Sun Hats

Sun hats are everywhere in the summer, but they are really for any time you are outside and want to keep your face, scalp, ears, and sometimes your neck protected from direct sunlight.  Unlike a standard baseball cap or trucker hat, a sun hat typically offers more coverage thanks to a wider brim, neck cape, or both.  You'll also find that many of the styles here at The North Face are made with UPF-rated fabrics, quick-dry materials, water repellent finishes, and chin straps.

A sun hat doesn't just offer UV protection.  It can also keep you cooler, increasing your comfort while outdoors for extended periods of time.  The wider brim can also reduce glare, shading your eyes for better visibility.

Many summer outdoor activities practically require a sun hat.  These include hiking, camping, fishing, boating/paddling, climbing, and running.  However, you don't have to be an outdoor enthusiast to enjoy the benefits of this accessory.  Sun hats can be worn while gardening, walking around the neighborhood, sitting on the beach, traveling, and attending festivals.  Pair one with sun protection clothing and sunscreen and you'll be even more protected.

There are several types of sun hats including:

• Brimmer/wide brim:  These have a full circular brim and offer the best all-around shade.

   

• Bucket hats:  Buckets are typically more casual looking and have a shorter, downward brim.

   

• Boonie hats:  Often outdoor or tactical inspired, boonie hats have a medium brim and a chin strap.

   

• Sunshield/Cape Hat:  These offer great neck protection thanks to the incorporated neck flap or cape.

   

• Straw Hat:  Straw is a classic option for gardening, casual wear, and beach use.

Which style you choose depends on your intended use.  However, a good checklist to follow for an all-around great sun hat is:

• A wide brim

• UPF 50 or 50+

• Lightweight

• Sweat-wicking band

• Chin strap for windy conditions

• Quick-dry fabric and/or a water-repellent finish (DWR)

Horizon Breeze Brimmer:  Our best-selling Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat is proudly recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation, earning their Seal of Recommendation for safe and effective UV protection.  It has a sweat-wicking sweatband, UPF 50 protection, and an adjustable cord.  

Class V Brimmer:  Not only does the Class V Brimmer offer 360-degree sun protection, it is also quick-drying with a water-repellent finish.  It's a great choice for wet days, warm days, and every day in between.  Available in men's and women's styles.

Universal Horizon Convertible Brimmer:  This one wins in ease of use and packability.  It can be adjusted with one hand for versatile sun protection and the packable design makes it easy to stow when the clouds roll in.  

Absolutely not.  While sun hats reduce sun exposure in covered areas (face, top of the head, etc.), you definitely need sunscreen on all exposed skin.

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor.  It is a rating system for clothing and fabrics that indicates how much UV radiation reaches your skin.  A higher UPF rating means more protection.  UPF 50+ blocks over 98% of UV rays.

A UPF-rated sun hat is especially useful for long sun exposure.  It offers more UV protection than an ordinary fashion hat.

Not really.  A baseball cap can shade the front of the face, but it leaves the ears and neck more exposed than a brimmed sun hat.

Just like any hat, a sun hat can blow off in the wind depending on the speed.  A style with a chin strap, snug fit, and slightly structured brim can help reduce the chances of this happening.

Of course.  Bucket hats in particular are a trendy choice for everyday wear, festivals, outdoor concerts, and city wear.