Spending time outdoors is important, but it exposes you to dangerous rays from the sun that can cause cancer, damage the skin, or lead to premature aging. Statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation indicates that no fewer than two people die of skin cancer in the United States per hour.

Thankfully, wearing a hat is one of the ways you can protect yourself from cancer-causing rays. For this reason, we have reviewed and put together a small list of the best sun hats for men that suit just about any purpose you want.

The Best Sun Hats for Men: Review

Columbia Bora Bora Booney II Hat 

Best Features

  • Adjustable chin strap and toggle at the back for a customized fit
  • Omni-wick feature for efficient moisture management
  • Packs easily

Best For

Individuals who need a versatile sun hat for different outdoor activities

Summary

The Columbia Bora Bora Booney II Hat is a widely popular choice among men (and women, too!), and for good reasons. The product has just about everything you will want in a sun hat, from a highly effective sweat-wicking headband, a medium width brim, and an adjustable drawcord to a mesh vent panel.

You can wear this hat in several environments, including when you are out hiking in the great outdoors or chilling at the beachside. The high-quality materials used in expertly crafting the hat ensures that you stay protected from sunburns, skin damage, and harmful UVB and UVA rays.

The Omni-wick design allows sweat (or moisture) to move from your skin to the high-quality nylon fabric, where it spreads and evaporates very quickly, thanks to the clever inclusion of vents for adequate airflow.

With the adjustable chin strap that lets you tighten the hat around your head, you can be sure the headgear won’t be blown off, even in windy conditions.

Extra Features

  • 100% nylon material for long-lasting use
  • True to size (order your actual size)
  • Available in seven different shades, including collegiate navy, dark pool, emerald green, fossil, and more

Need to Know

The Columbia Bora Bora Boney is a versatile sun hat that works for both men and women and can be worn for just about any type of activity and occasion. However, it is not the best pick if you want to look attractive.

Pros

  • Adequate ventilation
  • Built-in UPF 50 significantly reduces exposure to sun rays
  • Excellent craftsmanship with long-lasting materials

Cons

  • Not suitable for dressing up

EINSKEY Sun Hat

Best Features

  • Excellent choice for the beach and outdoor water activities
  • Mesh vents on both sides of the hat for ventilation
  • Protects head, face, and neck from harmful rays

Best For

Individuals who want adequate protection from the sun at the poolside or beachside

Summary

A wider brim combined with an effective water-repellent material makes this option from EINSKEY one of the best sun hats for men who love to spend a considerable amount of time by the pool or ocean. The approximately 4-inch wide brim keeps your neck and facial features protected from premature aging and skin cancers while you are lounging at the beach.

The polyester material means the hat won’t droop or sag in wet conditions, as is the case with cotton hats. Vents on both sides of the hat keep your head cool and comfortable, and the elastic drawstring design means it will fit almost all adults.

The summer hat is great for the beach because of its waterproof feature, but that’s not to say you can’t use it for fishing, camping, hunting, and a wide range of other outdoor activities.

Extra Features

  • 100% polyester material, crafted to withstand rainy weather
  • Fits adults with a head circumference between 22 and 24 inches
  • Comes in a variety of colors, including dark gray, light gray, army green, navy blue, and khaki

Need to Know

This hat is crafted from excellent water-repellent material that is both breathable and comfortable. Fold it in half when you need to pack it in your bag, and make sure to hand-wash it. The sun hat can also be used by women.

$13.99 Amazon  →

Pros

  • Lightweight material
  • Wide brim provides adequate protection from sun rays
  • Breathable and waterproof

Cons

  • Not suitable for machine wash

Tilley LTM6 Airflo Hat

Best Features

  • Broad brim
  • Wrinkle-resistant material
  • Color does not fade for its entire lifetime

Best For

Photographers who want a hat for a digital single-lens reflex camera as well as protection when working outdoors

Summary

There is a Tilley hat for every outdoor adventure, and the LTM6 Hat is one of the most durable, lightweight, and breathable options from the brand’s Airflo collection. It is a notable gear among photographers capturing beautiful scenery and wildlife on a safari and those shooting city streets and landscapes.

But you don’t have to be a photographer or have any remote liking to the profession to enjoy the benefits of the sun hat. The design includes a slightly raised crown so that the hat doesn’t sit directly on top of your head. This allows free-flow of air in and out through the mesh on the crown and leaves you comfortable all day.

Tilley’s craftsmanship shows in each expertly hand-sewn hat, with all the seams properly lock-stitched for maximum durability. The crown has a discreet pocket where you can securely store various small items, such as a credit card, driver’s license, room key, or dollar bill.

Extra Features

  • 100% suplex nylon material
  • Dual drawstring closure
  • Velcro-sealed secret pocket in the crown
  • Available in nine different colors, including khaki, gray, black, off white, and more

Need to Know

Tilley’s hat has a wide brim that protects the face from sun rays, but the brim won’t bounce back if it is damaged by squeezing. Hand-washing in cold water is recommended for best results. If you must wash the hat in a machine, use a delicate cycle, and never use bleach.

Pros

  • Stylish design suits a smart-casual outfit
  • Mesh crown allows head to vent
  • Broad rim protects from sun, wind, and rain

Cons

  • Brim not suitable for storing in a small travel bag or camera bag

Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat

Best Features

  • Packs easily for travels
  • Double weave rip-stop shell
  • Removable, one-hand adjustable drawcord

Best For

Researchers who spend a lot of time exploring the great outdoors

Summary

If you are in the market for a no-frills sun hat, look no further than this minimalist option from Outdoor Research, a brand driven by the urge to get out and explore outdoor passions. Whether you plan to spend an entire afternoon on a canoe looking for specific types of fish, or you want to go hiking, you can be sure this hat will protect you from harmful sun rays.

It is designed from a durable synthetic fabric that effectively wicks away sweat and moisture from your face and head to keep you comfortable. Low profile panels on the sides of the hat allow warm air to escape and cold air to flow in and keep your head cool. If, by chance, the hat gets blown off when you are on the water (perhaps you didn’t secure it with the drawcord), the foam inside the brim will keep it afloat.

Extra Features

  • Floatable design
  • 86% nylon, 14% polyester materials
  • Comes in seven shades, including sand, khaki, dusk, and more
  • UPF 50+ rating for maximum protection during sunny days

Need to Know

Whether your adventure takes you, in the mountains, across the deserts, or on the vast oceans, the breathable panels on this hat will protect your face and neck from skin-damaging rays. However, only hand-washing is recommended to ensure that the product retains its protective qualities for several years to come.

$44.95 Amazon  →

Pros

  • Simple, ultra-lightweight design
  • Easy to wash
  • Breathable external panels

Cons

  • The brim can collapse up or down in strong winds

Stetson Gambler Seagrass Outdoorsman Hat

Best Features

  • Seagrass straw hat with 3 1/4-inch brim
  • Crown adorned with genuine leather band
  • Offers unparalleled ventilation

Best For

Men who want to look classy in a sun hat

Summary

Looking for the classiest hat for your boat cruise or for golfing? The Gambler from Stetson is arguably the best sun hat for those purposes. Complete your look with a pair of matching polarized glasses when you are out on the water, and you can be sure that your face, head, eyes, and neck are completely protected. A genuine leather band on the hat’s crown is the icing on the cake.

But Gambler is not just about good looks (although, that’s mighty important, too!); the headgear is made from seagrass straw, making it one of the best sun hats for men looking to get all the ventilation they can when donning a hat, especially under the scorching sun.

For extra protection against ultraviolet rays, there is a sun-blocking fabric sewn into the hat’s insides and brim.

Extra Features

  • UPF 50+ rating
  • Available in small/medium and large/extra-large sizes
  • Soft, stretchy inner band expands to fit snuggly

Need to Know

This timeless seagrass hat from Stetson has become synonymous with the game of golf. It will protect your head, face, and neck against harsh rays, in addition to providing adequate ventilation. You need to measure your head before placing your order to ensure a correct fit.

Pros

  • Lightweight and stylish design
  • Interior lining protects from harmful rays
  • Classy, timeless look

Cons

  • Not suitable for use in wet conditions
  • Not foldable, can’t be stored in a small travel bag

Considerations for Buying a Sun Hat

Fishing in river

 

Sun Protection

A sun hat is useless if it doesn’t offer protection against sun rays. The quickest way to know if a hat can safeguard your face, neck, and head is to check for the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. A rating of 50 or more will keep you safe from approximately 98% of UV rays.

Brim Size

How you plan to use your hat will determine the brim size you settle for. A narrow brim of about 3 inches or less is ideal for hiking or fishing for extended periods. Strong winds won’t blow down the brim and cover your eyes. On the other hand, if you intend to chill by the beach, a brim larger than 3 inches will offer the most protection.

Material

A sun hat’s quality is determined by the construction material, giving it a few essential properties, including style presentation, breathability, and washability. The options to choose from are:

  • Nylon or Polyester: This material has excellent water-repelling capabilities and is usually more durable than other materials but not as breathable as cotton. Manufacturers include lots of vents in them to provide adequate airflow.
  • Straw: This material is very lightweight and is often used in producing impressively stylish hats that can be worn for semi-casual outdoor events. The downside to straw is that it can’t be folded, so storing it for travel might be a bit tricky.
  • Cotton or Linen: This material is naturally breathable and feels extremely comfortable against the head. However, it is not as durable as the other materials.

Extras

A few additional features to look for include:

  • Mesh or vents: For increased airflow, giving you an overall comfortable experience
  • Drawcord or chin strap: To secure the hat to your head so that it doesn’t get blown off, and also to provide snug-fitting, consider choosing a model with a drawcord or chin strap.
  • Internal sweatband: An inner lining will keep sweat from soaking through the hat’s exterior and stop sweat from dripping down your neck or face.
  • Water-resistant: A hat with a waterproof, or at least water-resistant feature, will prevent your head from getting wet if you get caught in the rain. It will also ensure that the hat doesn’t sag in the rain.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you have found this guide helpful enough to help you decided on a hat that suits you. Whether or not you choose one from this list of best sun hats for men, we strongly recommend considering the buying factors mentioned at the beginning of this article before making a purchase.