If you’re planning to spend some time walking under the sun or taking photos of the wildlife, you have to know the importance of protecting your head from the heat of the sun or from cold weather conditions. There are a lot of different types of headwear useful for hiking; the best hiking hat for you will de determined by the environment in which you plan to travel and the time of the year.
Keep in mind that our body loses between 10% and 40% of its heat through the head, depending on what activities you get involved in. Meanwhile, in hot weather, prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to heatstroke, not to mention very common face sunburns. These are just two of many reasons why investing in the best hiking hat will increase your comfort, safety, and performance on your treks and travels.
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**Below, you'll find more detailed reviews, but you can also click on the links above to check the current prices and read customers' reviews on Amazon.
So, you will see the importance of wearing the right head cover for the weather conditions you’re likely to deal with. Luckily, there are a much bigger options available than in those days when it was truly between a hefty woolen hat, which even though warm could harm your skin and would keep wet if poured all of a sudden and getting a wet or cold head.
The best hiking hat is found in an extensive range of materials which are intended to be water-resistant, breathable, and windproof some are even constructed of a material which consists of UV protection. They are like sleep sack, except they are against hot instead of cold.
So, Why Are Hiking Hats Important?
You shouldn't leave out hiking headwear from your checklist of essential hiking gadgets and gear. The best hiking hat can serve a multitude of purposes in all types of climates and conditions. First of all, sun hats are necessary as they contribute to preventing skin cancer. Statistics show that people expose themselves to the risk of skin cancer every day due to excessive contact with the sun. You’re likely to develop skin cancer from being exposed to UV rays. It is said that prevention is better than cure, which is why in order to avoid skin cancer, you have to wear protective clothing, including a hiking hat.
Another reason why it is important is because sun exposure can speed up the aging process. As a result, it can leave marks on your face and body such as brown spots, wrinkles, saggy skin, crows' feet, and hyper-pigmentation. You’ll age faster, as the heat radiated by the sun rays weakens the coating of your skin in cases of prolonged straight sun contact. In other words, you need to make sure that you're wearing a hat when the sun is at its hottest.
Choosing the Best Hiking Hat
Now you know the importance of wearing hiking hat for when you are outdoor choosing the best hiking hat would be the next thing you have to think through. Below are important tips you may want to follow when buying the best hiking hat.
- Coverage and protection - You need to keep in mind that no matter what clothes you are wearing, covering your face is not always possible. That’s why hats are necessary, most particularly throughout the summer. You must also know that throughout the summer you might be forced to wear light clothing which might be sleeveless which leaves your hands and shoulders exposed to the rays of the sun. In terms of choosing a sun hat, you need to ensure you select one which has a wide exterior area that covers your entire shoulders and head.
- Material - Some hats might be too thin. Hats made of thin materials may not block the harmful rays release by the sun, so you may want to avoid this. On the other hand, there are hats that may be too heavy which makes the wearer uncomfortable which may also cause mild headaches. In situations like this, you must pick a hiking hat which is both light and have enough material to stop sun rays from being exposed.
- UV Protection - We know that without sunblock lotion, we are easily able to harm our skin when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Most of us really don't consider the harm that could ensue to the top of the head every time it is exposed to the sun for a whole afternoon. And that’s why a hiking hat is very important. Together with a good sunblock SPF product, a sun protection hat is a must-have accessory for summer.
To put it briefly, having a great understanding of how important hiking hats are will provide you with a better understanding of the reason as to why you need to wear one while outdoors.
Top 5 Best Hiking Hats
If you like exploring the outdoors at any weather, investing in a hiking hat to keep you covered from the sun and rain would always be a great idea.
A daily task such as walking the dog could become tiring when the rain pours in – but hiking hats offer comfort and practicality. Stopping the rain and keeping yourself dry from the wet weather is not that hard with these gears.
You could easily throw put hats in your suitcase when going on for a trip, as you can fold them without damaging them. Hiking hats are normally light, small, and versatile, you are able to explore the deepest jungle with your head all protected.
This is one of the most popular hats for hiking, not only for its protection but also the fact that it is available in different colors. The Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II Sun Hat has the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal that is very beneficial for the wearer.This hat offers UPF 50+ protection, which says that it blocks out about 98% of damaging UVA and UVB rays. This hat comes with a draw cord and a clasp on your back. It also comes with an adaptable chin strap. It comes with a big mesh section on the crown that offers great breathability and ventilation. Its 3-inch brim goes all the way around. Over the brim, you have webbing that allows you to attach the hat to your backpack whenever you don’t want to use them anymore.
Editor's Rating: 98/100
Price On Amazon: from $23.00
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This hat is made of 100 % polyester with the ultraviolet protection factor of 50 +. The brim is about 3 inches in width. The logo of the company is embroidered on the top of the hat. There are 8 lines of stitching on the brim of the hat as well.There are 13 colors for you to choose from including khaki, black, red and pink. It is available in one size with an adjustable drawstring for fixing the hat, especially on windy days. If you look for fishing or gardening hat with solid color and basic design, you can consider this product of lady sun hats.
Editor's Rating: 97/100
Price On Amazon: from $11.99
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3. Ddyoutdoor™ 07-281 Fashion Summer Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Cap Neck Face Flap Hat Wide Brim
This hiking hat comes with a big bill and a huge detachable flap. It’s made from 100% of nylon. There are two mesh side panels with two big meshed brass holes for extra ventilation.This hat offers the ultraviolet guard feature of 50+. You are able to choose from five different colors: khaki, gray, black, red rose, and dark gray. It’s available in one size with an easy to change chin cord. It is made of high-quality nylon polyester cotton blend, which has lightweight, quick-drying, cozy, and soft features.It also offers UPF 50+ to protect you from harmful UVB and UVA rays. Its long neck flap features protect your neck from sunburn, and hidden neck flap to be turned as bucket hat for everyday use. it will surely make your hiking experience a lot better and more comfortable! If you want to buy one of the men’s sun hat protection hats with full coverage, you can consider this model of hats. This is a good hat for many outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and gardening.
Editor's Rating: 95/100
Price On Amazon: from $14.29
Pros
Cons
High-quality materials are used to create this hat, it is usually lightweight, weighing 88 grams only, and it offers great UV protection, with the UPF factor of more than 50. This hat’s brim is hardened with foam, and the similar foam makes the hat float if you drop it in the water. The brim is sizing 3 inches to 3 ¾, so it’s rather big everywhere.This offers a great protection from the sun rays and your face will be covered most of the time. But at the same time, this size implies it may be uneven in strong wind conditions. The hat has venting openings all over the crown, which is certainly an amazing feature to have for ventilation and better breathability. It has chin cord is long and with a lock, you’ll like to use it particularly in strong wind conditions. It also has a removable cord that helps for easy wearing. Its back has a draw cord with a clip, to regulate the hat to your head fringe. This hat has a moisture wicking headband, and its crown has a mesh as an additional layer.
Editor's Rating: 93/100
Price On Amazon: from $21.77
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If you are looking for a hiking hat that does not only does its main job but will also make you feel confident for its nice look, then LETHMIK Fishing Sun Boonie Hat would be a great option. This is a trendy hat that is made of 100% polyester fiber cotton.Not just this hat is soft and good looking, but it’s also durable and lightweight which makes it a perfect option for hiking. It works properly in blocking the UV ray from damaging your face. The hat is also ideal for any outdoor activity, so you can wear it not only for hiking.You are able to fold the brim of this hat up or let it down the way you like it. This amazing hat is designed with enough wind rope that will keep the hat stay in its place, particularly during windy days.The hat also has a high-quality craftsmanship. It’s crushable and foldable, and you are able to wear it in different styles while still keep its best shape.
Editor's Rating: 90/100
Price On Amazon: from $17.21
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My Final Advice is...
So, which one do you think is best for you? If you are looking for a hiking hat that is especially budget friendly, you will never go wrong with the MG Men’s Washed Cotton Twill Chin Cord Outdoor Hat or the Camo Coll Outdoor UPF 50+ Boonie Hat Summer Sun Caps. If on the other hand, you have a larger budget and want extra features, then go for the Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II Sun Hats, the Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat, or the Ddyoutdoor™ 07-281 Fashion Summer Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Cap Neck Face Flap Hat Wide Brim.
So, which one do you think suits you best and why? Let us know in a comment below!