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On the short list of things you need to stay protected from harsh UV rays during your summer travels, a good sun hat goes a long way. Whether you’re hiking along mountain trails, whale watching in Los Cabos, or setting sail on the French Riviera, some sort of head covering to shield your eyes, scalp, and face is an absolute must-have. Thankfully there are a wide selection of styles on the market that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are practical for outdoor adventures.
When you initially think of sun hats, it’s likely that wide-brim designs made of straw or raffia first come to mind. They’re not your only option, though. Whether you're more into bucket hats or baseball caps, there's a hat for every personal style. If you’re not sure where to start, continue ahead for a curated selection of six different types of hats worthy of a spot on your packing list.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Shop the best sun hats by style:
- The best straw hats
- The best bucket hats
- The best baseball caps
- The best wide-brim hats
- The best visors
- The best UPF hats
The best straw hats
Getting the obvious out of the way, the most commonly worn sun hats are made from natural fibers like straw, rattan, or even paper, and have a distinct warm-weather feel. Comparable to styles that you’d buy for the beach, they come in varying silhouettes—think wide-brim and Western styles that, due to the lack of head security, are best suited for low-impact activities such as lounging by the pool or gardening in your backyard. For those who are interested in taking the look a step further with a more modern approach, consider opting for a crochet version from Lululemon or Lack of Color instead.
The best bucket hats
Equally as popular, bucket hats are often closely associated with water activities, where a 360-degree brim is most useful, like boating or fishing. Not only does this type of hat offer full coverage, more traditional styles are flexible by design which means they can be folded and packed in your suitcase without ruining the shape. Classic versions of the hat usually have either a flat or floppy rim that can be folded and flipped over when you’re indoors, though more modern iterations can fall somewhere in between.
The best baseball caps
A sporty staple, the baseball cap's folded brim offers the perfect amount of coverage while still letting your face get a sunkissed glow. Not to mention these caps are a great way to rep your favorite sports team, fashion brand, or city. It’s one of the reasons why streetwear designer Chris Stamp includes a five-panel trucker cap in each of his sold-out ‘Sushi Club’ collections. Whether it means sitting by the pool or playing multiple rounds on the golf course, both Stamp (and Chef Nobu Matsuhisa) rely on the dad-style cap for sun protection—and so can you.
The best wide-brim hats
As the name suggests, this silhouette is made with built-in shade for your eyes and, more often than not, aesthetically pleasing Euro-chic features. They’re a great option for those who prefer a more timeless, sleek style, and as of late, come in a variety of hybrid styles—below, you'll find floppy hats, visors, and bucket hat-like styles with a wider brim. In addition to their good looks, these hats provide extra coverage for your face.
The best visors
By design, visors are meant for maximum sun protection. It’s one of the reasons why athletes who spend a lot of time in the sun, like golfers and tennis players, rely on the style to shield their eyes. They can be just as useful for frequent travelers. Much like bucket hats, most visors can be carefully folded to fit inside a compartment of your checked or carry-on bag. However, the main difference between a baseball cap and a visor is that the latter lets your head breathe completely—which means taking it off less frequently. (Just be sure to put sunscreen on your part or scalp if you're prone to burns.)
The best UPF hats
If you want to take your sun protection to the next level, consider adding hats with a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (or UPF) to your packing list. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UPF measures how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your bare skin. “A UPF 50 fabric blocks 98% of the sun’s rays and allows 2% to penetrate, thus reducing your exposure risk significantly,” Dr. Elisabeth G. Richard, MD reported in 2019. Names like Watskin and Barriere are just a few of the brands with a vast assortment of headgear with a high UPF.
