Sun Hats

Recent Sun Hat Reviews

Columbia Bora Bora Booney

Lightweight and packable sun hat with a wide brim   The Columbia Bora Bora Booney Hat The Columbia Bora Bora Booney Hat is a lightweight sun hat made of nylon. It has a mesh panel running along much of the diameter of the crown for ventilation. It has a wide brim that offers excellent protection from the sun. It appears well made, with no loose threads and no obvious weaknesses in its construction.  The brim does not have a stiffener wire, which is both good and bad. It is good because it means… Full review

Tilley LTM2 Airflow Hat

My current favorite sun hat from Tilley has a wide brim, good ventilation, and a string that keeps it from flying away. DWR helps water bead up in mild rain. I like this for hiking, the beach, and paddling. The wide brim isn’t ideal for very windy conditions; Tilley sells similar models with narrower brims (less sun protection, though). I spend a lot of time outside, so I am always hunting for a good hat to keep the sun off my head. Bonus points for good ventilation and a good system for keeping… Full review

Tilley T3 Wanderer Hat

This is the enzyme-washed version of the legendary T3 hat. A little softer, a little broken in...ready for anything. I bought a slightly smaller Tilley, for those colder, windy days when a snug fit is preferable to the extra comfort of a loose fit in the heat. I have already reviewed the wonderful T3 hat and the design is perfect for my needs, with its round crown and three-inch brim. The Wanderer is great for the days just after I've cut my hair—or for when I would be constantly adjusting the… Full review

Royal Robbins Bug Barrier Convertible Sun Hat

The Bug Barrier Convertible Sun Hat is a unisex sun hat, designed for outdoor activities where bug and sun protection are desired. It is a comfortable and lightweight hat that I have worn canoeing, camping, and hiking. It has a wide 4" brim, and is treated for insect repellency, and also has a 50+ UV sun protection value. A very positive feature is an integrated head net that can be tucked away alongside the crown when not in use. I have enjoyed using this hat, a change from my usual ball cap style,… Full review

Outdoor Research Nomad Sun Hat

A very solid option for warm weather treks and keeping the sun off your face. Generous vents and lightweight fabrics also make it a very cool option due to lots of air flow on top. I also like how robust the cord and cord lock are. Primary gripe is limited sizing options. The Outdoor Research Nomad is a hat made for sun protection and warm weather. It sports a three-inch brim, generous mesh ventilation panels, a cord and cord-lock to keep it from flying off your head, and only weighs about three… Full review

Tilley T3 Cotton Duck Hat

The best hat you will ever own. And they stand 100% behind their products. Full review

Tilley T3 Cotton Duck Hat

Don't be like me...get a T3! Quality and attention to detail throughout. Buy one excellent hat—instead of a cheap disposable one, every year. Even as a younger man, I accepted the need for a hat in the mountains or on the trail. Sun protection reduced the risk of burning, or more serious skin ailments. It reduced fatigue and eye strain. A hat kept your head warmer, or cooled you down when you dunked it in a river, waterfall, or stream. I never packed an outdoor bag which didn't contain at least… Full review

Tilley LTM2 Airflow Hat

Bought this hat in 2017, after a few too many friends had come down with skin cancer. I think we all started with baseball caps that only offered the bill protection, after being introduced to Boonie Hats in the service, they offer a lot more protection and used those for 30 years until some friends developed skin cancer of various degrees and started to get serious about. I looked at the Tilley and price seemed high but most good things are. I have used on fishing trips, backpacking, and bird hunting… Full review

Tilley LTM2 Airflow Hat

The Tilley LTM2 provides the most sun protection of any hat I have owned, is extremely durable, water resistant, and very light and comfortable. It is expensive, does heat up a bit (Airflo works to a certain extent), and the wide brim doesn't work that well in wind or with a bug net. I expect to be wearing this on sunny trips for many years to come, backed up by the excellent Tilley lifetime guarantee. My Scottish genes mean I burn easily so I can't begin to estimate the amount of sunscreen I have… Full review