Should you wear a hat at the beach?

A beach hat is a must-have for anyone hitting the sand. Not only does it provide shade for your eyes, but it also blocks the rays of the sun from burning the top of your head and can prevent overheating.

What material should a beach hat be made from?

Beach hats are often made from linen, polyester, or cotton. However, synthetic straw is the most popular material, given its affordability, breathability, and light weight.

What is the best type of hat for sun protection?

The best types of hats for sun protection are bucket-style hats or wide-brimmed sun hats. Ideally, the brim of your hat should be at least 3 inches wide to provide adequate sun protection.

Do beach hats have UPF?

Many beach hats do have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor that makes them ideal for sunny weather. Look for beach hats with a UPF rating of at least 50.

The 10 Best Beach Hats for Travel [2023]

When it comes to beach accessories, a sun hat is a must.

Timeless and elegant, a straw beach hat offers a wide brim for increased sun protection and is versatile enough to be worn with any type of outfit. From floppy hats to sun visors and everything in between, the very best beach hats are flexible, versatile, and make a statement all on their own.

Table of contents

Things To Consider With Beach Hats
The 10 Best Beach Hats
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

Things To Consider With Beach Hats
The 10 Best Beach Hats
Final Thoughts

Things To Consider With Beach Hats

Straw hats are an excellent option for keeping you cool and shaded on the beach. Before you buy your next beach hat, consider the following:

Style

Whether you prefer the timeless funkiness of a Fedora, the precision of a Panama hat, or the relaxed boho vibe of a floppy wide-brimmed straw hat, your beach hat should fit closely on your head and offer sun protection.

The size of the brim is very important, and you should look for one that’s wide enough to offer plenty of shade without it being too big to be practical.

Look for brims that are at least 3 inches wide, and those that can be repositioned to stay up on either side, giving you the option of altering the style of the hat while also helping you find the perfect amount of shade as the sun moves throughout the day.

Hot Tip: If you prefer a cap, look for ones with longer peaks that can be curved to suit the size and shape of your face. Adjustable back panels provide a tight fit and a useful gap through which you can place your ponytail.

Fit

Beach Hat Fit — Most beach hats come with adjustable inner headbands. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Most beach hats come with adjustable inner headbands that can be tightened to make a fit that feels almost custom-made.

Some of our favorite sun hats come in a choice of sizes, but as a general rule of thumb, most straw hats are suitable for adults with a head circumference between 21 and 23 inches.

If you have a lot of hair, you may want to consider a visor-style sun hat that offers protection for your face and eyes but gives your hair the space to move freely so it doesn’t become uncomfortable.

Fabric

Some beach hats are made from linen, polyester, or even cotton, but our favorite beach hats are fashioned out of synthetic straw materials that offer excellent protection at an affordable price.

Many come with a ribbon or cord for added style and may have a drawstring to help keep your hat on should the breeze pick up.

Upscale straw hats are often made from raffia material that has been tightly woven for a soft and supple feel, while more affordable versions are made from paper straw that’s lightweight enough to be worn all day long.

Sun Protection

The tighter the weave of your straw hat, the more protection it will offer. Large gaps will allow some rays to make their way through, which will leave your head open to the risk of sun damage.

Before you buy, hold the hat up in front of you to see how much light pokes through to help you to determine how suitable it is for use in the sun.

Hot Tip: Many straw hats come with predetermined Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) ratings. If this is the case with any hats you’re considering, choose one that offers a UPF of 50+ for maximum protection.

The 10 Best Beach Hats

1. Straw Hat for Everyday Wear

BEST OVERALL: FURTALK Women’s Beach Straw Hat

This classic choice with a foldable brim is a perfect choice for summer. The high-quality materials offer UPF 50 protection, and the moisture-wicking band helps with bearing the effects of heat.

FURTALK Women’s Beach Sun Straw Hat

This fabulous straw hat can fold up nice and small, making it an excellent choice for beach days and vacations.

Made from high-quality paper straw, it’s fashionable, functional, and incredibly comfortable to wear. With a wider brim, it helps to protect the delicate skin on your face and neck from the harmful rays of the sun, and the interior headband helps to prevent sweat from dripping into your eyes.

There are 2 sizes to choose from. Medium is recommended for women with a head circumference between 21.8 and 22.4 inches, and large is recommended for head circumferences between 22.4 and 23 inches.

Offering timeless good looks and a high level of protection, this on-trend sun hat is perfect for the summer season.

What We Like

It’s suitable for just about everyone

What We Don’t Like

The paper straw looks nice but may not be long-lasting

2. The Best Oversized Straw Hat

Itopfox Womens Beachwear Sun Hat Striped Straw Hat Floppy Big Brim Hat Black 1,One Size(22inch-22.8inch Circumference)

This wide-brimmed is made from high-quality woven straw and is available in a variety of colors. This option includes UPF 50+ sun protection that will cover your face and neck.

Women’s Sun Straw Hat With Extra Wide Brim

Stay in the shade with this beautiful straw hat that features an oversized brim. Lightweight and flexible, this hat has a stylish, floppy, and wide brim that offers excellent protection from the sun.

Large enough to cover your face, neck, and ears, this hat will help to keep you cool even on the hottest of days, and is easily foldable to fit nicely into your checked or carry-on luggage.

The tightly woven design offers extra durability and protection, and the built-in sweatband helps to keep moisture away from your eyes. Available in 2 sizes, this fashionable hat has an adjustable inner string to fit most head circumferences.

What We Like

Its flexibility allows it to fold into a compact shape

What We Don’t Like

No wire to shape the brim

3. Panama Hat for Stylish Sun Worshippers

DISCOUNT: 15%

Anycosy Women Panama Hat

A wide-brim option made from paper straw. It is a comfortable choice to wear, made from soft and breathable materials. It is lightweight and can be easily folded.

Anycosy Women Wide Brim Straw Panama

Feel like you are away on safari with this Panama hat. Available in a choice of traditional straw or assorted bright colors, it comes with a black ribbon and an adjustable rope on the inside for a customized fit.

Easy to fold, you can stash it in your beach bag, and with a circumference of 22.5 inches and an adjustable ribbon, it’s suitable for most adult wearers.

Made from paper straw, this hat offers excellent protection from the sun, and the breathable design will help to keep your head feeling nice and cool even when the temperature rises.

What We Like

It fits well and holds its shape

What We Don’t Like

No chin strap

4. Straw Sun Visor for Big Hair Days

Simplicity Women’s Straw Hat

This wide-brim choice can be easily rolled up for smooth packing. It has a practical hook and loop closure. This option includes a moisture-wicking sweatband, adjustable head circumference, and sun protection for your face and neck.

Simplicity Women’s UPF 50+ Wide Brim Sun Visor

Stay safe in the sun and look good doing so with this brilliant straw sun visor. Made from high-quality paper straw, it comes with a hook and loop closure that makes it easy to adjust to perfectly fit the size of your head.

It’s fashionable and easy to wear, it has a super-wide brim for blocking out the sunlight, and the innovative design lets you wear your hair down or up high in a ponytail.

This soft hat can be rolled up and carried in your beach bag, and it’s designed to fit head circumferences between 22 and 23.2 inches.

What We Like

It’s great for anyone with a lot of hair

What We Don’t Like

It may not be suitable for those with smaller heads

5. Baseball Cap for Long Hair

C.C. Ponytail Criss Cross Trucker Mesh Hat

A cotton and polyester 1-size option with an adjustable hook. Suited to all genders and ideal to preserve ponytails and buns while you’re out and about in the heat. This lightweight design has a stretchy elastic back.

C.C Ponytail Criss Cross Baseball Cap

With its innovative design, this brilliant baseball cap has a design that lets you keep the hair off of your neck while in the sun.

Available in a choice of gorgeous designs and fashionable colorways, the criss-cross elastic on the back will keep your hair neatly in place.

The wide visor offers increased UV protection while in the sun, and the snug fit makes this cap just as useful for use in the gym as it is on the beach.

With a one-size-fits-most design, this cap has a Velcro strap adjuster at the back, and the ponytail elastic is designed to be snag-free and easy to use at all times.

What We Like

It’s a great-looking piece of headwear

What We Don’t Like

The elastic on the back is very long

6. Oversized Straw Hat for Anyone Who Loves a Cheeky Slogan

DISCOUNT: 5%

Dreshow Women’s Bowknot Beach Hat

This floppy-brimmed option is both elegant and practical for traveling. It is easily packable and can be folded whenever you need to store it. The premium handwoven straw design adds a touch of flair to your sun protection.

Women’s Big Bowknot Floppy Straw Hat

This straw hat is made from high-quality handwoven straw, and with a choice of snappy slogans, it offers a great way to have fun and stay protected.

With a sculpted shape, it features a pinched crown and flat back brim that’s wide enough to offer plenty of shade, and with a woven sweatband on the inside, it will help to keep the moisture away from your eyes.

Perfect for use on the beach or the backyard, this hat comes in a wide variety of colors and designs. It’s suitable for anyone with a head circumference of 22.5 inches or less.

What We Like

It can be ordered with any one of several cheeky little slogans

What We Don’t Like

It’s not as oversized as the photos would suggest

7. Havana Hat for Lazy Days in the Sun

DISCOUNT: 28%

Sunday Afternoons Havana Hat

A stylish choice made of 90% paper and 10% polyester that can be easily folded and packed away. It includes a breathable braid design and a moisture-wicking sweatband on the interior. The ribbon headband adds further elegance.

Sunday Afternoons Havana Hat

Offering UPF 50+ protection, this hat is made from tightly woven paper straw that helps block the sun’s harmful rays.

Stylish and easy to wear, this traditional-style Havana hat comes with a 2.75-inch brim that helps to shade your skin from the sun, and the classic style works well with any outfit.

On the inside, there’s an adjustable strap that will help you to find a custom fit, and available in a choice of colors with a contrasting ribbon or straw band, this is a stylish piece of headwear that would look good in any situation.

What We Like

It’s great for almost all occasions

What We Don’t Like

The crown size is on the large side

8. The Best Cowboy-style Sun Hat

DISCOUNT: 12%

Sunday Afternoons Sunset Hat

A classic choice featuring a breathable braid made from polyester with a leatherette chin strap that can be easily adjusted. It includes UPF 50+ sun protection for the face and neck. This option can be quickly folded and packed in a bag.

Sunset Hat

This supercool cowboy-style sun hat is made from soft and flexible polyester material, and with an internal size adjuster, it’s to achieve an almost-custom fit.

The extra-wide 3.5-inch brim offers an impressive amount of shade, and the tightly woven fabric has a 50+ UPF sun rating.

With an adjustable chin strap, you can be sure this hat will stay firmly on your head at all times, and the shapeable brim lets you play with it to find the perfect shape to suit your style.

Available in a choice of colors with a decorative polyester braid, this summer hat is perfect for beach days, picnics, festivals, and so much more.

What We Like

The Western styling and oversized brim look great

What We Don’t Like

It’s quite heavy

9. Sun Visor for a Comfortable Fit

Livingston Women’s Golf Visor Hat

A stylish scallop-shaped option made from premium braided straw featuring a practical Velcro closure at the back. The wide brim fully keeps the face protected from the sun. An easy-to-pack, foldable option.

Women’s Wide Brim Straw Golf Hat

Available in a choice of neutral straw colors and pretty pastels, this awesome visor hat offers plenty of shade for your eyes.

With an attractive scallop-braided straw pattern, this visor comes with a hook-and-loop closure and can be adjusted to perfectly fit the size of your head.

With a long, wide brim that measures 4.3 inches at its widest point, this hat offers tons of protection from the sun, and with a moisture-wicking headband on the inside, it will keep you feeling cool when the temperature rises.

Perfect for sun worshippers who like to wear their hair down in the sun, this awesome piece of headwear offers all the elegance of a traditional straw hat combined with the convenience of a regular visor.

What We Like

It’s perfect for anyone with long hair

What We Don’t Like

The long brim may not suit everyone

10. Cotton and Straw Sun Hat for Everyday Wear

DISCOUNT: 16%

Roxy Women’s Incognito Trucker Hat

This cotton and linen choice has a 6-panel design with an adjustable closure and flat visor. A stylish baseball cap option that can be easily folded and packed away with other luggage when traveling.

Roxy Women’s Incognito Trucker Hat

Made from a soft and comfortable blend of straw and cotton linen, this hat combines all the best elements of a sun hat and a cap on one perfectly formed piece of headwear.

Featuring a traditional 6-panel “J-Shape” construction, this hat will fit neatly on your head, and the adjustable visor helps to reflect the sunlight away from your face.

Its one-size-fits-all design makes this suitable for outdoor lovers with heads of all sizes.

Perfect for use while working in the sun, this hat features the stylish Roxy leather logo patch, and available in a selection of colors, it’s an excellent choice for wearing when sunbathing, swimming, walking, running, and enjoying a wide range of other outdoor activities.

What We Like

It combines the “cool” factor of a cap with the elegance of a straw hat

What We Don’t Like

It has quite a boxy shape

Final Thoughts

A tightly woven straw hat offers increased protection in the sun without asking you to compromise on style. With moisture-wicking sweatbands, drawstring chin straps, and adjustable sizes, these straw hats are fun, fashionable, and an excellent choice for sun worshippers everywhere.

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