11 February 2020

10 of the Best Sun Protection Hats for Women

By Marie Davis Women

Published 11 February 2020

Last updated 21 April 2023

It can sometimes be challenging to find a quality women’s sun hat to protect your face and neck, which also looks good and is fashionable.

The most popular styles come in everything from beautiful fedoras to floppy, wide-brimmed designs in a rainbow of color options. So not only will you look amazing, but it is easy to get the best protection with UPF-rated options in lightweight, breathable fabrics.

Whether you need a design for hiking, a beach style, or something packable for travel, we have got you covered (up) with a list of some of the best women’s sun hats to protect your skin from UV rays and damage.

Furtalk Women’s Wide Brim Sun Hat

The Furtalk sun hat is a stylish design that women love for travel or wearing to the beach or the pool. It has a wide brim that will cover your face from the sun.

It has a lovely flexible feel, so it can easily pack and keep its shape when traveling. It will provide the right amount of shade without feeling too big.

Find at Amazon.com

Scala Women’s Cotton Big Brim Hat

This popular design from Scala is a fantastic choice to help protect you from the elements. It is so versatile you can wear it for many different outdoor activities like going to the beach, gardening, and hiking. It also works well for traveling since you can pack and fold it up, and it will still look great when you pull it out.

This design will keep your head fresh and the sun off your face, neck, and shoulders. It comes in 35 colors and works well for head sizes up to about 22 inches in circumference (see below for info on how to measure your head size).

The brim size is 2.5 inches, which is on the shorter side for protection (I usually like at least a 3-inch brim), but it is slanted downwards and can be shaped and styled so you can get the maximum protection. The fabric is relatively heavy-weight cotton with a UPF 50+ rating. The interior has a tie string in the sweatband to allow you to tighten it if you find it too big.

This design is easy to take care of as it holds up well to hand washing or washing on a delicate cycle in your machine. When the hat is air drying, all you need to do is work it back into its original shape. If you are going on a cruise or somewhere you may encounter a lot of wind, this style isn’t the best option as it does not have a chin strap.

Check the price on Amazon

Wallaroo Women’s Victoria

If you are looking for a colorful, stylish straw design, the Wallaroo Women’s Victoria is well worth a look. It has a 3.5″ shaped brim, so you will get plenty of shade on your face. It also has an internal drawstring, so you have room to adjust the sizing if it is a little big for you.

It comes in 19 beautiful colors, so you will likely find a color to match any outfit. It would make an excellent style for traveling since it is packable and lightweight. The only caveat is you have to pack it flat or by filling the crown with something like socks or other clothes to maintain the shape of the hat.

It can be hand washed in cold water, but if you look after it, it won’t need much cleaning. The Victoria has a 22 ⅝ inch circumference size, so it will work for those with larger-sized heads. If your head is a smaller size, Wallaroo also has a petite version you can find here.

Check the price on Amazon

Sloggers Women’s Wide Brim Braided Sun Hat

A popular style many women like for gardening is the Sloggers Women’s Wide Brim Braided Sun Hat. Not only will this Slogger style protect your face and neck because of the wide 4.15-inch brim, but it also has a wind lanyard, so you can wear it when it is windy.

It has an elegant modern design you can wear on a cruise, to the beach, or with a beautiful dress at a garden party. The material is 65 % paper and 35% polyester, making it feel solid and durable while at the same time being soft and providing a UPF 50 rating. The lanyard is a soft material with a bead you can adjust up and down.

This design is 22.5 inches, so it won’t fit if your head is larger than that in circumference. This style probably isn’t the best option for traveling since it doesn’t pack easily. It is packable, but you must take precautions to ensure it doesn’t get crushed in your luggage.

One issue some women have run into with this style is it can get a little hot, as there are no vent holes in the top for cooling.

Available from Amazon

Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II

Booney hats are a well-loved style for fishing, hiking, and going to the beach. The Bora Bora Booney II from Columbia is a favorite style for many because it offers excellent protection for your face, neck, and ears with its UPF 50 fabrication.

This style runs a little big, so it is suitable for those with a big head or thick hair. It is also unisex, so you need to be careful with sizing. Most people find Bora Bora Booney II to be comfortable and breathable because of the fabric. The ventilation allows an adequate amount of airflow so your head doesn’t get too hot.

It comes with a drawstring to keep it secured in the wind, as well as a string to adjust the fit if the sizing is too big or too small. One other feature to note is it has an Omni-Wick® sweatband to keep you cool and the sweat from dripping in your eyes.

Available from Columbia.com

Outdoor Research Sombriolet

Outdoor Research has a lot of great options to choose from. One of their most popular styles is the Sombriolet Sun Hat.

It is similar to the Columbia Booney listed above, as it has nylon and polyester with UPF 50+, a moisture-wicking headband, and a drawcord to customize the fit. One difference from the Columbia is the brim is a little more full, so that you will get a bit more coverage with this design.

What is great about this style is it works well not just in the UV rays but also in the wind and the rain. This style is lightweight, with nicely placed vents to allow air in and heat out. The brim has a foam insert, so it will float if you drop it in the water.

Find at Backcountry.com

L.L. Bean Tropicwear Hat

The L.L. Bean Tropicwear Hat is lightweight enough to help keep you cool and comfortable in hot weather. The fabric is a quick-drying nylon/polyester blend with a UPF 50+. Like most L.L. Beans products, this is a well-made, durable option with many great features.

It has a moisture-wicking sweatband to stop sweat from dripping onto your face. It is another design with a foam insert to ensure the hat will float if you drop it in the water. If you like to have extra protection for your neck, this is a great option, as it has a back flap you can roll out if you need it or tuck into a hidden pocket if you don’t.

It also has a chin strap and an adjustable head strap, which is helpful if you are in windy conditions. The only downside to this design is it doesn’t have much ventilation, and it may get hot in the heat.

Find at L.L Bean

Eric Javits Hampton’ Straw Sun Hat

The Eric Javits Hampton’ is the most expensive on our list, but it is very popular as one of the best designer options. It is reportedly very comfortable, well-made, and suitable for traveling. This fashionable yet practical design makes it versatile enough to wear almost anywhere.

It only comes in the ‘one size fits most’ option, so it may be a little small for some women. The brim is 4.5 inches, which should provide significant coverage for most women. It isn’t the most obvious beach style but rather a more subtle and practical option you can wear for most activities.

It does come with an inner adjustable tie so that you can tighten it on windy days. If you can get past the high price tag, a lot of women feel this brand is well worth the cost due to the quality, style, and versatility of the Hampton.

Available from Nordstrom

Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat

The Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat is one of the most beloved and well-known styles you will find. It has excellent protection with its 4″ brim and 7½” neck cape.

The Nylon Polyester blend fabric is UPF 50+, so you will get a lot of protection. It’s a little dorky looking, but people love this style for the protection it offers and how good it is in different weather conditions.

When it is hot, it has ventilation and a wicking sweatband, so you don’t get drenched in sweat. When it is windy and raining, there is a neck lanyard to keep it on, and the fabric is water-resistant to help keep your head dry.

Check the price on Amazon

Tilley Airflo Hat

Tilley Hats are another much-loved option if you want a good quality, long-lasting style to keep the sun off. The Airflo Hat is a great design that will protect your face. It has a 3.5-inch brim on the front and sides and 2.75 in the back and comes with a wind cord.

It has a secret pocket you can hide your money and credit cards, or you can tuck the wind cord in if you aren’t using it. It is a fabulous design for adventure and travel, as it’s water-resistant and easy to clean. You can fold it up, pack it, and it will still look great when you take it out.

Find at Tilley

What to Look for:

Sizing

When buying a hat, you must measure your head circumference, especially if you are ordering online. A rough sizing guide is if your head circumference is 20″ – 21″, it will be a medium size, 21″ – 23″ will be a large size, and 23″ – 25″ will be extra-large.

To measure your head, use a measuring tape, a piece of string, or dental floss and place it around the crown of your head above the eyebrows and ears (the largest part of your head). Try not to hold it too tight or too loose. Then check the measurement or measure the length of the string. Most brands will say the circumference in the description of the product. Some models have adjustable sizing using an inner adjustable head strap you tighten or loosen depending on your preference.

If your measurement comes up between sizes, go for the larger size, and look for a style with an adjustable sizing strap.

Brim Size

For proper sun protection, you will want to look for styles with a brim with a minimum of 2.5 inches, but a 3-inch rim is an excellent place to start. You can get much larger brims that go into 4.5 inches or more, but there are some downsides to getting a style with a huge rim.

While they will give you excellent protection, they can be distracting and make it challenging to see. You will also want to consider the angle of the brim. Brims angled downwards will give you more protection than those straight out from the crown.

Rated

If you are looking to protect your skin from the sun, you should make sure you know how much protection you are getting. It is a good idea to get a design with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of at least 50+.

The UPF rating measures how much UV radiation is going through the fabric. A fabric with a UV radiation of 50+ should block at least 98% of the harmful UVA and UVB rays. FYI not all of the styles we listed above have been measured for their UPF rating.

Packable

Most people are going to be wearing their hats while they are traveling, so it’s a good idea to look for products that will retain their shape when they are packed in a suitcase.

Hats will normally get a bit wrinkled when packed, but if the product is described as being packable, the wrinkles should be able to be smoothed out once it is outside of the suitcase.

Wind

One annoying problem with larger-brimmed styles is they love to blow off in the wind. The obvious solution to this problem is to get a design with a chin/neck strap. It will stop it from blowing off, and when not in use, most straps can be tucked away under the brim.

Cleaning

Depending on when and where you are wearing them, sun hats can get pretty dirty or stained with sweat, which is never a good look. If your caps tend to get dirty quickly, look for fabrics you can hand wash or wash on the delicate cycle in your machine.

You will probably want to avoid straw designs. Generally, when you clean a hat, you will air dry it and then take some time to shape it into the proper shape while it is drying.

Breathability

A critical factor in finding a great style is how breathable it feels on a hot day. If the fabric is breathable, you will have a better chance of staying cool and not overheating when the weather gets warm. If you are doing a lot of physical activities, you will also want to look for styles with mesh ventilation.

Comfort

Comfort is another crucial factor in getting a good product. Sizing and fabric are essential to get a comfortable fit, but you should also consider the activities you will be doing while wearing your hat and choose a brim width and style accordingly.

A sizeable brimmed design might be great for the beach but won’t be very practical when trying to see your way on a trail when hiking. Or, if you are looking for something for activities with a lot of wind, you will need to get a design with a chin strap.

Color

If you have ever worn black fabric in the summer, you will know it doesn’t tend to do an excellent job at keeping you cool. The most popular styles are light-colored.

Light-colored fabrics help reflect heat rather than absorb it as dark-colored fabrics do. Lighter colors get dirty faster, while dark colors may fade more quickly than lighter colors.

Style

The most useful sun protection hats don’t tend to be the most fashionable. It can be challenging to get something you feel comfortable in that also protects your skin.

A weird design or a huge floppy style can make a lot of people self-conscious, no matter how much protection they are getting from UV rays. Look for styles that suit your face or at least you can live with when wearing out in public.