Gore-Tex is a thin layer of Teflon in-between layers of nylon and polyurethane. When added to fabric, it becomes waterproof. Gore-Tex is also lightweight and breathable, so the waterproof shell doesn’t make this hat any less comfortable. It’s still lightweight, foldable, and easy to toss in your bag. And even though it's designed without any air vents, it won’t trap sweat and heat when you wear it. To ensure that we recommend only top-notch products to you, we analyzed each hat for six essential considerations when putting this list together. Here they are: Materials To find the best hiking hats, we spoke with Dr. Hadley King, M.D.,dermatologist at Dr. Hadley King Dermatology, Dr. Erum Ilyas, M.D.,dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, Justin Rimon,outdoor guide and founder of Just Trek, Alicia Filley, PT, MS,physical therapist and hiking guide, and Michele Stanten, ACE-GFI, walking coach, running coach, and group fitness instructor. King and Ilyas walked us through the basics of sun protection, helping us narrow down which hiking hats had enough UPF protection. Rimon and Filley provided their expertise on other features hiking hats need, like durability, comfort, and fit. Stanten explained how these features can translate to a better hiking experience out on the trail. Cotton may be comfortable and stylish, but it absorbs sweat and doesn’t breathe very well in hot climates. Cotton can still work for you, but I’d look another direction if you tend to break a significant sweat while you hike. As such, I’ve only included a few cotton hats in this post. The Baseball Hat: These versatile hats provide sun protection without the bulk. While any baseball cap could be considered a hiking hat, many brands have created enhanced designs with hikers in mind.

Not only does a sun hat provide much-needed shade from the strong rays of the sun, but many fabrics are treated with UPF which protects your skin from ultraviolet rays. If you’re going to be wearing something on your head all day, making sure that it is comfortable is a no-brainer. Although safari pith helmets are world famous for being the headwear of famous British explorers and look great in safari photos, they’re terribly uncomfortable. Yes, we’ve tried them. This great piece of headwear is called a booney hat, or boonie hat. Booney hats have wide brims, providing you with total shade coverage. This hat was designed for fishing fans, but booney hats are also great options for other performance-focused activities. Bring one along when you’re going hiking with your family, paddleboarding with friends or any other outdoor pursuit. Keep in mind you don’t have to get a safari hat, a regular hiking hat will keep the sun out of your eyes as well! Prices varied in our search and of course, it all depends on the brand you go for as well as technical features.This hat wins our Editors' Choice for Technical Use for being the highest performing and most versatile of the bunch Safari Pants: We recommend neutral-colored pants as they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors. Hiking hats can keep you comfortable in a range of different conditions—protecting you from the sun, shielding you during downpours, and even keeping pesky bugs at bay. “A hiking hat can greatly improve your overall experience in the great outdoors,” Justin Rimon, outdoor guide and founder of Just Trek, says. “You want to feel as prepared and comfortable as possible on your adventures and not feel miserable from nature’s elements.” What you wear on your head says a lot about you. I had my idea of what the perfect safari cap would look like, and I was set on finding the perfect fit. This floppy hat by Cath Kidston is virtually guaranteed to put a smile on your face: just look at that pomegranate print!

Before we explore the best hiking hats on the market, let’s discuss what to look for in a hiking hat and the three main types of hiking hats. The Kids' Play Hat is close to perfect, but it's not quite. It has a very rigid brim, which is great for protection. However, that rigidness in the brim carries inside to where the hat meets the head. This is less comfortable than some hats with a softer brim. Also, this doesn't have a liner, which would have made it even more comfortable than it already is. Overall, this is a great hat and a favorite among all our testers, both kids and adults. Unlike safari clothes or safari boots, we would say everyone needs a hat when on safari. Especially in East Africa! Most people coming on safari are from more Northern climates away from the equator and are unaware of the sun’s damage around Africa. The sun near the center of the earth is intense and can leave you sunburned in a matter of minutes. DREAMING of summer days? These are the best sun hats for women that you'll want to snap up this year.It's made from 100% cotton poplin, with a soft foldable design you can carry in your bag and pull out when you need it. Comfort: Depending on the type of hiking you plan on doing, you may need to wear your hiking hat for eight or more hours a day. Therefore, look for something adjustable, as the fit is an important piece in comfort. It is worth noting, however, that the Travel Foldable Brim Sun Hat is one of the heaviest hats we tested for this review. We still found it very comfortable, but the weight does make it less comfortable than some hats. There are also more stylish hats out there, but this hat balances style, comfort, sun protection, and breathability the best. The retro style continues with a chin strap that can be worn loose or tied up if it's a little breezy out. Breathability: Having a breathable hat can help your head stay comfortable. Many hiking hats are built from breathable materials or include mesh patches to increase airflow.