The Best Beach Hats for Women

What to Look For

A good sun hat should be equal parts protective, comfortable, and durable. That’s why we loved the picks on our list — they all blend some combination of those qualities, and they do so while being affordable. For example, Lanzom’s Panama hat is a fantastic everyday option. Its classic style is complemented by its affordable price, making it an easy, low-risk choice. But for something that’s better-suited to more active environments, we recommend Muryobao’s foldable mesh sun hat. It’s ultra-breathable, portable, and comfortable. Plus, it’s tough to beat its price. Read on to learn about the rest of our favorites.

Lanzom Women’s Wide Brim Straw Panama Hat

Life's a beach

Wear this traditional Panama hat for equal parts shade and style.

Best Overall

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Made from paper straw and polyester, this soft hat is the perfect beach topper. It’s a cute and lightweight style that also helps you block harmful rays, keeping you sunburn-free. The hat can even be folded and rolled, making it easier to stow away in suitcases or tote bags, so it’s simple to take with you on the go when you travel.

Pros:

• This hat is a stylish beach accessory that will help protect your face and hair from harsh sunlight
• It’s one-size-fits-most, so it’s a nearly universal fit
• The hat comes in over two dozen color combinations, so you can find one that matches your personal style

Cons:

• It runs a little large but has an adjustable tie on the interior for people with smaller heads
• The hat may be darker in person than in photos

Furtalk Women’s Beach Sun Straw Hat

Got you covered

This floppy straw hat will give you added sun protection without weighing you down.

Runner Up

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This floppy style has a wide brim to give you maximum protection from the sun. Ideal for sunny trips like beach vacations or day trips to the pool, it’s one of the most fashionable ways to get the sun protection you need. Pair it with everything from cover-ups and swimsuits to dresses, shorts, and jeans for a versatile style that goes with almost anything. Plus, it’s even designed to roll up, so you can take it with you anywhere.

Pros:

• The hat has a wide brim to protect your face and neck from harsh sunlight
• There’s an adjustable tie on the interior to help you achieve the perfect fit
• A black bow at the back adds a stylish accent

Cons:

• The hat comes with a detachable strap, but it can be hard to get it to stay on
• It runs small, so may not comfortably fit those with larger heads

Muryobao Women’s Outdoor Wide Brim Beach Hat

Throw some shade

Get the UV protection you need in this polyester style perfect for the outdoors.

Most Durable

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From hikes to beach days, this hat does it all. Made from cooling polyester, it gives you the shade you need to keep your face from getting burned while also helping to keep you comfortable. The polyester material even offers UV protection, so you don’t have to rely on sunscreen alone. Wear it with your hair down, or tie it up thanks to the opening in the back specially designed for ponytails.

Pros:

• The wide brim and UV protection keep damaging rays off of your face and neck
• Mesh panels on the side are designed to keep you cool, even in hot weather
• An adjustable neck tie helps you keep the hat on during more rigorous activities like hiking or kayaking

Cons:

• It’s not as stylistically versatile as straw styles
• The chin strap isn’t removable

Verabella UPF Sun Hat

Two in one

Get the sun protection you want and the comfort you need in this visor-hat combo.

Best Visor

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Stop getting overheated in your other sun hats and opt for this vinyl visor style instead. Made to block up to 99% of UV rays, this adjustable style gives you a wide spectrum of sun protection for your ears, face, and neck. The lightweight style can be rolled up and stowed away in your suitcase or beach bag easily, and the hat even has an adjustable cord to keep in place on the windiest of days. Try it for yourself on your next beach day, fishing trip, golf event, or tennis match.

Pros:

• It’s waterproof, so you can wear it in the water without worrying about damage
• The vinyl is designed to block up to 99% of harmful UV rays to help protect against sunburn
• The circumference is adjustable for different head sizes

Cons:

• Because it’s a visor, it doesn’t offer any protection for your shoulders or back like a traditional sun hat
• The brim has a metal rim, which will get bent and need to be reshaped if you roll up the hat for travel

FakeFace Women’s Foldable Floppy Beach Hat

Made in the shade

Protect against unwanted sun with the help of this super-wide brimmed style.

Best Wide-Brimmed

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This reversible design gives you two hats in one for added versatility. The cotton style is super breathable to help keep you cool and the nearly 7-inch wide brim keeps your face, neck, and shoulders protected from harsh rays. That way, your skin stays even and untouched by the sun to avoid burns, sun damage, and unwanted tan lines.

Pros:

• One side of the hat is a solid color and the other has a bright paisley print, so you can choose whichever suits your mood
• It’s made from 100% cotton to ensure it is breathable and keeps you cool in hot weather
• The soft style is easy to fold up or roll, making packing even easier

Cons:

• It runs small, so won’t fit people with larger heads
• It’s folded up in transit, so it may be wrinkled when it arrives

Frequently Asked Questions

Do sun hats work?

Sun hats can help to protect against harmful UV rays, which can help to minimize sunburn and other skin damage. They should not, however, be used as a replacement for sunscreen.

Do hats protect hair from the sun?

Yes. Wearing a hat helps prevent damage to both your hair and your scalp. It will also help protect colored hair against fading that can be caused by harsh UV rays.

Are hats better than sunscreen?

UV protective fabric, like that used in many sun hats, helps protect your skin and hair against harsh and damaging UV rays from the sun. Tightly woven fabrics like polyester deliver reliable protection. Thinner fabrics, like cotton, don’t offer as much protection. As a result, it’s best to use both sunscreen and a hat to avoid sunburn.

About the Author

Hannah has always had an eye for fashion and beauty and is often inspired by the styles she sees on the streets of her beloved New York City. She closely follows the top fashion blogs and icons, and her goal is to help everyone look and feel their best through their clothing choices. Hannah’s work can be found in Boston Magazine, Hamptons Magazine, and more.

Why Trust Us

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.