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Best sun hats for men 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated June 1, 2023
Hi there, I’m Roger Barnett. After more than 53 hours of research, including interviewing two experts and spending 10 hours testing 24 popular sun hats for men, I found the best sun hats for men of 2018.
Eventually, I found something that would suit my needs but it occurred to me that I wasn’t the only one who might be having the same problems I did. In this section we provide our readers with a comparison table of our top picks. Scroll past the table for a closer look at each of the 3 best sun hats for men in our review section.
Best sun hats for men of 2018
You must have heard that the best sun hats for men should allow you to save money, right? Sure, but that’s not the only reason you should consider getting one. I’ve based my selection methodology on customer feedback, the size, functionality, and budget to meet various demands.
I am going to specify each good-to-buy feature as much as possible for your references. I browse the various sun hats for men available on the market and list three of the very best.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
 |
| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Design |
5 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Materials |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Construction |
4 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Quality |
5 points
|
4 points
|
5 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
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How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the sun hats for men by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II Sun Hats
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this sun hats for men win the first place?
I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! I also liked the delivery service that was fast and quick to react. It was delivered on the third day. The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack.
5
|
5
|
4
|
5
|
№2 – Outdoor Boonie Sun Hat – UPF 50 Protection for Men & Women. Wide Brim Summer Hat. Waterproof for Fishing
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this sun hats for men come in second place?
The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price. The design quality is top notch and the color is nice.
4
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
№3 – Men’s Wide Brim Sun Hat
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this sun hats for men take third place?
I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. A very convenient model. It is affordable and made of high-quality materials.
4
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
sun hats for men Buyer’s Guide
Who this is for
Whether you’re running, hiking, backpacking, rafting, golfing, or just taking the dog for a walk, you are exposing yourself to ultraviolet radiation. Every dermatologist we interviewed warned that even during winter or on overcast days, UVR (ultraviolet radiation) hits the earth, and thus, you.
Health educator Lisa Quale of the University of Arizona Skin Cancer Institute mentioned in an email that “the face, tops of the ears, neck, chest, hands, and arms are some of the most common sites for skin cancer.” She suggested sunhats should be seen as just one part of your defensive lineup. In addition to wearing a sunhat, avoid the sun during peak times, wear clothing with high UPF fabrics and full coverage, wear sunscreen, and use a sun-shading umbrella (a favorite of Bunting, who has backpacked over 30,000 miles across the US with a mylar umbrella).
The Blue Hat
Wear a blue hat with a blue or gray suit or coat. If pairing a blue suit with a blue hat, the colors must match fairly closely. Alternatively, you can pair a dark blue suit with a light blue hat or vice versa. You can also get away with wearing a blue hat with a light brown or tan suit.
Lacoste Straw Hat
Cruise around town in style in this simple but chic Straw hat. Made of Modal fabric, this hat is lightweight and the perfect sunny, summer getaway companion. Top off a swanky outfit with the Straw hat for a candle-lit dinner in Santorini.
Herschel Supply Co. Whaler Cap
Trucker hats will never go out of style so why not add the Whaler cap to your collection. The ventilated crown enhances ventilation and keeps your head cool. A plastic snapback lets you adjust the size so get the right fit and head to the beach for an afternoon on the paddle-board.
Coal Traveler Hat
The fisherman style hat is making a comeback in the city and at the country cottage. The large brim provides ample sun protection so you can keep your face and neck shaded. When the winds pick up across the lake, you can batten down the hatches with the adjustable drawcord. Keep on exploring whether in the woods or in the city in the Traveler hat.
Before we begin
It is important to note that in the world of fashion, styles are crossed and new things are tried all the time. There are very minor differences between certain styles and terms like trilby and fedora that are nowadays pretty interchangeable where they used to be distinctive brim sizes. Not everyone has the same opinion on a style, even our manufacturers mix certain style names like the ones just mentioned. Additionally, there are literally hundreds of styles of hats when you include the specifics like a bellhop cap or Napoleon’s famous bicorn. We are not diving this deep here, as you will rarely see these types of hats nowadays. With this guide however, you will be able to distinguish pretty much anything you will see when you’re out and about. The styles listed below are the broad, popular categories that have been established over time and are ones that any respectable hat merchant will know.
SHOP SNAPBACKS
Fitted – The term “fitted caps” refer to baseball caps that are usually measured in 1/8” increments for an exact fitted size. Typically worn by the MLB. Beanie / Stocking Cap / Watch Cap – The beanie is a knitted close fitting cap typically made of wool or cotton created to provide warmth to your head in cold weather. Throughout the years many different variants have been created such as the long stocking cap. This style is the same as the beanie just with a longer crown meant to be too large and hang off the top or side more for style than warmth. Beret – The Beret is a round, soft, flat crowned style with extra material around the edges for a slight “poof”. They are commonly made of wool, cotton, and acrylic fibers and are stereotypically associated with painters or artists. Many times they have what can be described as a short apple stem coming out of the top. They can be worn in many different ways, either flat across the top of the head, or hanging to one side or the other. They have roots as militaristic garb, and a Special Forces division even uses the term in their name, the “Green Berets”.
Big Brim / Floppy Hats – Big brim and/or floppy hats are exactly what the name implies. They have become more popular and fashionable recently and are great pool hats for women. These brims can get up to inches but more often are between and inches. They come in a variety of colors and are typically made of paper-braids or tweed material because it is slightly stronger and can support the weight of the brim better. Most always the crown style is the simple unformed rounded shape.
SHOP BIG BRIM & FLOPPY HATS
Cloche Hats – The cloche has become a very popular style in recent years and is being produced in every material. It is a close-fitting bell shaped style that is round at the top and often flares a little at the bottom. It is typically embellished around the crown.
SHOP CLOCHES
Fascinator Hats – Following the royal wedding the fascinator made a huge comeback and suppliers couldn’t produce them quick enough. The fascinator is a headband style hat that can be as simple as a bow on top of a headband or as ornate and large as one wishes. They can also be described as “cocktail hats” but the main distinction is that they are either worn with a headband or clipped to the hair.
SHOP GAMBLER HATS
Homburg Hat – The homburg hat is an interesting style not seen too often these days. The overall shape of the hat is an oval, with a turned up lip around the brim of the style and generally curved up sides. The primary feature of the hat is the center-dent crown though. It has also been called the Godfather hat as it was seen on Al Pacino in the movie.
Ivy Caps / Flat Caps – The ivy cap and flat cap are a distinctive style that is growing in popularity among more fashion forward and trendy youth. The ivy cap is distinguished by a low profile with a slightly rounded top that extends to the front of the hat and is sewn to the bill. Sometimes the bill sticks out a little for a different look while other times the crown and bill are perfectly matched. They can be made from any material but most often are constructed from wool, cotton, or polyester. It has the name flat cap because when laid on a table with the back of the style folded underneath it, it becomes perfectly flat.
SHOP LIFEGUARD HATS
Mao, Private or Military Cap – The Mao cap or private cap is a military looking style and is essentially a minimalist, stubby baseball cap. Features of this style are a short brim of between and inches and a crown that is also short and around the same size with a flat top. These caps can be worn by both men and women and are a great alternative to the standard baseball cap.
SHOP OUTBACK HATS
Panama Hats – The Panama hat is one of the more beautiful and timeless styles around. Technically Panama hats come from Ecuador, not Panama, but the widespread use of these hats during the construction of the Panama Canal granted them the name we all use today. Panama hats are not one style. Instead, they are characterized only by their material, Toquila Straw. A panama hat can be made into any shape or style using it’s distinctive straw and depending on the fineness of the fibers used can be priced up to tens of thousands of dollars. All that said, when people talk about the Panama hat they tend to think of the wide-brimmed plantation or fedora style that is most common.
SHOP PANAMA HATS Peruvian – The Peruvian beanie or cap is a style easily recognizable by the two tassels hanging off the bottom of the ear flaps on either side. It shares characteristics with the beanie but has the two large and long ear flaps for extra warmth and a bit of style. They usually have a decorative weave and many times have a pom/ball on the top.
Pith Helmet – The Pith helmet is a classic design that is nowadays a symbol and commonly seen used by our United States Postal Service workers. Many variations of the style exist from the sterotypical version seen at the right to the cloth covered more ornate versions that have been used by explorers and militaries of days past. The term “Pith” comes from the material they were originally made from which is a tissue in the stems of vascular plants but they are also made of cork and in present day many other materials including even toyo or paper.
SHOP PITH HELMET
Porkpie Hat – The porkpie is a stylish hat typically worn today by the more fashion-fforward. It has recently seen a rise in popularity due to the show Breaking Bad since it is the trademark hat of the main character Walter White. It is primarily characterized by the crown shape, which is a flat-topped oval with an oval indention that defines the shape. This style can have a medium brim but most often has a very small brim, called a “stingy brim” and can be called by this name. The “Stingy brim” term more often now just refers to the brim size however and is used to describe other styles with a short brim as well.
SHOP PORKPIE HATS Race Hat / Derby – Race hats or derby hats are the big ornate styles that you see at the opening days of the horse races. They can also be called derby’s though it is a contextual term because it is more traditionally associated with bowler hats.
Steam Punk Hats – While not a traditional style with history, this category has become popular as of late with Burning Man and other festival attendees and is worth noting. Steampunk is a fictional genre based in earlier Victorian time periods, and the hats are generally characterized by older styles such as top hats and bowlers adorned with various brass ornaments like clock wheels and chains.
SHOP STEAMPUNK HATS
Safari Hat – The safari style is often confused with the pith helmet that some post-office workers use. The safari style as called by manufacturers however, is defined by a gently downward sloping brim all around, a medium to high crown, and a center dent crown style.
SHOP SAFARI HATS Tam – The tam hat has increased in style as of late and can be found in many varieties. The base for it however is a loose fitting, crocheted weave style beanie hat that is worn off the back of the head. Aside from some men with dreadlocks or longer hair, this is a style that is usually worn by women.
SHOP VISORS
Western or Cowboy – The cowboy hat is an American icon and can be immediately recognized as such anywhere around the world. They are typically made in felt, leather, or straw and have very wide brims. The more iconic shape shows the brim turned up at the sides but they are also sometimes flat. Along with brim size variation, they can have many different crown shapes as well including the pinch crown, “C” or teardrop, and center dent among others. In summation, the most telling factors of a cowboy hat usually tend to be a taller than usual crown and a wide brim up sloping brim.
Most common Crown Shapes
Teardrop / C-Crown: This crown type features a teardrop looking shape when viewed from above. It is also called a “C” crown because the rear of the crown looks like a distinct C when again viewed from above.
Center Dent – The center dent style is as it sounds with a single crease down the center of the crown with a typical depth of 1-inches.
Diamond – The diamond crown is a less widely seen style but again looks exactly as it sounds when viewed from above. It is a wider crown shape and is mainly seen on contemporary fedoras.
Oval/Round – The oval or round shaped crown is most commonly found and is a distinctive attribute of a Gambler hat. That being said, it definitely exists in other styles as well. – Cotton hats are usually quite durable and often packable and crushable. They come in a wide variety of colors and are usually softer.
Wool Felt – Felt is crated by rolling and pressing wool and applying moisture and heat making the fibers mat/interlock together and creating the felt fabric. It is soft and can come in just about any color.
Straw – There are a great many varieties of straw used to make hats. They vary in strength, fineness, durability, and color. Raffia is a straw used to make many packable and crushable hats, and straw from the toquila palm is used for Panama hats. Most any straw can be woven into a hat but the best ones are hand picked for evenness of color, texture and pattern.
Paper/Toyo – Made from Twisted, woven paper creating a fiber that is surprisingly strong, cost effective, and light. Not good to get wet or used in rain.
Wool Felt – Felt is created by rolling and pressing wool and applying moisture and heat making the fibers mat/interlock together and creating the felt fabric. It is soft and can come in just about any color.
Fur Felt – Fur felt is created in the same manner as wool felt but from finer and softer materials. Most fur felt hats are created from rabbit, beaver and hare pelts. Fur felt is incredibly soft and when you hold/touch one you can feel the difference in quality from wool felt.
Polyester – I have rarely seen hats made of 100% polyester, they are usually combined with cotton. These hats tend to be very durable, though they do not breathe as well as other fabrics.
Toyo/Paper-braid – Toyo or paper-braid hats are constructed of finely woven paper material. The paper is woven into strands just like straw and then formed into the desired style. They have been increasing in popularity due to their reduced cost and reasonable durability. While this material can withstand quite a bit, it is still not as strong as straw or raffia and also is more difficult to steam back into shape once crushed. This is certainly a material to keep away from water.
View here
The first sun hat that you should take a look at is the Indiana jones men’s wool felt water repellent outback fedora with grosgrain. At the first look, this hat left a deep impression on me, not only because of its design, but also its material. With a very low price, we can get a hat with the high quality material. This hat is much cheaper than the other hats on the market.
You can see that this hat is made from 100 percent of the wool felt. Therefore, it can bring you a soft feeling and you will not feel uncomfortable, even when you wear it for a very long time. Apart from the sun protection, it also is a good rain hat. You can wear it when you take part in some outdoor activities without worry about the weather changes.
Although the materials of this hat are so amazing, it is not a perfect choice for people who dislike the cowboy style. Furthermore, this hat has a metal Indiana jones emblem on the hat, so it can make some people uncomfortable.
Selecting the Right Sun Hat
Picking out the right sun hat can turn out to be a daunting task for many individuals, considering the fact that numerous variants are on offer. To make life easier, we have selected for you the top things you should be considering when opting to buy a sun hat.
Risk of skin cancer is minimized
Sun hats offer blockage of the sun’s harmful UV rays from entering the surface of your skin. UV radiation is responsible for the formation of melanomas and skin cancers. For this reason, sun hats when worn are a great way to minimize the risks of these melanomas and skin cancers from developing. The benefit is maximized when sun hats are used with other skin blocking cosmetics or sun screen.
Damaging effects to your skin are reduced
Sun rays are greatly responsible for various damaging effects on the surface of the skin. This includes aging factors associated with wrinkles and fine lines as well as blemishes, spots and discolorations. To look good is every individual’s desire and by using simple measures such as sun hats, all these effects can be eliminated.
When you are directly exposed to sunlight, you become times more prone of being affected from heat exhaustion, sun stroke, sun burns and sun related rashes. Sun hats offer direct protection from all these elements, keeping your body healthy and cool.
Eye protection
When you’re exposed to direct sunlight, it’s not only the skin that has to face the damage. Ultraviolet radiations are known to affect the eyes, just as much as the skin. Research has indicated that UV rays can lead to harmful eye effects such as greater formation of ocular melanomas and cataracts. This is alarming and for this reason, every possible effort such as wearing sun hats should be taken to block these rays.
Straw Sun Hat
Straw hats- these are a great source of sun protection for activities such as gardening and beach fun. This hat can come in a range of different and vibrant colors with blues, pinks and whites being favorites. They are light weight and breathable in nature, giving you protection with comfort and ease. Just make sure that the straw lining is thick enough to provide actual protection.
Baseball Cap
Baseball cap- These caps don’t provide you with the best sort of sun protection as they cover only certain areas such as the forehead, nose and scalp. In cases where you plan on watching an outdoor tennis match or baseball game, don’t forget to use sunscreen for thorough protection.
Flap Hat
Flap hat- Flap hats are a version of baseball caps with flaps on the side. These provide greater protection for the scalp, ears, nose cheeks and the neck. Certain variants have Velcro attached for folding over certain parts of the face. The slight drawback many people consider is the not so glamorous appearance of this sun hat. But hey, with some of the best sort of sun protection being offered, it’s a thumb up from us.
Wide Brimmed
Wide brimmed hats- These sun hats are some of the best ways you can get total coverage from the sun. With regular use, they are known to reduce risks of skin cancer by about 40 percent. Their wide brimmed feature is what gives added protection of sensitive areas such as the face, neck and even arms. Look out for wide brimmed hats made of SPF 30 plus material as they are some of the best in terms of protection offerings. These hats can be used for a range of outdoor activities such as hiking or simple hang outs too.
The crown
The crown of a sun hat is the name given to the large portion of a hat that provides the greatest coverage and protection. For this reason, whenever a sun hat is purchased, buyers should ensure that the crown is both lightweight and made of a breathable fabric. This prevents extra weight and pressure on the scalp area, allowing you to move around freely.
The band
The band is that portion of a sun hat that covers the circumference of the hat on the inner side. The band is generally attached to the lower portion of the crown. Any moisture from the wearer’s brow area is absorbed, preventing it from dripping down below onto the face. The band should be checked to ensure that it’s adjustable with a cord being attached to it. This allows the user to tighten or pull according to one’s preference.
The brim
The brim of a sun hat generally protrudes around the entire head circumference. It should be checked to ensure that it is made of a material that is durable for long outdoor use. Brim measurements vary. It can be large or small, depending on the wearer’s activity. Large brimmed hats are better suited for hangouts and simple walks, whereas short brimmed hats are best for more active sports/activities.
Sizing of a sun hat
Sizing of a sun hat may seem easy at first, but trust us, it’s not! Sizing measurements vary amongst the American, English and French systems. This can make hat sizing a daunting task. Look out for hats that come under the small, medium and large categories. This is a safer bet. If not available, use a tailor’s measuring tape and go around your head’s circumference, half an inch above the ears and the center of your forehead.
Different categories of sun hats
When it comes to making style statements as well as offering protection, sun hats are considered as front runners for the summer season. Sun hats, believe it or not, are available in a number of different categories. From women and men to children and even toddlers, you name it and we’ve got a list of an array of different sun hats for everyone out there. Let’s take a look at some of our top picks for summer hats this season.
Feminine wide Brim foldable sun hats
Kids should never be overlooked when it comes to protection from the sun. In fact, the skin of a child is more vulnerable to damage from the sun’s harmful UV radiations. Not all kids tolerate sunscreen well; many dislike the texture while others are bothered by its smell. Sun hats are breathable and more attractive for kids. For this reason, sun hats are a better option when it comes to complete protection during the summer season. Let’s view our top picks for this season’s sun hats for kids that will help keep them cool in the scorching summer sun.
Impulse Caps for kids- great option for Sunday noon
The cap features an adjustable strap that gives your child the perfect fit. The trim is reflective, providing protection for times even when the sun sets. About 98% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays are protected from hitting the skin. Other than that, the cap is made of a breathable fabric such as lightweight and super lean microfiber. This help to keep your child cool. Also, the cap features an inner band that absorbs sweat and moisture as well as mesh for ventilation. The cap is available in two attractive colors and one size.
Kids Play Hat- for a long day at the beach
Summer and beaches go hand in hand. Every child loves to play long hours in the sand, making sand castles. This requires great protection and our kids play hat is the perfect pick for days like these. The cap comes complete with a large brim that is made of foam. Side panels made of mesh help to aid in cooling. Foam adds weight to the cap, preventing it from flying away with the wind or allows it to float upon water when swimming. A great added feature of this sun hat is a veil for coverage of the neck from the sun. The adjustable strap helps to provide a snuggly fit, whereas a safety chinstrap is an added security feature that detaches to prevent any hazards. The hat is lightweight and easy to wear for all kids. The best part is that the sun hat repels water and is also stain resistant. Gone are the days of worrying about your child creating a mess or dropping the hat into water.
Floppy Hat- perfect way to make kids happy
Kids love bright and vibrant features and hats of this sort serve as a basis of attraction for them. Our floppy hats come in an array of adorable and bright colors. They have a large brim, providing great protection of the child’s neck and parts of the face. The great thing about this sun hat is its UPF 50. The hat holds in place by tying the chin strap, which comes attached to the large brim.
Sun Hats For Babies
Poler offer their bucket hat with three all-over prints, all touching on the outdoorsy mantra that the company lives by. This Campalogue colourway lines up with their Camp Vibes theme with beers and 4x4s meeting wolves and the moon.
Templeton Bucket Hat
In keeping with the other military-style items in their line, Templeton have got multiple khaki/camo colourways in their boonie/bucket hat. Complete with a chin strap, push buttons (to pop up the sides) and a Templeton patch too.
Your choice of swimwear is by far the most important part of your trip to the beach. You’ll be in your trunks all day long, so they have to be comfortable and maintain a wide range of motion while still being stylish. They should also dry very quickly, allowing you to jump between the beach and the city with relative ease.
You never know when your day at the beach will turn into a stroll along the boardwalk or a night on the town, so it’s a good idea to pack or wear something socially acceptable just in case you don’t spend the entirety of your time in the water. Plus, if you’re a little self-conscious, an extra layer on top can add a lot of confidence.
Tank tops are a great idea if stepping outside feels like opening an oven door, but they’re inappropriate for night wear and can be regionally awkward. For example, tank tops are the de facto uniform on the southern coast of California, but more traditional beach towns tend to disapprove of them. Regardless, they’re great for the dead of summer, and because they have less surface area, dry even quicker. It’s an ideal choice if you plan on changing afterwards and just need something on top to get there in the first place.
Primer reader Shane Martin shows us how to layer in the heat.
They’re also fantastic for layering and keeping cool. Throw on an unbuttoned short sleeve shirt over top when you walk off the sand. They’re helpful for gents who don’t feel comfortable going shirtless or with an open button up shirt.
On the other hand, a regular t-shirt is versatile for off-beach wear, and is often flattering for a greater variety of body types. It might be a good plan to purchase a few of each, just to cover all your bases.
Footwear
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the sun hats for men by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your sun hats for men wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of sun hats for men
- №1 — Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II Sun Hats
- №2 — Outdoor Boonie Sun Hat – UPF 50 Protection for Men & Women. Wide Brim Summer Hat. Waterproof for Fishing
- №3 — Men’s Wide Brim Sun Hat
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about sun hats for men is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
