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That perfect sun hat ensures comfort and skin protection without overheating. We've been buying and rigorously testing over 50 sun hats since 2010. We've taken all of these hats in high-UV environments, doing a variety of activities from Grand Canyon expeditions to daily dog walks.
Through our testing, we've discovered that the best all-around sun hat is the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat. It's light, comfortable, breathable, and the hat we always reach for when heading out on sunny adventures to effectively block UV rays.
For those with limited funds, the Einskey Classic is a great value. It's simple, affordable, and does a great job blocking the sun.
Editor's Note: We updated this review with tested six new sun hats from Scala, REI, and Einskey on Nov 19, 2025.
The Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure tops the charts with near-perfect comfort, UV defense, breathability, and packability. One tester said, “I loved having this hat with me on all my hikes. Its wide, down-sloping brim and long neck cape kept me protected from the intense alpine sun.” Its soft, lightweight build feels great against the skin and won't interfere with carrying a backpack or small child on your shoulders. Plus, the brim folds in half, making it easy to stuff into your pack. Extras like a sunglass keeper and an anti-glare underbrim make it perfect for bright days near reflective surfaces like water or snow.
SPECIFICATIONS
UPF rating
50+
Brim Size
3.5" front, 3" side, 6.25" neck cape
Material
88% nylon, 12% polyester
Chinstrap
Yes
Packable/Compressible
Yes
The only drawback is that you might have to sacrifice your ego to rock this caped hat. The Ultra Adventure is not exactly stylish, and we like the looks of the Sunday Afternoons Islander straw hat more. Still, our tester noted, “I don't mind that the Ultra isn't fashionable, given it had everything else I was looking for.” This hat covers you, from washing your car or gardening to sweltering desert hikes. But if you want even more neck protection, consider the slightly cheaper Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap.
The Sunday Afternoons Kids' Play Hat is our favorite hat for kids. The wide brim and neck cape kept our kids cool and protected through endless California beach adventures. It's extremely breathable, very comfortable, and durable enough to withstand the wear and tear that only a kid can put a hat through. Have you ever seen a hat used as a shovel to build a sand castle? It also comes in many colors and prints, so everyone will find a color that works for them. Wilder, our 3-year-old tester, remarked, “I love the dinosaurs on bikes!” As of this writing, 15+ print options are available, from unicorns to flowers to solid color prints.
SPECIFICATIONS
UPF rating
50+
Brim Size
2.75" brim, 5.5" neck cape
Material
100% polyester
Chinstrap
Yes
Packable/Compressible
Yes
The Kids' Play Hat is close to perfect, but it's not quite. One parent commented, “It has a very rigid brim, which is great for protection. However, I think that rigidness can make it less comfortable on the forehead.” Also, this hat doesn't have a liner, which would have made it even more comfortable than it already is. That said, the Play Hat was still a favorite among all our testers, both kids and adults. If you need something softer and specifically for babies, the Patagonia Baby Block the Sun hat is a decent option.
The Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap isn't the cheapest on our list, but it offers incredible value with a design that's basically two hats for the price of one. The detachable cape transforms it from a casual ballcap to a sun-shielding powerhouse. Our tester said, “I loved the removable neck cape! It let me transition from full head and neck protection when I was hiking in the desert to an everyday cap when I was walking the dog.” It's also super lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to tote along on your travels. And, the anti-glare fabric under the brim and quick-drying material make it perfect for water adventures.
SPECIFICATIONS
UPF rating
40+
Brim Size
2.75 brim, 6" neck cape
Material
100% nylon
Chinstrap
Yes - removeable
Packable/Compressible
Yes
While the cape is very protective, it limits airflow and narrows your view. It also feels a bit goofy to wear in public. The good news, though, is that it can be adjusted to boost ventilation or save your dignity. One tester noted, “I was surprised by how much more comfortable and breathable the Sun Runner felt by simply flipping the cape back.” But, if you need something more consistently breathable, we think the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure is a great all-around option.
While most of the hats in our review are more function-forward, the Sunday Afternoons Islander Hat offers a more stylish approach to fend off the rays. It crosses a classic, breathable straw hat with a more fashionable fedora-style hat. Our reviewer noted, “I love how versatile this hat is. I could wear it to the beach, on a hike, and to the bar without ever feeling out of place.” But style isn't the only place where this hat shines. It's also one of the most comfortable and breathable hats we tested. It doesn't pack down particularly small, but it can be crammed into your travel bag and still retain its original shape when unfolded.
SPECIFICATIONS
UPF rating
50+
Brim Size
3"
Material
100% natural tripilla straw
Chinstrap
Yes
Packable/Compressible
No
The Islander trades a bit of performance for style. One reviewer said, “I think this hat did a solid job of keeping the sun out of my eyes, but my neck was less protected.” If you dig the classic straw hat style, but prefer a larger brim, you may like the Billabong Tides Print Straw. Or, the Furtalk Travel Foldable Brim is another great, stylish option with a more feminine touch. Although the Islander isn't the lightest or most protective model, we think it's a terrific option for those seeking a good-looking, comfortable hat for casual outings.
Sometimes all you need is a cheap sun hat to fend off the rays while you cheer at your child's soccer game, mow the lawn, or cast a line off the dock, and for that, the Einskey Classic hits the sweet spot. For most adults, this ultra-low-cost hat is comfortable, breathable, and provides excellent head and neck protection. Our tester said, “I like that the 3.8-inch brim is larger than most and angles down, which kept my skin covered when the sun dipped in the afternoon.” The brim is also surprisingly resilient to folding, so you can stash it in your bag. Plus, with nearly 20 color options, there's something for nearly all style preferences.
SPECIFICATIONS
UPF rating
50+
Brim Size
3.75"
Material
100% polyester
Chinstrap
Yes
Packable/Compressible
Yes
The downside is that Einskey's bulk takes a small toll on its comfort and overall look. This one-size-fits-all hat is best suited for medium or large heads. Our tester said, “I have a small head and I found it a bit oversized, but my average-sized partner found the fit perfect.” If you need something smaller, we think the Outdoor Research Sun Runner is a great value, though it can feel a little goofy to wear in public. Ladies might also consider the Furtalk Visor Wide Brim Straw for a more stylish approach to affordable sun protection.
For folks who want great value for a stylish straw hat at the beach, Billabong Tides Print Straw is a fantastic budget buy. We love this hat's massive 4.25-inch brim and the many stylish prints available on the underside of the brim. We bought two of these in different colors because one stylish print wasn't enough. It has a classic straw hat style with a few modern upgrades. Inside the hat, there's a comfortable sweatband lining. It also has a soft neck cinch cord to keep it from blowing away when the wind picks up. This is one of the lightest straw hats we tested, making it extremely comfortable as well. It's easy to wear this hat all day, and it's perfect for the beach or other places where you need to bring your own shade.
SPECIFICATIONS
UPF rating
Not Specified
Brim Size
4.25"
Material
100% Seagrass straw
Chinstrap
Yes
Packable/Compressible
No
As with most straw hats, the Classic Printed Straw Lifeguard Hat won't hold up to being stuffed in a duffel bag or suitcase. Even a slight bend in the brim will break the woven straws used in this hat. But again, this is generally the case with straw hats. It's also worth noting that some light will get through in between the woven straw on top of your head, but it is more tightly woven than some other straw hats we tested. If you're looking for the most protection on the top of your head, check out a different hat. But for an affordable and stylish straw hat for casual summer days, this hat is hard to beat.
The Furtalk Travel Foldable Brim looks good, keeps the sun off your face, and stays easy on the wallet. You can wear this packable hat to the beach, farmer's market, or out to patio brunch. “I like that when I need better visibility, I can roll the brim up,” our lead tester said. “Then, when I need better sun coverage, I can roll it back down.” The straw is also woven loosely enough to offer good breathability, which many more fashion-oriented hats lack. We think this hat's balance of durability, comfort, and style makes it a go-to hat you'll actually want to wear day to day.
SPECIFICATIONS
UPF rating
50
Brim Size
3.25"
Material
Paper straw, cotton, polyester
Chinstrap
Yes - removable
Packable/Compressible
Yes
Keep in mind, the Travel Foldable Brim Sun Hat is one of the heaviest hats in our lineup. Our tester said, “While I still found it very comfortable, the weight makes it less comfy than other options.” You also can't crush this hat like you can with a non-straw hat. Ladies less concerned with style and more interested in technical performance might like the Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Sombrero. But if your adventures lean more towards brunch than the backcountry, the Furtalk's the perfect, affordable fit.
The FURTALK Travel Foldable Brim was one of the best value hats we tested and looks great, too.
Credit: Chris McNamara
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We take every hat on real-world adventures before giving it a thumbs-up. Hats like the Ultra passed with flying colors.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
How We Tested
Since 2010, we've purchased and tested over 60 sun hats, taking them with us on sweltering summits, sun-drenched kayak trips, and laid-back backyard barbeques. We take special care to evaluate the performance characteristics that our experience told us were the most important. But we don't just rely on our senses; we also perform UV tests to confirm that each hat actually protects your skin from harmful rays. After wearing them across the hot and exposed Kaibab Plateau, through the Grand Canyon, and through windy burn scars in the high desert, we came up with a comprehensive review that should serve you well in your search for a great sun hat.
Each hat is tested against the following five performance metrics:
Protection (40% of overall score weighting)
Comfort (25% weighting)
Breathability (15% weighting)
Durability (15% weighting)
Style (5% weighting)
To see more on our testing process, check out our full How We Test article.
We test every fabric's protection with UV cards. The Ultra Adventure's UPF 50+ blocks almost everything, while the Sun Runner's UPF 40+ lets a touch through.
Lissette spent her youth adventuring in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico and the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. After spending over a decade working professionally as a research scientist, she carried that love of the outdoors into a new chapter in the Sierra Nevada mountains. She enjoys hiking, camping, rock climbing, gardening, and playing on Lake Tahoe's sun-soaked beaches with her kids. In all these activities, she appreciates a good sun hat that's not only protective from the intense alpine sun but also feels comfortable and looks good, too.
Originally from the Midwest, Sam moved to Colorado in 2012 after a 7,000-mile bike tour across the United States. A very active backpacker, Sam has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice. When he's not backpacking, Sam can be found trail running, rock climbing, camping, and peak bagging on the Colorado Front Range. With all these miles under the sun, Sam spends a lot of time considering ways to protect his face, neck, and ears.
Trail tests, UV checks, and head-to-head comparisons, every hat earns its spot.
Analysis and Test Results
Below, we outline the different tests we used and let you know which models stood out in each. We also discuss what to look for when considering the value of your purchase. Keep in mind that, according to the American Cancer Society, the best sun protection is to stay out of the sun, especially during the most intense sun hours (10 am to 2 pm). For the times when you have to be outside, however, selecting the right sun hat can offer substantial protection.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Most of the models in this review fall into the $30 to $50 price range, with a few notable exceptions. Standing out for a great value are the Einskey Classic and Furtalk Foldable Brim. Both of these hats offer solid sun protection at a more affordable price. If you don't need scalp coverage, the Furtalk Visor is a great value option.
For kids, the Sunday Afternoons Play Hat offers outstanding sun coverage for the price, and it comes in plenty of fun designs. The other thing to keep in mind when considering the value is versatility. If you can use a hat for various activities, as is the case with the OR Sun Runner for trail running or trekking in the desert or the Billabong Tides Print Straw for eating on the patio with friends or hanging out at the beach.
The Furtalk Travel Foldable Brim sun hat is our favorite hat for women.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Protection
We chose protection as the most important rating. We traditionally think of the best sun hats as having wide, full brims to shade the face, but the most effective types also include extra neck and scalp coverage, so we factored that in here. We also used a UV card to see how many rays were able to penetrate through the hats.
Protection Breakdown
Product
Face
Neck
Scalp
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure
8
8
9
REI Co-op Sahara with Cape
7
8
9
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
9
8
7
Outdoor Research Sun Runner
8
9
7
OR Women\'s Oasis Sun Sombrero
7
6
9
Sunday Afternoons Unisex Play
8
8
6
Outdoor Research Sombriolet
7
7
8
Patagonia Baby Block the Sun
7
6
8
Einskey Classic
8
7
6
Sunday Afternoons Guardian
9
7
4
Billabong Tides Print Straw
9
7
4
Zooron Breathable Wide Brim
9
7
3
Hemlock Lifeguard Straw
9
7
3
Sunday Afternoons Islander
6
5
7
FURTALK Travel Foldable Brim
6
5
7
Outdoor Research Helios
5
3
9
North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer
5
4
7
Tilley LTM6 Airflo
4
3
8
Columbia Bora Bora Booney II
6
4
4
Scala All-Season Crushable
3
2
9
Outdoor Research Sun Bucket
3
2
7
Lanzom Wide Brim Straw Panama Roll Up
3
2
6
Furtalk Visor Wide Brim Straw
6
3
2
If ultimate face and neck protection are what you're after, the top-performing hats are the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat and the Outdoor Research Sun Runner. The Adventure's colossal visor and long neck cape shade your face from nearly every angle, while the Sun Runner's wrap-around cape shields the entire neck from front to back. Both of these hats, however, have vents in the crown that let a tiny amount of ultraviolet light onto the scalp. If you need full face, neck, and scalp coverage, the Ultra Adventure Hat offers the best all-around protection.
Does UPF Rating Matter?
UPF 50 fabrics block 98.0% of UV rays, while UPF 40 blocks 97.5%. It's a tiny difference, but the Skin Cancer Foundation still favors 50. Most hats in our review meet that mark, except for the North Face Brimmer, Patagonia Baby, and OR Sun Runner. Although their UPF 40 material is still considered “very good”, if you burn easily, you may want to stick with 50+.
The Sun Runner's cape offers excellent sun protecion, making it perfect for desert hikes.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
We also appreciated the extra coverage provided by the wide brim and neck cape on the Sunday Afternoons Kids' Play Hat. This hat helped keep our kids from getting sunburnt while playing out in the sun.
The Kids' Play Hat offers great overall sun protection.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Caped hats offer the best protection, but not everyone can rock the look. If you're confident wearing a full-brim hat, the Einskey, Guardian, Hemlock, and Zooron offer above-average head and neck protection. Their generously sized 4-inch-plus brims are great for casual outdoor activities like gardening and beach days. Though, they do let some UV light pass through the crown.
If scalp protection is important, the REI Sahara offers excellent all-around coverage without looking too silly. Like the Zooron, it has a tuck-away that gives you full sun protection when you need it and a cleaner look when you don't.
Wide-brimmed hats like the Zooron keep your face shaded.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Models that have a secure way to attach to your head, ensuring they stay on in the wind, are also essential for protection. All of the models we tested have a chin cinch cord, except for the Scala All-Season Crushable. Brims that stay in place even in windy conditions are also important. Most of the hats we tested have a rigid or semi-rigid brim that holds its shape in the wind, except for the North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer.
The Scala isn't the most protective, but its all-day comfort makes it the type of hat you'll actually wear.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Comfort
Comfort is essential in a sun protection hat. If your hat isn't comfortable, it's less likely that you will grab it while going out the door. The most comfortable hats are typically very soft on the inside, lightweight, and offered in multiple sizes. This was the case for the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure, North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer, and Patagonia Baby. The stylish Sunday Afternoons Islander Hat, Billabong Tides Print Straw, and Scala All-Season were also top performers thanks to their soft and flexible build, though they aren't particularly lightweight.
The Ultra nails comfort, right down to small details like a soft and flat cinch cord.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Other hats either dug into our foreheads or simply didn't fit. For example, the Sombrero, Sun Runner, Sombriolet, and LTM6 had stiffer brims that occasionally left a mark. Sizing makes a big difference, though, as these hats and the Sahara felt much more comfortable when they weren't sized too small. On the flip side, the Einskey, Bora Bora, and Zooron ran large, feeling too big for smaller heads.
The LTM6 has a lot going on under the hood. We recommend sizing up for the best fit.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Another factor we take into consideration is visibility. The Ultra Adventure's large front brim shades your face, but the tapered sides and neck cape allow you to look around more when ridge scrambling. In contrast, the OR Sun Runner's wrap-around cape limits your field of view and feels confining. It's worth noting, though, that hats like the Sun Runner and Furtalk Foldable Brim allow you to remove the cape or fold the brim up in times when you need better visibility.
You can flip the brim of the Furtalk Travel Foldable Brim hat up for better visibility.
Credit: Chris McNamara
For backpackers, we recommend a hat with a narrow brim or a flat cape in the back. They're less likely to interfere with a loaded pack, so there's less chance that they'll annoy you on the trail. The most backpacker-friendly hats we tested are the Ultra Adventure, Sun Runner, Horizon Breeze, Helios, and Sun Bucket.
The Sahara's flexible brim is compatible with large packs.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Breathability
Breathability is key when selecting a hat to protect you from the sun's rays. On hot days when the sun is beating down on your head, you want a hat that not only protects you but also allows the pent-up heat to escape.
The best models have ample ventilation so your head doesn't trap heat. The Furtalk Visor has an open top, so you can feel all the breeze. It's also constructed with loosely woven straw like the Sunday Afternoons Guardian and Hemlock Lifeguard, allowing plenty of air to pass through. These hats are perfect for long days at the beach or anywhere you want shade without overheating.
The loose weave on straw hats like the Hemlock Lifeguard offers excellent breathability.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Other top contenders ventilate through mesh panels and inherently breathable nylon fabrics. The Zooron Breathable has a generously sized mesh strip that runs along the entire perimeter of the crown, while the Kids' Play, Ultra Adventure, and Horizon Breeze have mesh strips on the sides. We also appreciated the mesh sweatband on the Ultra, which kept heat from building up along the forehead. A mesh sweatband is generally much more breathable than an elastic one.
We were impressed by how well the Ultra Adventure's mesh vents kept us cool.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
The Sun Runner Cap scored low in this test because the neck cape tends to trap warm air when the front chin strap is cinched down. Luckily, this hat offers the flexibility to fold the cape back or remove it to increase airflow. Although the LTM6 has a thin vent along the top, the main crown material is thicker than most and fits tightly. This made the hat feel stuffy and clammy. We were also disappointed by the lack of vents on the Sombrero and Scala.
The wool on the Scala hat has great moisture-wicking capabilities.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Packability
A packable hat is essential for travel, making it easy to stay protected wherever you roam. The most durable hats have a crushable build that can be packed away for days without worry of being permanently misshapen or destroyed.
The most packable hats in our lineup include the Ultra Adventure, Sun Runner, and Sun Bucket. All three of these hats are ultra lightweight, super compact, and resilient to being stuffed away into a backpack. We never had issues finding space for them in our bag. And, after shoving each of them into a quart-size bag for 30 minutes, they came out looking as good as new.
The most packable hats, like the Sun Runner and Ultra (bottom left), survived our 30-minute crush test and compressed down to almost nothing.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Other top scorers like the Sahara, LTM6, Kids' Play, and Helios are made with flexible materials that fold down like a dream. After our crush tests, they came out looking a little wrinkled, but the wrinkles quickly relaxed, and the hats assumed their original shape, ready for the next adventure. The Scala doesn't fold down particularly small, but we were impressed with its crushable design and quick rebound.
The Scala All-Season Crushable isn't the most compact, but it sure lives up to the crushable name.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
The Hemlock, Billabong Tides Print, and Guardian straw hats are the least packable in our lineup. They can't be crushed at all; otherwise, you risk breaking the brittle straw. We recommend carrying these hats around your neck or placing them at the top of your beach bag. The sewn strips of straw on the Islander fared better in our crush test, resisting splitting, but this hat still takes up quite a bit of space in a suitcase or backpack.
Traditional straw hats like the Hemlock Lifeguard can crack under rough use.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Style
It's tough to spend your hard-earned money on something you may feel embarrassed to wear in public. We know that in some cases, style does matter. The most stylish hats have sleek, classic looks, while the least stylish have huge brims or odd-shaped capes.
Usually, the more protective a hat is, the less stylish it tends to be, so you will have to decide for yourself how much protection to sacrifice in order to look good. Make sure the hat is stylish enough that you will actually wear it. If you wouldn't wear it in most places, it may not be worth your money.
The Islander's trail-to-town style makes it super versatile.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
The Lanzom Panama Roll Up, Furtalk Foldable Brim, and Sunday Afternoons Islander are all very stylish straw hats. When we asked friends and family which hat they'd want to wear, many of them invariably picked one of these hats first. They're great for wearing around town on a summer day, on the beach, or even to casual outdoor parties.
We love the style of the Lanzom Wide Brim Straw Panama Roll Up.
Credit: Chris McNamara
The Tilley LTM6 and Scala All-Season are ideal for those who are into Indiana Jones or prefer a classic-looking adventure model. If you buy a Tilley, you also join an exclusive secret club and inevitably start receiving the “Tilley Nod” from other Tilley owners.
We also loved hats like the Sunday Afternoons Kids' Play Hat and the Hemlock Lifeguard Hat that come in a plethora of colors and prints. With this much variety, there's bound to be a winner for every kid and adult.
Our kids loved all the color options on the Sunday Afternoons Play Hat.
Credit: Chris McNamara
All the hats with capes and wider brims inevitably lost style points. The hats we felt most uncomfortable wearing around town were the Sunday Afternoons Adventure, Columbia Bora Bora, Outdoor Research Runner, and Zooron Wide Brim. Keep in mind, though, that the Sun Runner's cape is removable for those times when you need to hide your post-hike matted hair on the brewery patio.
How To Choose a Sun Hat
Above all else, the sun hat that's best for you is the one you'll actually wear. Whether that's a classic ball cap, a full-brim hat, or a caped explorer model, pick something that fits your style, feels comfortable, and makes you want to keep it on all day. Below, we outline key points from our full buying advice article to guide you toward the right pick.
1. Do you need full coverage? If you're buying a hat to wear for casual outings around town, you'll appreciate a smaller brim and a more fashionable design. On the other hand, if you're going on a trek in the barren desert, style matters less, and what you'll want is extreme sun protection, cape and all.
The best sun hat is the one that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and protected, like the REI Sahara.
Credit: Chris McNamara
2. Is it worth the price? Generally, the more performance-oriented a sun hat is, the more expensive it'll be. Soft, breathable, lightweight fabrics make high-output activities like running and hiking much more enjoyable and worth the cost. But for casual adventures, a low-cost version does the job just fine as long as it fits comfortably.
3. Will it travel well? If you plan to take your hat on vacations or backpacking trips, look for something that's lightweight and crushable. There's nothing worse than pulling your hat out of your bag, only to uncover a crumpled mess that's no longer protective or wearable.
Two Sun Hat Alternatives:
1) Pair a hooded sun shirt and a baseball-style cap. You'll get full neck protection, but it doesn't breathe well, and the sun can still hit your face at certain angles.
2) Tuck a buff under your cap. This allows for pretty good ventilation and is basically the budget DIY version of the OR Sun Runner. It's less protective for your neck, though.
If you need something less obtrusive, pair a sunshirt with your favorite baseball cap, though the protection isn't as stellar.
Credit: Lissette Velasquez
Conclusion
We hope our review helps you narrow down your top choices to find the perfect sun protection hat for you. With the right choice, you'll stay shaded, comfortable, and ready for anything the sun throws your way.
Our sun hat testing doesn't stop here; we're always hunting for better comfort, coverage, and value.
