s learned on her journey. If she isn’t writing an article, she’s probably in a forest looking at big mountain views and tiny pieces of moss on the side of the trail.
My goal with my writing and Know Nothing Nomads as a whole is to share my passions of hiking, camping, and a love of the outdoors with our readers. Making the difficult and uncertain feel more approachable to people that might not know enough to feel comfortable taking their first steps into the wilderness is a driving factor for me. When I’m not writing you can find me on a trail, in a forest, or next to a river with hiking shoes on my feet and a fly rod somewhere close by.