Rain Hats
Top Picks
How we choose: The best rain hats highlighted here were selected based on 21 reviews of 14 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.
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Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero
(4 reviews)
Featured review
by Herdingcats 
If you want a hat with Goretex rain protection, a full brim, and light insulation then this may be one of the finest hats you could choose.
Reasons to Buy
- Warm in transition weather (not hot, and not yet very cold)
- Breathable waterproof with Goretex — top marks here
- If you like Multicam, then this is darn swell. I dig it.
Reasons to Avoid
- Gore-Tex is what it is. I like it. Unfortunately it's a little too hot for summer months here in the Puget Sound of WA State.
I do have a problem with this hat, and I want to give it less stars. However, I think it's important to review the hat based on what it was designed for, and not in how it failed to meet my needs. I think this hat shines if you want: Goretex rain protection for multi-hour downpours. I've used it in this way and it worked flawlessly. A full brim to keep the rain and sun out of your eyes and off (most of) your neck. Top marks here. Light insulation for weather that's not too hot and not yet very cold.
Read more: Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero reviews (4)
Filson Tin Cloth Bush Hat
(2 reviews)
Featured review
by Herdingcats
This is an ideal solution for protection from the wind, rain, snow and sun in cold weather. The hat includes a wool flip down that covers the back of your head and your ears. It has kept me warm in temperatures down to 15°F.
Reasons to Buy
- Waterproofing is outstanding and re-treatable as it wears out.
- Wool lining has been plenty warm for me down to 15°F
- Materials and craftsmanship all receive top marks. I love this hat.
Reasons to Avoid
- Not really breathable, though I don't think that's too much of an issue in cold weather.
- Not ideal for athletic activity due to lack of breathability
Here's a pic of my old Packer Hat (L) and the Filson Tin Cloth Bush Hat (R). Filson Tin Cloth Bush Hat with 3" brim Filson Tin Cloth Bush Hat from the side with the ear / neck flap pulled down Filson Tin Cloth Bush Hat from the bottom with the ear / neck flap pulled down. When to use this hat: This hat is simply outstanding for cold weather. I've comfortably used it from 15°F up to 32F for whole-day stretches at a time. The only thing it needs is a chin strap. Guess what? Filson offers that as an option! I recommend getting it with the strap, though it's not necessary.
Read more: Filson Tin Cloth Bush Hat reviews (2)
Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat
(1 review)
Reviewed
by Brian Nordberg
Great hat for hiking on those not so sunny days.
Reasons to Buy
- Does not wet out easily
- Brim sides can be velcro-ed up for more side vision
- Adjustable and removable chin strap
- I love the color (but mine is now not available)
- Moderately stiff brim can fold
- Longer brim at the back keeps water off your neck
Reasons to Avoid
- Does not breath so it's warm
- Somewhat heavy
- Semi-solid brim can flap in the wind
Wearing glasses while hiking presents numerous issues especially when rainy. The Outdoor Research (OR) Seattle Rain Hat provides near umbrella like performance to keep the rain off my glasses. I put the hat to the test in our latest trip to notoriously rainy British Columbia. Since everything had to fit in carry-on luggage, an umbrella was not an option, but the rain hat was! The clouds in the background came to the forefront and brought a healthy deluge. Beautiful BC before the rain started When the downpour began, the hat easily kept rain off my glasses and channeled toward my back.
Read more: Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat review (1)
Outdoor Research Ghost Rain Hat
(1 review)
Reviewed
by Gary Leatham
Best all around outdoor hat that I've found yet for our moist, often unpredictable, Pacific Northwest USA weather! Three-season especially rain (but not summer) use, with adjustment options, giving unparalleled flexibility. Classic outback form styling. Had Indiana Jones lived out here, the Ghost might well have been his hat! Almost perfect already and my guess is that later generations may soon be.
Reasons to Buy
- Highly functional design with important flexible options
- Gore Tex weatherproof breathability
- Innovative built in cap cover that can be open and stored away in the hat giving increased aeration when not raining
- Mesh weave ventilation area for when the rain cover is removed is extensive
- Ventilation mesh backed with breathable fabric to keep out knats and other biting insects
- Cooling effect to the forehead and head top where you need it most
- Wide rim to block sun and rain, with perimeter wire to stiffen
- Dark underside on light colored hat to reduce light reflections
- Chin strap for wind, running or horseback riding, removable or stollable while attached
- Wet headed and sun stressed people compliment you on the trail that they wish they had a hat like this.
Reasons to Avoid
- Too hot for summer use (I use it under 50° F or raining)
- My hat could use more durable water finish added at the factory (I can add it)
- When rinsing after hikes with a hose, rim internally fills up with water (does drain out)
- Dries more slower than expected (more durable water finish might fix this)
- Hat not nearly as waterproof if you forget to deploy the Ghosts' skull cap (ie., learning curve).
- Theft if unguarded might occur
- Higher cost than simpler hats (get what you pay for)
It was talk my wife into me getting this or wear her purple n' black Seattle Sombrero. Her S'brero fits neither into my preferred color or functionality range. The S'brero is very nice for some, but just too floppy and hot for me! I have basic hike standards to meet. Go in style, and try to approach hugable. I found that I like wearing hats for more than just weather protection. I can dress with less upper body layers and as I warm up, start working on temperature adjustment by altering head layer configuration first -- sequence: full Ghost deployment > skull cap tucked away > hat completely off. Then harder to remove upper layers begin.
Read more: Outdoor Research Ghost Rain Hat review (1)
Explore more top-rated rain hats from Outdoor Research:
Tilley TWP1 Waterproof Hat
(1 review)
Reviewed
by Bentbrook
A hat that does its job so well it is a pleasure to stand in the rain! Excellent design and craftsmanship yield a durable, effective hat that can tackle the elements, staying on your head in windy conditions. In balmier weather, a waterproofed zipper opens a vent in the rear of the hat to enhance breathability. Great for sodden conditions anywhere, and an option to consider when one hat needs to offer rain and sun protection over the course of a trip.
Reasons to Buy
- Superb quality craftsmanship
- Highly effective rain protection
- Brim: not too narrow, not too wide
- Style
Reasons to Avoid
- Heavier than some similar options
- Not as crushable as some (too pretty!)
- Cost
Once upon a time there was a middle-aged backpacker who sought the ideal rain hat that could also double as a sun hat to preserve his pale flesh from scorching. His quest for the ideal rain hat was fraught with perils--the siren songs of various manufacturers lured him, sultry harmonies of weight and waterproofness, style and packability. However one hat caught his eye and won his heart: the Tilley TWP1 Waterproof Nylon Hat. Overview: The Tilley TWP1 is constructed of laminated, seam-sealed nylon wrapped carefully around a lightweight foam brim that permits the hat to float should need arise.
Read more: Tilley TWP1 Waterproof Hat review (1)
The North Face HyVent Hiker Hat
(2 reviews)
Featured review
by GeoRocks83
Bought this hat for field work and it performed great. I was worried about the fleece head band lining around the inside keeping me a little warm but it soaks up sweat and helps. As far as rain protection, I noticed that it works well for a little while but after long periods in the rain, the hat appears to get soaked with rain and the brim beings to sag and drip water onto your face/collar. The hat is durable though. I just pulled it out of the closet to do this review and it looks close to the first day I bought it. Sun protection is good. I never noticed a sunburn while wearing the hat.
Read more: The North Face HyVent Hiker Hat reviews (2)
More Reviews of Rain Hats
Trailspace reviewers have shared 21 reviews of 14 different rain hats.
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Other Types of Hats & Headwear
Find more hats & headwear reviewed in these related categories:
Sun Hats
Caps
Winter Hats
+5 more types
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