As wonderful as it is to get outside for your dose of vitamin D – especially on a day at the beach – protecting your skin from the sun is extremely important. While sunscreen and sunglasses seem to get all the attention, another key component of summer sun safety is a beach hat.
U.S. News editors researched dozens of review sites, including Amazon, online retailers, travel industry pages and more, to come up with this selection of the best beach hats. Even if you don’t typically wear beach hats or have previously struggled to buy one you like, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect fit.
(Note: Prices and availability were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand or other factors.)
What sets this hat apart: Features like UPF 50+ sun protection, a wide brim and packability make this beach hat our top overall pick. You can wear it casually to the beach or use it to accessorize a dressy outfit to meet your friends for lunch. The straw and polyester material make it comfortable, breathable and soft. What’s more, this hat is available in around 20 color combinations, ranging from classic khaki to light pink, as well as two different sizes.
Travelers appreciate: This hat is a hit with beachgoers because of its trendy, flattering look and affordable price.
Courtesy of San Diego Hat Company
What sets this hat apart: For a packable style with plenty of color options, the classic One Size Ultrabraid Visor from San Diego Hat Company checks all the boxes. The visor rolls up easily for packing and can be worn when your hair is up or down, making this hat perfect for beach vacations. The 4-inch brim and UPF 50+ protection ensure your face is safe from the sun’s rays. Given nearly 20 color options, including bright styles like hot pink and orange or aqua lime, you’ll be able to match this summer hat to your cover-up.
Travelers appreciate: Users love the extra protection your face gets, as well as the hat’s ability to easily roll up.
Courtesy of Quiksilver
What sets this hat apart: Made with straw, this sun hat from Quiksilver is a must-have at the beach, in the garden or whenever you venture outside. This classic style has a wide brim to ensure full protection, and the chin strap provides security in windy weather. This lifeguard hat is available in three sizes including XXL, which is perfect for anyone with a hard-to-fit larger head. It also comes in three neutral colors.
Travelers appreciate: Recent beachgoers love the extensive coverage they get from the wide brim, but as it is a real straw hat, they caution not to smash it into your bag or suitcase.
Courtesy of FURTALK
What sets this hat apart: This quintessential straw hat is always a good idea for a day at the beach. The foldable and packable UPF 50 sun hat has an adjustable interior band, a removable chin strap and a moisture-wicking sweat band so you won’t have to worry about sweat dripping into your eyes on the hottest of days. It is made of 90% paper straw and 10% polyester. Available in several neutral colors and two sizes, the large hat can fit over a head of thick curly hair.
Travelers appreciate: Several wearers of the style say they love having finally found a hat that fits their bigger heads.
Courtesy of Coolibar
What sets this hat apart: This oversized floppy hat will be the talk of the beach this summer. Made with a lightweight, breathable polyester weave that will keep your head cool under the hot sun, it also has a chin strap to keep it from flying off your head on windier days. The 7-inch brim offers maximum UV protection, and the wire rim makes adjusting easy so you can create shade no matter where the sun is coming from. This hat comes in black or tan.
Travelers appreciate: Reviewers love how this floppy beach hat rolls up for simpler packing, making it an ideal choice for a seaside vacation.
What sets this hat apart: Look fashionable while keeping the sun off your face, neck and shoulders with this oversized beach hat that features a nearly 10-inch brim. Made from 100% raffia straw, this hat is breathable, keeping your head cool on hot summer days at the beach. The wire rim allows you to style it the way you want and helps it keep its shape.
Travelers appreciate: Reviewers love the ample shade this hat provides, not to mention the dramatic flair it adds to any beach outfit.
Courtesy of Getaway Hats
What sets this hat apart: The new and improved version of this hat features an interior headband that is not only comfortable but also resistant to odors and stains. When you unpack this hat, you’ll be happy to see that it retains its look and shape, due to a crushable, pliable brim and wrinkle-resistant fabric. Better yet, it only weighs 2 ounces. Not only will this hat protect you from the sun, but its durable water-repellent coating will also keep your head dry in the rain.
Travelers appreciate: Many customers praised the comfort of the hat and liked that it was lightweight.
What sets this hat apart: This cute and comfortable bucket hat is made of a lightweight, quick-drying fabric with UPF 50+ sun protection built in. It is adjustable via a toggle on the back. Keep this hat in your beach bag to protect your face from the sun’s harmful rays. It comes in two sizes and several colors, including blue and yellow.
Travelers appreciate: Reviewers on Amazon and the retailer’s website loved that this hat is lightweight and easy to pack.
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Courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods
What sets this hat apart: The Sunday Afternoon Kids’ Play Hat keeps toddlers and young kids safe from the sun while they play outside, whether it’s at the beach or in front of their water table in the backyard. The UPF 50+ hat provides total protection from the sun, and its breakaway chin strap releases under tension, preventing choking and injury. The hat is also resistant to water and stains, and it can be wiped clean or thrown in the laundry.
Not only is this Sunday Afternoons hat available in multiple sizes for ages 1 to 12, but its adjustable fit ensures your child can wear it for a long time. This hat comes in more than 30 solid colors and fun prints, such as butterflies or dinosaurs.
Travelers appreciate: Parents love the durability of this hat, noting it lasts more than one summer and for multiple family beach vacations. “I love that this hat can grow with my son, and I appreciate that it’s machine-washable,” says Amanda Norcross, a mom and senior content strategist at U.S. News. “It’s also just plain adorable!”
Courtesy of Green Sprouts
What sets this hat apart: Infants aren’t typically supposed to wear sunscreen until they are 6 months old, and many babies don’t have much (if any) hair, so protecting their little heads and faces is extremely important. This hat from green sprouts is lightweight, extends down the neck for added coverage, and has an adjustable toggle so it can grow along with your baby. A chin strap adds extra security, and a wicking liner keeps your child cool. This sun hat is available in three sizes and several colors, including white, pink and aqua.
Travelers appreciate: Parents appreciate that it’s adjustable, so babies can continue wearing it even as they rapidly grow bigger.
Courtesy of Wallaroo Hat Company
What sets this hat apart: This Wallaroo cowboy hat, constructed from 100% natural raffia, is breathable and lightweight, keeping your head cool in the sun. The 3-inch wire-edge brim keeps the sun off your face and can be styled to your liking. The hat features an internal drawstring for adjustability and is available in three colors. Packing this hat may affect its shape, so you may want to wear it on your journey instead of squeezing it into your bag.
Travelers appreciate: Traveler-favorite features include the adjustable drawstring and the ability to shape the hat to fit your style.
Courtesy of Dalix
What sets this hat apart: If you’re looking for a basic trucker hat to keep cool (and look cool) while soaking up some rays at the beach, this Dalix trucker hat is just what you need. Its poly-foam front, mesh sides and snap closure on the back make it comfortable to wear. This cap comes in more than a dozen color combinations, such as blue and white or red and black.
Travelers appreciate: Many reviewers said that the hat was good quality at a great price. Some commented that the white front on most of the color options makes it perfect for DIY projects or customization.
How to Pack a Beach Hat
Whether you plan to bring your hat for a day at the beach or a weeklong tropical vacation, you’ll want to know how to pack it so that it keeps its shape. Depending on the hat’s material and durability, if you pack it properly, it should come out of any bag with little maintenance needed to make it look wearable. Here are the best tips for a crush-free hat in different styles:
- For straw hats: If the hat is fragile, pack it upside down in your suitcase and fill the crown of the hat with clothes. Then, pack clothing around the hat to cushion it.
- For “packable” hats: Typically, hats that are made with polyester can be rolled and securely stored to prevent creasing.
- For canvas hats: A canvas hat can usually be folded – unless it has a stiff brim. If creases appear, use a steamer to remove them. For baseball caps or trucker hats, fill the hat with clothing and lay it flat in a suitcase.
- Hang your hat: Another alternative is to purchase a magnetic hat clip that can be attached to a purse for hands-free carrying.
- Wear your hat: If you don’t want to take the chance of your hat getting crushed in your bag, wear it on the plane.
Why Trust U.S. News Travel
Sharael Kolberg is a U.S. News & World Report contributor. Having lived in Hawaii, Southern California and Australia, she has spent countless days trying to keep the sun off her face at the beach. Kolberg has extensive experience testing beach hats at the beach, at the pool and in her garden, as well as packing them in her suitcase for tropical vacations. To curate this list of top beach hats, she used her own experience with hat options such as the FURTALK Women’s Straw Foldable Hat as well as her research skills.
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