REASONS TO BUY
Excellent sun protection
Natural materials
Travel-friendly
Reversible
REASONS TO AVOID
Runs large
Lumpy sweatband
Pricey
Solbari Holiday Review
This premium-priced hat offers stellar sun protection with a resort-ready flair, though it feels a bit bulky
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
By Lissette Velasquez ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 30, 2026
RELATED: The Best Sun Hats of 2026
Our Verdict
Dishing out some of the best sun protection we've ever tested while keeping a sleek, resort-ready look, the Solbari Holiday brings a touch of luxury to any sunny getaway. Its colossal wide brim always kept our skin shielded from the sun's harsh UV rays, while its premium cotton/linen blend materials offered plenty of airflow. Though it runs a bit pricey and can feel a little bulky, we think the Holiday's quality build, reversible styling, and foldable design make it a worthwhile splurge for style-conscious sun seekers who aren't afraid to go big.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Solbari Holiday | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Sun Hat |  Best Budget Sun Hat |  Best Beach Hat | | |
| Price | $79 List Check Price at Amazon | $60 List Check Price at REI | $17.00 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $40 List Check Price at Amazon | $14.00 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This stylish sun hat offers excellent coverage and helps you stay cool, though you'll pay a premium for it | A tried and true fan favorite for outdoor adventures | One of our all-time favorite budget hats for everyday sun seekers | This wide-brimmed straw hat is comfortable, breathable, protective, and looks good too | A budget-friendly hat with great sun protection, but a heavy, rigid feel |
| Rating Categories | Solbari Holiday | Sunday Afternoons Ul... | Furtalk Bucket Wide... | Hemlock Lifeguard Straw | Einskey Classic |
| Protection (35%) | |||||
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (25%) | |||||
| Packability (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Solbari Holiday | Sunday Afternoons Ul... | Furtalk Bucket Wide... | Hemlock Lifeguard Straw | Einskey Classic |
| UPF rating | 50+ | 50+ | 50+ | 50+ | 50+ |
| Brim Size | 4.0" | 3.5" front, 3.0" side, 6.3" neck cape | 3.5" | 4.5" | 3.8" |
| Material | 71% cotton, 29% linen | Body: 88% nylon, 12% polyester; Mesh & underbrim: 100% polyester |
100% nylon | 100% straw | 100% polyester |
| Chinstrap | Yes - removable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Packable/Compressible | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Machine Washable | No | No | No | No | No |
| Ponytail Hole | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Weight | 4.7 oz | 2.5 oz | 2.7 oz | 5.4 oz | 5.2 oz |
| Size Tested | S/M | S/M | One Size | One Size | One Size |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Perfect for casual days in the sun, whether at home or abroad, the Solbari Holiday offers big sun protection in a travel-friendly design. Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Likes
With its massive, 4.0-inch brim, the Solbari Holiday is one of the most protective sun hats we've tested.
At the peak of the day, this hat shaded the majority of our face, neck, and scalp. And, as the sun moved lower in the morning or evening, its unique, downturned brim continued to do an incredible job fending off the rays. If you need maximum sun protection, the Holiday is an outstanding, Skin Cancer Foundation-approved sun shield. Sun spots? No please!
The Holiday is essentially your personal umbrella and kept us well shaded while working in the garden. Credit: Lissette Velasquez
We also like that the Holiday is made with natural materials. Made with 71% cotton and 29% linen, it felt like we got to bring that fancy, luxury linen bedding feel everywhere we went.
The loosely woven cotton/linen blend allows good airflow and is gentle on your skin. Credit: Lissette Velasquez
The fabric allowed for a good amount of airflow, especially when there was a gentle breeze. But a heads-up: the thick, double-layer construction could feel a bit heat-trapping when the air was still. All in all, we think it works best next to a beach, where it can work alongside the natural coastal breeze to keep you cool.
The cotton/linen blend is also a great perk for those with sensitive skin. The Holiday carries the National Psoriasis Foundation's Seal of Recognition, meaning it's been approved by a board of dermatologists and rheumatologists to be safe and non-irritating to the skin.
The Holiday tucked neatly into our carry-on and sprang back into shape when it was time to hit the beach. Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Finally, we love that despite its colossal size, the Solbari Holiday makes an excellent travel companion. Its wired brim folds down and reshapes suprisingly well, making it easy to take on any beach getaway, tropical retreat, or resort vacation. Plus, its reversible design gives you two looks, making it easy to switch up your style.
We love the Holiday's reversible design, which gave us more styling opportunities.
Dislikes
The downside to such a high-quality hat is that it costs extra. The Solbari Holiday is one of the more expensive hats we've tested, but its premium materials and generous coverage help make the price easier to swallow.
This premium crafted hat doesn't come cheap. Credit: Lissette Velasquez
In addition, while we think the Holiday is comfy enough, its oversized design isn't for everyone. The sizing runs large, and the tightening mechanism felt rather bulky under the brim. This hat also obscured our view, making it harder to take in the scenery.
If you love big, floppy brims and quality linen materials, you'll likely love this hat. But if you prefer a lightweight hat with a barely there feel, the Holiday can feel too substantial, especially for users with small heads.
We opted to wear the Holiday without the chin strap, which helped remove some of the extra bulk. Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Should You Buy the Solbari Holiday?
If you're on the hunt for a high-quality, stylish, and maximum-coverage sun hat for beach days or vacays, or leisurely afternoons in the garden, the Solbari Holiday is worth considering. Its generous brim provides excellent sun protection, while its linen blend keeps things airy. That said, its oversized shape can feel bulky, and it costs a pretty penny. Ultimately, if you're used to the feel of colossally wide brims, we think you'll enjoy this hat, but if you prefer a lighter hat with less “presence,” you may find the Holiday overwhelming.
If you're willing to splurge on a stylish sun hat, the Holiday brings plenty of shade and resort-ready flair. Credit: Lissette Velasquez
What Other Sun Hats Should You Consider?
For a smaller, “barely-there” feel, consider the Holiday's sister, the Solbari Bondi Bucket. It doesn't match the Holiday's coverage, but it's far more comfortable. If you'd like to stick with a wide brim, we also like the Hemlock Lifeguard Hat. It's super comfortable, breathable, and affordable, though it's not exactly travel-friendly. Or if you're looking for the best bang for your buck, the FURTALK Bucket Wide Brim Ponytail offers impressive coverage, comfort, and style for less than $20.
If you have a small head, you might find yourself wanting something more petite. Credit: Lissette Velasquez
—Lissette Velasquez
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