Pick the Best Beach Hat for You!
From classic wide-brimmed hats to bucket hats, find your ideal style. Here is my pick for the Best Beach Hats.
As wonderful as it is to go outside for your dose of vitamin D protecting your face and hair from the sun is extremely important. While sunscreen and sunglasses do a good job of this, another key item for sun safety is a hat.
Best Beach Hat for Women: Brixton Joanna Hat
Best Packable Beach Hat: Wallaroo Hat Company Women’s Scrunchie Sun Hat
Best Beach Bucket Hat: Somaler Women’s Packable Beach Bucket Hat
Best White Beach Hat: Simplicity Convertible Beach Visor Hat
Best Navy Beach Hat: Coolibar Women’s Brittany Beach Hat
Best Straw Beach Hat: FURTALK Women’s Straw Foldable Hat
Best Floppy Beach Hat: Lanzom Women’s Big Bowknot Floppy Foldable Sun Hat
Best Oversized Beach Hat: Dechisy Oversized Straw-Hat
Best Beach Hat for Women: Brixton Joanna Hat
This is the perfect women’s hat for everything from the beach to boat tours, this 100% wheat straw option features a grosgrain band, 4-inch brim and 50-plus UPF protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Available in five sizes, it offers an adjustable Velcro strap for the perfect fit. The Brixton Joanna Hat comes in a variety of color combinations that can coordinate with anything you wear, from swimsuits to sundresses.
Best Packable Beach Hat: Wallaroo Hat Company Women’s Scrunchie Sun Hat
This ultralight packable hat easily rolls up for convenient transport in a bag of any size, whether you tuck it into your carry-on luggage or a beach bag. It features breathable UPF 50+ material and a 4.5-inch wire brim to keep you protected from the sun during a long day at the beach, in the garden or walking your dog.
Best Beach Bucket Hat: Somaler Women’s Packable Beach Bucket Hat
Like the fanny pack and baggy jeans, the bucket hat has made a comeback in recent years. If you’re considering this trendy style for your next beach trip, check out the Somaler beach hat on Amazon. Available in a dozen colors, it offers UPF 50+ coverage, folds easily for travel, and is made with a soft and breathable cotton and polyester material. Bonus: At less than $20, it’s one of the more affordable beach hats, too.
Best White Beach Hat: Simplicity Convertible Beach Visor Hat
This convertible white beach hat can be worn with a ponytail as a visor or zipped up on top to make it into a hat. It has a packable design, making it convenient to include on any trip. The cotton and polyester fabric are lightweight, breathable, and quick drying. There are 10 other color options.
Best Black Beach Hat: Coolibar Women’s Brittany Beach Hat
This classic black sun hat from Coolibar has UPF 50+ fabric technology that is designed to block 98% of the sun’s rays and never wash out. This hat features a fully lined crown and a grosgrain sweatband to keep the sweat out of your eyes on those hot days. Comfortable and packable, the linen/cotton blend hat is available in six additional colors and patterns besides black.
Best Straw Beach Hat: FURTALK Women’s Straw Foldable Hat
One of the top-rated options on Amazon, this foldable and packable UPF 50 sun hat has an adjustable interior band, removable chin strap and moisture-wicking sweatband so you won’t have to worry about sweat dripping into your eyes on the hottest of days. Available in three sizes, the large hat can fit over a head of thick curly hair.
Best Floppy Beach Hat: Lanzom Women’s Big Bowknot Floppy Foldable Sun Hat
Made with straw that’s soft, lightweight and breathable, this hat will keep your head cool and comfortable under the hot sun. It comes in a variety of colors and features a stylish bow to keep you looking good. The 5.5-inch brim offers maximum UV protection, and the design makes it easily packable.
Best Oversized Beach Hat: Dechisy Oversized Straw-Hat
Beach hats don’t get much bigger – or more fashionable – than this oversized statement piece by Dechisy. Featuring a 22 inch brim, this floppy hat guarantees full protection from the elements. Made from 100% straw, it comes in a variety of colors.
How to Pack a Beach Hat
Whether you want to pack your hat for a day at the beach or for a weeklong tropical vacation, you’re going to want to know how to pack it so that it keeps its shape. Depending on the material it’s made of and its durability, if you pack it properly, it should come out of any bag with little maintenance needed to make it look wearable. Here are the best tips for a crush-free hat in different styles:
For straw hats: If the hat is fragile, pack it upside down in your suitcase and fill the crown of the classic straw hat with clothes. Then, pack clothing around the hat to cushion it.
For “packable” hats: Typically, hats that are made with polyester can be rolled and securely stored to prevent creasing.
For canvas hats: A canvas hat can usually be folded – unless it has a stiff brim. If creases appear, use a steamer to remove them. For baseball/trucker hats, fill the hat with clothing and lay flat in a suitcase.
Hang your hat: Another alternative is to purchase a magnetic hat clip that can be attached to a purse for hands-free carrying.
Wear your hat: If you don’t want to take the chance of your hat getting crushed in your bag, wear it on the plane.
There are a few to pick from and it can get confusing. I hope this list helps you narrow it down to get the best hat for you!
FAQs
Q1: What are the best sun hats for sun protection?
The best sun hats for sun protection are those that offer UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) coverage, wide brims, and high-quality materials. Some top choices include the Brixton Joanna Hat, Wallaroo Hat Company Women’s Scrunchie Sun Hat, Somaler Women’s Packable Beach Bucket Hat, Simplicity Convertible Beach Visor Hat, Coolibar Women’s Brittany Beach Hat, FURTALK Women’s Straw Foldable Hat, Lanzom Women’s Big Bowknot Floppy Foldable Sun Hat, and Dechisy Oversized Straw-Hat.
Q2: What features should I look for in a best sun hat to ensure sun protection?
To ensure sun protection, look for sun hats with a high UPF rating (UPF 50+ is excellent), wide brims (at least 4 inches), and materials that block harmful UV rays. Adjustable straps, moisture-wicking sweatbands, and packable designs are also beneficial for comfort and convenience.
Q3: Are wide-brim sun hats better for sun protection?
Yes, wide-brim sun hats are better for sun protection as they provide more coverage to your face, neck, and shoulders, shielding them from direct sunlight. A wide brim sun hat helps prevent sunburn and reduces the risk of skin damage caused by UV rays.
Q4: What is the advantage of packable sun hats?
Packable sun hats are designed to be easily folded or rolled for convenient storage and transport. They are ideal for travel and outdoor activities, as you can pack them in your bag without worrying about damaging their shape. Packable sun hats are often made with materials that can withstand folding and retain their structure.
Q5: How can I pack a straw sun hat to prevent crushing?
To prevent crushing a straw sun hat, place it upside down in your suitcase and fill the crown with soft clothing items. Then, carefully pack clothing around the hat to cushion and protect it from pressure.
Q6: Can canvas sun hats be folded for packing?
Canvas sun hats can usually be folded for packing, unless they have a stiff brim that might not bend easily. If creases appear after packing, you can use a steamer to remove them and restore the hat’s shape.
Q7: Which sun hat is best for women with thick curly hair?
The FURTALK Women’s Straw Foldable Hat, available in three sizes, is a top choice for women with thick curly hair. Its adjustable interior band allows for a comfortable fit over a head of thick hair, providing both style and sun protection.
Q8: Are there any sun hats that offer hands-free carrying options?
Yes, some sun hats come with magnetic clips that can be attached to a purse or bag, providing a hands-free carrying option. This feature ensures you can easily carry your hat when you’re not wearing it.
Q9: Can I wear a sun hat on the plane to avoid packing it?
Absolutely! Wearing your sun hat on the plane prevents it from getting crushed in your bag and ensures you have sun protection handy once you reach your destination.
Q10: Where can I find the best sun hats for sun protection?
You can find the best sun hats for sun protection at various online retailers, including Amazon, where you can explore a wide range of styles, brands, and features to suit your needs.
