With summer right around the corner, It's time to start exploring! Whether you're going on a hike in Hawaii, taking a boat down the Mekong River in South East Asia, or walking down the streets of Rome, there's one thing you're going to want that most people don't think about. A hat!
There are a handful of people who will just pop into a souvenir shop and buy a hat that says the name of the city on it with the intention of just using it for that trip. But, smart travelers not only bring a hat with them, but they bring a hat that lasts! I like to think of myself as one of the smart travelers and have compiled a list of my favorite hats that not only provide protection from the sun, but look stylish, and will keep you moving.
Best All-Around Protection
Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney Fishing Hat
The Columbia Bora Bora Booney Fishing Hat is a great option for anyone looking for a comfortable and stylish hat to protect them from the sun while fishing, hiking, or exploring. The hat is made of a lightweight and breathable fabric that will keep you cool and comfortable even on hot days. The hat also has a wide brim that will protect your face and neck from the sun, and it has a built-in sweatband to keep your head dry. The hat has an adjustable drawstring to ensure a perfect fit.
I have been using this hat for a few weeks now, and I have been very impressed with it. The hat is very comfortable, and it is perfect for long days in the sun The wide brim does a great job of protecting my face and neck from the sun, and the sweatband keeps my head dry. I have also been impressed with the durability of the hat. It has held up well to the elements, and it shows no signs of wear and tear.
Although not the most stylish of hats, if it's overall protection you want, the Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney Fishing Hat is perfect. Available in a variety of colors and currently on sale for up to 30% off, I highly recommend giving it a try.
Best Cooling Hat
MISSION Cooling Performance Hat
The MISSION Cooling Performance Hat is a great option for anyone looking for a comfortable and stylish hat that will keep them cool and dry even on hot days. The hat is made of a lightweight and breathable fabric that wicks away moisture, and it has an adjustable fit to ensure a perfect fit. The hat also has a built-in sweatband to keep your head dry.
I have been using this hat for a few weeks now, and I have been very impressed with it. The hat is very comfortable, and it is perfect for wearing on hot days. The fabric wicks away moisture quickly, so I don't have to worry about my head getting sweaty. I have also been impressed with the durability of the hat. It has held up well to the elements, and it shows no signs of wear and tear.
The MISSION Cooling Performance Hat is activated by submerging the hat in water and ringing it out. The hat will retain some of the water and create a cooling effect that will make your head feel up to 30 degrees cooler. I used this hat while walking around Rome and couldn't have been happier.
Best High-End Hat
melin A-Game Hydro
The melin A-Game Hydro has a price point that will have you looking the other way. But before you do, have a look at what this hat has to offer.
The A-Game Hydro hat is made with a hydrophobic technology on the crown panels designed to bead away water and prevent absorption. Constructed with durable materials the hats are water repellant, floatable, and breathable. This means that the hat will stay dry even in wet conditions, making it perfect for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and camping.
The hat is also UV-protected, so you can wear it with confidence knowing that your skin is protected from the sun's harmful rays. If you're tired of ruining your hats with sweat stains, then you should consider the melin A-Game Hydro. I've been using mine for over a year now and can honestly say that the upfront investment is well worth it.
melin makes different hat styles with the same technology and features, but the A-Game Hydro is our favorite. The A-Game Hydro is available in a variety of colors and retails for $69.99.
Best Emergency Hat
GADIEMKENSD Mens Folding Outdoor Hat Long Brim
You're probably asking yourself, "What is an emergency hat?" and that's a valid question. Let me paint a picture for you, you're going for a walk in a new city and you only think your're going to be gone for an hour or so. You don't want to bring a bag and you don't want to wear a hat. Enter the GADIEMKENSD Mens Folding Outdoor Hat Long Brim!
The hat is foldable, so you can easily pack it away and take it with you on your next adventure. It can fit in almost any pant pocket without causing any discomfort. And although the hat is advertised as "Mens," it's about as unisex as a hat can get, so don't let that word sway your decision. Being foldable and lightweight also means it is going to take up less room in your luggage, and best of all, you can actually pack it in your luggage without worrying about bending the brim.
The GADIEMKENSD Mens Folding Outdoor Hat Long Brim is made with a special UPF 50+ fabric that protects your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. This makes it perfect for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and camping, or to bring along when exploring a new city as an emergency hat.
Overall, the GADIEMKENSD Mens Folding Outdoor Hat Long Brim is a great hat that is perfect for anyone looking for a comfortable, stylish, and functional hat. And best of all, it is on sale for $13.99 at the time of this writing!
Best Mid-Range Hat
SEALSKINZ Waterproof Unisex All Weather Cap
If the melin A-Game Hydro and the MISSION Cooling Performance Hat had a baby, we're pretty sure this would be it.
The SEALSKINZ Waterproof Unisex All Weather Cap is made of a lightweight and breathable fabric that is both soft and supportive, and it has a three-layer waterproof construction that will keep you dry even in heavy rain. The hat also has a built-in headband that helps to wick away sweat and keep your head dry.
The hat is also windproof, so you can wear it with confidence knowing that your head will stay warm in cold weather. The SEALSKINZ Waterproof Unisex All Weather Cap is crafted with minimal insulation to give maximum breathability. It is suitable for both warm and wet conditions.
Our only complaint with the hat is that it is only available in blue and black, we would love to see it in a lighter color.
Best Accessory
AUZEN Hat Clip for Travel
Let's face it, part of the reason we don't take a hat with us sometime is that we don't know what to do with it when we want to take it off. We end up putting it on a knee at dinner, or on an empty chair next to us. We are constantly afraid that we might leave the hat behind. Or even worse, the hat keeps falling on the ground.
The AUZEN Hat Clip for Travel is a great way to keep your hat secure while you're on the go. Of course, this only works if you have a bag/backpack with you unless you attach the clip to your belt loop which is easy to do with the carabiner-type clasp. The AUZEN Hat Clip is made of durable materials and has a strong magnet that will keep your hat in place, even in windy conditions.
The clip is also adjustable, so it can fit on a variety of bags and luggage. Making a quick stop at a grocery store before heading back to your AirB&B but you only have two hands and your backpack is full? The AUZEN Hat Clip allows you to carry a few more bags.
I've been using the Hat Clip for Travel for a few weeks now, and I've been very impressed with it. It's very easy to use, and it's kept my hat secure in all sorts of conditions. I've used it on my backpack, my duffle bag, and even my belt loop, and it's worked great on all of them.
The Hat Clip for Travel is a great value for the price. It's made of high-quality materials and is very durable. The AUZEN Hat Clip is available in a 2-pack for $21.99.