REASONS TO BUY
Excellent protection
Removable cape
Small footprint
Good value
REASONS TO AVOID
Can get hot
Looks a little funny
Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap Review
Full sun defense mode or casual ball cap mode, this hat slays in versatility and value
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Credit: Lissette Velasquez
By Lissette Velasquez ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 19, 2025
Contributions From: Sam Schild
RELATED: The Best Sun Hats of 2025
Our Verdict
The Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap impressed us with its adjustable coverage, shading us on both scorching hikes in the Arizona sun and casual hangouts at the beach. We especially loved its removable neck cape, which let us add full sun coverage when needed and remove it when we needed better airflow or a more stylish look. Lightweight and compressible, this baseball cap and cape duo is perfect for backpacking and travel. As long as you don't mind looking a little silly for full sun protection, this sun hat delivers serious value.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The OR Sun Runner is basically the multitool of sunhats. On a rim-to-rim-to-rim trek in the Grand Canyon, it kept our skin fully protected from the brutal desert rays. Then, when it was time to stroll through town, we ditched the cape and rocked it as a classic ball cap. It's versatile, practical, and easily one of the smartest buys in its class.
We love this cap's removable cape, giving you the freedom to dial up your sun protection or cool factor.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Protection
The Sun Runner delivers standout protection. Unlike other cape-style hats, this one wraps fully around to the front, providing stellar neck coverage even when the sun is low. We'd love a slightly larger brim and higher UPF, but it's still one of the best sun hats we've tested.
We found this cap and cape duo did a solid job of keeping our faces and necks sun-free, and even cut down glare from reflective surfaces like water or snow. But when the sun hit head-on, our noses and cheeks felt surprisingly exposed—an artifact of the short 2.8-inch brim. If worn without the cape, this hat is far less protective.
The wrap-around cape provides top-notch coverage, but the short brim leaves your face exposed when the sun is head-on.
The UPF 40+ materials block out an impressive 97.5% of UV rays, but fall short of the UPF 50+ gold standard. Although the difference is minor, we noticed some slight UV seepage through the Sun Runner's fabrics, whereas other UPF 50+ hats we tested had zero noticeable UV leaks.
Our UV tests showed that the Sun Runner fabrics block out most, but not all, ultraviolet light.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Another potential drawback is that the mesh panels on the side of the cap, meant for breathability, could potentially expose hairless heads to sunburn. Our hair-covered testers weren't able to explore this, but this is something you may want to take into consideration if you have thinning hair.
The mesh vents trade off a sliver of protection for improved airflow.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Comfort
This hat is about average when it comes to comfort. Some users love it, some hate it. At 2.8 ounces, it's fairly lightweight, but it doesn't exactly have that barely-there feeling. Still, on a long backpacking trip, you'll be thankful it doesn't bump into your pack every step of the way.
While some testers found this hat very comfortable, others complained that the stiff brim dug into their foreheads and that the narrowed field of view felt restrictive. Plus, on a windy day, the flapping cape quickly got annoying. Since comfort depends on head shape and personal preference, you may want to try this hat on before making a commitment.
Flipping the cape makes this hat feel more comfortable, improving airflow and widening your view.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Although not the most comfortable hat we've tested, the Outdoor Research Cap has several adjustment points to get it close. For example, you can open up the cape or remove it entirely to widen your peripheral vision or increase airflow. And the Velcro strap in the back lets you customize the fit, though it may grab a few stray hairs along the way.
The Velcro strap is great for sizing, but a pain for long or thick hair.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Breathability
With the cape cinched down tight, airflow is restricted around the head and neck, making the Outdoor Research Sun Runner a bit of a heat trap. Therefore, this hat scored below average in breathability.
The nylon material and mesh vents are breathable, but since the cape is so close to the skin, it traps heat. If you don't need full sun protection, you can flip the neck cord over your head so that the cape can flap in the wind and help you stay cool. We also found that moving fast with this hat helps force more air through it.
The cape partially obscures the mesh vents on the crown, but most of the heat trapping comes from the restricted airflow around the neck.
Packability
The Sun Runner is very durable and compressible, earning top ranks in packability. Made with lightweight synthetic materials, it easily slips into a backpack or a pocket and withstands normal wear and tear.
We stuffed it into our backpack many times and did not notice much wear over a seven-day-long backpacking trip. If folded in the wrong way, the brim can become damaged, but it's compact enough that there's no need to fold the brim.
This hat's compact, lightweight design stows away effortlessly and springs back to shape when you need it.
Style
In full-on cape mode, this hat is far from stylish, giving serious cone-of-shame energy. But with the cape removed, we were happy to rock it on and off the trail.
Generally, the more protective a sun hat is, the dorkier it'll look, which holds true for the Sun Runner. If you choose to wear it without the cape, it looks like any other baseball cap, but with grommets on either side of the brim where the cape attaches. While we think this sun hat is for those who care more about practicality than looks, its ability to transform makes it incredibly versatile.
This isn't the most stylish hat, but with a few tweaks, you can confidently wear it around town.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap?
If you need full coverage but don't want to shell out over $50 for a hat and don't mind the slightly goofy cape look, this is a good option. It will absolutely protect your skin from the sun, and you will absolutely look somewhat silly wearing the cape. The Sun Runner is super versatile and can be worn as a baseball cap when less protection is needed, but it really helps when the sun is beating down. It's a great value choice for outdoor enthusiasts, but comfort and airflow take a backseat to protection.
What Other Sun Hats Should You Consider?
We think the Sun Runner is a great value, offering two hats for the price of one. But if you have limited funds, the Einskey Classic is a noteworthy cape-free alternative that's significantly cheaper. If you don't mind paying a little more, the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat ups the game in comfort and ventilation, though the cape isn't removable like the Sun Runner's.
The Sun Runner is built for the sunniest outdoor activities, like backpacking and paddling.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap versus top competing products:
—Lissette Velasquez and Sam Schild
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