Whether you’re scaling peaks or trekking through valleys, an excellent treking hat is your best friend on any experience. Discovering the ideal hat design for you can take some time, however the benefits of an excellent hat go beyond merely looking great.
From maximum sun defense to lasting convenience, we’ve come up with a list of terrific hats for all kinds of hiking, consisting of sun hats, packable hats, and winter hats.
Our leading choice is the Tilley hat, with its uncomplicated style, exceptional durability, and great defense against any weather you may face on your travels.
Other terrific hat designs consist of the Filson Summer Packer or the Columbia Bora Booney. Both of these have wide brims offering the very best protection from the sun. Here’s a list of the top-performing hiking hats that withstand the components.
Top Hiking Hats for 2024
Finest All Round Hiking Hat– Tilley HatImage by Tilley
The Tilley Hat is a classic and is loved across the world for its toughness and comfort. My daddy has owned his Tilley hat for several years and brings it out every summer in Scotland for cruising and cutting the yard. It still looks practically brand-new after many years of usage.
In 1980, the creator of Tilley Endurables, Alex Tilley was unhappy with the hats on the market for outdoors lovers. A sailor, Mr. Tilley wanted to create his own tough hat that would last in all type of weather.
Image by Annierose Donnelly The Tilley hat is water resistant, it does not diminish when it gets damp, it can float in water, and constantly looks trendy. Made from sustainable materials, it has fantastic
ventilation for days in the sun and is licensed UPF 50+protection. The traditional look matches men and women and is readily available in several exact sizes according to your head measurements. It works well for all kinds of outdoor pursuits, from hiking to watersports. It comes with a life time service warranty and a four-page owner’s handbook.
Image by Columbia The Columbia Bora Booney is the supreme sun hat with a full 3-inch large brim that safeguards your face and neck from the sun, while the technical Omni-Shade sun protection obstructs damaging UV
rays. The lightweight material is moisture-wicking and is made from 100% nylon, allowing it to feel soft on the skin. Breathable mesh ventilation on the sides makes this a great hat for hiking, as does the sweat-wicking headband.
It is comfy to wear for long days out in the sun. It has an adjustable pull cable to tighten up during windy days and the size is adjustable with a toggle. It loads quickly and can be folded really little to fit into a backpack or luggage.
Image by Outdoor Research Study A baseball cap can not use the same levels of sun protection as a wide-brimmed sun hat, but there is still a time and a location for a helpful hiking baseball hat, especially for much shorter walkings. Just don’t forget to use sun block to the neck and ears
at the same time. Among the best hiking baseball caps out there at the moment is this Swift Cap by Outdoor Research Study. The adjustable back strap enables a tailored fit, and it ensures the cap stays in location no matter how vigorous the activity.
The series of colors provides a lot of choice for any hiker, from bright purple to olive green. Light-weight and breathable, this cap has a full mesh liner for ventilation in heat, with a shaped expense and nylon panels for included sun defense.
Image by Sunday Afternoons A neck flap is always an
option to think about when buying a sun hat, specifically if you have pale skin. For ultimate protection versus sun damage, this hat from Sunday Afternoons uses fantastic protection and shade with an extra large 4-inch brim. It likewise features a drawstring chin strap with a toggle cable to keep the hat in location when the wind picks up. Founded in Oregon, Sunday Afternoons has a fantastic range of technical hats for protection from the components
. It may not be the most fashion-forward device, however if you are major about sun protection or invest a great deal of time hiking, this hat will have a place in your life. It can be firmly loaded for storage or travel, it’s terrific value for cash, and it will keep you cool in the most popular weather condition with exceptional ventilation.
Image by Outdoor Research Study Keeping the kiddos safe from the sun is constantly a leading concern for parents. A tricky job at the very best of times, it can be streamlined with another great item from Outdoor Research
, the Sun Runner Cap. The sun hat, with a detachable neck cape, has wide sun coverage and secures the neck, ears, and face from the sun. It is made from 100 % Supplex nylon which is water resistant, breathable, and simple to clean. It features a Velcro attachment around the chin for extra defense from bug bites.
This is a terrific sun hat, perfect for playing in the backyard, beach days, walkings, and all kinds of outdoor experiences.
Image by The North Face All of us at Outdoors.com understand that hiking is not simply a fair-weather activity. You’ll also need a hat for winter season or cold weather hikes. This unisex hat from The North Face is an incredibly relaxing choice, made from recycled polyester tricot fleece.
Impossibly soft to the touch and not at all scratchy, the fluffy beanie hat offers an uncomplicated try to find winter season strolls or après ski enjoyable. The North Face, a renowned leader in outside clothing, also makes a matching Osito Jacket made from the exact same products. Why not purchase them both and be additional relaxing?
The timeless beanie fit easily covers the ears and can be worn cuffed or uncuffed. For more winter hiking hats, view our list of the hottest winter hats that we could find.
Image by Trailheads For ladies with long hair, ponytails and hats have actually never ever been a good combination.
Fortunately, hats with ponytail slots are becoming more popular in the world of outside gear. This warm ponytail hat from Trailheads is the just one you’ll ever need in your closet. For cooler days, the hat includes a premium fleece ear warmer that can be
flipped up or down. It is made from sweat-wicking product so it can be used for chilly winter exercises, path runs or long walkings. It includes an anti-glare bill to shade your eyes from the sun, and a 3-inch slot for your ponytail. It can be worn with hair up or down.
This ingenious hat is made from a combination of polyester and spandex. The reflective stitching around the beyond the ponytail slot and on the brim makes the hat stand out on dark mornings or nights.
Image by Filson Similar in its excellent aim to the Tilley hat, the Filson Summer Season Packer is a hat that will go with you on every adventure. There is a fantastic argument about which of the 2 hats is the much better financial investment, but they are both outstanding alternatives if you are looking for a hat to last a long period of time.
Filson has actually been making long lasting outside gear for almost 100 years, and their items offer premium security from the aspects. The classic fedora design looks fantastic on both men and women, and you’ll grab it time and time once again.
The Filson Packer is far more than simply a style declaration, however. It is made from lightweight, waterproof, water-repellent material. The brim keeps the sun off your face while you’re out and about. It will keep you cool on walkings, and it can be rolled up and stored quickly for travel.
What Functions to Search for in a Hiking Hat:
Keep the following in mind when you are looking for your new ultra experience hat.
Brim Width and Sun Defense
When looking for a sun hat, a wide brim is the most efficient feature to shade your face, neck, ears, and shoulders from the sun. The broader the brim of the hat, the more sun protection it will supply. Try to find a hat with a minimum of a 3-inch (7.5 cm) brim.
Try to find a hat that uses the best sun defense. Examine the UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Element) ranking on the adventure hat that you have an interest in acquiring, before you click ‘purchase now’.
It should have a UPF 30+ score or higher, which implies it was crafted specifically for defense versus hazardous UVA and UVB sun rays. If you are going to be spending a lot of time in the sun, search for one that has a ranking of UPF 50.
Product and Breathability
The product is another substantial element to consider. Breathable materials like polyester, nylon, and mesh can make a world of distinction on a hot, sweaty hike.
These lightweight products not only enable air to stream freely, keeping your head cool, but they also have moisture-wicking homes that draw sweat away from your skin and keep you comfortable. You need to also think about how rapidly the material can dry, considering that this will be important for hiking.
Fit
It’s constantly important to make sure that your new hat fits snugly and comfortably on your head. Some hats come with adjustable mechanisms, such as pull-string closures or adjustable straps.
Quality brands will offer accurate head size measurements and offer their items in a range of sizes, so it is essential to measure the size of your head before purchasing a new hat.
A chin strap is another helpful feature that helps secure the hat in location, especially in windy conditions. They can also prevent the hat from slipping off during laborious activities.
Design and Color
For treking, being comfy beats looking stylish nearly each time, but you should find a hat style that matches you, so you will want to wear it. After all, who states you can’t look good while safeguarding yourself from the sun?
Most hats are available in many colors and patterns, so choose one that suits your appearance the very best. Remember that brilliant colors can be helpful for treking in remote areas, and dark colors are the best for absorbing UV rays.
Packability and Travel-Friendly Options
A treking hat’s packability is a crucial function to think about. Hats that are easy to load and don’t lose their shape or functionality when folded or rolled are ideal for on-the-go adventures.
Synthetic materials like nylon and polyester are thought about the most ideal for loading due to their quick-drying properties, excellent sun security, and sturdiness.
Water Resistant and Weather-Resistant Hats
Whether you’re treking in the rain-soaked North Cascades National forest or the foggy Appalachian Trail, a water resistant hat is always beneficial. Products like nylon and polyester with mesh lining, or treated cotton, work well in damp conditions.
A wide brim can likewise be useful from keeping the rain far from your face. Watch out for hats with a durable water-repellent (DWR) covering if you will be spending time in soaked environments.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choices
Take care of the world and go with a hat made from environmentally friendly, recycled, and sustainable products.
Tips for Hat Care and Maintenance
When you have discovered your ideal hiking hat, it is very important to keep it effectively to ensure its longevity. Among one of the most basic care pointers is to hand wash your hat. Even if the label indicates that it’s safe for machine washing, hand cleaning is generally gentler and less likely to trigger damage.
Keeping your hiking hat properly can likewise extend its life expectancy. Hang it from a hook in your closet or keep it inside a storage box to safeguard it when you are not using it.
Frequently Asked Concerns
Is a container hat a good sun defense hat?
Container hats have a small brim, so although they supply an excellent level of sun protection, a wide-brimmed sun hat will use a lot more protection.
Is a straw hat helpful for hiking?
A classic straw hat is lightweight and provides breathability, however it may be more suited to beach days than treking journeys. Straw hats usually lack the toughness and moisture-wicking properties needed for more strenuous enjoyable in the outdoors. They can likewise be challenging to load.
Can I wear my routine baseball cap for hiking?
Your baseball cap will provide decent sun protection, and it will work well at shading your eyes and face from the sun. Nevertheless, it will not provide as much ventilation as a sun hat created for treking, and it will leave your neck and ears exposed to the sun. The materials might not be as lightweight or breathable.
Do treking hats secure against insects and bug bites?
Many of the hats on this list work at keeping bugs at bay, specifically the Sunday Afternoons Experience Hat or Sun Runner Cap by Outdoor Research Study. These styles have neck flaps which offer extra coverage and defense versus bugs swarming around your head.
Will my hat be comfortable to wear with a backpack?
There shouldn’t be any problems wearing a hat with a pack unless you have a backpack that sits extremely high up on your back.
From checking out user evaluations, it seems that there can be issues when an additional wide-brim hat meets a really high knapsack. It may be worth attempting them on together before you avoid, to examine if there is a problem. Hats with neck capes or extremely broad brims may not be the very best designs for wearing with a pack.
The Very Best Hats for Treking
Ultimately, picking the best treking hat takes some time and research study. Is your hat for hot hikes in the desert, or do you require an all-weather option?
Always consider factors like sun defense, product and breathability, adjustable fit, style, packability, weather condition resistance, and sustainability.
You can discover excellent hats at every cost point, however if you spend a lot of time outdoors, perhaps now is the time to consider buying an investment hat, such as the Tilley or the Filson Packer.
Keep in mind, a great hiking hat is more than just a fashion device– it’s a vital piece of gear that supplies security and convenience on all of your outdoor experiences.
Securing yourself from the sun is crucial throughout your hikes. Here are the best hiking hats for your upcoming treking season.