When the sun gets hot overhead, you want to make sure you’ve got one of the best sun hats for men.
Sunburn is no joke and whatever activity you’re getting up to, whether hiking, fishing, chilling at the park or beach or mowing the lawn, a big sun hat will block sunlight from hitting your face, neck and ears (or your scalp, balding men!), saving you from unnecessary pain later.
There are four basic kinds of sun hats for men: the bucket hat, the traditional baseball cap, the fedora bucket and the flap sun hat. Depending on the kind of hat, sun hats for men will typically be made from polyester, nylon, cotton, linen or straw.
Each kind of hat and material has some pros and cons — some offer more protection because they have bigger brims, some dry better, some pack better, etc. — but they’ll all work to stop harmful sunlight from damaging at least some parts of your precious skin while also keeping your dome cool.
That’s why we rounded up a few great sun hats for men. Since we figure you’ve got baseball hats covered, we’re mostly focused on the big-brimmed, bucket-style, the-kind-your-beloved-grandpa-wears sun hats for men.
So if you could use a little extra protection from harsh rays, check out some of the best sun hats for men below. Your friends might joke about your hat, but you’ll be the last one laughing when they’re applying aloe and sunburn cream to their faces and necks.
1. Patagonia Forge Hat
BEST OVERALL
First up, one of the best sun hats for men from one of the best outdoor gear makers. The Patagonia Forge Hat checks all the boxes. Its brim is big enough at 3 inches and goes 360 degrees around to offer plenty of protection from the sun. It’s made from a light, durable hemp-polyester-cotton blend and features an adjustable chin strap to secure the hat and eyelets in the crown for increased airflow.
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2. REI Co-op Vented Explorer Hat
RUNNER-UP
Whatever your outdoor needs are, you’ll never go wrong if you check out what REI has in stock. In terms of sun hats for men, the REI Co-op Vented Explorer Hat has a lot to offer. Designed for warmer weather activities, this organic cotton hat and its 3-inch brim keep the sun off your face and neck, blocking 98% of UV rays from your head. At the same time, air flows through polyester mesh side vents to keep your head cool and an inner sweatband wicks moisture to avoid that dripping sweat problem.
And if it’s a windy day, strap in with the adjustable chin strap.
3. Columbia Bora Bora Booney Sun Hat
HONORABLE MENTION
The Columbia Bora Bora Booney Sun Hat has nearly everything you’d want in a decent sun hat: nylon construction, sweat-wicking capabilities, UPF 50, mesh vents to keep your head cool and even a drawcord in the back to adjust the fit of the hat. Sure, we’d love to have an adjustable chin strap too, but overall, the Bora Bora Booney is still a great sun hat for men.
4. HLLMAN Super Wide Brim Waterproof Sun Hat
BUDGET PICK
For an excellent, cheap, oversized-brim sun hat, check out the HLLMAN Super Wide Brim Waterproof Sun Hat.
Let’s get straight to the absolutely monstrous brim, clocking in at 5.5-inches long. That’s more than enough brim to easily keep the sun off your face, neck and perhaps even your upper back and shoulder blades on those shirtless days. And what gets blocked should mostly stay blocked, thanks to the hat’s UPF 50 protection.
Lastly, the sun hat’s made from 100% nylon, and so offers great moisture-wicking and quick drying.
Sure, the hat is a little goofy looking because of the size of the brim, but at the end of the day, stopping sun and rain isn’t a beauty contest.
5. L.L. Bean Adults’ Trail Model Rain Hat
BEST FOR RAIN
L.L. Bean has been around forever because it’s been making great outdoor gear forever. The L.L. Bean Adults’ Trail Model Rain Hat is perfect for those sunnier wetter days, whether that’s a bit of drizzle on a hike or splashback while boating or fishing. The sun hat features the brand’s TEK waterproof technology to keep your head dry while Coolmax polyester mesh and a moisture-wicking sweatband help your head breathe and stay dry.
The shell is made from 100% recycled nylon and features a 3.5-inch brim, and an adjustable, removable chin strap. Plus it’s easily packable for tips and also machine washable and dryable, always a win for gear that’s expected to get messy.
6. Seager Co. The Chum Bucket
BEST FOR FISHING
Huckberry is one of the best places to find outdoor gear online for its well-curated selection, including the Seager Co. The Chum Bucket hat. It’s made from a durable, water-resistant canvas, so it’s easily packable. An adjustable chin strap keeps it secure and the double-stitched hatband can handle flies if you’re out fishing.
7. The North Face Twist and Pouch Brimmer
MOST PACKABLE
In addition to its signature jackets, The North Face also makes many sun hats for men, including the Twist and Pouch Brimmer. This sun hat offers plenty of protection from sunlight through its UPF 40+ material (which means only one out of 40 units of ultraviolet light gets through the fabric, approximately 97.5% protection). It also dries quickly in case it gets wet, easily twists and packs into a pouch and features an adjustable chin strap and a sweatband inside the hat. Yup, rain or shine, The North Face Twist and Pouch Brimmer has your back, er, head.
8. Goorin Bros. Morning Glory
MOST STYLISH
The Goorin Bros. Morning Glory straw hat is probably the least utilitarian sun hat on this list, but it’s easily the classiest. If you’re less concerned about actual protection from the elements and more concerned about looking good in a decent straw hat, Morning Glory is the kind of hat you’ll wear every day over the summer. And hey, it’s not totally useless. A hat’s a hat and it’ll still offer some protection from sunlight, at least for your head and a bit of ears.
9. Timberland Fisherman Bucket Hat
COOLEST SUN HAT
Who knew Timberland made more than its signature boots? The Timberland Fisherman Bucket Hat is made from 100% polyester, water-resistant and offers UPF 50 protection. The brim is sizable and an adjustable drawstring cord easily secures the hat to your head.
But the upside is also the only downside. The black is cool and stylish, but black is less than ideal when you’re specifically trying not to absorb sunlight. But better the hat to absorb the UV rays than your skin.