When you’re miles from the trailhead with the sun beating down, a quality hiking hat transitions from a simple accessory to an essential piece of gear. It’s your first line of defense against sunburn, heat exhaustion, and glare, allowing you to focus on the scenery instead of squinting. The right hat combines sun protection with breathability, comfort, and packability, ensuring it enhances your hike rather than hinders it.
With so many styles—from technical caps to wide-brimmed sun hats—choosing the best one for your adventures can be a challenge. This roundup cuts through the noise to bring you ten of the top-rated hiking hats for backpacking and sun protection. We’ve evaluated them based on UPF rating, ventilation, coverage, and overall design to help you find your perfect fit for the trail ahead.
Our Top Picks for Hiking Sun Hats
- Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap
- Outdoor Research Swift Cap
- Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat
- Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
- Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat
- Columbia Bora Bora Booney Hat
- Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
- THE NORTH FACE Horizon Breeze Brimmer
- Wallaroo Women’s Sedona Fedora
- Columbia Global Adventure Packable Hat
Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap
The Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap is a versatile solution for hikers who want the familiar feel of a cap with the added protection of a neck cape. Its standout feature is the removable, snap-on sun cape that provides UPF 40+ coverage for your neck and sides of your face when you need it most. When the extra coverage isn’t necessary, simply unsnap it and you have a standard, high-performance sun cap.
Built for comfort on hot days, this hat includes mesh side panels and a wicking sweatband to promote airflow and keep you cool. It’s constructed from a bluesign approved recycled nylon blend that is water-resistant, breathable, and quick-drying. This makes it an excellent, adaptable choice for a wide range of sunny trail conditions.
Outdoor Research Swift Cap
For those who prefer a low-profile, athletic cap for fast-paced hikes and runs, the Outdoor Research Swift Cap is a top contender. Its design prioritizes advanced ventilation and a lightweight feel, using high-performance cooling fabric to promote airflow and prevent overheating. The result is a cap that feels barely there, making it ideal for high-exertion activities.
This unisex hat features an adjustable strap for a secure, personalized fit on virtually any head. Its simple, stylish design allows it to transition effortlessly from the trail to the town, serving as a reliable golf cap, running hat, or everyday sun hat. It’s the definition of a go-anywhere, do-anything piece of headwear.
Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat
When your hike is threatened by unpredictable weather, the Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat has you covered. This isn’t just a sun hat; it’s a fully waterproof skull cap built with Gore-Tex fabric to direct rain away from your face and head. Tested in heavy downpours, it provides reliable protection from rain, wind, and sweat.
Despite its rugged, water-repellent exterior, the hat remains breathable and comfortable with a tricot-lined crown that wicks away perspiration. It also doesn’t skimp on sun protection, boasting a UPF 50+ rating to shield you from UV damage. This is the ultimate all-weather cap for backpackers who need to be prepared for anything.
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
If maximum sun coverage is your priority, the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat is a benchmark in the category. This unisex hat features a 4-inch reverse split brim and a generous 7.5-inch neck cape, providing exceptional protection for your face, neck, and shoulders. With a UPF 50+ certified rating, it effectively blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Comfort is ensured through an adjustable crown and a wicking sweatband, while breathable mesh panels on the crown promote airflow. A notable safety feature is that this hat is designed to float, making it a great choice for water-based adventures. The adjustable chin strap also guarantees it stays on during windy conditions.
Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat
The Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat offers classic, wide-brimmed protection with thoughtful features for the active hiker. Its varied brim width provides a lot of shade, protecting your face and neck from the sun from all angles. The floating foam-stiffened brim is designed to hold its shape, while side vents and external mesh panels offer crucial ventilation to keep your head cool.
Practical details include a dark fabric under the brim to reduce glare, a one-handed drawcord adjustment for a perfect fit, and a removable chin cord. It is also designed to be packable, making it easier to stow in your pack without worry when not in use.
Columbia Bora Bora Booney Hat
A long-standing favorite among outdoor enthusiasts, the Columbia Bora Bora Booney Hat delivers reliable performance and protection. It features Columbia’s Omni-Shade technology, which provides UPF 50 protection to block UVA and UVB rays, helping to prevent sunburns during long days outside.
This hat is built for hot weather comfort. The Omni-Wick sweatband quickly moves moisture away from your skin to evaporate, keeping you dry and cool. A mesh vent panel further enhances breathability, making this a go-to option for hiking, fishing, or any activity under the summer sun.
Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
The Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat is a durable workhorse built from a double-weave ripstop nylon crown, giving it excellent tear resistance for rugged backpacking trips. The sturdy construction is designed to withstand the demands of the trail while providing reliable sun protection.
This hat balances durability with comfort through its mesh crown lining, which aids in breathability. The combination of a robust build and thoughtful ventilation makes it a dependable choice for hikers who need a hat that can handle both intense sun and occasional brush.
THE NORTH FACE Horizon Breeze Brimmer
The NORTH FACE Horizon Breeze Brimmer combines everyday style with serious technical performance. This lightweight bucket hat offers UPF 40+ protection and has earned a recommendation from The Skin Cancer Foundation for its effective UV blocking capabilities. It’s a sunny-day staple that doesn’t compromise on coverage.
Comfort is paramount with the FlashDry Pro sweatband that actively pulls moisture away from your scalp to keep you feeling fresh and dry. As a bonus, the hat is made with a sustainable recycled nylon body and lining, so you can feel good about your gear choice while enjoying the outdoors.
Wallaroo Women’s Sedona Fedora
For the hiker who values both sun safety and style, the Wallaroo Women’s Sedona Fedora is a perfect match. This hat offers superior UPF 50+ sun protection, certified by the Australian Radiation Protection Agency and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Its chic 3-inch wide brim provides ample coverage for your face and neck without sacrificing elegance.
Despite its structured look, this fedora is designed for travel. It is packable using the “stuff-it” technique, allowing you to place it in your suitcase surrounded by clothing to maintain its shape. It’s an ideal choice for travel, outdoor brunches, or any occasion where you want to look great while staying protected.
Columbia Global Adventure Packable Hat
The Columbia Global Adventure Packable Hat is built for the traveler and hiker who needs reliable gear that doesn’t take up much space. As the name suggests, its key feature is packability, allowing it to be compressed into a backpack or suitcase without being damaged, ready to provide protection whenever you need it.
You can expect Columbia’s trusted sun protection technologies, likely including UPF 50 rating and moisture-wicking properties, to keep you safe and comfortable on your global adventures. This hat is the practical solution for those who need a versatile, go-anywhere sun hat that is always ready for action.
What to Look For in a Hiking Hat for Backpacking & Hiking Sun Protection
When I’m picking out a new hiking hat, my first thought is always sun protection. A wide brim is non-negotiable for me. I look for something that shades my face, ears, and the back of my neck completely. A full 360-degree brim is fantastic, but a longer one in the front and back works almost as well. The material itself needs a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. I never settle for anything less than UPF 50+, which blocks over 98% of harmful UV rays. This is the single most important feature for a hiking hat for backpacking & hiking sun protection.
Next up is breathability and weight. A heavy, stuffy hat can ruin a long day on the trail. I prefer hats made from lightweight, synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester. Many of the best ones have mesh panels on the sides or top to let heat escape. This is a game-changer on steep, sweaty climbs. Ventilation holes are another great feature that can make a huge difference in comfort.
Durability and packability are my other two big considerations. My gear gets tossed in packs, scraped against rocks, and soaked in rain. A hat needs to be tough enough to handle that abuse without falling apart. At the same time, I don’t want a rigid hat that I can’t stash away when I’m under tree cover or need to put my hood up. A crushable design is perfect—one that I can fold or roll up, stuff in a pocket, and have it pop back into shape without looking like a crumpled mess.
Finally, I think about the little extras. A chin strap is essential for me; a gust of wind on a ridge can send an expensive hat sailing into a canyon. An adjustable headband or cord in the crown ensures a secure, custom fit. Some hats even have a hidden, removable bug net, which is a brilliant feature for summer hikes. And don’t forget about comfort—a soft, absorbent sweatband can make a long, hot trek much more pleasant. By focusing on these key areas, you can find a hat that truly works with you on the trail.
FAQ
What is the difference between UPF and SPF?
This is a common point of confusion. SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a rating you see on sunscreen. It measures protection against UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburn. UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, is used for fabrics. It measures how much of both UVA and UVB radiation a fabric blocks. UVA rays penetrate deeper and contribute to skin aging. So, when you see a UPF 50 rating on a hat, it means only 1/50th (or 2%) of the sun’s UV rays can pass through the fabric.
Are boonie hats good for hiking?
Absolutely. I think boonie hats are a fantastic option for many types of hiking. Their wide, floppy brims offer excellent 360-degree sun protection for your neck and face. They are typically made from lightweight, quick-drying materials and are often designed to be crushable and packable. Many also include features like chin straps and ventilation grommets. Their main downside can be their looser fit, which might not be ideal in very windy conditions, but a good chin strap solves that problem.
How do I clean my hiking hat?
You should always check the manufacturer’s tag first, but a general rule is to use mild soap and cool water. For most synthetic hats, I hand-wash them gently, rinse thoroughly, and let them air dry completely away from direct heat or sunlight. Avoid putting them in a washing machine or dryer unless the care label explicitly says it’s safe, as this can damage the shape, break down the fabric’s UPF coating, and ruin any stiff brims.
Can I just wear a baseball cap for hiking?
You can, but I find them to be insufficient for full-day sun exposure. A baseball cap does a great job of shading your face, but it leaves your ears and the back of your neck completely exposed. I often see hikers with nasty sunburns in these exact spots. If a baseball cap is your only option, you must pair it with a bandana or a dedicated sun neck gaiter for adequate protection on the trail.
What material is best for a hiking hat?
For me, synthetic materials are the clear winner. I look for hats made from nylon or polyester because they are lightweight, durable, quick-drying, and often have built-in UPF protection. Some natural materials like cotton are comfortable but they tend to hold moisture and can feel heavy and soggy when you sweat. A synthetic fabric with a mesh lining or panels will keep you much cooler and drier on a long, strenuous hike.
Why is a chin strap important?
A chin strap might seem like a small feature, but it’s crucial. On an exposed mountain pass or a windy coastal trail, a strong gust can easily snatch your hat right off your head. Not only is this frustrating (and potentially expensive), but it can also be dangerous if your primary sun protection goes sailing over a cliff. A chin strap gives you peace of mind and ensures your hat stays put when the weather turns breezy.