The Best Beach Hats
Taking a trip to the beach is all fun and games until sunburn kicks in. Whether you’re surfing, sleeping, or laying out to tan, there’s always a chance of getting too much sun at the beach. Sunburn on the face and ears can be especially bad since they’re often exposed the most. If you’re looking to bask in the rays without getting roasted, a beach hat can be a stylish solution. To help you find the best beach hat, we’ve put together a list of the best ones available on the market today.
What to Look For
When narrowing down the best beach hats on the market, we focused primarily on functionality, style, design, and price. Those criteria helped us home in on a few standout picks. For example, if you wanted a hat that’s great for outdoor activities like fishing and kayaking, GearTOP’s bucket hat may be your best bet. For style and plenty of facial shade, Siwide-brims wide brim sun visor reigns supreme. Keep reading to see all our great picks and find the one that’s right for you.
Anycosy Panama Straw Hat
It doesn’t get much more classic than this. Whether you’re kicking it at the beach or taking the kids to a theme park for the day, this fedora sun hat will be sure to keep the rays in check. Made from paper straw, the hat is designed with a focus on breathability and lightness. The brim is just under three inches wide all the way around, so it provides decent sun protection and a fashionable look. Plus, you can choose from different types of outer bands including bows, stripes, and more. For timeless looks at a great price, this Panama hat is hard to beat.
Pros:
- This hat is available in more than 15 color options, so it’s extremely versatile for matching with outfits.
- Reshaping the hat is simple, so if it gets squished or bent, it’s easy to form it back to its normal shape.
Cons:
- The brim may arrive folded or slightly curved, but it can be ironed out to lay flat.
Einskey Wide Brim Bucket Hat
When it comes to sun hats, bigger is often better because the bigger the brim, the better the protection from the sun. If you’re looking for the ultimate sun protection, this bucket hat may be your best bet. With a brim width of almost four inches, it provides much more protection than other hats that prioritize style. They even offer neck flap and full-coverage options for those who really want to stay out of the sun. If safety is your number one priority, look no further.
Pros:
- This hat has a waterproof brim, so it’s perfect for kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor activities that may involve water.
- Each hat comes with an adjustable drawstring to help the hat stay snug in windy conditions.
Cons:
- If you prefer a more casual hat, you might find this one to be too large. But if you’re focused on sun protection, this hat provides it better than most.
Furtalk Women’s Beach Sun Straw Hat
Stylish shade
If you’re looking for a mixture of classy and cool, this hat should be on your radar. This straw hat from Furtalk is the ultimate accessory for a sundress beach outfit. We love that it’s versatile enough to fit almost any occasion. It’s fashionable and feminine, but it’s still functional as a shade hat. It even has a removable chin strap to keep it steady on windy days. For a hat that’ll make you look good while offering decent protection, this hat is the move.
Pros:
- The inside of the hat features adjustable Velcro, so you can easily adjust the shape of the hat to fit your head.
- The straw material is flexible and durable, so it can hold up to being folded and bunched in a beach bag.
Cons:
- The stitching isn’t the most durable. As long as you treat the hat well, though, it should be fine.
GearTOP Bucket Hat
When nature calls
If you’re about to go on an outdoor adventure, a regular sunhat may not cut it. Straw hats may be fine for the beach, but rugged activities call for rugged accessories. This hat boasts various design features, like breathable mesh to cool your head and a drawstring chin strap to keep it snug even when you’re kayaking down rapids. Best of all, it has a nice wide brim to keep those pesky sun rays off your face.
Pros:
- This hat is available in multiple colors to fit your style or the natural environment you’ll be wearing it in.
- If you want to adjust the amount of shade you get with this hat, you can flip the brim and the sides up with the included side snaps.
Cons:
- The hat is less protective against the sun in mesh areas, so consider what’s underneath those areas before buying or wearing it.
Simplicity Wide Brim Sun Visor
Business up front
Visors aren’t just for the tennis crowd, and when it comes to sunny days, they can be a classy and fashionable alternative to standard sun hats. This visor is equal parts cute and functional, a great combination for a day at the beach. It has a sweat-wicking headband in the interior and an adorable bow design in the back. It’s made of lightweight straw and can even roll up to make it more compact for packing. Whether you’re focused on style or shade, this visor has it all.
Pros:
- This visor makes it simple to throw your hair in a messy bun or even a ponytail and still get shade over your face without messing up your hairdo.
- With more than ten color options to choose from, it’s easy to find a visor that matches your perfect outfit.
Cons:
- When it’s shipped, it may arrive rolled up, but it will flatten out over time with consistent use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are beach hats made of?
More traditional and vintage-style sun hats tend to be made of straw with cotton details. Newer types of sun hats, like fishing hats and bucket hats, are often made with polyester and other synthetic fabrics.
Why can’t I just wear a baseball cap?
There’s nothing stopping you from repping your favorite team at the beach, but baseball caps only cover the front of your head in the shade. This still leaves your neck and ears open to the sun. In terms of total coverage, they don’t offer much.
About the Author
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Since 2001, our experts at TheFashionSpot have been providing millions of people with our take on the latest trends. TheFashionSpot is constantly looking for the hottest styles in clothing and accessories for people of all body types. Our team knows that beauty starts well before the closet, so we are also dedicated to finding the best products for your skin and hair.