In this blog, we will look into 5 everyday hats that are great for hiking. Let’s dive in!
A good hat is one of the unsung heroes of hiking clothing. It not only protects you from the sun but also keeps your head warm, regulates your temperature, and keeps the sweat from your eyes. Oh, and it looks pretty cool too!
Although hiking hats do exist and come in a range of styles and materials, they may not be much better for hiking than some of the styles listed below. You may be able to save some money by using a hat that you already own.
What Makes A Good Hiking Hat?
A good hiking hat should be:
- Lightweight: A good hiking hat should be lightweight and easy to wear for extended periods of time.
- Breathable: The hat should be made of breathable material that allows air to circulate, keeping your head cool and comfortable.
- Packable: A good hiking hat should be easy to pack into your bag without worrying about it getting crushed or damaged. It´s also helpful if it has some kind off attachment so that it can be hung on the outside of your bag for easy, fast access.
- Provide sun protection: The hat should provide adequate sun protection for your face, neck, and ears, with a brim wide enough to shield you from the sun.
- Quick-drying: If you’re hiking in wet conditions or sweating, the hat material should be quick-drying to keep you dry and comfortable.
- Sweat-wicking: A good hiking hat should be able to wick away sweat to prevent it from dripping down your face.
- Have a comfortable fit: The hat should fit well and be comfortable to wear, with an adjustable strap or sizing options to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
- Durable: The hat should be durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of the outdoors and should be easy to pack and carry in your backpack.
- Versatile: A good hiking hat should be versatile enough to be worn in a variety of weather conditions, from hot and sunny to cold and windy.
- Insulating: If you are hiking in colder conditions, a good hiking hat should keep you warm but also allow for some breathability so as not no to make you sweat.
Should You Wear A Hat While Hiking?
Wearing a hat is definitely down to personal preference but does have some great benefits!
Here are a few benefits of wearing a hat while hiking, could any of these benefits help you out?
- Sun Protection: Wearing a hat with a wide brim can provide valuable sun protection for your face, neck, and ears, helping to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage.
- Heat and Sweat: In hot weather, a hat can provide shade for your head and face, helping to keep you cooler and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. Look for hats with breathable materials to allow better airflow and wick away sweat.
- Cold Weather: In colder climates, a hat can help retain body heat and prevent heat loss from your head. Opt for a hat made from insulating materials to keep you warm.
- Bug Protection: Wearing a hat with mesh netting can help protect your face and neck from insects like mosquitoes, especially in areas where bugs are prevalent.
- Eye Protection: A hat with a brim can also shield your eyes from glare, particularly when hiking in areas with reflective surfaces like water bodies or snowy terrain.
- Rain and Wind: A waterproof or water-resistant hat can help keep your head dry in case of unexpected rain. A hat with a chin strap can also help keep it secure in windy conditions.
- Visibility: In certain conditions, such as low-light or foggy environments, a brightly colored hat can make you more visible to other hikers or hunters, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Personal Comfort: Some people prefer the feeling of wearing a hat, while others find it uncomfortable.
If you want to know more about the benefits of wearing a hat whilst hiking, click here
The Trusty Baseball Cap
The classic baseball cap is the most popular hat in the world and can be a great option for hikers looking to hit the trail in style.
One of the best things about baseball caps is that they shield your face from the sun without impairing your vision or adding too much weight. If your neck starts to get burnt, easy just turn the cap backward and keep on hiking. No wonder everyone from baseball stars to golfers to musicians loves these caps!
The best baseball caps for hiking are made of light, breathable materials that give you all the sun protection with non of heat. Try to find one with good adjustment and that you don´t mind getting too sweaty.
The pros and cons of hiking with a baseball cap
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to wear
- Provides sun protection for your face and neck
- Affordable and widely available
- Fits well and doesn’t obstruct your view
- Can be easily packed into your backpack or clipped to the outside.
- Wear it forward or backwards
Cons:
- May not provide enough sun protection for your ears and neck
- Can become sweaty and uncomfortable in hot weather
- Limited coverage compared to other hat styles
- Can blow off in windy conditions
- Not suitable for cold or wet weather
Bucket Hat
Bucket hats are similar to baseball hats in that they provide sun protection for your face and head. However, bucket hats have a wider brim all around, which offers more coverage and can protect your ears and neck from the sun as well. There are many styles of bucket hats from fairly small brims like you would see at festivals to massive brims you would expect to see a park ranger or fishermen wear. The bigger brims tend to be used more by hikers as it gives more comprehensive coverage.
Many bucket hats are made of lightweight, breathable materials like cotton or nylon, which can help keep you cool and comfortable during your hike. Additionally, bucket hats are versatile and can be easily packed into your backpack without taking up too much space.
Overall, a bucket hat can be a great choice for hiking, particularly on hot, sunny days.
Pros And Cons Of Wearing A Bucket Hat For Hiking
Pros:
- The wide brim provides sun protection for your face, neck, and ears
- Lightweight and breathable material keeps you cool and comfortable
- Versatile and can be worn in a variety of weather conditions
- Easy to fold up and store in your backpack or hang of your neck if it has a drawstring.
- Some bucket hats come with adjustable chin straps to keep the hat in place in windy conditions
Cons:
- Limited visibility due to the wide brim
- Not adjustable so might not fit all-sized heads.
- Not ideal for colder weather or rain
- Can become sweaty and uncomfortable in hot weather
- May not be as widely available as other hat styles
Visor
A visor provides great shade and protection for your forehead and eyes but leaves your face, neck, top of your head, and ears exposed to the sun. The hole at the top makes the visor an amazingly lightweight and cool option but is not ideal if you’re bald.
Visors can be a good option for short hikes or when you’re exercising and want to keep your head cool. However, for longer hikes, it’s recommended to wear a hat that provides full sun protection.
Overall, visors can be a practical choice for hiking in certain situations, but it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks and choose a hat that provides adequate sun protection for your needs.
Pros
- Keeps your forehead and eyes shaded from the sun
- Keeps sweat out of your eyes
- Lightweight and breathable, which helps keep you cool during your hike
- May be more comfortable for people who don’t like wearing full hats
- Allows for better ventilation than a traditional hat, which can be beneficial in hot weather
Cons
- Provides limited sun protection compared to other hat styles, leaving the top of your head, your face, neck, and ears exposed to the sun
- Terrible for cold or wet weather
- Not in fashion (in our opinion)
Beanie
Not just for skiing! If you’re hiking in cooler weather, a beanie is a great choice for a hiking hat. It’s the perfect item to pack in your pocket or bag and pull out if things get a bit chilly.
Studies have shown that you can lose 10% of heat through your head. In cold weather covering up your noggin is really important for staying warm and comfortable.
It’s important to choose a beanie that fits well and covers your ears to provide maximum warmth. It’s also a good idea to choose a beanie made of breathable materials, such as wool or synthetic fabrics, which can help regulate your body temperature.
You can buy specific hiking beanies that are breathable and very light. These tend to be pretty stylish so are ideal for day-to-day life.
Buffs
Buffs can be an excellent choice for hiking! A buff is a versatile piece of fabric that can be worn in a variety of ways, such as a neck gaiter, hat, or face mask. Buffs are lightweight and breathable, and provide sun protection for your face, neck, and ears.
One of the best things about buffs is their versatility. They can be worn in multiple ways depending on your hiking needs. For example, you can wear it as a neck gaiter to protect your neck from the sun or as a headband to keep sweat out of your eyes. Buffs are also great for keeping your face and head warm in colder weather.
Buffs are made of a variety of materials, such as polyester, merino wool, or bamboo. Each material offers different levels of warmth and breathability.
They pack into your backpack like they aren’t even there and you can get them really cheap online. We never leave home without our trusty buff!
In summary
That’s it for our discussion on hats for hiking! We hope this guide has helped you understand the importance of wearing a hat on your next adventure and given you some ideas on what styles to consider. Remember, whether you choose a baseball cap, bucket hat, sun hat, visor, or buff, the most important thing is to find a hat that fits well, offers adequate sun protection, and is comfortable to wear on the trail.
So before heading out on your next hike, check your cupboard to see if you already own the perfect hiking hat!
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